  38 Aphrodite loquitur The pure, bright heaven still yearns to blend with earth, And earth is filled with love for marriage-rites, And from the kindly sky the rain-shower falls And fertilises earth, and earth for men Yields grass for sheep, and corn, DemÊter's gift; And from its wedlock with the South the fruit Is ripened in its season; and of this, All this, I am the cause accessory. 123 So, in the Libyan fables, it is told That once an eagle, stricken with a dart, Said, when he saw the fashion of the shaft, “With our own feathers, not by others' hands, Are we now smitten.” 147 Of all the Gods, Death only craves not gifts: Nor sacrifice, nor yet drink-offering poured Avails; no altars hath he, nor is soothed By hymns of praise. From him alone of all The powers of Heaven Persuasion holds aloof. 151 When 'tis God's will to bring an utter doom Upon a house, He first in mortal men Implants what works it out. The words of Truth are ever simplest found. 163 What good is found in life that still brings pain? 174 To many mortals silence great gain brings. 229 O Death the Healer, scorn thou not, I pray, To come to me: of cureless ills thou art The one physician. Pain lays not its touch Upon a corpse. 230 When the wind Nor suffers us to leave the port, nor stay. 243 And if thou wish to benefit the dead, 'Tis all as one as if thou injured'st them, And they nor sorrow nor delight can feel: Yet higher than we are is Nemesis, And Justice taketh vengeance for the dead. 266 Thetis on the death of Achilles Life free from sickness, and of many years, And in a word a fortune like to theirs Whom the Gods love, all this He spake to me As pÆan-hymn, and made my heart full glad: And I full fondly trusted Phoebos' lips As holy and from falsehood free, of art Oracular an ever-flowing spring, Being present, spake these things,—yea, He it is That slew my son. 267 The man who does ill, ill must suffer too. 268 Evil on mortals comes full swift of foot, And guilt on him who doth the right transgress. 269 Thou see'st a vengeance voiceless and unseen For one who sleeps or walks or sits at ease: It takes its course obliquely, here to-day, And there to-morrow. Nor does night conceal Men's deeds of ill, but whatsoe'er thou dost, Think that some God beholds it. 270 “All have their chance:” good proverb for the rich. 271 Wise is the man who knows what profiteth, Not he who knoweth much. 272 Full grievous burden is a prosperous fool. 272A From a just fraud God turneth not away. 273 There is a time when God doth falsehood prize. The polished brass is mirror of the form, Wine of the soul. 275 Words are the parents of a causeless wrath. 276 Men credit gain for oaths, not oaths for them. 277 God ever works with those that work with will. 278 Wisdom to learn is e'en for old men good. 281 The base who prosper are intolerable. 282 The seed of mortals broods o'er passing things, And hath nought surer than the smoke-cloud's shadow. 283 Old age hath stronger sense of right than youth. 286 |
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