75
By the fine-webbed robes was caught; and fearful grew 1215 (1214)
The struggle. He sought on his knees to rise:
She held him back. And if by force he rose
He tore the aged flesh from off his bones.
And then at length the evil-fated man 1219 (1218)
Ceased and gave up the ghost, able no more
To cope with that great anguish. And they lie,
Father and daughter, corpses side by side:
A sight of sorrow that appeals for tears.
And truly let thy fortunes be apart
From reasonings of mine: for thou thyself 1215 (1223)
Wilt know a shelter from the retribution.
But not now first I count the lot of man
A passing shadow: and I might say those
Of mortals who are very seeming wise 1229 (1225)
And fret themselves with learnings, those are they
Who make them guilty of the chiefest folly;
But no one mortal is a happy man,
Though, riches flooding in, more prosperous
One than another grow; yet none is happy.
