Page:Tragedies of Sophocles (Plumptre 1878).djvu/316

218 That thou would'st none of all I urged on thee.

Well! I alone, with my own hands, must do

This deed: for void we will not leave it now.

Chrys. Would thou had'st had this spirit then, when he,

Our father, died! Great things thou then had'st wrought.

Elec. My nature was the same, though weak my mind.

Chrys. Strive, then, to have such mind for evermore.

Elec. Thou giv'st advice as one who will not help.

Chrys. 'Tis fit that they who do ill, ill should fare.

Elec. I praise thy wit; thy cowardice I hate.

Chrys. Soon I shall have to hear, while thou dost praise.

Elec. Thou at my hands shalt never suffer that.

Chrys. The long, long future must on this decide.

Elec. Away! away! Thou hast no power to help.

Chrys. I have; but thou hast lost the power to learn.

Elec. Go, then. Tell all to that thy mother there.

Chrys. I do not hate thee with a hate like that.

Elec. Yet think to what a shame thou leadest me.

Chrys. No, 'tis not shame, but forethought for thy good.

Elec. Must I then follow what thou deemest just?

Chrys. When thou art wise, then thou shalt take the lead.

Elec. 'Tis strange one speaking well should err so greatly.

Chrys. Thou hast said well the ill thou mak'st thine own.

Elec. What? Seem I not to thee to speak the right?

Chrys. There is a time when even right may harm.

Elec. I do not choose to live by laws like that.

Chrys. If this thou dost, thou 'lt one day give me praise.

Elec. And I will do it, nothing scared by thee.

Chrys. And is it so? Wilt thou not change thy plans?

Elec. Not so; than evil counsel nought is worse.

Chrys. Thou seem'st to care for nought of all I speak.