Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1898) v3.djvu/135

Rh For corpse-like are we gone, our life is fled.

Thou art in Hades: of my days hath sped

The half amidst a doom

Of lamentation and weary sighs,

And of tears through the long nights poured from mine eyes.

Spouseless,—behold me!—and childless aye,

Am I wasting a desolate life away.

Look, maid Electra, who art at his side,

Lest this thy brother unawares have died.

So utter-nerveless, stirless, likes me not.

Dear spell of sleep, assuager of disease,

How sweet thou cam'st to me in sorest need!

O sovereign pain-oblivion, ah, how wise

A Goddess!—by the woe-worn how invoked!

Whence came I hitherward?—how found this place?

For I forget: past thoughts are blotted out.

Belovèd, how thy sleeping made me glad!

Wouldst have me clasp thee, and uplift thy frame?

Take, O yea, take me: from mine anguished lips

Wipe thou the clotted foam, and from mine eyes.

Lo!—sweet the service is: nor I think scorn

With sister's hand to tend a brother's limbs.