_Th._ Is not high Zeus himself, holding aloof, Worshipped the more? Let the world say of thee, When these have perished, that they went their way Because the son of Thetis would not aid them. 670 _Ach._ But if ’twere said because he feared to die? _Th._ Fearst thou reproach of fear that fearst not death? _Ach._ I fear not, but by proof would shun reproach. _Th._ Men, son, are what they are; and thou art brave. ’Tis asked of poor and questionable spirits To prove their worth. _Ach._ I prove myself a coward. _Th._ How! when it needed heavenly prayers and tears, The force of duty and a goddess’ will To keep thee back from death! when all the joys That I have set about thee, and a love 680 More beautiful than Helen’s cannot hold thee! _Ach._ Fate, that from men hideth her pitiless face, Offered to me this kindness, that my will Should be of force in predetermined deeds: Allowing me to take which life I would Of two incomparable lots; I ever Leaned one way, the other thou; and still at heart I hold to my first choice. _Th._ O child of man, Though child of mine, wouldst thou know wisdom’s way, Learn it of me. If I had said to thee 690 Thou being a mortal shouldst love death and darkness; For in the brief date of thy heedless term ’Tis vain to strive with evil: and since the end Cometh the same, and at the latest cometh So soon, that there’s no difference to be told ’Twixt early and late, ’tis wisdom to despair: Then would thy tongue have boldly answered me, And said, Man hath his life; that it must end Condemns it not for nought. Are rivers salt Because they travel to the bitter sea? 700 Is the day dark because the gorgeous west Must fade in gloom, when the ungazeable sun Is fallen beneath the waves? Or hath the spring No charm in her pavilions, are her floors Not starred, for that we see her birth is slow Of niggard winter, and her blossoms smirched By summer’s tyranny? Hadst thou said this, And that Earth’s changeful pride, the life of man, Is exquisite in such a quality To make the high gods envious could they guess: Then had I found no answer: but when I 711 Told thee of joy, and set thee in the midst, That thou shouldst argue with me that ’tis best To die at once, and for an empty name Pass to the trivial shades; then must I fear I have as thankless and unwise a son, As disobedient.—Yet when first I taught thee Thou gav’st me promise to be wise. _Ach._ But never Wilt thou then free me from my promise given? _Th._ Not to thy hurt. 720