Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1894) v1.djvu/105

Rh

Ah me! undone am I in utter ruin!

My foes crowd sail pursuing: landing-place

Is none from surges of calamity.

Yet, howso wronged, one question will I ask—

For what cause, Kreon, dost thou banish me?

I fear thee—need is none to cloak my words—

Lest on my child thou wreak some ill past cure.

And to this dread do many things conspire.

Wise art thou, cunning in much evil lore;

Chafed art thou, of thine husband's couch bereft:

I hear thou threatenest, so they bring me word,

To wreak on sire, on bridegroom, and on bride

Mischief. I guard mine head ere falls the blow.

Better be hated, woman, now of thee,

Than once relent, and sorely groan too late.

Not now first, Kreon,—many a time ere now

Rumour hath wronged and wrought me grievous harm.

Ne'er should the man whose heart is sound of wit

Let teach his sons more wisdom than the herd.

They are burdened with unprofitable lore,

And spite and envy of other folk they earn.

For, if thou bring strange wisdom unto dullards,

Useless shalt thou be counted, and not wise:

And, grant thy name o'ertop the self-extolled

Wits, in the city odious shalt thou be.

Myself too in this fortune am partaker.

Of some my wisdom wins me jealousy,