Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1894) v1.djvu/248

212 Shall sway them: for the same speech carrieth no

Like weight from men contemned and men revered.

There is no human nature so relentless

That, hearkening to thy groanings and thy wails

Long lengthened out, would not let fall the tear.

Receive instruction, Hecuba, nor him

For wrath count foe, who wisely counselleth.

Thy life, through whom I found deliverance,

Ready am I to save; I stand thereto.

But what to all I said, I unsay not—

That now, Troy taken, we should yield thy child,

At our great champion's claim, for sacrifice.

For of this cometh weakness in most states,

That, though a man be brave and patriot-souled,

No guerdon gains he more than baser men.

But we, we deem Achilles honour-worthy,

Who died for Hellas nobly as man may.

Were this not shame then, as a friend to treat

Him living, but no more when he is gone?

Yea, what will one say then, if once again

The host must gather for the strife with foes.

"Fight shall we," will they cry, "or cling to life,

Beholding how unhonoured go the dead?"

Yea, for myself, how scant soe'er in life

My fare for daily need, this should suffice:

Yet fain would I my tomb were reverence-crowned—

Mine; for no fleeting gratitude is this.

But, if thou plain of hardship, hear mine answer:

With us there be grey matrons, agèd sires,