Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/70

14 Even thy leman, if Love tripped thy feet.

Yea, often to thy bastards would I hold

My breast, that I might give thee none offence.

So doing, I drew with cords of wifely love

My lord:—but thou for jealous fear forbiddest

Even gloaming's dews to drop upon thy lord!

Seek not to o'erpass in lavishness of love

Thy mother, lady. Daughters in whom dwells

Discretion, ought to flee vile mothers' paths.

Mistress, so far as lightly thou may'st do,

Deign to make truce with her from wordy strife.

And speak'st thou loftily, and wranglest thou,

As thou wert continent, I of continence void?

Void?—Yea, if thou be judged by this thy claim.

Never in my breast thy discretion dwell!

A young wife thou for such immodest words.

Words?—thine are deeds, to the uttermost of thy power.