Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/67

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ANDROMACHE.
11

But I feared, for my lords be stern,
That I held my peace: but thy lot ill-fated
In silence aye I compassionated,
Lest the child of the daughter of Zeus[1] should discern 145
O'er thy woes how I yearn.


Enter Hermionê.

Hermione.

With bravery of gold about mine head,
And on my form this pomp of broidered robes,
Hither I come:—no gifts be these I wear
Or from Achilles' or from Peleus' house; 150
But from the Land Laconian Sparta-crowned
My father Menelaus with rich dower
Gave these, that so my tongue should not be tied.[2]
To you[3] I render answer in these words.
But thou, a woman-thrall, won by the spear, 155
Wouldst cast me out, and have this home thine own;
And through thy spells I am hated by my lord;
My womb is barren, ruined all of thee:
For cunning is the soul of Asia's daughters
For such deeds. Yet therefrom will I stay thee: 160
And this the Nereid's fane shall help thee nought,
Altar nor temple;—thou shalt die, shalt die!
Yea, though one stoop to save thee, man or God,
Yet must thou for thy haughty spirit of old

  1. Hermionê, daughter of Helen.
  2. That, feeling herself independent of her husband, she might speak as freely as she pleased.
  3. The Chorus, who had said nothing to her, but whose sympathies had been indicated in their choral-chant.