Page:Sophocles - Seven Plays, 1900.djvu/222

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. Say, maidens, how must I proceed? The words

Now spoken have bewildered all my mind.

. Go in and question Lichas, who perchance

Will tell the truth if you but tax him home.

. I will; you counsel reasonably.

. And I,

Shall I bide here till thou com’st forth? Or how?

. Remain. For see, without my sending for him,

He issueth from the palace of himself.

. What message must I carry to my lord?

Tell me, my Queen. I am going, as thou seëst.

. So slow in coming, and so quickly flown,

Ere one have time to talk with thee anew!

. What wouldst thou ask me? I am bent to hear.

. And art thou bent on truth in the reply?

. By Heaven! in all that I have knowledge of.

. Then tell me, who is she thou brought’st with thee?

. An islander. I cannot trace her stock.

. Look hither, man. Who is’t to whom thou speakest?

. Why such a question? What is thine intent?

. Nay, start not, but make answer if thou knowest.

. To Dêanira, Oeneus’ queenly child,

Heracles’ wife,—if these mine eyes be true,—

My mistress.

. Ay, that is the very word

I longed to hear thee speak. Thy mistress, sayest?

. To whom I am bound.

. Hold there! What punishment

Wilt thou accept, if thou art found to be

Faithless to her?

. I faithless! What dark speech

Hast thou contrived?

. Not I at all. ’Tis thou

Dost wrap thy thoughts i’ the dark.