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Lord of this land, wilt thou behold me torn

From altars manifold?

Bethink thee of the young men's wrath and lust,

Hold off their evil pride;

Steel not thyself to see the suppliant thrust

From holy statue's side,

Haled by the frontlet on my forehead bound,

As steeds are led, and drawn

By hands that drag from shrine and altar-mound

My vesture's fringèd lawn.

Know thou that whether for Ægyptus' race

Thou dost their wish fulfil,

Or for the gods and for each holy place—

Be thy choice good or ill,

Blow is with blow requited, grace with grace.

Such is Zeus' righteous will.

Yea, I have pondered: from the sea of doubt

Here drives at length the bark of thought ashore;

Landward with screw and windlass haled, and firm,

Clamped to her props, she lies. The need is stern;

With men or gods a mighty strife we strive

Perforce, and either hap in grief concludes.

For, if a house be sacked, new wealth for old

Not hard it is to win—so Zeus the lord

Of treasure favour—more than quits the loss,

Enough to pile the store of wealth full high;

Or if a tongue shoot forth untimely speech,

Bitter and strong to goad a man to wrath,