Who even in the house of Hades suffers not
The dead man to go free. And this asks not
Heart-searchings, fathom-deep, of saving thought?
Chorus.
Search deep and then rise up more strong
For justice: be the minister
That reverentially protects from wrong
The stranger and the sojourner,
Resolved never to yield while thou stand' st by
An exile driven so far in godless outlawry.
O look not on till rapine come
And from these haunts of Powers divine
Hale me for spoil: all masterdom,
All judicature here are thine.
Then in this cause let thy decree go forth:
'Man's lusts here sue for judgment,' and beware of wrath.
Submit not to the sight
Of divine Justice set at naught by might,
And the rejected suppliant led away
From statues holy, as by bands of gold
A horse is led, while rough men lay
Rude hands upon my raiment's damask fold.
Thy seed and thy household
As thou art cruel or in mercy bold,
The exact measure of thy 'yea' or 'nay'
Eternal Law shall utterly requite.
O ponder well these things, and sway
The event as Zeus commands, who judgeth right.
