Page:Sophocles - Seven Plays, 1900.djvu/98

64

If he would see him any more alive.

For through this present light—and ne’er again—

Holy Athena, so he said, will drive him

Before her anger. Such calamitous woe

Strikes down the unprofitable growth that mounts

Beyond his measure and provokes the sky.

‘Thus ever,’ said the prophet, ‘must he fall

Who in man’s mould hath thoughts beyond a man.

And Aias, ere he left his father’s door,

Made foolish answer to his prudent sire.

‘My son,’ said Telamon, ‘choose victory

Always, but victory with an aid from Heaven.’

How loftily, how madly, he replied!

‘Father, with heavenly help men nothing worth

May win success. But I am confident

Without the Gods to pluck this glory down.’

So huge the boast he vaunted! And again

When holy Pallas urged him with her voice

To hurl his deadly spear against the foe,

He turned on her with speech of awful sound:

‘Goddess, by other Greeks take thou thy stand;

Where I keep rank, the battle ne’er shall break.’

Such words of pride beyond the mortal scope

Have won him Pallas’ wrath, unlovely meed.

But yet, perchance, so be it he live to-day,

We, with Heaven’s succour, may restore his peace.’—

Thus far the prophet, when immediately

Teucer dispatched me, ere the assembly rose,

Bearing to thee this missive to be kept

With all thy care. But if my speed be lost,

And Calchas’ word have power, the man is dead.

. O trouble-tost Tecmessa, born to woe,

Come forth and see what messenger is here!

This news bites near the bone, a death to joy.

. Wherefore again, when sorrow’s cruel storm

Was just abating, break ye my repose?

. (pointing to the ). Hear what he saith,

and how he comes to bring