A power obnoxious to no term
Be here: not novel and infirm;
Soon blown and soon decayed,
But on old honour stayed;
Prescient in counsel, and withal
Of such foreknowledge liberal;
Not jealous to exclude
The sovran multitude,
But rather guide them. And abroad
Let them! be slow to draw the sword,
Much readier to maintain
By processes humane
Their legal right, than prompt to act:
If bounden, faithful to their pact,
Their arbiter the Court,
And war their last resort.
Let them keep fasts and festivals,
Bring wreaths of bay and slaughter bulls,
As did their sires of old,
To the Lord Gods who hold
Their land. For reverence and awe
From son to sire is the third law
Justice hath writ for men
With monumental pen.
Danaus.
Dear children, I commend these temperate prayers.
Tremble not if I break to you bad news.
From this our sanctuary and my watch-tower
I see the ship. No: I am not mistaken
All too discernible is the sail—so bent—
The awnings—and the prow with painted eyes
