Page:Ajax (Trevelyan 1919).djvu/54

 TEUCER

Much secret villainy you could make seem fair.

MENELAUS

That saying will bring some one into trouble.

TEUCER

Not greater trouble than we mean to inflict.

MENELAUS

My one last word: this man must not have burial.

TEUCER

Then hear my answer: burial he shall have.

MENELAUS

Once did I see a fellow bold of tongue,

Who had urged a crew to sail in time of storm;

Yet no voice had you found in him, when winds

Began to blow; but hidden beneath his cloak

The mariners might trample on him at will.

And so with you and your fierce railleries,

Perchance a great storm, though from a little cloud

Its breath proceed, shall quench your blatant outcry.

TEUCER

And I once saw a fellow filled with folly,

Who gloried scornfully in his neighbour's woes.

So it came to pass that someone like myself,

And of like mood, beholding him spoke thus:

"Man, act not wickedly towards the dead;

Or, if thou dost, be sure that thou wilt rue it."

Thus did he monish that infatuate man.

And lo! yonder I see him; and as I think,

He is none else but thou. Do I speak riddles?

MENELAUS

I go. It were disgrace should any know

I had fallen to chiding where I might chastise.