Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/146

Thou seest how my bloom of spousal-tide
I yield up in the stead of these to die. 580
And ye, O band of brethren at my side,
Blessings on you! May all be yours, for which
The cleaving of mine heart shall pay the price.
This old man, and the grey queen therewithin,
Alkmena, my sire's mother, honour ye, 585
And these our hosts. If there be found of heaven
For you release from toils, and home-return,
Remember then your saviour's burial due,—
Fair burial, as is just. I have failed you nought,
Have stood your champion, for mine house have died. 590
My treasure this shall be, for babes unborn,
Spousals foregone;—if in the grave aught be:
But ah that nought might be!—for if there too
We mortals who must die shall yet have cares,
I know not whither one shall turn; since death 595
For sorrows is accounted chiefest balm.

O thou who for high courage hast no peer,
Above all women, know, in life, in death,
Most chiefest honour shalt thou have of us.
Farewell: for awe I dare not curse the Goddess, 600
Demeter's child, to whom thy life is sealed.
[Exit Makaria. Iolaus sinks to the ground.
O boys, we are undone!—faint fail my limbs
For anguish! Take, upbear me to a seat
Hereby, and muffle with these robes, my sons.
For neither can I joy in these deeds done,605
Nor might we live, the oracle unfulfilled.
This is calamity, that were deeper ruin.