Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1898) v3.djvu/141

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(Ant.) O Zeus, is there mercy? What struggle of doom

Cometh fraught with death-danger,

Thrusting thee onward, the wretched, on whom

The Erinnys-avenger

Heapeth tears upon tears, and the blood hath she brought

Of thy mother upon thee

And thine house, that it driveth thee frenzy-distraught!

I bemoan thee, bemoan thee!

Not among men doth fair fortune abide,

But, as sail tempest-riven,

Is it whelmed in affliction's death-ravening tide

By the malice of heaven,—

Nay, abides not, for where shall I find me a line

Of more honour in story

Than Tantalus' house, from espousals divine

That traceth its glory?

But lo, hither cometh a prince, meseems—

Menelaus the king! for his vesture, that gleams

In splendour exceeding,

The blood of the Tantalid House reveals.

Hail, thou who didst sail with a thousand keels

Unto Asia speeding!

Hail to thee, dweller with fortune fair,

Who hast gained of the Gods' grace all thy prayer!

Enter Menelaus, with attendants.

All hail, mine home. I see thee half with joy,

From Troy returned, and half with grief behold:

For never saw I other house ere this