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AIAS

Lift him up, lift him hither. He will not shrink

In terror at sight of yonder new-spilt blood,

If he be rightly mine, his father's son.

Early must he be broken to his sire's

Stern rugged code, and grow like-natured with him.

son, mayst thou prove happier than thy father,

In all else like him, and thou'lt prove not base.

Yet even now might I envy thee herein,

That of these woes thou hast no sense at all.

For the life that is unconscious is most sweet—

Until we learn what joy and sorrow are.

But that once learnt, then midst thy father's foes

Thou must show what thou art, and of what breed.

Till then be nurtured on soft airs, cherishing

Thy tender life, and be thy mother's joy.

None of the Greeks, I know, will do thee wrong

With cruel outrage, even though I be gone.

So trusty a guardian will I leave thee, Teucer,

Who will not stint his loving care, though now

He is gone far away, in chase of foes.

But you, my warriors, comrades in seafaring,

On you too I impose this task of love;

And fail not to announce my will to Teucer,

That to my home he take the child and show him

To Telamon and my mother Eriboia,

That henceforth he may comfort their old age.

And charge him that no game-steward make my arms

A prize for the Greeks—nor he who ruined me.

But this take thou, my son Eurusakes;

Hold it and wield it by its firm-stitched thong,

This sevenfold spear-proof shield, whence comes thy name.

But else with me my arms shall be interred.

Come, take the child hence quickly, and bolt the doors:

And let there be no weeping and lamenting

Before the hut. Women love tears too well.