A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca

126 Athens
Oppression
of the poor.
Only the first
two lines of
this poem
are found
in Arist.
Const. Ath.;
the rest is
taken from
another
source.
of Zeus and the thought of the blessed immortal gods that
our city perish; for in such wise the high-souled guardian
of the city, Pallas Athena, daughter of a mighty sire
spreads over it her hands. The nobles, persuaded by their
love of money, desire recklessly to destroy the great city.
And as to the people, the mind of their magistrates is
dishonest—magistrates who are destined to suffer many
ills because of their monstrous violence. For they know
not how to be satisfied or to enjoy the present feast in
quiet. . . . They grow wealthy in obedience to unjust
deeds. . . . They spare neither sacred nor public property
and they rob and steal, one here and one there. They
guard not the revered foundations of Justice, who though
silent, knows what is going on, what went on before, and
has come to demand full settlement in time. This wound
inevitable hath come upon all the city, namely evil slavery
into which the state hath quickly fallen, and which stirs
up civil strife and war,—war that destroys our lovely
youth in numbers. For our well-beloved city is consumed
by the evil-minded in their meetings, in which unjust
plans are held dear. These are the ills prevailing in the
commons; but many of the poor are going into a foreign
land, sold and bound in unseemly chains and suffer hateful
woes by force of slavery. Hall doors no longer will
to hold the evil, it leapeth over the lofty edge, and you find
it everywhere, even if you hide in a chamber corner.
This
my soul bids me teach the Athenians, that misrule brings
most ills- to a city; but good rule makes all things harmonious
and at one. Good order puts bonds upon the
wicked, smooths the rough, stays satiety, weakens violence,
withers flowers that grow of Ate (reckless guilt),
straightens crooked judgments, softens acts of cruelty,
ends disputation, ends the wrath of hateful strife."