and those who dwell about Erasinus’ ancient stream. And you handmaidens take up the song. Let the theme of our praise be this city of the Pelasgians, and no longerlet the homage of our hymns be paid to Nile’s floods where they seek the sea,

Chorus of the Danaids But to the rivers that pour their gentle draught through the land and increase the birth of children, soothing its soil with their fertilizing streams. May pure Artemis look upon this band in compassion, and may marriage never come through Cytherea’s compulsion. May that prize belong to my enemies!

Chorus of Handmaidens Yet there is no disdain of Cypris in this our friendly hymn;