Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1898) v3.djvu/58

30 Seeing enough sufficeth for the wise.

Mortals hold their possessions not in fee:

We are but stewards of the gifts of God:

Whene'er he will, he claims his own again.

And wealth abides not, 'tis but for a day.

Come, if I set two things before thee, and ask

"Wouldst thou be lord or saviour of thy Thebes?"

Wilt thou say, "Lord?" But if this man prevail,

And Argos' spears bear down Kadmean might,

Then conquered shalt thou see this city of Thebes,

And many captive maidens shalt thou see

Dishonoured with foul outrage by the foe.

Then were the wealth, that thou dost covet, made

Anguish to Thebes Ah me! ambitious still!

This to thee: and to thee, Polyneikes, this:—

A foolish grace Adrastus did to thee;

Madly thou too hast marched to ravage Thebes.

Come, if thou smite this land,—which God forbid,—

'Fore heaven, how wilt thou set Zeus' trophies up?

How sacrifice for fatherland o'ercome?

And how at Inachus' streams inscribe the spoils—

"Polyneikes hath burnt Thebes, and to the Gods

Offers these shields?" Never, my son, be thine

To win from lips of Hellenes such renown!

But, he triumphant, vanquished thou, to Argos

How canst thou come, here leaving myriads dead?

And one shall say, "O cursed betrothal made

By thee, Adrastus! For one bridal's sake

We are ruined!" Evils twain thou draw'st on thee,—

There, to lose all, here, fail mid thine emprise.

Forbear, forbear your vehemence! When meet

Two headstrong fools, the issue is foulest ill.