Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1898) v3.djvu/456

428 Whose limbs by toilsome searchings manifold,

About Kithairon's glens all rent apart

I found, and bring—no twain in one place found,

But lying all about the trackless wood.

For of my daughters' desperate deeds I heard,

Even as I passed within the city-walls

With old Teiresias from the Bacchant revel.

Back to the mountain turned I; and I bring

My son thence, who by Maenads hath been slain.

There her who bore Aktaion to Aristaius

I saw, Autonoë, saw Ino there

Still midst the oak-groves, wretches frenzy-stung.

But hitherward, said one, with Bacchant feet

Had passed Agavê, and the truth I heard:

For I behold her—sight of misery!

My father, proudest boast is thine to make,

To have begotten daughters best by far

Of mortals—all thy daughters, chiefly me,

Me who left loom and shuttle, and pressed on

To high emprise, to hunt beasts with mine hands.

And in mine arms I bring, thou seest, this

The prize I took, against thy palace-wall

To hang: receive it, father, in thine hands.

And now, triumphant in mine hunting's spoil,

Bid to a feast thy friends; for blest art thou,

Blest verily, since we have achieved such deeds.

O anguish measureless that blasts the sight!

O murder compassed by these wretched hands!

Fair victim this to cast before the Gods,