Some mother smit with bale,
Vainly, since Justice' altar lieth prone. 490
Antistrophe II.
†Throned in the heart let Awe,
Guardian of sacred law,
There hold her stedfast reign!
Well earned is wisdom at the cost of pain.—
But who in blithesome cheer
That lives, absolved from Fear,
Or man, or State, will Justice long revere?
Strophe III.
Neither life by law unblest, 500
Nor by tyrant yoke opprest,
Sanction thou;—
All extremes the gods detest;
They the golden mean, I trow,
Stamp with might. The truth I speak
Weighty is. Defiant scorn
Is from godless folly born;
While from inward health doth flow,
Beloved of all, true bliss which mortals seek.
Antistrophe III.
This, the sum of wisdom, hear;— 510
Justice' altar aye revere,
Nor ever dare,
Lusting after worldly gear,
With atheist foot to spurn; beware,
Lurketh Retribution near,
