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After him lord Diomedes made a speech; he said they should not kill you and your brother,
but keep clear of guilt by punishing you with exile. Some roared out that his words were good, but others disapproved.
900
confident in bluster and ignorant free speech, and plausible enough to involve them in some mischief sooner or later;
for whenever a man with a pleasing trick of speech, but of unsound principles, persuades the mob, it is a serious evil to the state; but those who give sound and sensible advice on all occasions,
905
if not immediately useful to the state, yet prove so afterwards. And this is the way in which to regard a party leader; for the position is much the same in the case of an orator and a man in office. He was for stoning you and Orestes to death,
910
but it was Tyndareus who kept suggesting arguments of this kind to him as he urged the death of both of you.
915
Another then stood up and said the opposite; he was not handsome in appearance, but a brave man, rarely coming in contact with the town or the circle in the market-place;
a farmer—and they are the only ones who preserve our land—but clever, and eager to grapple with the arguments, his character without a blemish, his walk in life beyond reproach. He said that they should crown Orestes, the son of Agamemnon, for showing his willingness to avenge a father
920
by the murder of a wicked and godless woman who would prevent men from taking up arms and going on foreign service, if those who remain behind, corrupt and seduce wives left at home to keep house.
925
To the better sort, at least, his word carried conviction.
930
After him lord Diomedes made a speech; he said they should not kill you and your brother,
but keep clear of guilt by punishing you with exile. Some roared out that his words were good, but others disapproved.
900
confident in bluster and ignorant free speech, and plausible enough to involve them in some mischief sooner or later;
for whenever a man with a pleasing trick of speech, but of unsound principles, persuades the mob, it is a serious evil to the state; but those who give sound and sensible advice on all occasions,
905
if not immediately useful to the state, yet prove so afterwards. And this is the way in which to regard a party leader; for the position is much the same in the case of an orator and a man in office. He was for stoning you and Orestes to death,
910
but it was Tyndareus who kept suggesting arguments of this kind to him as he urged the death of both of you.
915
Another then stood up and said the opposite; he was not handsome in appearance, but a brave man, rarely coming in contact with the town or the circle in the market-place;
a farmer—and they are the only ones who preserve our land—but clever, and eager to grapple with the arguments, his character without a blemish, his walk in life beyond reproach. He said that they should crown Orestes, the son of Agamemnon, for showing his willingness to avenge a father
920
by the murder of a wicked and godless woman who would prevent men from taking up arms and going on foreign service, if those who remain behind, corrupt and seduce wives left at home to keep house.
925
To the better sort, at least, his word carried conviction.
930
Orestes. Euripides. Edward P. Coleridge (Translator). London. 1891.
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