Page:Sophocles - Seven Plays, 1900.djvu/74

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. Thou sayest the best, if there be best in woe.

Briefest is happiest in calamity.

. Ah! let it come,

The day, most welcome of all days to me,

That brings the consummation of my doom.

Come! Come! I would not see another sun.

. Time will determine that. We must attend

To present needs. Fate works her own dread work.

. All my desire was gathered in my prayer.

. But prayer is bootless. For to mortal men

There is no saviour from appointed woe.

. Take me away, the vain-proud man that slew

Thee, O my son! unwittingly,—and thee!

Me miserable, which way shall I turn,

Which look upon? Since all that I can touch

Is falling,—falling,—round me, and o’erhead

Intolerable destiny descends.

Wise conduct hath command of happiness

Before all else, and piety to Heaven

Must be preserved. High boastings of the proud

Bring sorrow to the height to punish pride:—

A lesson men shall learn when they are old.