Page:Sophocles - Seven Plays, 1900.djvu/82

48

Ever toward the great and high

Creepeth climbing jealousy.

Yet the low without the tall

Make at need a tottering wall.

Let the strong the feeble save

And the mean support the brave.

Ah! ’twere vain to tune such song

’Mid the nought-discerning throng

Who are clamouring now ’gainst thee

Long and loud; and strengthless we,

Mighty chieftain, thou away,

To withstand the gathering fray.

Flocking fowl with carping cry

Seem they, lurking from thine eye;

Till the royal eagle’s poise

Overawe the paltry noise:

Till before thy presence hushed

Sudden sink they, mute and crushed.

Did bull-slaying Artemis, Zeus’ cruel daughter

(Ah, fearful rumour, fountain of my shame!)

Prompt thy fond heart to this disastrous slaughter

Of the full herd stored in our army’s name?

Say, had her blood-stained temple missed the kindness

Of some vow-promised fruit of victory,

Foiled of some glorious armour through thy blindness,

Or fell some stag ungraced by gift from thee?

Or did stern Ares venge his thankless spear

Through this night-foray that hath cost thee dear?

For never, if thy heart were not distracted

By stings from Heaven, O child of Telamon,

Wouldst thou have bounded leftward, to have acted

Thus wildly, spoiling all our host hath won!

Madness might fall: some heavenly power forfend it!

But if Odysseus and the tyrant lords

Suggest a forged tale, O rise to end it,

Nor fan the fierce flame of their withering words!