Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1894) v1.djvu/278

242 Thou sawest me in weal: shame's thrall I am,

Found in such plight wherein I am this day.

I cannot look on thee with eyes undrooped.

Yet count it not as evil-will to thee,

Polymestor; therebeside is custom's bar

That women look not in the eyes of men.

No marvel:—but what need hast thou of me?

For what cause from mine home hast sped my feet?

A secret of mine own I fain would tell

To thee and thine. I pray thee, bid thy guards

Aloof from these pavilions to withdraw.

Depart ye, for this solitude is safe.[Exeunt guards.

My friend art thou, well-willed to me this host

Achaian. Now behoves thee to declare

Wherein the prosperous must render help

To friends afflicted: lo, prepared am I.

First, of the son whom in thine halls thou hast,

Polydorus, of mine hands, and of his sire's—

Liveth he?—I will ask thee then the rest.

Surely: as touching him thy lot is fair.

Dear friend, how well thou speak'st and worthy thee!