Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1894) v1.djvu/271

Rh Slew him, nor in his thoughts of murder found

Room for a grave, but cast him mid the sea.

And I—a slave I may be, haply weak;

Yet are the Gods strong, and their ruler strong,

Even Law; for by this Law we know Gods are,

And live, and make division of wrong and right:

And if this at thy bar be disannulled,

And they shall render not account which slay

Guests, or dare rifle the Gods' holy things,

Then among men is there no righteousness.

This count then shameful; have respect to me;

Pity me:—like a painter so draw back,

Scan me, pore on my portraiture of woes.

A queen was I, time was, but now thy slave;

Crowned with fair sons once, childless now and old,

Cityless, lone, of mortals wretchedest.

Woe for me!—whither wouldst withdraw thy foot?

Meseems I shall not speed—O hapless I!

Wherefore, O wherefore, at all other lore

Toil men, as needeth, and make eager quest,

Yet Suasion, the unrivalled queen of men,

Nor price we pay, nor make ado to learn her

Unto perfection, so a man might sway

His fellows as he would, and win his ends?

How then shall any hope good days henceforth?