Theseus: You were led astray by glory-loving youngsters,
Promoters of unjust wars, who spoil the townsmen.
One of them wants to be a general;
Another to seaize power and riot in it;
A third is set on gain. They never think
What harm this brings for the majority.
The classes of citizens are three. The rich
Are useless, always lusting after more.
Those who have not, and live in want, are menace,
Ridden with envy and fooled by demagogues;
Their malice stings the owners. Of the three,
The middle part saves cities: it guards the order
A community establishes.
And so
I am to be your ally? What fine words
Will make my citizens favor that? Farewell!
You planned your actions poorly. Take what comes:
Wrestle with fate alone, and let me be.
Promoters of unjust wars, who spoil the townsmen.
One of them wants to be a general;
Another to seaize power and riot in it;
A third is set on gain. They never think
What harm this brings for the majority.
The classes of citizens are three. The rich
Are useless, always lusting after more.
Those who have not, and live in want, are menace,
Ridden with envy and fooled by demagogues;
Their malice stings the owners. Of the three,
The middle part saves cities: it guards the order
A community establishes.
And so
I am to be your ally? What fine words
Will make my citizens favor that? Farewell!
You planned your actions poorly. Take what comes:
Wrestle with fate alone, and let me be.
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