Page:Sophocles - Seven Plays, 1900.djvu/99

797–821]

News of our Aias that hath torn my heart.

. Oh me! what is it, man? Am I undone?

. Thy case I know not; but of Aias this,

That if he roam abroad, ’tis dangerous.

. He is, indeed, abroad. Oh! tell me quickly!

. ’Tis Teucer’s strong command to keep him close

Beneath this roof, nor let him range alone.

. But where is Teucer? and what means his word?

. Even now at hand, and eager to make known

That Aias, if he thus go forth, must fall.

. Alas! my misery! Whence learned he this?

. From Thestor’s prophet-offspring, who to-day

Holds forth to Aias choice of life or death.

. Woe ’s me! O friends, this desolating blow

Is falling! Oh, stand forward to prevent!

And some bring Teucer with more haste, while some

Explore the western bays and others search

Eastward to find your hero’s fatal path!

For well I see I am cheated and cast forth

From the old favour. Child, what shall I do?

We must not stay. I too will fare along,

So far as I have power. Come, let us go.

Bestir ye! ’Tis no moment to sit still,

If we would save him who now speeds to die.

. I am ready. Come! Fidelity of foot,

And swift performance, shall approve me true.

[Exeunt omnes

The sacrificer stands prepared,—and when

More keen? Let me take time for thinking, too!

This gift of Hector, whom of stranger men

I hated most with heart and eyes, is set

In hostile Trojan soil, with grinding hone

Fresh-pointed, and here planted by my care