Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1894) v1.djvu/117

Rh Thou shouldest, if not base, have wed this bride

With my consent, not hid it from thy friends.

Ay, nobly hadst thou helped in this my purpose,

Had I a marriage named, who even now

Canst not refrain thy heart's exceeding wrath!

Not this thine hindrance, but the alien wife

No crown of honour was as eld drew on.

Now know this well—not for the woman's sake

I wed the royal bride whom I have won,

But, as I said, of my desire to save

Thee, and beget seed royal, to my sons

Brethren, and for mine house a tower of strength.

No prosperous life 'neath sorrow's cloud for me,

Nor weal, with thorns of conscience in mine heart!

Know'st how to change thy prayer, and show the wiser?

May thy good never seem to thee thy sorrow;

Nor in fair fortune deem thy lot misfortune.

O yea, insult!—Thou hast a refuge, thou;

But desolate I am banished from this land.

Thyself hast chosen this: none other blame.