Page:Tragedies of Sophocles (Jebb 1917).djvu/91

491—517] be bold to stand by thee; but otherwise, stranger, I would fear for thee.

. Daughters, hear ye these strangers, who dwell near?

. We have listened; and do thou bid us what to do.

. I cannot go; for I am disabled by lack of strength and lack of sight, evils twain. But let one of you two go and do these things. For I think that one soul suffices to pay this debt for ten thousand, if it come with good will to the shrine. Act, then, with speed; yet leave me not solitary; for the strength would fail me to move without help or guiding hand.

. Then I will go to perform the rite; but where I am to find the spot—this I fain would learn.

. On the further side of this grove, maiden. And if thou hast need of aught, there is a guardian of the place, who will direct thee.

. So to my task:—but thou, Antigone, watch our father here. In parents' cause, if toil there be, we must not reck of toil.

[Exit.

. Dread is it, stranger, to arouse the old grief that hath so long been laid to rest: and yet I yearn to hear

. What now?

. —of that grievous anguish, found cureless, wherewith thou hast wrestled.

. By thy kindness for a guest, bare not the shame that I have suffered!

. Seeing, in sooth, that the tale is wide-spread,