530

What part is left me in my children then?

But if it stand and thou for it lie dead,

Then hast thou in it a better part than we,

A holier portion than we all; for each

Hath but the length of his own life to live,

And this most glorious mother-land on earth

To worship till that life have end; but thine

Hath end no more than hers; thou, dead, shalt live

Till Athens live not; for the days and nights

Given of thy bare brief dark dividual life,

540

Shall she give thee half all her agelong own

And all its glory; for thou givest her these;

But with one hand she takes and gives again

More than I gave or she requires of thee.

Come therefore, I will make thee fit for death,

I that could give thee, dear, no gift at birth

Save of light life that breathes and bleeds, even I

Will help thee to this better gift than mine

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