Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/337
And woman woman's: marvel none is here.
Nor from a handmaid's terrors will I flee; 500
For there is none so barbarous of soul
As to deny me food, my name once heard.
Famed is Troy's burning: I, who kindled it,
Menelaus, am renowned in every land.
I will await the king ; and for two things 505
Must I take heed:—if he be ruthless-souled.
Then will I flee, and hide me by the wreck;
But if he show relenting, I will ask
Help for my need in this mine evil plight.
This in my misery is the deepest depth, 510
That I, who am a king, should beg my bread
Of other princes: yet it needs must be.
Not mine the saying is, but wisdom's saw—
"Stronger is nought than dread Necessity."
[Retires to back of stage.
Enter Chorus.
Chorus.
The word which the prophetess said,
In the king's halls heard I its sound—
"Not yet Menelaus is dead,
Nor to darkness visible fled
Of Erebus, hid in the ground;
But is still over wide seas driven 520
Toil-worn, neither yet is it given
To attain to the fatherland's haven,
But in homelessness roams evermore
Wretched, of friends bereft.
Lighting down upon every shore[1]
Of earth, since the brine-dipt oar
Troyland long ago left."
- ↑ See note on line 404.