Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1898) v3.djvu/158

130 By her I pray thee! (aside) woe for mine affliction!

To what pass am I come! Why grovel thus?

Yet,—'tis for our whole house I make appeal!

O brother of my father, deem that he

Hears this, who lies 'neath earth, that over thee

His spirit hovers: what I say he saith.

This, urged with tears, moans, pleas of misery,

Have I said, and have claimed my life of thee,

Seeking what all men seek, not I alone.

I too beseech thee, woman though I am,

To succour those in need: thou hast the power.

Orestes, verily I reverence thee,

And fain would help thee bear thy load of ills.

Yea, duty bids that, where God gives the power,

Kinsmen should one another's burdens bear,

Even unto death, or slaying of their foes.

But the power—would the Gods might give it me!

I come, a single spear, with none ally,

Long wandering with travail manifold,

With feeble help of friends yet left to me.

In battle could we never overcome

Pelasgian Argos. If we might prevail

By soft words, this is our hope's utmost bound.

For with faint means how should a man achieve

Great things?—'twere witless even to wish for this.

For, in the first rush of a people's rage,

'Twere even as one would quench a ravening fire.