Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1898) v3.djvu/269

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To thrust a bloody bridle in my mouth.

Wherefore to this land didst thou steer thy foot?

Bidden of Phœbus' oracle I came.

With what intent? May this be told or no?

Nay, I will tell it, source of many a woe.

When to mine hands' avenging fell the sin

I name not, of my mother, chasing fiends

Drave me to exile, until Loxias

Guided my feet to Athens at the last,

To make atonement to the Nameless Ones.

For there is a tribunal, erst ordained

Of Zeus, to cleanse the War-god's blood-stained hands.

Thither I came: but no bond-friend at first

Would welcome me, as one abhorred of heaven.

They which took shame, at a several table gave