Page:Tragedies of Seneca (1907) Miller.djvu/248

230 Who drags with him his enemy to death. Nurse: Why dost thou feed thy passion's flames, poor child, And nurse thy grief? Why cherish needless fear? He did feel love for Iole, 'tis true; But in the time while yet her father reigned, And while she was a haughty monarch's child. The princess now has fallen to the place Of slave, and love has lost its power to charm, Since her unhappy state has stol'n from her Her loveliness. The unattainable Is ever sought in love. But from the thing That is within his reach love turns away. Deianira: Nay: fallen fortunes fan the flames of love; And for this very reason does he love, Because her home is lost, and from her head The crown of gleaming gold and gems has fallen. For these her woes he pities her—and loves. 'Twas e'er his wont to love his captive maids. Nurse: 'Tis true, he loved the captive Trojan maid, Young Priam's sister; but he gave her up. Recall how many dames, how many maids Aforetime he has loved, this wandering swain. The Arcadian maiden Auge, while she led The choral dance of Pallas, roused his love And suffered straight his passionate embrace. But from his heart she quickly fell away, And now retains no traces of his love. Why mention others? The Thespiades Enjoyed the passing love of Hercules, But are forgotten. Soon, a wanderer Upon Timolus, he caressed the queen Of Lydia, and, smitten by her love, He sat beside the whirling distaff there, His doughty fingers on the moistened thread. His neck no longer bears the lion's spoil; But there he sits, a languid, love-sick slave, His shaggy locks with Phrygian turban bound, And dripping with the costly oil of myrrh. Yes, everywhere he feels the fires of love,