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Chorus
Divine strength is roused with difficulty, but still is sure. It chastises those mortals
who honor folly and those who in their insanity do not extol the gods. The gods cunningly conceal the long pace of time and
885
hunt the impious. For it is not right to determine or plan anything beyond the laws. For it is a light expense to hold that whatever is divine has power,
890
and that which has been law for a long time is eternal and has its origin in nature. What is wisdom? Or what greater honor do the gods give to mortals than to hold one’s hand
895
in strength over the head of enemies? What is good is always dear.
900
Divine strength is roused with difficulty, but still is sure. It chastises those mortals
who honor folly and those who in their insanity do not extol the gods. The gods cunningly conceal the long pace of time and
885
hunt the impious. For it is not right to determine or plan anything beyond the laws. For it is a light expense to hold that whatever is divine has power,
890
and that which has been law for a long time is eternal and has its origin in nature. What is wisdom? Or what greater honor do the gods give to mortals than to hold one’s hand
895
in strength over the head of enemies? What is good is always dear.
900
Bacchae. Euripides. T. A. Buckley (Translator). London. 1850.
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