Page:Tragedies of Sophocles (Jebb 1917).djvu/377

1152—1185] old,—ah, wretched that I now am! Nay, roam at large,—the place hath now no more terrors for you,—no more! Now is the moment to take blood for blood,—to glut yourselves at will on my discoloured flesh! Soon shall I pass out of life; for whence shall I find the means to live? Who can feed thus on the winds, when he no longer commands aught that life-giving earth supplies?

. For the love of the gods, if thou hast any regard for a friend who draws near to thee in all kindness, approach him ! Nay, consider, consider well, — it is in thine own power to escape from this plague. Cruel is it to him on whom it feeds ; and time cannot teach patience under the countless woes that dwell with it.

. Again, again, thou hast recalled the old pain to my thoughts,—kindest though thou art of all who have visited this shore! Why hast thou afflicted me? What hast thou done unto me!

. How meanest thou? . If it was thy hope to take me to that Trojan land which I abhor.

. Nay, so I deem it best. Leave me, then—begone!

. Welcome is thy word, right welcome,—I am not loth to obey.—Come, let us be going, each to his place in the ship!

[They begin to move away.

. By the Zeus who hears men's curses, depart not, I implore you! . Be calm.

. Friends, in the gods' name, stay! . Why dost thou call?