Give it back, give it back, dear friend; be the brand
Thrust home!—mine hanging why didst thou withstand?
Nurse.
What, should I leave thee thus distraught to die?
Hermione.
Woe's me for my destiny!
O for the fire!—I would hail it my friend!
O to the height of a scaur to ascend—
To crash through the trees of the mountain, to plunge mid the sea,
To die, that the nethergloom shadows may welcome me! 850
Nurse.
Why fret thyself for this? Heaven's visitation
Sooner or later cometh on all men.
Hermione.
Thou hast left me, my father, hast left, as a bark by the tide
Left stranded and stripped of the last sea-plashing oar!
He shall slay me, shall slay! 'Neath the roof that knew me a bride
Shall I dwell never more!
To the feet of what statue of Gods shall the suppliant fly?
Or crouched at a bondwoman's knees like a slave shall I lie? 860
