And I will show thee this disease full clear,
That thou may'st see and tell the Argives all.
But stay thou here, and fear not; think thou not
The man will prove an evil chance to thee;
For I will turn his eyes' clear sight aside,70
And keep them back from looking on thy face.
Ho there, [To Aias,] I bid thee come, who bindest now
The captive bands with fetters. Thee I call,
Ο Aias: forward, to thy dwelling's front.
Odys. What dost thou, Ο Athena? Call him not.
Athena. Wilt not be still, and 'scape the coward's shame?
Odys. Nay, by the Gods! but let him stay within.
Athena. What dost thou fear? Was he not strong before?
Odys. Always my foe, and more so now than ever.
Athena. Is it not sweetest scorn to scorn our foes?
Odys. Enough for me that this man stays within.80
Athena. Dost fear so much to see a madman's face?
Odys. Nay, were he sane, I should not shun him then.
Athena. Though thou be near, he will not see thee now.
Odys. How so, if he the same eyes has to see?
Athena. Know, I will darken even clearest eyes.
Odys. When a God worketh, all is possible.
Athena. Hush, then, and stay where now thou tak'st thy stand.
Odys. I'll stay then; yet I fain would be away.
Athena. [To Aias.] Ho, there, Ο Aias, once again I call.
Why honourest thou so little thine ally?90
Enter Aias from his tent, with a blood-stained scourge in his hand.
Aias. Hail, Ο Athena, hail, Ο child of Zeus!
