Four Plays of Aeschylus. Aeschylus

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      For that, take heart and answer without fear.

       I am Pelasgus, ruler of this land,

       Child of Palaichthon, whom the earth brought forth;

       And, rightly named from me, the race who reap

       This country's harvests are Pelasgian called.

       And o'er the wide and westward-stretching land,

       Through which the lucent wave of Strymon flows

       I rule; Perrhaebia's land my boundary is

       Northward, and Pindus' further slopes, that watch

       Paeonia, and Dodona's mountain ridge.

       West, east, the limit of the washing seas

       Restrains my rule—the interspace is mine.

       But this whereon we stand is Apian land,

       Styled so of old from the great healer's name;

       For Apis, coming from Naupactus' shore

       Beyond the strait, child of Apollo's self

       And like him seer and healer, cleansed this land

       From man-devouring monsters, whom the earth,

       Stained with pollution of old bloodshedding,

       Brought forth in malice, beasts of ravening jaws,

       A grisly throng of serpents manifold.

       And healings of their hurt, by knife and charm,

       Apis devised, unblamed of Argive men,

       And in their prayers found honour, for reward.

      —Lo, thou hast heard the tokens that I give:

       Speak now thy race, and tell a forthright tale;

       In sooth, this people loves not many words.

CHORUS

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