Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/463

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THE MADNESS OF HERAKLES.
407

Thou wouldst speed on a race unhallowed, a path of blood,[1]
Who art minded to swell with evil evil's flood.


Theseus.

Ho! thee in spirit-broken session crouched
I hail—reveal unto thy friends thy face. 1215
There is no darkness hath a pall so black
That it should hide the misery of thy woes.
Why wave me back with hand that warns of blood?
Lest some pollution of thy speech taint me?
Nought reck I of misfortune, shared with thee. 1220
Fair lot hath found me—I date it from that hour
When safe to day thou brought'st me from the dead.
Friends' gratitude that waxeth old I hate,
Hate him who would enjoy friends' sunshine-tide,
But will not in misfortune sail with them. 1225
Stand up, unmuffle thou thine hapless head:
Look on me: who of men is royal-souled
Beareth the blows of heaven, and flincheth not.

[Unveils Herakles.]

Herakles.

Theseus, hast seen mine onslaught on my babes?


Theseus.

I have heard: the ills thou namest I behold. 1230


Herakles.

Why then unveil mine head unto the sun?

  1. ↑ From Herakles' silence he infers that he intends to execute the purpose of suicide expressed ll. 1146–1152.
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