Page:Agamemnon (1877) Browning.djvu/86

70 I bore so long as this man was 'neath Ilion.

First: for a woman, from the male divided,

To sit at home alone, is monstrous evil—

Hearing the many rumours back-revenging:

And for now This to come, now That bring after

Woe, and still worse woe, bawling in the household!

And truly, if so many wounds had chanced on

My husband here, as homeward used to dribble

Report, he's pierced more than a net to speak of!

While, were he dying (as the words abounded)

A triple-bodied Geruon the Second,

Plenty above—for loads below I count not—

Of earth a three-share cloak he'd boast of taking,

Once only dying in each several figure!

Because of suchlike rumours back-revenging,