Page:Writings of Henry David Thoreau (1906) v5.djvu/413

Rh Her. Ay, by such insolence before

You brought yourself into these woes.

Pr. Plainly know, I would not change

My ill fortune for thy servitude,

For better, I think, to serve this rock

Than be the faithful messenger of Father Zeus.

Thus to insult the insulting it is fit.

Her. Thou seem'st to enjoy thy present state.

Pr. I enjoy? Enjoying thus my enemies

Would I see; and thee 'mong them I count.

Her. Dost thou blame me for aught of thy misfortunes?

Pr. In plain words, all gods I hate,

As many as well treated wrong me unjustly.

Her. I hear thee raving, no slight ail.

Pr. Ay, I should ail, if ail one's foes to hate.

Her. If prosperous, thou couldst not be borne.

Pr. Ah me!

Her. This word Zeus does not know.

Pr. But time growing old teaches all things.

Her. And still thou know'st not yet how to be prudent.

Pr. For I should not converse with thee a servant.

Her. Thou seem'st to say naught which the Father wishes.

Pr. And yet his debtor I'd requite the favor.

Her. Thou mock'st me verily as if I were a child. Pr. And art thou not a child, and simpler still than this,

If thou expectest to learn aught from me?

There is not outrage nor expedient, by which

Zeus will induce me to declare these things,