Page:Ajax (Trevelyan 1919).djvu/36

 Yea, better Hell should hide one who is sick in soul,

Though there be none than he sprung from a nobler lineage

Of the war-weary Greeks, yet

Strayed from his inbred mood

Now amidst alien thoughts dwells he a stranger.

Hapless father! alas, bitter the tale that waits thee,

Thy son's grievous affliction.

No life save his alone

Of Aiakid kings such a curse has ever haunted.

AIAS

All things the long and countless lapse of time

Brings forth, displays, then hides once more in gloom.

Nought is too strange to look for; but the event

May mock the sternest oath, the firmest will.

Thus I, who late so strong, so stubborn seemed

Like iron dipped, yet now grow soft with pity

Before this woman, whom I am loath to leave

Midst foes a widow with this orphaned child.

But I will seek the meadows by the shore:

There will I wash and purge these stains, if so

I may appease Athena's heavy wrath.

Then will I find some lonely place, where I

May hide this sword, beyond all others cursed,

Buried where none may see it, deep in earth.

May night and Hades keep it there below.

For from that hour my hand accepted it,

The gift of Hector, deadliest of my foes,

Nought from the Greeks towards me hath sped well.

So now I find that ancient proverb true,

Foes' gifts are no gifts: profit bring they none.

Therefore henceforth I study to obey

The Gods, and reverence the sons of Atreus.

Our rulers are they: we must yield. How else?

For to authority yield all things most dread