Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/459
Herakles.
Did I—I—wreck mine house, or lead wild revel?[1]
Amphitryon.
One thing I know—thy state is ruin all.
Herakles.
Where did my frenzy seize me?—where destroy?
Amphitryon.
As thine hand touched the altar's cleansing fire. 1145
Herakles.
Woe's me! Ah wherefore spare I mine own life,
Who am found the murderer of my dear, dear sons,
And rush not to plunge headlong from a cliff,
Or dash a dagger down into mine heart,
And make me avenger of my children's blood, 1150
Or with consuming fire burn this my flesh,
To avert the imminent life-long infamy?
But lo, to thwart my purposes of death,
Theseus draws nigh, my kinsman and my friend.
I shall be seen!—this curse of children's blood 1155
Shall meet a friend's eyes, dearest of my friends!
Woe! What shall I do?—where find solitude
In ills?—take wings, or plunge beneath the ground?
Come, let me in pall of darkness shroud mine head;
For I take shame for evils wrought of me, 1160
Nor would I taint him with bloodguiltiness—[2]
Nay, nowise would I harm the innocent.