Page:Four Plays of Aeschylus (Cookson).djvu/32

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Law that doth vindicate the suppliant's right,

Daughter of Zeus who deals the destiny,

Look to it that I bring not in my flight

Mischief and wrong that wreck felicity.

And, thou with eld's too sober wisdom wise,

From younger hearts 'tis not too late to learn,

The noblest offering, purest sacrifice

On altars of oblation ever laid,

Sweeter than sweetest essence faith can burn,

Is mercy to the weak that ask for aid.

It is not at my private hearth ye sit;

And if some public mischief be afoot

Then must the commons of this realm work out

Such expiation as shall cleanse them all.

Myself might tender no effectual pledge

But with the privity of all free men.

Thou art both liberty and law

And commonalty; thine

An absolute prerogative

No captious rights confine;

Thou rul'st the hearth place of thy land,

The Godhead's central shrine,

By an indisputable nod.

Sole-sceptred on thy throne

All business that concerns the state

Thou dost despatch alone.

Beware lest unregarded wrong

Let in contagion.