Deianira
436
By Jove, who rolls his thunders through the grove
That shades the brow of Eta, do not hide
The truth: to no base woman wilt thou speak,
Noi an untaught mind that hath not mark'd
Man's nature, form'd not always to delight
In what once pleases. He, 'gainst Love who stands
In daring opposition, is unwise.
Love at his pleasure lords it o'er the gods,
O'er me too; why not o'er another then
E'en such as I? Should I then blame my lord
As vanquish'd by this pow'r; or should I blame
This woman, who to me causes no ill,
Nor brings dishonour, I were mad indeed.
It is not so. But if by him thy mind
To falsehood hath been train'd, no honest lore
Hast thou been taught : if from thyself thou draw'st
440
This glozing science, when thy heart shall prompt
440
To open faith, distrust with jealous eye
440
Will look on thee as base: let then thy tongue
Always speak truth: on the free man, who bears
The hateful brand of falsehood, shame attends.
Can'st thou escape detection ? Vain that hope:
What thou to many hast divulged, to me
Some will disclose. If thou hast fears, those fears
Are vain and causeless: not to be inform'd,
Aye, that indeed would grieve me; but to know,
Can that be dreadful? Hath not Hercules
Admitted others to his nuptial bed,
And many? Yet not one of those e'er heard
Harsh word from me, or keen reproach; nor now
Shall this Eubœan, though with love she melt
His yielding heart. Her, most of all the train,
Soon as I saw, I pitied: well I know
445
Her beauty hath undone her; cruel fate,
445
And not her will, hath on her country brought
445
Ruin and slavery. Of these things no more;
445
I give them to the winds. But mark thou well
My charge, on others practise thy deceits,
But always let thy tongue speak truth to me.