Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1894) v1.djvu/245

Rh Thy child, upon Achilles' grave-mound's height.

Me they appoint to usher thitherward

And bring the maid: the president and priest

Of sacrifice Achilles' son shall be.

Know'st thou thy part then?—be not torn away

Perforce, nor brave me to the strife of hands;

But know thy might, thine imminence of ills.

Wise is it even mid ills to hearken reason.

Woe! A sore trial is at hand, meseems,

Burdened with groanings, and fulfilled of tears.

I died not there where well might I have died;

Nor Zeus destroyed, but holdeth me in life

To see—O wretch!—ills more than ills o'erpast.

Yet, if the bond may question of the free

Things that should vex them not, nor gall the heart,

Then fits it that thou be the questioned now,

And that I ask, and hearken thy reply.

So be it: ask, I grudge not the delay.

Rememberest thou thy coming unto Troy

A spy, in rags vile-vestured; from thine eyes

Trickled adown thy cheeks the gouts of gore?

I do, for deep it sank into mine heart.

And Helen knew thee, and told none save me?