Page:Tragedies of Seneca (1907) Miller.djvu/316

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I would might fall on me, if only thus
It might destroy my hated brother too.
But come, my soul, do what no coming age
Shall e'er approve—or e'er forget; some deed
Must be attempted, impious, bloody, dire,
Such as my brother's self might claim as his.
No crime avenged save by a greater crime. 195
But where the crime that can surpass his deeds?
Is he yet crushed in spirit? Does he show
In prosperous circumstances self-control,
Contentment in defeat? Full well I know
His tameless spirit; it can ne'er be bent—
But can be broken. Then, before his force 200
He strengthens and opposing powers prepares,
We must the attack begin, lest, while we wait,
He strike us unprepared. For well I know
That he must either slay me or be slain
By me There lies the crime between us two:
Who leaps to grasp it first, the crime shall do.
Attendant: But does the evil fame of such a deed
Deter you not?
Atreus: ⁠The greatest blessing this
Of royal power, that men are forced to praise 205
Their monarchs' deeds as well as bear them.
Attendant: ⁠Yea,
But they whose praise is forced by fear become
By that same fear in turn the bitterest foes.
But he who seeks the people's heartfelt praise,
Will wish their hearts and not their tongues to speak. 210
Atreus: ⁠True praise may often fall to humble men,
But false alone to kings. Let subjects learn
To want what they would not.
Attendant: ⁠Let monarchs learn
To choose the right; then all will choose the same.
Atreus: ⁠When kings are forced to choose the right alone,
Their rule is insecure.
Attendant: ⁠Where is no shame,
No thought of righteousness, no piety, 215
No faith, no purity, Oh, then indeed