Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1894) v1.djvu/128

96 If she receive and don mine ornaments,

Die shall she wretchedly, and all who touch her,

With drugs so dread will I anoint my gifts.

Howbeit here I pass this story by,

And wail the deed that yet for me remains

To bring to pass; for I will slay my children,

Yea, mine: no man shall pluck them from mine hand.

Then, having brought all Jason's house to wrack,

I leave the land, fleeing my dear babes' blood,

And having dared a deed most impious.

For unendurable are mocks of foes.

Let all go: what is life to me? Nor country

Nor home have I, nor refuge from mine ills.

Then erred I, in the day when I forsook

My father's halls, by yon Greek's words beguiled,

Who with God's help shall render me requital.

For never living shall he see hereafter

The sons I bare him, nor shall he beget

Of his new bride a son, for doomed is she,

Wretch, to die wretchedly by drugs of mine.

Let none account me impotent, nor weak,

Nor meek of spirit!—Nay, in other sort,

Grim to my foes, and kindly to my friends,

For of such is the life most glorious.

Since thou hast made me partner of this tale,—

Wishing to help thee, championing withal

The laws of men, I say, do thou not this.

It cannot be but so: yet reason is

That thou say this, who art not wronged as I.