Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/293

Rh A wanton, is a fool: the lowly chaste

Are better in men's homes than high-born wives.

Chance ordereth women's bridals. Some I mark

Fair, and some foul of issue among men.

Child, still thy nature bids thee love thy sire.

So likewise to the man some sons will cleave:

Some more the mothers than the father love.

I pardon thee. In sooth, not all so glad

Am I, my child, for deeds that I have done.

But thou, why thus unwashed and meanly clad,

Seeing thy travail-sickness now is past?

Woe and alas for my devisings!—more

I spurred my spouse to anger than was need.

Too late thou sighest, since thou canst not heal.

My sire is dead: but him, the banished one,

Why dost thou not bring back, thine homeless son?

I fear: mine own good I regard, not his.

Wroth for his father's blood he is, men say.

Why tarre thy spouse on ever against me?