Page:Acharnians and two other plays (1909).djvu/171

Rh

With proposals of advice, for your advantage and for mine. Chorus. Enemies time out of mind! they that have spilt our fathers' blood,

How should they be friends of ours, or give us counsel for our good? Hoo. Friendship is a poor adviser; politicians deep and wise

Many times are forced to learn a lesson from their enemies;

Diligent and wary conduct is the method soon or late

Which an adversary teaches; whilst a friend or intimate

Trains us on to sloth and ease, to ready confidence; to rest,

In a careless acquiescence; to believe and hope the best.

Look on earth! behold the nations, all in emulation vieing,

Active all, with busy science engineering, fortifying;

To defend their hearths and homes, with patriotic industry,

Fencing every city round with massy walls of masonry:

Tactical devices old they modify with new design;

Arms offensive and defensive to perfection they refine;

Galleys are equipped and armed, and armies trained to discipline.

Look to life, in every part; in all they practise, all they know;

Every nation has derived its best instruction from the foe. Chorus. We're agreed to grant a hearing; if an enemy can teach

Anything that's wise or useful, let him prove it in his speech. Peis. (aside). Let's retire a pace or two; you see the change in their behaviour. Hoo. Simple justice I require, and I request it as a favour. Chorus. Faith and equity require it, and the nation hitherto

Never has refused to take direction and advice from you. Peis. (aside). They're relenting by degrees;

Recover arms and stand at ease. Chorus. Back to the rear! resume your station,

Ground your wrath and indignation!

Sheathe your fury! stand at ease,

While I proceed to question these:

What design has brought them here?

Ho, there, Hoopoe! can't he hear?