Page:Tragedies of Sophocles (Plumptre 1878).djvu/293

Rh I will resist nο longer.

Chrys. All I know

Myself, I'll tell thee; for their purpose is,

Unless thou ceasest from thy wailings loud,

To send thee where thou never more shalt see

The light of day, but in a dungeon cave,

Immured alive, beyond our country's bounds,

Shalt sing thy song of sorrow. Take good heed,

And do not, when thou sufferest, all too late,

Cast then the blame on me. Be wise in time.

Elec. And is it thus they have decreed to treat me?

Chrys. Beyond all doubt, when home Ægisthos comes.

Elec. If this be all, would God he may come soon.

Chrys. What evil prayer is this, poor sister mine?

Elec. That he may come, if this his purpose be.

Chrys. What would'st thou suffer? Whither turn thy thoughts?

Elec. To flee as far as may be from you all.

Chrys. Hast thou no care for this thy present life?

Elec. A goodly life for men to wonder at!

Chrys. So might it be, if thou would'st wisdom learn.

Elec. Teach me no baseness to the friends I love.

Chrys. I teach not that, yet kings must be obeyed.

Elec. Fawn as thou wilt; thy fashion is not mine.

Chrys. Yet is it well through rashness not to fall.

Elec. If fall we must, we'll fall our father helping.

Chrys. Our father, so I deem, will pardon this.

Elec. These words will win due praises from the vile.

Chrys. Wilt thou not yield and hearken to my words?

Elec. Not so; ne'er may I be so reft of sense.

Chrys. I then will go the way that I was sent.

Elec. And whither goest thou? Whose the gifts thou bring'st?

Chrys. Mother to father bids me pour libations.