Ne. Methinks sleep will come to him ere long: see, his head sinks backward; yes, a sweat is bathing his whole body, and a thin stream of dark blood hath broken forth from his heel.
Come, friends, let us leave him in quietness, that he may fall on slumber.
str. Ch. Sleep, stranger to anguish, painless Sleep, come,
at our prayer, with gentle breath, come with benison, O king,830 and keep before his eyes such light as is spread before them now; come, I pray thee, come with power to heal!
O son, bethink thee where thou wilt stand, and to what counsels thou wilt next turn our course. Thou seest how 'tis now! Why should we delay to act? Opportunity, arbiter of all action, oft wins a great victory by one swift stroke.
mes. Ne. Nay, though he hears nothing, I see that in vain have we made this bow our prize,840 if we sail without him. His must be the crown; 'tis he that the god bade us bring. 'Twere a foul shame for us to boast of deeds in which failure hath waited on fraud.
ant. Ch. Nay, my son, the god will look to that. But when thou answerest me again, softly, softly whisper thy words, my son: for sick men's restless sleep is ever quick of vision.
But, I pray thee, use thine utmost care to win that prize,850 that great prize, by stealth. For if thou maintain thy present purpose towards this man,—thou knowest of what purpose I speak,—a prudent mind can foresee troubles most grievous.
