Page:Four Plays of Aeschylus (Cookson).djvu/26

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14
AESCHYLUS

That fare on flesh. Ye must instruct me further;
I am to know more of this history
And how ye are a seed of Argive strain.


Chorus.

Runs not the story that on Argos' earth
Io once kept the keys of Hera's house?


King.

'Tis very sure she did: the fame thereof
Lives yet throughout the land.


Chorus.

And more by token;
The heart of Zeus was stung with love of her?


King.

Troth, 'twas no secret: Hera wrought amain
To foil his fancy.


Chorus.

And this royal quarrel
How doth it end in the story?


King.

The Argive goddess
Transformed the maid into a cow.


Chorus.

And Zeus
Is fain to have the comely beast fair-horned?


King.

Indeed the tale is told so: to that end
He wore the likeness of a lustful bull.