Page:Ajax (Trevelyan 1919).djvu/51

 Ours would have been the lot which now is his:

While we lay slain by a most shameful doom,

He would have still been living. But his outrage,

Foiled by a god, has fallen on sheep and herds.

Wherefore there lives no man so powerful

That he shall lay this corpse beneath a tomb;

But cast forth somewhere upon the yellow sands

It shall become food for the sea-shore birds.

Then lift not up your voice in threatening fury.

If while he lived we could not master him,

Yet in death will we rule him, in your despite,

Guiding him with our hands, since in-his life

At no time would he hearken to my words.

Yet 'tis a sign of wickedness, when a subject

Deigns not to obey those placed in power above him.

For never can the laws be prosperously

Stabllshed in cities where awe is not found;

Nor may a camp be providently ruled

Without the shield of dread and reverence.

Yea, though a man be grown to mighty bulk,

Let him look lest some slight mischance o'erthrow him.

He with whom awe and reverence abide,

Doubt not, will flourish in security.

But where outrage and licence are not checked,

Be sure that state, though sped by prosperous winds,

Some day at last will founder in deep seas.

Yes, fear should be established in due season.

Dream not that we can act as we desire,

Yet avoid payment of the price in pain.

Well, fortune goes by turns. This man was fiery

And insolent once: 'tis mine now to exult.

I charge thee, bury him not, lest by that act

Thou thyself shouldst be digging thine own grave.

CHORUS

Menelaus, do not first lay down wise precepts,

Then thyself offer outrage to the dead.