Page:Sophocles - Seven Plays, 1900.djvu/278

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The shadow of a vapour. In my strength

He ne’er had vanquished me. Even as I am,

He could not, but by guile. Now, all forlorn,

I am abused, deceived. What must I do?

Nay, give it me. Nay, yet be thy true self!

Thou art silent. I am lost. O misery!

Rude face of rock, back I return to thee

And thy twin gateway, robbed of arms and food,

To wither in thy cave companionless:

No more with these mine arrows to destroy

Or flying bird or mountain-roving beast.

But, all unhappy! I myself must be

The feast of those on whom I fed, the chase

Of that I hunted, and shall dearly pay

In bloody quittance for their death, through one

Who seemed all ignorant of sinful guile.

Perish,—not till I am certain if thy heart

Will change once more,—if not, my curse on thee!

. What shall we do, my lord? We wait thy word

Or to sail now, or yield to his desire.

. My heart is pressed with a strange pity for him,

Not now beginning, but long since begun.

. Ay, pity me, my son! by all above,

Make not thy name a scorn by wronging me!

. O! I am troubled sore. What must I do?

Would I had never left mine island home!

. Thou art not base, but seemest to have learnt

Some baseness from base men. Now, as ’tis meet,

Be better guided—leave me mine arms, and go.

. (to ). What shall we do?

. What art thou doing, knave?

Give me that bow, and haste thee back again.

. Alas! What do I hear? Odysseus’ voice?

. Be sure of that, Odysseus, whom thou seest.

. Oh, I am bought and sold, undone! ’Twas he

That kidnapped me, and robbed me of my bow.

. Yea. I deny it not. Be sure, ’twas I.