the divided counsel of the wise is not conducive to steering, and their collective wisdom has less weight than the inferior intelligence of the single man who has sole authority;Such is Paley’s interpretation of this very difficult piece of Greek. He reads διδύμα γνώμα (nom.) with a colon after the latter word; and ὃ δυωασις, the correction of Hermann for ἁ. for this is the essence of power alike in house and state, whene’er men care to find the proper moment.

ChorusThis Spartan, the daughter of the great chief Menelaus, proves this; for she hath kindled hot fury against a rival, and is bent on slaying the hapless Trojan maid and her child to further her bitter quarrel. Tis a murder gods and laws and kindness all forbid. Ah! lady, retribution for this deed will visit thee yet.

ChorusBut lo! before the house I see those two united souls, condemned to die. Alas! for thee, poor lady, and for thee, unhappy child, who art dying on account of thy mother’s marriage, though thou hast no share therein