Page:Tragedies of Sophocles (Jebb 1917).djvu/163

710—736] No, though a man be wise, 'tis no shame for him to learn many things, and to bend in season. Seest thou, beside the wintry torrent's course, how the trees that yield to it save every twig, while the stiff-necked perish root and branch? And even thus he who keeps the sheet of his sail taut, and never slackens it, upsets his boat, and finishes his voyage with keel uppermost.

Nay, forego thy wrath ; permit thyself to change. For if I, a younger man, may offer my thought, it were far best, I ween, that men should be all-wise by nature; but, otherwise—and oft the scale inclines not so—'tis good also to learn from those who speak aright.

. Sire, 'tis meet that thou shouldest profit by his words, if he speaks aught in season, and thou, Haemon, by thy father's; for on both parts there hath been wise speech.

. Men of my age—are we indeed to be schooled, then, by men of his?

. In nothing that is not right; but if I am young, thou shouldest look to my merits, not to my years.

. Is it a merit to honour the unruly?

. I could wish no one to show respect for evil-doers.

. Then is not she tainted with that malady?

. Our Theban folk, with one voice, denies it.

. Shall Thebes prescribe to me how I must rule?

. See, there thou hast spoken like a youth indeed.

. Am I to rule this land by other judgment than mine own?