Page:Tragedies of Sophocles (Jebb 1917).djvu/174

162 . Whereof? What general truth dost thou announce?

. How precious, above all wealth, is good counsel.

. As folly, I think, is the worst mischief.

. Yet thou art tainted with that distemper.

. I would not answer the seer with a taunt.

. But thou dost, in saying that I prophesy falsely.

. Well, the prophet-tribe was ever fond of money.

. And the race bred of tyrants loves base gain.

. Knowest thou that thy speech is spoken of thy king?

. I know it; for through me thou hast saved Thebes.

. Thou art a wise seer; but thou lovest evil deeds.

. Thou wilt rouse me to utter the dread secret in my soul.

. Out with it!—Only speak it not for gain.

. Indeed, methinks, I shall not,—as touching thee.

. Know that thou shalt not trade on my resolve.

. Then know thou—aye, know it well—that thou shalt not live through many more courses of the sun's swift chariot, ere one begotten of thine own loins shall have been given by thee, a corpse for corpses; because thou hast thrust children of the sunlight to the shades, and ruthlessly lodged a living soul in the grave; but keepest in this world one who belongs to the gods infernal, a corpse unburied, unhonoured, all unhallowed. In such thou hast no part, nor have the gods above, but