Page:Tragedies of Sophocles (Plumptre 1878).djvu/510

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Ah, women! no one can escape disgrace

On whom Zeus sendeth ills in armed array;

And heaven-sent plagues we still must bear perforce.

Sons are the anchors of a mother's life.

Thou art but young; and thou hast much to learn,

And many things to hear and understand:

Seek still to add fresh knowledge profitable.

Death comes, the last great healer of all ills.

Ah, boy! 'tis just the noble and the good

That Ares loves to slay. The bold in tongue,

Shunning all pain, are out of danger's reach;

For Ares careth not for coward souls.

Time, stripping off the veil, brings all to light.

Time, even Time, in all the vast expanse

Of this our human life,

Finds plenteous wisdom for the souls that seek.

But when the Gods would hide the things of heaven,

Thou can'st not learn, although thou travel far.

One wise man is no match for many fools.

A good man still will succour the distressed.

True wisdom ranks among the Gods most high.