First Stasimon (410-445)

Back flow streams of holy rivers and justice (1) 410
and all things (2) are being turned back.
For men’s counsels are deceitful, and the pledge taken
in the gods’ name is no longer firmly fixed.
Legends will change my life so that it will have glory;
honor (3) comes to the female of the species;
the noise of rumors will set women free. 420

The Muses will cease from their ancient-born songs
singing of our faithlessness.
For not to our mind has Phoebus, the leader of tunes,
granted the inspired song of the lyre; 425
since then I would sing a song in response
to the race of men. But long life has
a lot to tell of our side and of men's. 430

You sailed from your father's home
with maddened heart between the double rocks of the sea
and you live on foreign soil,
desolate, without a man in your marriage bed, 435
poor woman, now an exile from this land
you are driven away without rights.

But the grace of oaths has gone; respect no more
abides in vast Hellas, but it has flown to the skies 440
and you no more have the house of your father,
to shelter you, poor woman,
from troubles. And over the bed
another queen more powerful stands now in the chamber. (4) 445

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