My son, thy father calls thee.-Bring him thither Whichever of you is guiding the child's steps.
AJAX
Is the man coming? Has he heard thy call?
TECMESSA
See, he is here already with the child.
(An attendant enters, leading the child, EURYSACES.)AJAX
Lift him up, lift him hither. He will not shrink In terror at sight of yonder new-spilt blood, If he be rightly mine, his father's son.
Early must he be broken to his sire's Stern rugged code, and grow like-natured with him.
O son, mayst thou prove happier than thy father, In all else like him, and thou'lt prove not base.
Yet even now might I envy thee herein, That of these woes thou hast no sense at all.
For the life that is unconscious is most sweet-Until we learn what joy and sorrow are.
But that once learnt, then midst thy father's foes Thou must show what thou art, and of what breed.
Till then be nurtured on soft airs, cherishing Thy tender life, and be thy mother's joy.
None of the Greeks, I know, will do thee wrong With cruel outrage, even though I be gone.
So trusty a guardian will I leave thee, Teucer, Who will not stint his loving care, though now He is gone far away, in chase of foes.
But you, my warriors, comrades in seafaring, On you too I impose this task of love;And fail not to announce my will to Teucer, That to my home he take the child and show him To Telamon and my mother Eriboea, That henceforth he may comfort their old age.
And charge him that no game-steward make my arms A prize for the Greeks-nor he who ruined me.
But this take thou, my son Eurysaces;
Hold it and wield it by its firm-stitched thong, This sevenfold spear-proof shield, whence comes thy name.
But else with me my arms shall be interred.
(Speaking now to TECMESSA)
Come, take the child hence quickly, and bolt the doors:
And let there be no weeping and lamenting Before the hut. Women love tears too well.
Close quickly. It is not for a skilful leech To drone charms o'er a wound that craves the knife.
LEADER
I am fearful, listening to this eager mood.
The sharp edge of thy tongue, I like it not.
TECMESSA
O my lord Ajax, what art thou purposing?
AJAX
Question me not. To be discreet is best.
TECMESSA
Ah me, heavy is my heart. Now by thy child, By the gods, I entreat, forsake us not.
AJAX
Vex me no further. Know'st thou not that ITo the gods owe no duty any more?
TECMESSA
Utter no proud words.
AJAX
Speak to those who listen.
TECMESSA
Wilt thou not heed?
AJAX
Too much thou hast spoken already.
TECMESSA
Yes, through my fears, O king.
AJAX
Close the doors quickly.
TECMESSA
For the gods' love, relent.
AJAX
'Tis a foolish hope, If thou shouldst now propose to school my mood.
(The doors are closed upon AJAX. TECMESSA goes out with EURYSACES.)CHORUS (singing)
strophe 1
O famed Salamis, thou amidst Breaking surges abidest ever Blissful, a joy to the eyes of all men.
But I the while long and wearily tarrying Through countless months still encamped on the fields of Ida In misery here have made my couch, By time broken and worn, In dread waiting the hour When I shall enter at last the terrible shadow abode of Hades.
antistrophe 1
Now dismays me a new despair, This incurable frenzy (woe, ah Woe's me!) cast by the gods on Ajax, Whom thou of old sentest forth from thy shores, a strong And valiant chief; but now, to his friends a sore grief, Devouring his lonely heart he sits.
His once glorious deeds Are now fallen and scorned, Fallen to death without love from the loveless and pitiless sons of Atreus.
strophe 2
His mother, 'tis most like, burdened with many days, And whitened with old age, when she shall hear how frenzy Has smitten his soul to ruin, Ailinon! ailinon!
Will break forth her despair, not as the nightingale's Plaintive, tender lament, no, but in passion's wailing Shrill-toned cries; and with fierce strokes Wildly smiting her bosom, In grief's anguish her hands will rend her grey locks.
antistrophe 2
Yea, better Hell should hide one who is sick in soul, Though there be none than he sprung from a nobler lineage Of the war-weary Greeks, yet Strayed from his inbred mood Now amidst alien thoughts dwells he a stranger.
Hapless father! alas, bitter the tale that waits thee, Thy son's grievous affliction.
No life save his alone Of Aeacid kings such a curse has ever haunted.
(AJAX enters, carrying a sword. As he speaks, TECMESSA also enters.)AJAX
All things the long and countless lapse of time Brings forth. displays, then hides once more in gloom.
Nought is too strange to look for; but the event May mock the sternest oath, the firmest will.
Thus I, who late so strong, so stubborn seemed Like iron dipped, yet now grow soft with pity Before this woman, whom I am loath to leave Midst foes a widow with this orphaned child.
But I will seek the meadows by the shore:
There will I wash and purge these stains, if so I may appease Athena's heavy wrath.
Then will I find some lonely place, where IMay hide this sword, beyond all others cursed, Buried where none may see it, deep in earth.
May night and Hades keep it there below.
For from that hour my hand accepted it, The gift of Hector, deadliest of my foes, Nought from the Greeks towards me hath sped well.
So now I find that ancient proverb true, Foes' gifts are no gifts: profit bring they none.
Therefore henceforth I study to obey The Gods, and reverence the sons of Atreus.
Our rulers are they: we must yield. How else?
For to authority yield all things most dread And mighty. Thus must Winter's snowy feet Give place to Summer with her wealth of fruits;And from her weary round doth Night withdraw, That Day's white steeds may kindle heaven with light.
After fierce tempest calm will ever lull The moaning sea; and Sleep, that masters all, Binds life awhile, yet loosens soon the bond.
And who am I that I should not learn wisdom?
Of all men I, whom proof hath taught of late How so far only should we hate our foes As though we soon might love them, and so far Do a friend service, as to one most like Some day to prove our foe; since oftenest men In friendship but a faithless haven find.