Page:Masterpieces of Greek Literature (1902).djvu/195

165 ANTIGONE 165

May she not claim the meed of golden praise ? "

Such is the whisper that in secret runs

All darkling. And for me, my father, nought

Is dearer than thy welfare. What can be

A nobler prize of honor for the son 755

Than a sire's glory, or for sire than son's ?

I pray thee, then, wear not one mood alone,

That what thou say'st is right, and nought but that ;

For he who thinks that he alone is wise.

His mind and speech above what others have, 76o

Such men when searched are mostly empty found.

But for a man to learn, though he be wise,

Yea, to learn much, and know the time to yield.

Brings no disgrace. When winter floods the streams,

Thou see'st the trees that bend before the storm, 765

Save their last twigs, while those that will not yield

Perish with root and branch. And when one hauls

Too tight the mainsail rope, and will not slack.

He has to end his voyage with deck o'erturned.

Do thou then yield ; permit thyself to change, 77u

Young though I be, if any prudent thought

Be with me, I at least will dare assert

The higher worth of one, who, come what will,

Is full of knowledge. If that may not be,^

(For nature is not wont to take that bent.) 7-5

'T is good to learn from those who counsel well.

Chorus. My king, 't is fit that thou shouldst learn from him, If he speaks words in season ; and, in turn. That thou [to Haemon] shouldst learn of him, for both speak well.

Creon. Shall we at our age stoop to learn from him. Young as he is, the lesson to be wise ? tsi

^ I. e., if he is not wise, he should accept advice.