FRAGMENT OF A CHORUS IN THE AJAX OF
SOPHOCLES.
Oh thou who possessest that isle of the sea,
The wave-beaten Salamis—happy and free—
When thy deeds are of glory, thy actions all bright,
In thy fame I rejoice, in thy fortune delight!
But when thou art stricken by Jove in his wrath,
And the threats of the Greeks go terribly forth;
As the dove in the greenwood all fearful may be,
So, Telamon's son, must I tremble for thee!
For reports are abroad that tarnish thy fame,
All foul with dishonour, all blackened with shame!
They say that thou roamest at night-time alone
O'er the thickly-clad fields where the booty is strewn;
That on flocks and on herds with inglorious blow
Thou dealest the death thou shouldst hurl at the foe,
And the sword that an enemy's life-blood should steep,
Is but stained with the slaughter of oxen and sheep!
But if down with fell swoop like a vulture you come,
In an instant all hushed is that clamorous hum,
And those babblers so loud in a moment are dumb!
1830.
