THYESTES How I longed for my homeland, my house,
and the wealth
of Argos! This is the greatest happiness for exiles, after pain,
to see their native earth and their ancestral gods—
if there are really gods — and the high and holy walls
built by the Cyclopes,* on larger-than-human scale.
I see it all at last — the racetrack thronged with boys,
where I often used to win the prize, in my father's chariot. 410
All Argos will rush to meet me, all the people —
but that includes Atreus. Go back to your exile in the woods,
the thickly tangled groves, and the life you led in the wild,
with animals, and like them. No reason to be dazzled
by the false, flashy brightness of royal power.
When you look at the gift, look at the giver too.
Just now, I had the kind of life that everyone would pity;
but I was brave and happy. Now, on the other hand,
I am dizzy with fear. My heart is stuck, and longs
to carry my body back. I find myself moving, unwillingly. 420
TANTALUS JUNIOR What is this? My father hesitates,
he looks around, unsure of himself, uncertain.
THYESTES My heart, why all this pondering? Why do you
twist around
such an obvious course of action? When everything is in doubt —
the kingdom, and your brother — why would you fear more
suffering?
Evil is conquered and tamed now: why run from misfortune?
Your pain has been well invested. Unhappiness now feels good.
Turn back and tear yourself away, while you still can.
TANTALUS J. Father, why are you driven to turn back from
your home
as soon as you glimpse it? Why wrap your garments close 430
to avoid such marvellous benefits? Your brother is no longer
angry;
he returns and restores to you part of the kingdom.
He sets the bones of the broken house, and gives you back
yourself.
THYESTES Even I do not know quite why I am frightened.
I see nothing to fear, but I am still afraid.
I want to go, but my knees feel wobbly and weak,
I get carried somewhere different from where I meant.
Even if sails and oars spur on a ship,
a current may confront them and carry the ship away.
TANTALUS J. Overcome the obstacles that clutter up your mind, 440
and look at all the prizes you can get if you turn back.
Father, you can be king.
THYESTES I can, since I can die.*
TANTALUS J. Absolute power is —
THYESTES Nothing, if you have no desires.
TANTALUS J. Your children will inherit.
THYESTES The kingdom cannot hold
two.
TANTALUS J. Can someone choose unhappiness when happiness
is possible?
THYESTES Believe me, it is only language misapplied
that makes us want to be ‘great', and fear to ‘suffer'.
Lofty position brought me constant fear; I was afraid
even of my own sword. Ah, what a wonderful thing
to get in no one's way, to have a carefree picnic 450
relaxing on the ground! Crime does not enter hovels:
those who live in tiny homes can drain their cups in safety.*
Poison is drunk from gold. I know of what I speak.
It makes good sense to choose bad fortune over good.
The little low-lying town does not tremble at the house
that stands up high above it on the mountain peak,
nor does the ivory shine on the lofty ceilings;
no sentry guards my bedroom while I sleep.
I need no fleet to catch my fish, I do not need
to drive the sea away with piles of rocks,* 460
nor glut my greedy belly with imported goods.
No distant field in Parthia or Geta need be ploughed
to feed me; I need no worship with incense or altars,
replacing Jupiter with myself. No treetops sway
up high upon my roof; no steaming baths that take
many hands to heat. My days are not pa**ed in sleep,
I do not stay awake to drink all night.
Nobody fears me; I have no need of weapons to keep
my house safe:
deep peace comes to those in modest circumstances.
The ability to do without a kingdom is a kingdom.