Nor did they cast their votes for the side of the males, disregarding the women’s cause, since they honored the avenging eye of Zeus, against which there is no battling, and what house would have it defiling its roof? By a sudden shift of metaphor, the eye of Zeus is likened to a foul bird whose pollution of the roof is an evil omen to the inmates of the house. For he sits heavily upon it. They take reverent heed of their kin, petitioners of holy Zeus; therefore with pure altars shall they please the gods.
 Chorus 
 Therefore let there fly forth from our overshadowed Overshadowed by the suppliant branches, which, though now laid on the altar (l. 507), are still in imagination held before the faces of the maidens. lips a prayer of gratitude. Never may pestilence