Page:Writings of Henry David Thoreau (1906) v5.djvu/414

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Before he loose these grievous bonds.

Let there be hurled, then, flaming fire,

And the white-winged snows, and thunders

Of the earth, let him confound and mingle all.

For none of these will bend me till I tell

By whom 't is necessary he should fall from sovereignty. Her. Consider now if these things seem helpful.

Pr. Long since these were considered and resolved.

Her. Venture, O vain one, venture, at length,

In view of present sufferings to be wise.

Pr. In vain you vex me, as a wave, exhorting.

Ne'er let it come into thy mind that I, fearing

Zeus' anger, shall become woman-minded,

And beg him, greatly hated,

With womanish upturnings of the hands,

To loose me from these bonds. I am far from it. Her. Though saying much I seem in vain to speak;

For thou art nothing softened nor appeased

By prayers; but champing at the bit like a new-yoked

Colt, thou strugglest and contend'st against the reins.

But thou art violent with feeble wisdom.

For stubbornness to him who is not wise,

Itself alone, is less than nothing strong.

But consider, if thou art not persuaded by my words,

What storm and triple surge of ills

Will come upon thee, not to be avoided; for first this rugged

Cliff with thunder and lightning flame

The Father 'll rend, and hide

Thy body, and a strong arm will bury thee.

When thou hast spent a long length of time,