Page:Sophocles - Seven Plays, 1900.djvu/93

566–596]

Be this your charge, no less,—and bear to him

My clear commandment, that he take this boy

Home to my fatherland, and make him known

To Telamon, and Eriboea too,

My mother. Let him tend them in their age.

And, for mine armour, let not that be made

The award of Grecian umpires or of him

Who ruined me. But thou, named of the shield,

Eurysakès, hold mine, the impierceable

Seven-hided buckler, and by the well-stitched thong

Grasp firm and wield it mightily.—The rest

Shall lie where I am buried.—Take him now,

Quickly, and close the door. No tears! What! weep

Before the tent? How women crave for pity!

Make fast, I say. No wise physician dreams

With droning charms to salve a desperate sore.

. There sounds a vehement ardour in thy words

That likes me not. I fear thy sharpened tongue.

. Aias, my lord, what act is in thy mind?

. Inquire not, question not; be wise, thou’rt best.

. How my heart sinks! Oh, by thy child, by Heaven,

I pray thee on my knees, forsake us not!

. Thou troublest me. What! know’st thou not that Heaven

Hath ceased to be my debtor from to-day?

. Hush! Speak not so.

. Speak thou to those that hear.

. Will you not hear me?

. Canst thou not be still?

. My fears, my fears!

. (to the Attendants). Come, shut me in, I say.

. Oh, yet be softened!

. ’Tis a foolish hope,

If thou deem’st now to mould me to thy will.

[ is withdrawn. Exit

Island of glory! whom the glowing eyes

Of all the wondering world immortalize,