Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/164

Nay then, first turn thou hitherward thine head,
And dare to look thine enemies in the face.
No more art thou the master, but the thrall!
Art thou he—for I would be certified— 945
Who didst presume to load thine outrages,
Caitiff, on my son—whereso now he be?
For wherein didst thou fear to outrage him,
Who didst to Hades speed him living down,
Didst send him, bidding him destroy thee Hydras 950
And lions? All the ills thou didst devise
I name not, for the tale were all too long.
Nor yet sufficed thee this to dare alone;
But from all Hellas me and mine didst thou
Still hunt, though suppliant to the Gods we sat, 955
These stricken in years, those little children yet.
But men, and a free city, hast thou found,
Which feared thee not. Now die the dastard's death.
Yet is thy death all gain: thou ought'st to die
Not one death, who hast wrought ills manifold. 960

It may not be that thou shouldst slay this man!

Captive in vain then have we taken him!
Prithee what law withholdeth him from death?

It pleaseth not the rulers of this land.

How?—do these count it shame to slay their foes? 965