The Argonauts

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.