_Eum._ To strike a man so old, thy fellow-guest! Come back, good father, to thy seat. _Ul._ Now, hear me, Ye wooers of the queen, for I will speak. Many hard blows in honourable fight 1730 I have borne, and held them nought; but to be smitten For being an-hungered, tho’ the hurt be small ’Tis huge in wrong; and as there is a god To avenge the poor, I say this ill-bred lord Shall never live to see his marriage day. _Eum._ And so say I. _Ant._ Now for thy paltry curse Think thyself lucky I bid not my men Hale thee without, and flay thee with their whips. _Some wooers_ (_murmuring_). How will Antinous woo our queen, Having his hand accursed with shame?— 1740 Doth he forget the gods have been In such disguise?—How Zeus once came Thus to Lycaon’s feast unbid:— Or how in Celeus’ house, ’tis said, Demeter at Eleusis hid?— And were he but a man, ’tis dread To smite in wrath the hoary head. _Amph._ Father, I bring thee meat. May happiness Ere long be thine, for what thou sufferest now. _Ul._ (_reseated at front, to Amph._). I thank thee, lord Amphinomus, and since 1750 I see thee like thy father, wise and good, Old Nisus of Dulichium, I will say What thrice thou hast refused to hear: Attend. Of all that moves and breathes upon the earth, Nóthing is found more únstáble than man. Awhile his spirit within him is gay, his limbs Light, and he saith, No ill shall overtake me. Then evil comes: and lo! he beareth it Patiently, in its turn as God provides. So I too once looked to be ever happy, 1760 And gave the rein to wantonness, and now— Thou seest me ... Wherefore, say I, let no man Be lawless, but in quiet and reserve Possess whatever good the gods have sent. And this I witness ’gainst the deeds I see, These wooers, full of mischief, making waste, And doing such dishonour to a lady, Whose lord not long will tarry: nay, I tell thee 1768 He is very near,—ay, near. May thy good genius Withdraw thee soon, lest thou shouldst meet his wrath When he returns: for not without blood-spilling Will they be sundered, these infatuate wooers And he, when he comes stepping thro’ his house. _Eur._ What saith this ancient seer, that makes thy brow To cloud? _Ul._ (_aside to Amph._) Fly hence to-night. _Amph._ Ill hath been done him: Shew him more kindness.