Page:Sophocles (Storr 1919) v2.djvu/217



’Tis as I thought: before thy answer came

I knew full well thou wouldst refuse thine aid.

Unaided then and by myself I’ll do it,

For done it must be, though I work alone.

Ah well-a-way!

Would thou hadst been so minded on that day

Our father died! What couldst thou not have wrought!

My temper was the same, my mind less ripe.

Study to keep the same mind all thy days.

This counsel means refusal of thine aid.

Yes, for misfortune dogs such enterprise.

I praise thy prudence, hate thy cowardice.

E’en when thou shalt commend me, I will bear

Thy commendation no less patiently.

That trial thou wilt ne’er endure from me.

Who lives will see; time yet may prove thee wrong.

Begone! in thee there is no power to aid.

Not so; in thee there is no will to learn.

Go to thy mother; tell it all to her. 205