Page:Four Plays of Aeschylus (Cookson).djvu/66

54 And lest by sudden sword-stroke I should fall

Ere they could rescue me, unto their land

A burden and a curse for ever. Wherefore

Let gratitude to them hold in your hearts

The highest place and set your course. Moreover

To much already graven there add this

Paternal precept. Time assays the worth

Of things unknown; and every tongue is busy

With a new-comer's reputation, not

Oftenest for good: a word and 'tis bespattered.

Shame me not in your youth when all men's eyes

Will look your way. 'Tis difficult to guard

The tender fruit. It is desired of men

With patient watchings—for desire is human—

Of feathered fowls and beasts that walk the earth.

So with the body: when 'tis melting ripe,

Trust Cypris but the world will hear of it

If once she find the orchard-gate unlatched.

Then at the loveliness of virgin bloom

An arrow winged with dangerous charm is shot

From every roving eye, vanquished at sight

By irresistible desire. Let not

Our wills succumb to that the which to escape

We bore much toil, ploughed many perilous seas

On shipboard: neither let us work ourselves

Shame and confusion, to mine enemies

Triumph and very bliss. A double choice

Is ours. Pelasgus and the State at large

Each offer us a home; and both are free.

You see Fate throws us sixes. It remains

That ye your father's precepts strictly keep,

Counting your virtue dearer than your lives.