Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/252

196 Even for strangers' pain wrings human hearts.

Tell on, that, knowing, to thy brother I

May bear the joyless tale that must be heard.

Yea, pity dwells, albeit ne'er in churls,

Yet in the wise :—this is the penalty

Laid on the wise for souls too finely wrought.

His heart's desire, the same is also mine:

For, from the town far dwelling, nought know I

The city's sins: now fain would I too hear.

Tell will I—if I may. Sure I may tell

A friend my grievous fortune and my sire's.

Since thou dost wake the tale, I pray thee, stranger,

Report to Orestes all mine ills and his.

Tell in what raiment I am hovel-housed,

Under what squalor I am crushed, and dwell

Under what roof, after a palace-home;—

How mine own shuttle weaves with pain my robes,

Else must I want, all vestureless my frame;—

How from the stream myself the water bear;—

Banned from the festal rite, denied the dance;—

No part have I with wives, who am a maid,

No part in Kastor, though they plighted me