Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1894) v1.djvu/133

Rh Turning aback from them thy pallid cheek,

And dost not hear with gladness this my speech?

'Tis nought: but o'er these children broods mine heart.

Fear not: all will I order well for them.

This will I:—'Tis not I mistrust thy words;

But woman is but woman—born for tears.

Why, hapless one, dost make moan over these?

I bare them. When thou prayedst life for them,

Pity stole o'er me, whispering, "Shall this be?"

But that for which thou cam'st to speech of me

In part is said; to speak the rest is mine:—

Since the king pleaseth forth the land to send me,

For me too this is best,—I know it well,—

That I bide not, a stumblingblock to thee

And the land's lords, whose house's foe I seem,

So fare I forth to exile from this land.

But, that my sons by thine hand may be reared,

Entreat thou Kreon that they be not banished.