Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/75

Rh Enter Menelaus, with attendants, bringing Molossus.

I have caught thy son, whom thou didst hide, unmarked

Of this my daughter, in a neighbour house.

So thee this Goddess' image, was to save,

Him, they that hid him!—but thou hast been found,

Woman, less keen of wit than Menelaus.

Now if thou leave not and avoid this floor,

He shall be slaughtered, he, in thy life's stead.

Weigh this then, whether thou consent to die,

Or that for thy transgression he be slain,

Even thy sin against me and my child.

Ah reputation!—many a man ere this

Of none account hast thou set up on high.

Such as have fair fame based upon true worth

Happy I count: but for these living lies

I grant no claim to wisdom save chance show.

Thou, captaining the chosen men of Greece,

Didst thou, weak dastard, wrest from Priam Troy,

Who at thy daughter's bidding, she a child,

Dost breathe such fury, enterest the lists

With a woman, a poor captive? I count Troy

Shamed by thy touch, thee by her fall unraised!

Goodly in outward show be they which seem

Wise, but within they are as other men,

Save in wealth haply; this is their great strength.

Menelaus, come now, reason we together:—

Grant that thy child have slain me, grant me dead:

Ne'er shall she flee my blood's pollution-curse;