Page:Tragedies of Sophocles (Jebb 1917).djvu/380

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368
SOPHOCLES.
[1239—1259

Od. I should have wished not to hear them at all.

Ne. Rest assured that I have nothing more to say.1240

Od. There is a power, I tell thee, that shall prevent thy deed.

Ne. What meanest thou? Who is to hinder me in this?

Od. The whole host of the Achaeans,—and I for one.

Ne. Wise though thou be, thy words are void of wisdom.

Od. Thy speech is not wise, nor yet thy purpose.

Ne. But if just, that is better than wise.

Od. And how is it just, to give up what thou hast won by my counsels? Ne. My fault hath been shameful, and I must seek to retrieve it.

Od. Hast thou no fear of the Achaean host, in doing this?1250

Ne. With justice on my side, I do not fear thy terrors.

[Od. But I will compel thee.]

Ne. Nay, not even to thy force do I yield obedience.

Od. Then we shall fight, not with the Trojans, but with thee.

Ne. Come, then, what must. Od. Seest thou my right hand on my sword-hilt? Ne. Nay, thou shalt see me doing the same, and that promptly.

Od. Well, I will take no more heed of thee; but I will go and tell this to all the host, and by them thou shalt be punished.

Ne. Thou hast come to thy senses; and if thou art