Page:Sophocles - Seven Plays, 1900.djvu/193

1019–1052]

I, all alone and with a single hand,

Must do this. For it shall not rest undone.

. Would thou hadst been thus minded when our sire

Lay dying! In one act thou hadst compassed all.

. My spirit was the same: my mind was less.

. Be such the life-long temper of thy mind!

. Thine admonition augurs little aid.

. Yea. For the attempt would bring me certain bane.

. I envy thee thy prudence, hate thy fear.

. Even when thou speak’st me fair, I will endure it.

. Take heart. That never will be thine from me.

. Long time remains to settle that account.

. I find no profit in thee. Go thy way.

. Profit there is, hadst thou a mind to learn.

. Go to thy mother and declare all this!

. I am not so in hatred of thy life.

. Yet know the shame thou wouldst prepare for me.

. No, no! Not shame, but care for thine estate.

. Must I still follow as thou thinkest good?

. When thou hast wisdom, thou shalt be the guide.

. ’Tis hard when error wears the garb of sense.

. Right. That is the misfortune of your case.

. Why? Feel you not the justice of my speech?

. Justice may chance to bring me injury.

. I care not, I, to live by such a rule.

. Well, if you do it, you will find me wise.

. Well, I will do it, nought dismayed by thee.

. Speak you plain sooth? and will you not be counselled?

. No, for bad counsel is of all most hateful.

. You take the sense of nothing that I say.

. Long since, not newly, my resolve is firm.

. Then I will go. Thy heart will ne’er be brought

To praise my words, nor I thine action here.

. Then go within! 1 will not follow thee,