Page:Tragedies of Sophocles (Plumptre 1878).djvu/505

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A mortal man should think things fit for men.

This is most grievous, when it might be ours

To set things straight, and we by our own act

Will bring fresh woe and trouble on our heads.

But he who dares to look at danger straight,

His speech is clear, his spirit falters not.

It is not good to lie; but when the truth

Brings on a man destruction terrible,

He may be pardoned though not good his speech.

And wonder not, Ο prince, that thus I cling

So close to gain; for they whose life is long

Still cleave to profit with their might and main,

And men count all things else as less than wealth;

And though there be that praise a life kept free

From all disease, to me no poor man seems

In that blest state, but sick continually.

The noblest life is that of righteousness;

The best, one free from sickness; sweetest far

To have each day the fill of all we wish.

Now in the gates Æneas, Goddess-born,

Is seen, and on his shoulders bears his sire,

Who lets his byssine mantle fall in folds

On back where smote the fiery levin-flash,

And gathers round him all his band of slaves;

Beyond all hope, the multitude draws near

Of Phrygians who would fain be emigrants.