Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/68

12 Crouch low abased, and grovel at my knee,

And sweep mine house, and sprinkle water dews

There from the golden ewers with thine hand,

And where thou art, know. Hector is not here,

Nor Priam, nor his gold: a Greek town this.

Yet to such folly hast thou come, O wretch,

That with this son of him who slew thy lord

Thou dar'st to lie, and to the slayer bear

Sons! Suchlike is the whole barbaric race:—

Father with daughter, son with mother weds,

Sister with brother: kin the nearest wade

Through blood: no whit hereof doth law forbid.

Bring not such things midst us, who count it shame

That o'er two wives one man hold wedlock's reins;

But to one lawful love they turn their eyes,

Content—save such as fain would live in sin.

In woman's heart is jealousy inborn,

'Tis bitterest unto wedlock-rivals aye.

Out upon thee!

A curse is youth to mortals, when with youth

A man hath not implanted righteousness!

I fear me lest with thee my thraldom bar

Defence, though many a righteous plea I have,

And even my victory turn unto mine hurt.

They that are arrogant brook not to be