aeschylus - Conscious Evolution TV

ION 1222-1277
ian votary; and in the midst of the banquet-hall he the lords of Delphi decreed by general vote that my
set goblets of gold, while a herald hasted and invited mistress should be hurled from the rock to die, beto
the feast all citizens who would come. Then, cause she strove to slay the priest and compass his
when the tent was full, they decked themselves with death in the temple. So now is the whole city seekgarlands
and took their fill of the rich viands. Anon ing her, who hath to her sorrow sped a hapless jourafter
they had put from them the pleasure of eating ney; for, coming to crave the boon of offspring from
came an old man and stood in the midst, where his Phrebus, she hath lost her life and children too.
officious zeal provoked loud laughter among the Ch. Ah mel I see no way at all to turn death's
guests; for he would draw from the drinking-pitchers hand aside; all, all, ere this, is brought to light owing
water to wash the hands withal and was wasting as to that fatal draught of the wine-gad's juice mixed
incense the liquid myrrh, and in his charge he took for death with drops of viper's gore, quick to slay;
the golden beakers, setting himself unasked to this detected is our offering to the dead; for me my life
office. Now when they were come to the time for the must end in woe, while dea th by stoning waits my
flute-players and the general libation, cried out that mistress. How can I escape? Shall I take wings and
aged servitor, "Hence with these tiny cupsl bring flyaway, or creep beneath the darksome caverns of
larger goblets, that our guests may find a quicker the earth, striving to shun the doom of death by
route to joyousness." Thereon came servants bend- stoning? or shall I mount the car drawn by swiftest
ing 'neath the weight of goblets chased with silver steeds, or embark upon a ship? No man may hide
and golden chalices; and that old man, as if to do his his guilt, save when some gad of his own will steals
youthful lord a special service, chose out and offered him away. Ah! my poor mistress! what suffering
to him a brimming bumper, when he had cast into now awaits thy soul? Must then our wish to work
the wine that potent philtre which, men say, his another harm end in our own discomfiture, as justice
mistress gave to him to end the young man's days doth decree?
on earth; and no man knew of this; but just as he so Enter CREUSA.
lately found held in his hand the drink-offering, the Cr. My trusty maids, the men of death are on my
others following suit, some servant there uttered a track, the vote of Delphi goes against me; they
word of evil import; whereat the stripling, as one give me up to die.
who had been reared within the shrine amid reputed Ch. Unhappy one I we know thy sad mischance,
seers, deemed this an omen and bade them fill a how thou art placed.
fresh goblet, but.that first drink-offering to the gad Cr. Ohl whither can I fly? for scarce had I the
he poured upon the ground and bade all others do start of my pursuers from the house in my race for
the like. And silence stole upon them; while we with life; 'tis by stealth alone that I have thus far escaped
water and Phrenician wine were filling high the sa- my foes.
cred bowls. While thus we were busied, comes a flight Ch.Where shouldst thou fly except to the altar?
of doves and settles in the tent, for these dwell fear- Cr. What good is that to me?
lessly in the courts of Loxias. Soon as the guests had Ch. To slay a suppliant is forbidden.
poured away the luscious juice, those thirsty birds Cr. Aye, but the law has given me over to death.
did dip their beaks therein, drawing it up into their Ch. Only if thou fall into their hands.
feathered throats. Now all the rest received no hurt Cr. Look I here they come, cruel champions of
from the god's libation, but one that settled on the vengeance, eagerly brandishing their swords.
spot where the son new-found had poured his wine, Ch. Sit thee down upon the altar of burnt-offerno
sooner had tasted thereof, than convulsions seized ingl for if thou art slain there, thou wilt fix upon
her feathered form and she went mad, and scream- thy murderers the stain of bloodguiltiness; but we
ing aloud uttered strange unwonted cries; and all must bear our fortune.
the feasters ga thered there marvelled to see the bird's Enter ION.
cruel agony, for she lay writhing in the toils of death, Ion. 0 father Cephissus, with the bull-sbaped
and her red claws relaxed their hold. head, what a viper is this thy child, or dragon with
Forthwith the son, vouchsafed by oracles, bared fiery eyes that dart a murderous gleam, in whose
his arm by casting off his cloak and stretched it out heart is throned incarnate daring, noxious as those
across the board crying "Who was it strove to slay Gorgon drops of venom wherewith she sought to
me? Proclaim it, old sirrah, for thine was the offi- compass my death. Seize her, that the peaks of Parcious
zeal and thine the hand from which I took the nassus may card the flowing tresses of her hair, for
cup." With that he caught the grey-beard by the thence shall she be hurled headlong amid the rocks.
arm and set to searching him that he might take the My lucky star hath kept me from going to Athens,
old man red-handed in the act. So was he detected, there to fall beneath the power of a step-mother.
and under strong constraint declared Creusa's dar- For I have gauged thy feelings towards me-the full
ing deed and all the trick of the poisoned draught. extent of thy bitter hostility-whilst yet amongst
Forth rushed the young man, whom the oracle of my friends; for hadst thou once shut me up within
Loxias to his sire assigned, taking with him the ban- thy house, my road to Hades' halls had led direct
queters, and standing mid the Delphic nobles made from thence. This altar shall not save thee, nor yet
harangue, "0 I hallowed soil, a stranger woman, Apollo's courts, for that pity thou implorest cries
daughter of Erechtheus, seeks to poison me." And out more loudly for meand my mother, who, though
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