Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1894) v1.djvu/78

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I have searched all truth with mine eyes;
But nought more strong
Than Fate have I found: there is nought
In the tablets of Thrace,
Wither drugs whereof Orpheus taught,
Nor in all that Apollo brought 970
To Asklepius' race,
When the herbs of healing he severed, and out of their anguish delivered
The pain-distraught.
(Ant. 1)
There is none other Goddess beside,
To the altars of whom
No man draweth near, nor hath cried
To her image, nor victim hath died,
Averting her doom.
O Goddess, more mighty for ill
Come not upon me
Than in days overpast: for his will
Even Zeus may in no wise fulfil
Unholpen of thee.
Steel is molten as water before thee, but never relenting came o'er thee, 980
Who art ruthless still.
(Str. 2)
Thee, friend, hath the Goddess gripped: from her hands never wrestler hath slipped.
Yet be strong to endure: never mourning shall bring our belovèd returning
From the nethergloom up to the light.
Yea, the heroes of Gods begotten,
They fade into darkness, forgotten
In death's chill night. 990