Page:Sophocles - Seven Plays, 1900.djvu/199

1230–1270]

. We see, dear daughter, and the gladsome tear

Steals from our eye to greet the bright event.

. Offspring of him I loved beyond all telling!

Ah! thou art come,—hast found me, eye to eye

Behold’st the face thou didst desire to see.

. True, I am here; but bide in silence still.

. Wherefore?

. Hush! speak not loud, lest one within should hearken.

. By ever-virgin Artemis, ne’er will I

Think worthy of my fear

This useless mass of woman-cowardice

Burdening the house within,

Not peering out of door.

. Yet know that women too have might in war.

Of that methinks thou hast feeling evidence.

. Ah me! thou hast unveiled

And thrust before my gaze

That burning load of my distress

No time will soothe, no remedy will heal.

. I know that too. But when we are face to face

With the evildoers,—then let remembrance work.

. All times alike are fit with instant pain

Justly to mind me of that dreadful day;

Even now but hardly hath my tongue been free.

. Yes, that is it. Therefore preserve this boon.

. Whereby?

. Put limits to unseasonable talk.

. Ah! brother, who, when thou art come,

Could find it meet to exchange

Language for silence, as thou bidst me do?

Since beyond hope or thought

Was this thy sight to me.

. God gave me to your sight when so he willed.

. O heaven of grace beyond

The joy I knew but now!

If God hath brought thee to our roof,

A miracle of bounty then is here.