Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/290

234 To ship-thronged Aulis, laid her on the pyre,

And shore through Iphigonê's snowy throat!

Had he, to avert Mycenæ's overthrow,—

To exalt his house,—to save the children left,—

Slain one for many, 'twere not past forgiving.

But, for that Helen was a wanton, he

That wed the traitress impotent for vengeance,

Even for such cause murdered he my child.

Howbeit for this wrong, how wronged soe'er,

I had not raged, nor had I slain my lord;—

But to me with that prophet-maid he came,

Made her usurp my couch, and fain would keep

Two brides together in the selfsame halls.

Women be frail: sooth, I deny it not.

But when, this granted, 'tis the husband errs,

Slighting his own true bride, and fain the wife

Would copy him, and find another love,

Ah then, fierce light of scandal beats on us;

But them which show the way, the men, none blame!

Now had Menelaus from his home been stoln,

Ought I have slain Orestes, so to save

My sister's lord? How had thy sire endured

Such deed? Should he 'scape killing then, who slew

My child, and I at his hands die for his?

I slew him; turned me—'twas the only way—

Unto his foes; for who of thy sire's friends