Page:The Plays of Euripides Vol. 1- Edward P. Coleridge (1910).djvu/122

94 with stories to my shame. Perdition seize thee and every meddling fool who by dishonest means would serve unwilling friends!

Mistress, thou may'st condemn the mischief I have done, for sorrow’s sting o'ermasters thy judgment; yet can I answer thee in face of this, if thou wilt hear. 'Twas I who nurtured thee; I love thee still; but in my search for medicine to cure thy sickness I found what least I sought. Had I but succeeded, I had been counted wise, for the credit we get for wisdom is measured by our success.

. Is it just, is it any satisfaction to me, that thou shouldst wound me first, then bandy words with me?

. We dwell on this too long; I was not wise, I own; but there are yet ways of escape from the trouble, my child.

. Be dumb henceforth; evil was thy first advice to me, evil too thy attempted scheme. Begone and leave me, look to thyself; I will my own fortunes for the best arrange. (Exit Nurse). Ye noble daughters of Trœzen, grant me the only boon I crave; in silence bury what ye here have heard.

. By majestic Artemis, child of Zeus, I swear I will never divulge aught of thy sorrows.

. 'Tis well. But I, with all my thought, can but one way discover out of this calamity, that so I may secure my children's honour, and find myself some help as matters stand. For never, never will I bring shame upon my Cretan home, nor will I, to save one poor life, face Theseus after my disgrace.

. Art thou bent then on some cureless woe?

. On death; the means thereto must I devise myself.

. Hush!