Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/256

200 To prowess shall I turn me?—who, that looks

On spears, shall witness to the hero-heart?

Best leave such things to fall out as they will:

For this man is not among Argives great,

Nor by a noble house's name exalted,

But one of the many—proved a king of men!

Learn wisdom, ye which wander aimless, swoln

With vain imaginings: by converse judge

Men, even the noble by their daily walk.

For such be they which govern states aright

And homes: but fleshly bulks devoid of wit

Are statues in the market place. Nor bides

The strong arm staunchlier than the weak in fight;

But this of nature's inborn courage springs.

But—seeing worthy is Agamemnon's son,

Present or absent, for whose sake we come,—

Accept we shelter of this roof. Ho, thralls,

Enter this house. For me the host whose heart

Leaps out in welcome, rather than the rich!

Thanks for the welcome into this man's house;

Yet fain would I it were thy brother now

That prospering led me into prosperous halls.

Yet may he come; for Loxias' oracles

Fail not. Of men's soothsaying will I none.

[They enter cottage.