Page:Sophocles - Seven Plays, 1900.djvu/115

1374–1407]

. Whoso would sneer at thy philosophy,

While such thy ways, Odysseus, were a fool.

. And now let Teucer know that from this hour

I am more his friend than I was once his foe,

And fain would help him in this burial-rite

And service to his brother, nor would fail

In aught that mortals owe their noblest dead.

. Odysseus, best of men, thine every word

Hath my heart’s praise, and my worst thought of thee

Is foiled by thy staunch kindness to the man

Who was thy rancorous foe. Thou wast not keen

To insult in present of his corse, like these,

The insensate general and his brother-king,

Who came with proud intent to cast him forth

Foully debarred from lawful obsequy.

Wherefore may he who rules in yon wide heaven,

And the unforgetting Fury-spirit, and she,

Justice, who crowns the right, so ruin them

With cruellest destruction, even as they

Thought ruthlessly to rob him of his tomb!

For thee, revered Laërtes’ lineal seed,

I fear to admit thy hand unto this rite,

Lest we offend the spirit that is gone.

But for the rest, I hail thy proffered aid;

And bring whom else thou wilt, I’ll ne’er resent it.

This work shall be my single care; but thou,

Be sure I love thee for thy generous heart.

. I had gladly done it; but, since thou declinest,

I bow to thy decision, and depart.

Speed we, for the hour grows late:

Some to scoop his earthy cell,

Others by the cauldron wait,

Plenished from the purest well.

Hoist it, comrades, here at hand,

High upon the three-foot stand!

Let the cleansing waters flow;

Brightly flame the fire below!

Others in a stalwart throng

From his chamber bear along