Epeisodion 4
Ajax
All things the long and countless years first draw from darkness, and then bury from light; and there is nothing which man should not expect: the dread power of oath is conquered, as is unyielding will.
For even I, who used to be so tremendously strong—yes, like tempered iron—felt my
tongue’s sharp edge emasculated by this woman’s words, and I feel the pity
of leaving her a widow and the boy an orphan among my enemies. But I will go to the bathing-place and
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the meadows by the shore so that by purging my defilements I may escape the heavy anger of the goddess. Then I will find some isolated spot, and bury this sword of mine, most hateful weapon, digging down in the earth where none can see.
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Let Night and Hades keep it underground! For ever since I took into my hand this gift
from Hector, my greatest enemy, I have gotten no good from the Greeks. Yes,
men’s proverb is true:
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the gifts of enemies are no gifts and bring no good.
And so hereafter I shall, first, know how to yield to the gods, and, second, learn to revere the Atreidae. They are rulers, so we must submit. How could it be otherwise? Things of awe and might
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submit to authority. So it is that winter with its snow-covered paths gives place to
fruitful summer; night’s dark orbit makes room for day with her white horses
to kindle her radiance; the blast of dreadful winds
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allows the groaning sea to rest; and among them all, almighty Sleep releases the fettered sleeper, and does not hold him in a perpetual grasp.
And we men—must we not learn self-restraint? I, at least, will learn it, since I am newly aware that an enemy is to be hated only as far as
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suits one who will in turn become a friend. Similarly to a friend I would wish to give only so much help and service as suits him who will not forever remain friendly. For the masses regard the haven of comradeship as treacherous.
But concerning these things it will be well. You, wife,
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go inside and pray to the gods that the desires of my heart be completed to the very end. Exit Tecmessa.
You also, my comrades, honor my wishes just as she does, and command Teucer, when he comes, to take care of us, and to be kind to you at the same time.
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I am going to where my journey inexorably leads. But you do as I say, and before long, perhaps, though I now suffer, you will hear that I have found rest and peace.
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