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EURIPIDES

Some God disposed things, willed they so should be.

Be they so ! Now do thou remember this, <

Do me in turn a favor — favor, since

Certainly I shall never claim my due,

For nothing is more precious than a life ;

But a fit favor, as thyself wilt say,

Loving our children here no less than I,

If head and heart be sound in thee at least :

Uphold them, make them masters of my house.

Nor wed and give a step-dame to the pair,

Who, being a worse wife than I, through spite

Will raise her hand against both thine and mine.

Never do this at least, I pray to thee !

For hostile the new-comer, the step-dame.

To the old brood — a very viper she

For gentleness ! Here stand they, boy and girl ;

The boy has got a father, a defence

Tower-like, he speaks to and has answer from :

But thou, my girl, how will thy virginhood

Conclude itself in marriage fittingly ?

Upon what sort of sire-found yoke-fellow

Art thou to chance ? with all to apprehend —

Lest, casting on thee some unkind report.

She blast thy nuptials in the bloom of youth.

For neither shall thy mother watch thee wed,

Nor hearten thee in childbirth, standing by

Just when a mother's presence helps the most !

No, for I have to die : and this my ill

Comes to me, nor to-morrow, no, nor yet

The third day of the month, but now, even now,

I shall be reckoned among those no more.

Farewell, be happy ! And to thee, indeed.

Husband, the boast remains permissible

Thou hadst a wife was worthy ! and to you.

Children : as good a mother gave you birth."

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