The Decree Of Athena Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABCDEFEGHHEIHFJKHLEH HHEFHMEFHHE| Hear ye my statute men of Attica | A |
| Ye who of bloodshed judge this primal cause | B |
| Yea and in future age shall Aegeus's host | C |
| Revere this court of jurors This the hill | D |
| Of Ares seat of Amazons their tent | E |
| What time 'gainst Theseus breathing hate they came | F |
| Waging fierce battle and their towers upreared | E |
| A counter fortress to Acropolis | G |
| To Ares they did sacrifice and hence | H |
| This rock is titled Areopagus | H |
| Here then shall sacred Awe to Fear allied | E |
| By day and night my lieges hold from wrong | I |
| Save if themselves do innovate my laws | H |
| If thou with mud or influx base bedim | F |
| The sparkling water nought thou'lt find to drink | J |
| Nor Anarchy nor Tyrant's lawless rule | K |
| Commend I to my people's reverence | H |
| Nor let them banish from their city Fear | L |
| For who 'mong men uncurbed by fear is just | E |
| Thus holding Awe in seemly reverence | H |
| A bulwark for your State shall ye possess | H |
| A safeguard to protect your city walls | H |
| Such as no mortals otherwhere can boast | E |
| Neither in Scythia nor in Pelops's realm | F |
| Behold This Court august untouched by bribes | H |
| Sharp to avenge wakeful for those who sleep | M |
| Establish I a bulwark to this land | E |
| This charge extending to all future time | F |
| I give my lieges Meet it as ye rise | H |
| Assume the pebbles and decide the cause | H |
| Your oath revering All hath now been said | E |
Aeschylus
(1)
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