Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/88

32 Affinity with thee, nor to receive

In his halls a wanton's child: such bear abroad

Their mothers' shame. Give heed to this my rede,

Wooers,—a virtuous mother's daughter choose.

Nay more—how didst thou outrage thine own brother,

Bidding him sacrifice his child—poor fool!

Such was thy dread to lose thy worthless wife.

And, when Troy fell,—ay, thither too I trace thee,—

Thy wife thou slew'st not when thou hadst her trapped.

Thou saw'st her bosom, didst let fall the sword,

Didst kiss her, that bold traitress, fondhng her,

By Kypris overborne, O recreant wretch!

And to my son's house com'st thou, he afar,

And ravagest, wouldst slay a hapless woman

Unjustly, and her boy?—this boy shall make

Thee, and that daughter in thine halls, yet rue,

Though he were thrice a bastard. Oft the yield

Of barren ground o'erpasseth deep rich soil;

And better are bastards oft than sons true-born.

Take hence thy daughter! Better 'tis to have

The poor and upright, or for marriage-kin,

Or friend, than the vile rich:—thou, thou art naught!

From small beginnings bitter feuds the tongue

Brings forth: for this cause wise men take good heed

That with their friends they bring not strife to pass.

Now wherefore should ye call the greybeards wise,

And them which Greece accounted prudent once?

When thou, thou Peleus, son of sire renowned,