Page:The Tragedies of Aeschylus - tr. Potter - 1812.pdf/89

Rh In vaunting terms, but words of serious truth.

The mouth of Jove knows not to utter falsehood,

But what he speaks is fate. Be cautious then,

Regard thyself; let not o'erweeniug pride.

Despise the friendly voice of prudent counsel.

Nothing amiss we deem his words, but fraught

With reason, who but wills thee to relax

Thy haughty spirit, and by prudent counsels

Pursue thy peace: be then advis'd; what shame

For one so wise to persevere in error ?

All this I knew e'er he declar'd his message.

That enemy from enemy shou'd suffer

Extreme indignity is nothing strange.

Let him then work his horrible pleasure on me;

Wreath his black curling flames, tempest the air

With vollied thunders and wild warring winds,

Rend from its roots the firm earth's solid base,

Heave from the roaring main its boisterous waves,

And dash them to the stars; me let him hurl,

Caught in the fiery tempest, to the gloom

Of deepest Tarterus; not all his pow'r

Can quench th' ethereal breath of life in me.

Such ravings, such wild counsels might you bear,

From moon-struck madness. What is this but madness?

Were he at ease, wou'd he abate his frenzy?

But you, whose gentle hearts with social sorrow

Melt at his suff'rings, from this place remove,

Remove with speed, lest the tempestuous roar

Of his fierce thunder strike your souls with horror.

To other themes, to other counsels turn

Thy voice, where pleaded reason may prevail:

This is ill urg'd, and may not be admitted.

Wou'dst thou solicit me to deeds of baseness ?