Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1894) v1.djvu/39

Rh And the babes, clinging to their mother's robes,

Were weeping: and she clasped them in her arms,

Fondling now this, now that, as one death-doomed.

And all the servants 'neath the roof were weeping,

Pitying their lady. But to each she stretched

Her right hand forth; and none there was so mean

To whom she spake not and received reply.

Such are the ills Admetus' home within.

Now, had he died, he had ended: but, in 'scaping,

He bears a pain that he shall ne'er forget.

Doth not Admetus groan for this affliction

Of such a noble wife to be bereft?

Ay, weeps, and clasps his dear one in his arms,

And prays, "Forsake me not!"—asking the while

The impossible, for still she wanes and wastes,

Drooping her hand, a misery-burdened weight.

But yet, albeit hardly breathing now,

To the sun's rays fain would she lift her eyes,

As nevermore, but for the last time then

Destined to see the sun's beam and his orb.

But I will go and make thy presence known:

For 'tis not all that love so well their kings

As to stand by them, in afflictions loyal.

But from of old my lords were loved of thee.

O Zeus, for our lords is there nought but despair?

No path through the tangle of evils, no loosing of chains that have bound them?