The Stoic Creed - College of Stoic Philosophers

236 THE STOIC CREED
whole, so that in all things reigns
one reason ever
lastingly. Now, this the wicked among mortals, for
their undoing, shun till it slips from them ;
who yearning
ever in the quest of goods neither behold God s allpervading
law nor listen to it, though by obedience
thereto noble their life
might be in accord with reason.
No, but of themselves are they driven, crazed, to divers
vices, some exerted in unlovely striving for renown,
some turned to lawless pursuit of gain, some to soft
luxury and the train of sensual joys, longing vehe
mently the while for the opposite of that they get.
But do thou, Zeus, giver of every good thing, wrapt in
cloud and bright lightnings, save mankind from woful
ignorance do
; thou, Father, dispel
it from the soul ;
grant that we may attain to true judgment, which is
thy stay in thy just rule of all things that so ; being
held in honour we may requite thee in honour, chanting
thy deeds right on, as is most fit for our mortality,
since nor mortal men, no, nor gods, have any greater
the universal
privilege than duly at all times to hymn
Law." 1
1
Among the many translations of the Hymn, this one made by
a former distinguished student of my own, Mr. George Watt, B. A.
(Cantab.) deserves a high place.