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SOLE GOVERNMENT OF GOD.
337
Apollo of his deeds; for when he weds
Maidens by force, the children secretly
Begotten he betrays, and them neglects
Always pursue the virtues, for the gods
Will surely punish men of wickedness.
How is it right that you, who have prescribed
Laws for men's guidance, live unrighteously?
But ye being absent, I shall freely speak,
And ye to men shall satisfaction give
For marriage forced, thou Neptune, Jupiter,
Who over heaven presides. The temples ye
Have emptied, while injustice ye repay.
And though ye laud the prudent to the skies,
Yet have ye filled your hands with wickedness.
No longer is it right to call men ill
If they do imitate the sins[1] of gods;
Nay, evil let their teachers rather be."
And in Archelaus:
"Full oft, my son, do gods mankind perplex."
And in Bellerophon:
"They are no gods, who do not what is right."
And again in the same:
"Gods reign in heaven most certainly, says one;
But it is false,—yea, false: and let not him
Who speaks thus, be so foolish as to use
Ancient tradition, or to pay regard
Unto my words: but with unclouded eye
Behold the matter in its clearest light.
Power absolute, I say, robs men of life
And property; transgresses plighted faith;
Nor spares even cities, but with cruel hand
Despoils and devastates them ruthlessly.
But they that do these things have more success
But it is false,—yea, false: and let not him
Who speaks thus, be so foolish as to use
Ancient tradition, or to pay regard
Unto my words: but with unclouded eye
Behold the matter in its clearest light.
Power absolute, I say, robs men of life
And property; transgresses plighted faith;
Nor spares even cities, but with cruel hand
Despoils and devastates them ruthlessly.
But they that do these things have more success
- ↑ κακά in Euripides, καλά in text.
