Chorus.
I hasted to this ancient seat
Because in the Gods I put my trust,
When at the gates with roaring gust
Rattled a hail of deadly sleet.
Then was I moved by fear to pray
Unto the Blessed Gods, that they
Might stretch to shield the town from harm
A mighty arm.
Eteocles.
Pray rather that the battlemented walls
Stand proof against the thrust of foeman's spear.
For were not that behoofful to the Gods?
'Tis a true saying: When a city falls
The Gods forsake their ancient habitations.
Chorus.
Not in my time, thou honourable Court
Of Gods, forsake the city: ere that day
When battle riots where her sons resort,
And flames devour her, take my life away!
Eteocles.
Let me not hear thee call on the good Gods
When thy base heart deviseth cowardice!
The mother of Good-Hap is Loyalty,
The proverb saith; Helpmeet of Him that Saves!
Chorus.
Save it he may; yet him God's power transcends;
And often out of rough adversity,
Cloud-wrack above us, where the visual ends,
Man's helplessness God stablisheth on high.
