12 ARGONAUTAE
Hard after? Wilt thou plunge all Thessaly,
All Greece, in haste and sudden armament,
Fury of thought and frenzy of deed, at once
For justice? Wouldst thou be so violent
For justice, save in thine own cause, O boy?
And wilt thou pity not the happy days
And storm-unshatteréd abodes of Greece?
JASON.
Athena, who is Justice, also is
Wisdom: and also “She who buildeth towns.”
PELIAS.
Think also, I am born of deity.
I am inured to majesty; I know
How venerable is the sight of kings,
And how the serpent Treason writhes beneath
The royal foot, conscious of its own shame,
And how the Lion of Rebellion cowers
Before the presence of a king unarmed,
Quelled by one mild glance of authority.
JASON.
A king unjust is shorn of majesty.
PELIAS,
Still the one fool’s-word—justice—answers all.
Would thou wert older and more politic!
JASON.
Would I were liar with thine own foul brand!
The gods are weary of thy cozening.