Page:The Plays of Euripides Vol. 1- Edward P. Coleridge (1910).djvu/109

Rh Shame fills me for the words I have spoken. Hide me then; from my eyes the tear-drops stream, and for very shame I turn them away. 'Tis painful coming to one's senses again, and madness, evil though it be, has this advantage, that one has no knowledge of reason's overthrow.

. There then I cover thee; but when will death hide my body in the grave? Many a lesson length of days is teaching me. Yea, mortal men should pledge themselves to moderate friendships only, not to such as reach the very heart's core; affection's ties should be light upon them to let them slip or draw them tight. For one poor heart to grieve for twain, as I do for my mistress, is a burden sore to bear. Men say that too engrossing pursuits in life more oft cause disappointment than pleasure, and too oft are foes to health. Wherefore I do not praise excess so much as moderation, and with me wise men will agree.

. O aged dame, faithful nurse of Phædra, our queen, we see her sorry plight; but what it is that ails her we cannot discern, so fain would learn of thee and hear thy opinion.

. I question her, but am no wiser, for she will not answer.

. Nor tell what source these sorrows have?

. The same answer thou must take, for she is dumb on every point.

. How weak and wasted is her body!

. What marvel? 'tis three days now since she has tasted food.

. Is this infatuation, or an attempt to die?

. 'Tis death she courts; such fasting aims at ending life.

. A strange story! is her husband satisfied?

. She hides from him her sorrow, and vows she is not ill.