Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/143

And we to others pass the struggle on, 505
And flee death, when that way deliverance lies?
Never!—a scoffing to us this should be,
To sit and moan on, suppliant to their Gods,
And—born of that sire of whose loins we sprang—
To show us craven! Is this like the brave? 510
Better, forsooth, this town—which God forbid!—
Were ta'en, that into hands of foes I fell,
And suffered—I, from hero-father sprung—
Horrors, and looked on Hades none the less!
Or, banished, shall I wander from this land, 515
And not be utterly shamed, if one should say,
"Wherefore come hither with your suppliant boughs,
O ye that so love life?—hence from our land!
For we to cravens will not render help?"
Nay, and not even if all these were slain 520
And I saved, have I hope of happy days;—
Many, so tempted, have betrayed their friends;—
For who would stoop to take a friendless girl
To wife, or care to raise up seed of me?
Better to die than light on such a doom 525
Unworthy! Haply this might well beseem
Another maid who hath not my renown.
Lead on to where this body needs must die:
Wreathe me, begin the rite, if this seem good.
Vanquish your foes; for ready is this life, 530
Willing, ungrudging. Yea, I pledge me now
For these my brothers' sake, and mine, to die.
For treasure-trove most fair, by loving not
Life, have I found,—with glory to quit life.

What shall I say, who hear this maid's high words 535