Page:Sophocles (Collins).djvu/124

112

For never to this day, since first I grasped

The gift that Hector gave, my bitterest foe,

Have I reaped aught of honour from the Greeks.

So true that byword in the mouths of men,

'A foeman's gifts are no gifts, but a curse.'

Wherefore henceforward shall I know that God

Is great: and strive to honour Atreus' sons.

Princes they are, and should be obeyed. How else?

Do not all terrible and most puissant things

Yet bow to loftier majesties? The Winter,

Who walks forth scattering snows, gives place anon

To fruitage-laden Summer; and the orb

Of weary Night doth in her turn stand by,

And let shine out, with her white steeds, the Day:

Stern tempest-blasts at last sing lullaby

To groaning seas: even the arch-tyrant. Sleep,

Doth loose his slaves, not hold them chained for ever.

And shall not mankind, too, learn discipline?

I know, of late experience taught, that him

Who is my foe I must but hate as one

Whom I may yet call friend; and him who loves me

Will I but serve and cherish as a man

Whose love is not abiding. Few be they

Who reaching friendship's port have there found rest.

But, for these things they shall be well. Go thou,

Lady, within, and there pray that the gods

May fill unto the full my heart's desire;

And ye, my mates, do unto me with her

Like honour; bid young Teucer, if he comes,

To care for me, but to be your friend still.

For where my way leads, thither must I go;

Do ye my bidding; haply ye may hear,

Though now is my dark hour, that I have peace."

The Chorus are convinced that Ajax has shaken off the sullen despair which had brooded over his spirit,