Page:The Dramas of Aeschylus (Swanwick).djvu/235

Rh Some mother smit with bale,

Vainly, since Justice' altar lieth prone.

Throned in the heart let Awe,

Guardian of sacred law,

There hold her stedfast reign!

Well earned is wisdom at the cost of pain.—

But who in blithesome cheer

That lives, absolved from Fear,

Or man, or State, will Justice long revere?

Neither life by law unblest,

Nor by tyrant yoke opprest,

Sanction thou;—

All extremes the gods detest;

They the golden mean, I trow,

Stamp with might. The truth I speak

Weighty is. Defiant scorn

Is from godless folly born;

While from inward health doth flow,

Beloved of all, true bliss which mortals seek.

This, the sum of wisdom, hear;—

Justice' altar aye revere,

Nor ever dare,

Lusting after worldly gear,

With atheist foot to spurn; beware,

Lurketh Retribution near,