Page:Ajax (Trevelyan 1919).djvu/50

 And Hades the grim craftsman wrought that girdle?

I at least would maintain that the gods plan

These things and all things ever for mankind.

But whosoever's judgment likes not this,

Let him uphold his doctrine as I mine.

CHORUS

Speak no more, but take counsel how to inter

Our dear lord, and what now it were best to say:

For 'tis a foe I see. Perchance he comes

To mock our misery, villain that he is.

TEUCER

What chieftain of the host do you behold?

CHORUS

Menelaus, for whose sake we voyaged hither.

TEUCER

'Tis he. I know him well, now he is near.

MENELAUS

You, Sir, I warn you, raise not yonder corpse

For burial, but leave it as it lies.

TEUCER

For what cause do you waste such swelling words?

MENELAUS

'Tis my will, and his will who rules the host.

TEUCER

Let us know then what pretext you allege.

MENELAUS

We hoped that we had brought this man from home

To be a friend and champion for the Greeks:

But a worse than Phrygian foe on trial we found him.

Devising death for the whole host, by night

He sallied forth against us, armed for slaughter.

And had not some god baffled this exploit,