Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1898) v3.djvu/358

I blush to thrust on thee my piteous tale.
My pain is mine; mine anguish wrings not thee.
Yet is it nobly done, when from his height
The good man stoops to help the stricken ones.
Pity me, for in piteous case am I, 985
Who, first, had dreamed that thou shouldst wed my child,—
Vain hope was mine!—next, haply unto thee
Ill omen for thy bridal yet to come
Should be my child's death: take thou heed thereof.
Well spakest thou, the first things as the last. 990
For, if thou will it, shall my child be saved.
Wouldst thou she clasped thy knees a suppliant?
No maiden's part!—yet, if it seems thee good,
She shall come, lifting innocent frank eyes.
But if without her I may win my suit, 995
In maiden pride let her abide within:
Yet must "the possible" limit modesty.^[1]

Nay, bring not forth thy daughter in my sight,
Nor, lady, risk we the reproach of fools:
For this thronged host, of all home-trammels free, 1000
Loves evil babble of malicious tongues.
In any wise the same end shall ye gain
Praying or prayerless; for one mighty strife
Waits me,—from evil to deliver you.
One thing be sure thou hast heard—I will not lie. 1005
If lie I do, or mock you, may I die,
And only die not, if I save the maid.