Epeisodion 3
Chorus
Ajax, I wish that pity touched your heart as it does mine. Then you would approve her words.
525
Ajax
She will have approval as far as I am concerned, if only she takes heart and graciously does my bidding.
Tecmessa
Dear Ajax, I will obey you in everything.
Ajax
Then bring me my son, so that I may see him.
530
Tecmessa
But in my fear I released him from my keeping.
Ajax
Because of these troubles of mine? Or what do you mean?
Tecmessa
Yes, for fear that somehow the poor child would get in your way, and die.
Ajax
Yes, that would have been truly worthy of my destiny.
Tecmessa
Well, at least I took care to avert that disaster.
535
Ajax
I approve of your action and of your foresight.
Tecmessa
How, then, can I serve you, as things stand now?
Ajax
Let me speak to him and see him face to face.
Tecmessa
Oh, yes—he is close by, watched by our servants.
Ajax
Then why is his presence delayed?
540
Tecmessa
My child, your father calls you. Bring him here, servant, whichever of you is guiding his steps.
Ajax
Is the man coming? Or has he missed your call?
Tecmessa
Here now one of the servants approaches with him.
Ajax
Lift him; lift him up here. Doubtless he will not shrink to look on this newly-shed
blood, if he is indeed my true-born son and heir to his father’s manners.
But he must at once be broken into his father’s harsh ways and moulded to
the likeness of my nature.
545
Ah, son, may you prove luckier than your father, but in all else like him. Then you would not prove base. Yet even now I may well envy you on this account, that you have no perception of these evils about us. Yes, life is sweetest when one lacks sense, for lack of sensation is a painless evil
550
that is, until one learns to know joy or pain. But when you come to that knowledge, then
you must be sure to prove among your father’s enemies of what mettle and of
what lineage you are. Meanwhile feed on light breezes, and nurse your tender
life for your mother’s joy.
555
