Page:Tragedies of Seneca (1907) Miller.djvu/79

61 But fain would perish for thee, limit by limb. Exact at last the penalty I owe. Now I atone; then I but sacrificed Unto thy manes. Be thou here to aid, And my reluctant hand help me to plunge Deep down and deeper in my sightless eyes. A scant and timid offering I made, When first I plucked my eager eyeballs out. And even now my trembling spirit halts, Yea, halts, though downward to my shrinking hands My face inclines. Now shalt thou hear the truth, O Oedipus: less boldly than thou plan'dst Did'st thou pluck out thine eyes. Let now thy brain Feel those avenging fingers; through this door Complete the death which has begun in me. Antigone: O father, great of soul, I pray thee hear With quiet mind thy wretched daughter's words: I do not seek to lead thee back again Into the presence of thy former home, Nor to the illustrious splendor of thy realm; I ask thee not with calm and peaceful soul To bear again that fearful shock of woe Which even yet the soothing hand of time Has not assuaged. And yet it is not meet That one so stout of heart should be o'ercome And to misfortune weakly turn his back. It is not valor, father, as thou think'st, To shrink from life; but 'gainst the mightiest ills To stand opposed, and not to flinch or budge, That is the truest test of manly worth. Who tramples under foot his destiny, Who disregards and scorns the goods of life, And aggravates the evils of his lot, Who has no further need of Providence: Wherefore should such a man desire to die, Or seek for death? Each is the coward's act. No one holds death in scorn who seeks to die. The man whose evils can no farther go Is safely lodged. Who of the gods, think'st thou,