Page:Sophocles - Seven Plays, 1900.djvu/187

800–836]

. Nay, go not yet! That would disgrace alike

Me and the friend who sent you to our land.

But come thou in, and leave her out of door

To wail her own and loved ones’ overthrow.

[Exeunt and Old Man

. Think you the wretch in heartfelt agony

Weeps inconsolably her perished son?

She left us with a laugh! O misery!

How thou hast ruined me, dear brother mine,

By dying! Thou hast torn from out my heart

The only hope I cherished yet, that thou

Living wouldst come hereafter to avenge

Thy father’s woes and mine. Where must I go?

Since I am left of thee and of my sire

Bereaved and lonely, and once more must be

The drudge and menial of my bitterest foes,

My father’s murderers. Say, is it well?

Nay, nevermore will I consort with these,

But sinking here before the palace gate,

Thus, friendless, I will wither out my life.

Hereat if any in the house be vexed,

Let them destroy me; for to take my life

Were kindness, and to live is only pain:

Life hath not kindled my desires with joy.

. O ever-blazing sun!

O lightning of the eternal Sire!

Can ye behold this done

And tamely hide your all-avenging fire?

. Ah me!

. My daughter, why these tears?

. Woe!

. Weep not, calm thy fears.

. You kill me.

. How?

. To breathe

A hope for one beneath

So clearly sunk in death,

’Tis to afflict me more

Already pining sore.