Page:The Plays of Euripides Vol. 1- Edward P. Coleridge (1910).djvu/132

104 that cometh in a moment, is an easy end for wretchedness. Nay, thou shalt be exiled from thy fatherland, [and wandering to a foreign shore drag out a life of misery; for such are the wages of sin.]

. Oh! what wilt thou do? Wilt thou banish me, without so much as waiting for Time's evidence on my case?

. Ay, beyond the sea, beyond the bounds of Atlas, if I could, so deeply do I hate thee.

. What! banish me untried, without even testing my oath, the pledge I offer, or the voice of seers?

. This letter here, though it bears no seers' signs, arraigns thy pledges; as for birds that fly o'er our heads, a long farewell to them.

. (aside). Great gods! why do I not unlock my lips, seeing that I am ruined by you, the objects of my reverence? No, I will not; I should nowise persuade those whom I ought to, and in vain should break the oath I swore.

. Fie upon thee! that solemn air of thine is more than I can bear. Begone from thy native land forthwith!

. Whither shall I turn? Ah me! whose friendly house will take me in, an exile on so grave a charge?

. Seek one who loves to entertain as guests and partners in his crimes corrupters of men's wives.

. Ah me! this wounds my heart and brings me nigh to tears to think that I should appear so vile, and thou believe me so.

. Thy tears and forethought had been more in season when thou didst presume to outrage thy father's wife.

. O house, I would thou couldst speak for me and witness if I am so vile!

. Dost fly to speechless witnesses? This deed, though it speaketh not, proves thy guilt clearly.

. Alas! Would I could stand and face myself, so should I weep to see the sorrows I endure.