Page:Sophocles (Storr 1919) v2.djvu/241



But who would barter speech for silence now,

Who could be dumb,

Now that beyond all thought and hope

I’ve seen thee come?

That sight was then vouchsafed thee when the gods

First monished me to turn my steps towards home.

If a god guided thee

To seek our halls, this boon

Surpasses all before, I see

The hand of heaven.

To check thy gladness I am loth, and yet

This ecstasy of joy—it makes me fear.

O after many a weary year

Restored to glad my eyes,

Seeing my utter misery, forbear—

What is thy prayer?

Forbear to rob me of the light,

The presence of thy face.

If any dared essay it, I were wrath.

Dost thou consent?

How could I otherwise? 229