Page:Four Plays of Aeschylus (Cookson).djvu/149

Rh Or, in a state where cynic policy

Goes the broad way of international crime,

And men forget the Gods, there shall be found

One just man, who, though he hath done no wrong,

Caught in the snare of his compatriot's guilt,

Falls, smitten with the chastisement of Heaven

That visiteth them all! So is it now

With the seer, Œcles' son! A man most staid,

Just, valiant. God-fearing, greatly endowed

With prophecy, but 'gainst his better mind

Consorting with blasphemers, when they take

The road which to retrace is hard and long,—

He, if it be the will of Zeus, shall fall

With all his bad confederates dragged down!

I do not think he will so much as move

Against the Gates; not that he lacks the courage

Or is at heart attaint with cowardice,

But having certain knowledge of the way

The fight must end for him; if the oracle

Of Loxias bear fruit; and he is wont

To speak to purpose if he speak at all.

Nevertheless, I make choice of a man

To send against him, valiant Lasthenes:

He keepeth on the stranger at the Gate

A jealous ward: in wisdom of ripe years

But of a youthful brawn yet immature.

A man so quick of eye, so sure of hand,

That instant through the undefended flesh

Crashes his spear, if aught that's vulnerable

Be left uncovered at the buckler's edge.

Howbeit, howsoe'er we thrust or fend

Victory is a gift men owe to Heaven.