Page:Four Plays of Aeschylus (Cookson).djvu/66

And lest by sudden sword-stroke I should fall
Ere they could rescue me, unto their land
A burden and a curse for ever. Wherefore
Let gratitude to them hold in your hearts
The highest place and set your course. Moreover
To much already graven there add this
Paternal precept. Time assays the worth
Of things unknown; and every tongue is busy
With a new-comer's reputation, not
Oftenest for good: a word and 'tis bespattered.
Shame me not in your youth when all men's eyes
Will look your way. 'Tis difficult to guard
The tender fruit. It is desired of men
With patient watchings—for desire is human—
Of feathered fowls and beasts that walk the earth.
So with the body: when 'tis melting ripe,
Trust Cypris but the world will hear of it
If once she find the orchard-gate unlatched.
Then at the loveliness of virgin bloom
An arrow winged with dangerous charm is shot
From every roving eye, vanquished at sight
By irresistible desire. Let not
Our wills succumb to that the which to escape
We bore much toil, ploughed many perilous seas
On shipboard: neither let us work ourselves
Shame and confusion, to mine enemies
Triumph and very bliss. A double choice
Is ours. Pelasgus and the State at large
Each offer us a home; and both are free.
You see Fate throws us sixes. It remains
That ye your father's precepts strictly keep,
Counting your virtue dearer than your lives.