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Menelaus
Greece fondly hoped that she had brought a
friend
And firm ally, but by experience found
That Troy herself was not so much our foe
With deadliest rage to murder all our host,
And, but .some god did frustrate his intent,
The fate himself hath met had been our own.
Then had he triumphed ; but the gods ordained
It should not be, and 'gainst the flocks and herds
Turned all his fury ; wherefore know, there lives not
A man of courage or of power sufficient
He shall be cast, to be the food of birds
That wander there. Thou mayst resent it too,
B^it 'twill be vain. At least we will command
When dead, whom living we could ne'er subdue,
Nor ask thy leave. He never would submit,
But now he must. Yield therefore, or we force thee.
Tis the Plebeian's duty to obey
The voice of those who bear authority.
And he who doth not is the worst of men ;
For never can the state itself support
By wholesome laws, where there is no submission.
1090
An army's best defence is modest fear
1090
And reverence of its leaders ; without these
1090
It cannot conquer. It becomes a man
1090
How great soe'er his strength, still to remember
1090
A little, very little, may destroy him.
1090
He who is guarded by humility
1090
And conscious shame alone in safety lies ;
1090
But where licentious freedom and reproach
1090
Injurious reign, each as his will directs
1090
Still acting, know that city soon must fall
1090
From all its bliss, and sink in deepest woe.
1090
Eemember, then, respect is due to me.
1090
Let us not think when pleasure is enjoyed
1090
We must not suffer too and taste of pain ;
1090
For these to mortals still alternate rise.
1090
There lived not one so proud and arrogant
1090
It is my turn. Take heed, then. Touch him not,
1090
Lest, while thou striv'st to bury him, thyself
1090
Should drop into the tomb.
1090
Greece fondly hoped that she had brought a
friend
And firm ally, but by experience found
That Troy herself was not so much our foe
With deadliest rage to murder all our host,
And, but .some god did frustrate his intent,
The fate himself hath met had been our own.
Then had he triumphed ; but the gods ordained
It should not be, and 'gainst the flocks and herds
Turned all his fury ; wherefore know, there lives not
A man of courage or of power sufficient
He shall be cast, to be the food of birds
That wander there. Thou mayst resent it too,
B^it 'twill be vain. At least we will command
When dead, whom living we could ne'er subdue,
Nor ask thy leave. He never would submit,
But now he must. Yield therefore, or we force thee.
Tis the Plebeian's duty to obey
The voice of those who bear authority.
And he who doth not is the worst of men ;
For never can the state itself support
By wholesome laws, where there is no submission.
1090
An army's best defence is modest fear
1090
And reverence of its leaders ; without these
1090
It cannot conquer. It becomes a man
1090
How great soe'er his strength, still to remember
1090
A little, very little, may destroy him.
1090
He who is guarded by humility
1090
And conscious shame alone in safety lies ;
1090
But where licentious freedom and reproach
1090
Injurious reign, each as his will directs
1090
Still acting, know that city soon must fall
1090
From all its bliss, and sink in deepest woe.
1090
Eemember, then, respect is due to me.
1090
Let us not think when pleasure is enjoyed
1090
We must not suffer too and taste of pain ;
1090
For these to mortals still alternate rise.
1090
There lived not one so proud and arrogant
1090
It is my turn. Take heed, then. Touch him not,
1090
Lest, while thou striv'st to bury him, thyself
1090
Should drop into the tomb.
1090
Ajax. Sophocles. Thomas Francklin (Translator). London. 1758–1759.