Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1898) v3.djvu/57

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Befits not fair speech glozing deed unfair:

Not fair it is, but an offence to justice.

My son Eteokles, evil unalloyed

Cleaves not to old age: nay, experience

Can plead more wisely than the lips of youth.

Why at Ambition, worst of deities,

Son, graspest thou? Do not: she is Queen of Wrong.

Homes many and happy cities enters she,

And leaves for ruin of her votaries.

Thou art mad for her!—better to honour, son,

Equality, which knitteth friends to friends,

Cities to cities, allies unto allies.

Man's law of nature is equality,

And the less, ever marshalled foe against

The greater, ushers in the dawn of hate.

Measures for men Equality ordained,

Meting of weights and number she assigned.

The sightless face of night, and the sun's beam

Equally pace along their yearly round,

Nor either envieth that it must give place.

Sun, then, and night are servants unto men.

Shalt thou not brook to halve your heritage

And share with him? Ah, where is justice then?

Wherefore dost thou prize lordship overmuch,—

A prosperous wrong,—and count it some great thing?

Is worship precious? Nay, 'tis vanity.

Wouldst have, with great wealth in thine halls, great travail?

What is thy profit?—profit but in name;