str. 2. Aj. Seest thou the bold, the strong of heart, the dauntless in battles with the foe,—seest thou how I have shown my prowess on creatures that feared no harm? Alas, the mockery! How then have I been shamed!
Te. Ajax, my lord, I implore thee, speak not thus!
Aj. Hence! out with thee! avaunt—begone!—Woe is me ! woe is me!370
Ch. For the gods' love, yield to counsel, and learn wisdom!
Aj. Wretch that I am, who suffered the accursed men to slip through my hands, but fell on horned kine and goodly flocks, and made their dark blood flow!
Ch. Why grieve when the deed is past recall?These things can never be but as they are.
ant. 2. Aj. Ah, thou who watchest all things, thou ready tool of every crime, 380ah, son of Lartius, thou foulest knave in all the host, I warrant thou laughest loud and long for joy!
Ch. As the god gives, so every man laughs or mourns.
Aj. Yet would that I could see him, shattered though I am! Ah me, ah me!
Ch. Speak no proud word: seest thou not to what a plight thou hast come?
Aj. O Zeus, father of my sires, would that I might slay that deep dissembler, that hateful knave, and the two brother-chiefs,390 and lastly die myself also!
Te. When thou makest that prayer, pray therewith for me also that I die: wherefore should I live when thou art dead?
