Page:Four Plays of Aeschylus (1908) Morshead.djvu/55

Rh This word, even from the young, let age and wisdom learn:

If thou to suppliants show grace,

Thou shalt not lack Heaven's grace in turn,

So long as virtue's gifts on heavenly shrines have place.

Not at my private hearth ye sit and sue;

And if the city bear a common stain,

Be it the common toil to cleanse the same:

Therefore no pledge, no promise will I give,

Ere counsel with the commonwealth be held.

Nay, but the source of sway, the city's self, art thou,

A power unjudged! thine, only thine,

To rule the right of hearth and shrine!

Before thy throne and sceptre all men bow!

Thou, in all causes lord, beware the curse divine!

May that curse fall upon mine enemies!

I cannot aid you without risk of scathe,

Nor scorn your prayers—unmerciful it were.

Perplexed, distraught I stand, and fear alike

The twofold chance, to do or not to do.

Have heed of him who looketh from on high,

The guard of woeful mortals, whosoe'er

Unto their fellows cry,

And find no pity, find no justice there.