Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1894) v1.djvu/147

Rh

From the dark-blue Clashing Crags who hast hasted

Speeding thy flight!

Alas for her!—wherefore hath grim wrath stirred her

Through depths of her soul, that ruthless murder

Her wrongs must requite?

For stern upon mortals the vengeance falleth

For kin's blood spilt; from the earth it calleth,

A voice from the Gods, and the slayers appalleth

On whose homes it shall light.

[Children's cries behind the scenes.]

What shall I do?—How flee my mother's hands?

''I know not, dearest brother. Death is here!''

Ah the cry!—dost thou hear it?—the children's cry!

Wretch!—woman of cursèd destiny!

Shall I enter?—My heart crieth, "Rescue the children from murder drawn nigh!"

''Yea, for the Gods' sake, help! Sore is our need—''

For now we are hemmed in by the sword's death-toils!