Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/255

Rh

They know: hereof nought lacketh unto them.

Then should our doors ere this have been flung wide.

Pass ye within: for your fair tidings' sake

Receive such guest-cheer as mine house contains.

Ye henchmen, take their gear these doors within.

Say me not nay—friends are ye from a friend

Which come to me: for, what though I be poor,

Yet will I nowise show a low-born soul.

'Fore heaven, is this the man who keepeth close

Thy wedlock-secret, not to shame Orestes?

Even he, named spouse of me the hapless one.

Lo, there is no sure test for manhood's worth;

For mortal natures are confusion-fraught.

I have seen ere now a noble father's son

Proved nothing-worth, seen good sons of ill sires,

Starved leanness in a rich man's very soul,

And in a poor man's body a great heart.

How then shall one discern 'twixt these and judge?

By wealth?—a sorry test were this to use.

Or by the lack of all?—nay, poverty

Is plague-struck, schooling men to sin through need.