Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1894) v1.djvu/135

Rh

Nay, speak not so: gifts sway the Gods, they say.

Gold weigheth more with men than words untold.

Hers fortune is; God favoureth now her cause;

Young is her power. Life would I give for ransom

Of my sons' banishment, not gold alone.

Now, children, enter ye the halls of wealth.

Unto your sire's new wife, my lady-queen,

Make supplication, pray ye be not exiled,

Giving mine ornaments. Most importeth this,

That she into her hands receive my gifts.

Haste ye, and to your mother bring glad tidings

Of good success in that she longs to win.

[Exeunt Jason and Children.

Now for the life of the children mine hope hath been turned to despairing.

No hope any more! On the slaughterward path even now are they faring!

The bride shall receive it, the diadem-garland that beareth enfolden

Doom for the hapless mid glittering sheen:

And to set the adorning of Hades about her tresses golden

She shall take it her hands between.

For its glamour of beauty, its splendour unearthly, shall swiftly persuade her

To bedeck her with robe and with gold-wrought crown: she shall soon have arrayed her