Epeisodion 3
Tecmessa
How, then, can I serve you, as things stand now?
Ajax
Let me speak to him and see him face to face.
Tecmessa
Oh, yes—he is close by, watched by our servants.
Ajax
Then why is his presence delayed?
540
Tecmessa
My child, your father calls you. Bring him here, servant, whichever of you is guiding his steps.
Ajax
Is the man coming? Or has he missed your call?
Tecmessa
Here now one of the servants approaches with him.
Ajax
Lift him; lift him up here. Doubtless he will not shrink to look on this newly-shed
blood, if he is indeed my true-born son and heir to his father’s manners.
But he must at once be broken into his father’s harsh ways and moulded to
the likeness of my nature.
545
Ah, son, may you prove luckier than your father, but in all else like him. Then you would not prove base. Yet even now I may well envy you on this account, that you have no perception of these evils about us. Yes, life is sweetest when one lacks sense, for lack of sensation is a painless evil
550
that is, until one learns to know joy or pain. But when you come to that knowledge, then
you must be sure to prove among your father’s enemies of what mettle and of
what lineage you are. Meanwhile feed on light breezes, and nurse your tender
life for your mother’s joy.
555
There is no Greek—I know it for certain—who will do violence to you with hard outrages, even when you are without me. So trusty is the guard, Teucer himself, whom I will leave at your gates. He will not falter in his care for you, although now he walks a far path, busied with the hunt of enemies.
560
O my warriors, my seafaring comrades! On you as on him, I lay this shared task of love: give my command to Teucer! Let him take this child to my home and set him before the face of Telamon, and of my mother, Eriboea,
565
so that he may become the comfort of their age into eternity until they come to the deep hollows of the god below. And order him that no commissioners of games, nor he who is my destroyer, should make my arms a prize for the Greeks. No, you take this for my sake, Son, my broad shield from which you have your name.
570
Hold it and wield it by the sturdy thong, this sevenfold, spear-proof shield! But the rest of my arms shall be my gravemates.
575
Come, take the child right away, shut tight the doors and make no laments before the house.
God, what a weepy thing is woman. Quick, close the house! It is not for a skilful doctor to moan incantations over a wound that craves the knife.
580
Chorus
I am afraid when I hear this eager haste. Your tongue’s sharp edge does not please
me.
Tecmessa
Ajax, my lord, what can you have in mind?
585
Ajax
Do not keep asking me, do not keep questioning. Self-restraint is a virtue.
Tecmessa
Ah, how I despair! Now, by your child, by the gods, I implore you, do not betray us!
Ajax
You annoy me too much. Do you not know
that I no longer owe any service to the gods?
590
Tecmessa
Hush, no impiety!
Ajax
Speak to those who hear.
Tecmessa
You will not listen?
Ajax
Already your words have been too many.
Tecmessa
Yes, because I am afraid, my king!
Ajax
Close the doors this instant!
Tecmessa
In the name of the gods, be softened!
Ajax
You have foolish hope, I think,
