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Nay, if these be slain and I alone be saved, I have no hope in any wise of being happy, though many ere now have in this hope betrayed their friends. For who will care to wed a lonely maid or make me mother of his children?
520
’Tis better I should die than meet such treatment,
1
little as I merit it. This were fitter treatment for some other, one that is not born to fame as I am. Conduct me to the scene of death,
2
crown me with garlands, and begin the rites, if so it please you;
525
then be victorious o’er the foe, for here I offer my life freely and without constraint, and for my brothers and myself I undertake to die.
3
For I, by loving not my life too well, have found a treasure very fair, a glorious means to leave it.
530
Nay, if these be slain and I alone be saved, I have no hope in any wise of being happy, though many ere now have in this hope betrayed their friends. For who will care to wed a lonely maid or make me mother of his children?
520
’Tis better I should die than meet such treatment,
1
little as I merit it. This were fitter treatment for some other, one that is not born to fame as I am. Conduct me to the scene of death,
2
crown me with garlands, and begin the rites, if so it please you;
525
then be victorious o’er the foe, for here I offer my life freely and without constraint, and for my brothers and myself I undertake to die.
3
For I, by loving not my life too well, have found a treasure very fair, a glorious means to leave it.
530
Chorus
Ah, what shall I say on hearing the maid’s brave words, she that is ready to die for her brothers? Who can speak more noble words or do more noble deeds henceforth for ever?
535
Ah, what shall I say on hearing the maid’s brave words, she that is ready to die for her brothers? Who can speak more noble words or do more noble deeds henceforth for ever?
535
Iolaus
Daughter, thou art his own true child, no other man’s but Heracles’,
that godlike soul; proud am I of thy words, though I sorrow for thy lot. Yet will I propose a fairer method: ’tis right to summon hither all the sisters of this maiden,
540
and then let her, on whom the lot shall fall, die for her family; for that thou shouldst die without the lot is not just.
545
Daughter, thou art his own true child, no other man’s but Heracles’,
that godlike soul; proud am I of thy words, though I sorrow for thy lot. Yet will I propose a fairer method: ’tis right to summon hither all the sisters of this maiden,
540
and then let her, on whom the lot shall fall, die for her family; for that thou shouldst die without the lot is not just.
545
Macaria
My death shall no chance lot decide; there is no graciousness in that; peace! old friend. But if ye accept and will avail you
of my readiness, freely do I offer my life for these, and without constraint.
550
My death shall no chance lot decide; there is no graciousness in that; peace! old friend. But if ye accept and will avail you
of my readiness, freely do I offer my life for these, and without constraint.
550
Iolaus
Ah, this is even nobler than thy former word; that was matchless, but thou dost now surpass
thy bravery and noble speech. I cannot bid, will not forbid thy dying, Omy daughter! for
4
by thy death thou dost thy brothers serve.
555
Ah, this is even nobler than thy former word; that was matchless, but thou dost now surpass
thy bravery and noble speech. I cannot bid, will not forbid thy dying, Omy daughter! for
4
by thy death thou dost thy brothers serve.
555
Macaria
A cautious bidding thine! Fear not to take a stain of guilt from me; only let me die as one whose death is free.
Follow me, old friend, for in thy arms I fain would die; stand by and veil my body with my robe, for I will go even to the dreadful doom of sacrifice, seeing whose daughter I avow myself.
560
A cautious bidding thine! Fear not to take a stain of guilt from me; only let me die as one whose death is free.
Follow me, old friend, for in thy arms I fain would die; stand by and veil my body with my robe, for I will go even to the dreadful doom of sacrifice, seeing whose daughter I avow myself.
560
Iolaus
I cannot stand by and see thee bleed.
I cannot stand by and see thee bleed.
Macaria
At least do thou beg me this boon of the king, that I may breathe out my life in women’s arms instead of men’s.
565
At least do thou beg me this boon of the king, that I may breathe out my life in women’s arms instead of men’s.
565
Heracleidae. Euripides. Edward P. Coleridge (Translator). London. 1906.
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