Page:Tragedies of Sophocles (Jebb 1917).djvu/302

290 . No, indeed, I went through my task in silence.

. Unhappy girl, let me, at least, hear it from thine own mouth. It is indeed distressing not to know thy name.

. It will be unlike her former behaviour, then, I can tell thee, if she opens her lips: for she hath not uttered one word, but hath ever been travailing with the burden of her sorrow, and weeping bitterly, poor girl, since she left her wind-swept home. Such a state is grievous for herself, but claims our forbearance.

. Then let her be left in peace, and pass under our roof as she wishes; her present woes must not be crowned with fresh pains at my hands; she hath enough already.—Now let us all go in, that thou mayest start speedily on thy journey, while I make all things ready in the house. [, followed by the Captives, moves towards the house.] . (coming nearer to ). Ay, but first tarry here a brief space, that thou mayest learn, apart from yonder folk, whom thou art taking to thy hearth, and mayest gain the needful knowledge of things which have not been told to thee. Of these I am in full possession.

. What means this? Why wouldest thou stay my departure?

. Pause and listen. My former story was worth thy hearing, and so will this one be, methinks.

. Shall I call those others back? Or wilt thou speak before me and these maidens?

. To thee and these I can speak freely; never mind the others.