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308 home from the new marriage. Her own hand applied the remedy; but for the issues of a stranger's counsel, given at a fatal meeting,—for these, I ween, she makes despairing lament, shedding the tender dew of plenteous tears. And the coming fate foreshadows a great misfortune, contrived by guile.

Our streaming tears break forth: alas, a plague is upon him more piteous than any suffering that foemen ever brought upon that glorious hero.

Ah, thou dark steel of the spear foremost in battle, by whose might yonder bride was lately borne so swiftly from Oechalia's heights! But the Cyprian goddess, ministering in silence, hath been plainly proved the doer of these deeds.

. Is it fancy, or do I hear some cry of grief just passing through the house? What is this?

. No uncertain sound, but a wail of anguish from within: the house hath some new trouble.

. And mark how sadly, with what a cloud upon her brow, that aged woman approaches, to give us tidings.

. Ah, my daughters, great, indeed, were the sorrows that we were to reap from the gift sent to Heracles!

. Aged woman, what new mischance hast thou to tell?