Ever toward the great and high
Creepeth climbing jealousy.
Yet the low without the tall
Make at need a tottering wall.
Let the strong the feeble save
And the mean support the brave.
Chorus.
Ah! ’twere vain to tune such song
’Mid the nought-discerning throng
Who are clamouring now ’gainst thee
Long and loud; and strengthless we,
Mighty chieftain, thou away,
To withstand the gathering fray.
Flocking fowl with carping cry
Seem they, lurking from thine eye;
Till the royal eagle’s poise
Overawe the paltry noise:
Till before thy presence hushed
Sudden sink they, mute and crushed.
Did bull-slaying Artemis, Zeus’ cruel daughter I 1
(Ah, fearful rumour, fountain of my shame!)
Prompt thy fond heart to this disastrous slaughter
Of the full herd stored in our army’s name?
Say, had her blood-stained temple missed the kindness
Of some vow-promised fruit of victory,
Foiled of some glorious armour through thy blindness,
Or fell some stag ungraced by gift from thee?
Or did stern Ares venge his thankless spear
Through this night-foray that hath cost thee dear?
For never, if thy heart were not distracted I 2
By stings from Heaven, O child of Telamon,
Wouldst thou have bounded leftward, to have acted
Thus wildly, spoiling all our host hath won!
Madness might fall: some heavenly power forfend it!
But if Odysseus and the tyrant lords
Suggest a forged tale, O rise to end it,
Nor fan the fierce flame of their withering words!
