Page:The Dramas of Aeschylus (Swanwick).djvu/234

164 But for yourselves call witnesses and proofs,—

Sworn evidence collect to aid your suit;

And having from my townsmen culled the best,

Them will I set, truly to judge this cause,

Sworn nought to utter adverse to the Right.

[Exit.

Subversion born of upstart laws

Will anarchy and discord breed,

If he the matricidal deed

Who wrought, prevail, and win the cause.

Such verdict shall to reckless crime

Embolden mortals;—through all time

Murder, henceforth, unchecked shall reign,

And parents perish, by their children slain.

For as on evil deeds no more

Fierce anger from this frenzied train,

Keen watch o'er mortals who maintain,

Shall steal full surely, as of yore;—

To murder I will give the rein.

Who tells his neighbour's sorrow o'er,

Shall hear in turn Griefs anguished moan;

Who comforts other's woe, himself must groan.

Let none, 'neath Sorrow's stroke

Writhing, our aid invoke,

Pleading with anguished moan,

"O Justice, Justice, O Erinys' throne!"

Some father thus may wail,