Ajax

Sophocles

Sophocles the plays and fragments, Part 7: The Ajax. Jebb, Richard Claverhouse, Sir, translator. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1891.

  1. Until he be bound to a pillar beneath my roof—
Athena
  1. What evil, then, will you inflict on the poor man?
Ajax
  1. —and have his back crimsoned by the lash, before he dies.
Athena
  1. Do not abuse the poor man so cruelly!
Ajax
  1. In all else, Athena, I bid you take your pleasure, but he will pay this penalty and no other.
Athena
  1. Well, then, since it delights you to do so, put your arm to use; spare no portion of your plan.
Ajax
  1. I go to my work. And I give you this commission: be always for me the close-standing ally that you have been for me today!
Athena
  1. Do you see, Odysseus, how great is the strength of the gods? Whom could you have found more prudent than this man,