Page:Tragedies of Sophocles (Plumptre 1878).djvu/425

Rh Do not thyself then outrage so the dead.

Teu. I cannot wonder, friends, that one who lives,

Brought up in low estate, should faults commit,

When they who deem they come of noblest stock

Such faulty words will utter in their speech.

Come, let us start afresh: and dost thou say

That thou did'st bring this man as stanch ally

To these Achæans? Did he not sail forth,

Himself his only master? Or what right

Had'st thou to rule the people that he led

Here from his home? As Sparta's king thou cam'st,

And not as ours. No greater right had'st thou

To rule o'er him than he to reign o'er thee.

Thou cam'st an under-captain, not the lord

Of all the host, that thou should'st Aias lead.

Rule those thou rulest, vent thy solemn words

On them; but I, though thou should'st say me nay,

Or e'en that other leader, I will place

This body in the tomb with all due rites,

Not fearing thy big speeches. He warred not

For that thy wife, as these who take their fill

Of many labours, but to keep the oath

By which he bound himself. 'Twas not for thee,

For never did he value men of nought.

Come, therefore, bring more heralds with thee here;

Yea, bring the general's self. I would not care

For all thy stir while thou art what thou art.

Chor. I do not like such speech in midst of ills;

Sharp words will bite, however just they be.

Mene. This archer seems to have a lofty soul.