Greek Texts & Translations

O Zeus, may you be good to men such as these!

What is your wish, then? Will you come to my house?

Yes, I would, if it were right. But this is the place—

645What will you do here? Speak, for I will not hinder you.

—Where I will conquer those who cast me out.

The promised gift of your presence would be great.

It shall be, if you keep your pledge with me.

Have courage concerning me; never will I betray you.

650I will not bind you with an oath as if an evil man.

Well, you would win nothing more than by my word.

What will you do, then?

What is it that you fear?

Men will come—

But these men here will see to that.

Beware that if you leave me—

Do not instruct me in my duties.

655Fear constrains me—

My heart feels no fear.

You do not know the threats—

I know that none will lead you from here against my will. Often threats have blustered in men's hearts with words loud and vain; but when the mind comes to itself once more, 660the threats have vanished. For those men, too, perhaps—yes, even if in boldness they have spoken dreadful things of bringing you back, the voyage here will prove long and hard to sail. Now I exhort you, apart from any decision of mine, to take heart, 665if indeed Phoebus has been your escort here. Even if I am not present, still my name, I know, will shield you from harm.