Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1898) v3.djvu/54

26

Lo, unto parley Eteokles comes.

Mother Jocasta, thine the task to speak

Words whereby thou shalt set thy sons at one.

Enter Eteokles.

Here am I, mother—all for grace to thee

I come. What needs to do? Be speech begun.

For I have stayed from marshalling round the walls

The close-linked cordon of defence, to hear

Thy mediation for the which thou hast wrought

On me to admit this man within our walls.

Forbear: haste brings not justice in its train:

But slow speech winneth oftenest wisdom's end.

Refrain fierce look and passion's stormy breath:

The Gorgon's severed head thou seest not:

Thou seest thine own brother hither come.

And thou, unto thy brother turn thy face,

Polyneikes; for, if thou but meet his eye,

Thou shalt the better speak, and hear his words.

Fain would I wisely counsel thee, and thee.

When he whose wrath is hot against his friend

Cometh to meet him, standeth eye to eye,

Let him look only at that for which he came,

And cherish no remembrance of old wrongs.

Son Polyneikes, be the first word thine,

For thou hast brought yon host of Danaus' sons,

Wronged, as thou pleadest. Now be some God judge

Hereof, and reconciler of these ills.