Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1898) v3.djvu/445

---

Justice, draw nigh us, draw nigh, with the sword of avenging appear:
Slay the unrighteous, the seed of Echion the earth-born, and shear
Clean through his throat, for he feareth not God, neither law doth he fear.
(Ant.)
Lo, how in impious mood, and with lawless intent, and with spite
Madness-distraught, with thy rites and thy mother's he cometh to fight,
Bacchus—to bear the invincible down by his impotent might! 1000

Thus shall one gain him a sorrowless life, if he keepeth his soul
Sober in spirit, and swift in obedience to heaven's control,
Murmuring not, neither pressing beyond his mortality's goal.

No such presumptuous wisdom I covet: I seek for mine own—
Yea, in the quest is mine happiness—things that not so may be known,
Glorious wisdom and great, from the days everlasting forth-shown,

Even to fashion in pureness my life and in holiness aye,
Following ends that are noble from dawn to the death of the day,
Honouring Gods, and refusing to walk in injustice's way. 1010