Aj. In all else, Athena, I say, have thy will; but his doom shall be none but this.
Ath. Nay, then, since it delights thee to do thus, hold not thy hand, abate no jot of thine intent.
Aj. I go to my work:—but thou, I charge thee, stand ever at my side as thou hast stood to-day!
[Exit Ajax.
Ath. Seest thou, Odysseus, how great is the strength of the gods? Whom couldest thou have found more prudent than this man,120 or more valiant for the service of the time?
Od. I know none; and I pity him in his misery, for all that he is my foe, because he is bound fast to a dread doom: I think of mine own lot no less than his. For I see that we are but phantoms, all we who live, or fleeting shadows.
Ath. Therefore, beholding such things, look that thine own lips never speak a haughty word against the gods, and assume no swelling port, if thou prevailest above another in prowess or by store of ample wealth.130 For a day can humble all human things, and a day can lift them up; but the wise of heart are loved of the gods, and the evil are abhorred.
Enter the Chorus of Salaminian Sailors, followers of Ajax.
