Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1898) v3.djvu/355

Came to slaughter leading her!—on thee shall fall reproach's shame,
Who didst shield her not; for though ye ne'er were linked in marriage-ties,
Yet the hapless maiden's husband wast thou called in any wise.
By thy beard I pray, thy right hand, by thy mother's deity!—
Since thy name was mine undoing, see thy name untarnished be. 910
Altar have I none to flee to, save thy knee, in my distress.
Not a friend is near me. Agamemnon's cruel recklessness
Thou hast seen; and I am come—a woman, as thou dost behold,—
Unto this array of seafolk, lawless, and to evil bold,
Yet, so they be willing, strong to help. If thou but dare extend 915
O'er mine head thine hand, our life is saved: if not, our life hath end.

Strange is this motherhood, of potent spell:
All share it, all for offspring's sake will toil.

My whole soul's chivalry is to action stirred:—
Yet hath my soul learnt temperance in grief 920
For troubles, and in joy for triumphs won:
For such men are by reason schooled to pass
Through life well, in cool judgment self-reliant;—
True, pain sometimes rewards the over-wise,