Histories

1. Wretches, why do you linger here? Rather flee from your houses and city,
2. Flee to the ends of the earth from the circle embattled of Athens [23.7333,37.9667] (Perseus)Athens!
3. The head will not remain in its place, nor in the body,
4. Nor the feet beneath, nor the hands, nor the parts between;
5. But all is ruined, for fire and the headlong god of war speeding in a Syrian chariot will bring you low.

1. Many a fortress too, not yours alone, will he shatter;
2. Many a shrine of the gods will he give to the flame for devouring;
3. Sweating for fear they stand, and quaking for dread of the enemy,
4. Running with gore are their roofs, foreseeing the stress of their sorrow;
5. Therefore I bid you depart from the sanctuary.
6. Have courage to lighten your evil.[*](Lit. spread courage over your evils. But most commentators translate “steep your souls in woe.”)