Page:Tragedies of Sophocles (Jebb 1917).djvu/329

1115—1137] hear me, afflicted though thou art. I will ask thee for no more than is my due. Accept my counsels, in a calmer mood than that to which this anger stings thee: else thou canst not learn how vain is thy desire for vengeance, and how causeless thy resentment.

. Say what thou wilt, and cease; in this my pain I understand nought of all thy riddling words.

. I come to tell thee of my mother,—how it is now with her, and how she sinned unwittingly.

. Villain! What—hast thou dared to breathe her name again in my hearing,—the name of the mother who hath slain thy sire?

. Yea, such is her state that silence is unmeet.

. Unmeet, truly, in view of her past crimes.

. And also of her deeds this day,—as thou wilt own.

. Speak,—but give heed that thou be not found a traitor.

. These are my tidings. She is dead, lately slain.

. By whose hand? A wondrous message, from a prophet of ill-omened voice!

. By her own hand, and no stranger's.

. Alas, ere she died by mine, as she deserved!

. Even thy wrath would be turned, couldst thou hear all.

. A strange preamble; but unfold thy meaning.

. The sum is this;—she erred, with a good intent.

. Is it a good deed, thou wretch, to have slain thy sire?