Niobides, born of royal blood, Daughter of the great Tantalus, Proud of her numerous offspring, Held these words...
« Prefer the god that you can see, Rather than revere the unseeable ones ! My beauty and fertility Surpass that of the Goddess Leto, mother of the twin gods. Haste yourself ! Praise me ! Or my anger is upon you all ! ... »
Indignant, the Mother of the Gods Apollo and Artemis Adressed them...
« My children, I have been harmed... This mortal forbad my altars And does not vow you any respect. »
« Cease, said the God of Light, those laments that delay the punishment. »
Near the walls of the city of Thebes, The seven sons of Niobides Proudly overlaped their steeds. Unaware of their impending death And Apollo ; and his avenging arm!
The awful slaughter began. No male offspring survived.
Pierced by murderous arrows Seven bodies lays Below the sun.
« Leto, feast on my sorrow Your son killed me seven times ! But still I am the greatest After so many funerals ! »
This excessive bragging Was fatal to her daughters. Artemis, The vengeful goddess, Made each of her fall On their brothers's deadly wounds, Withdrawing unfairly Their final breath.
« I admit, you have won. You are the greatest of us. Now let me rest, please, For I have lost all my offsprings... »
Muted by her sadness, Petrified by what she had done, Slowly, her tender skin turned Into the coldest stone
Her veins became ivory Her tears, marble. Her last breath was trapped in her Petrified...Teksty umieszczone na naszej stronie są własnością wytwórni, wykonawców, osób mających do nich prawa.