Andromache
Euripides
Euripides. The Plays of Euripides, Translated into English Prose from the Text of Paley. Vol. II. Coleridge, Edward P., translator. London: George Bell and Sons, 1891.
- Barbarians’ laws are not a standard for our city.
- Alike in Asia and in Hellas infamy attends base actions.
- Clever, clever quibbler! yet die thou must and shalt.
- Dost see the image of Thetis with her eye upon thee?
- A bitter foe to thy country because of the death of Achilles.
- ’Twas not I that slew him, but Helen that mother of thine.
- Pray, is it thy intention to probe my wounds yet deeper?
- Behold, I am dumb, my lips are closed.
- Tell me that which was my only reason for coming hither.
- No! all I tell thee is, thou hast less wisdom than thou needest.
- Wilt thou leave these hallowed precincts of the sea-goddess?
- Yes, if I am not to die for it; otherwise, I never will.
- Since that is thy resolve, I shall not even wait my lord’s return.
- Nor yet will I, at any rate ere that, surrender to thee.
- I will bring fire to bear on thee, and pay no heed to thy entreaties.
- Kindle thy blaze then; the gods will witness it.
- And make thy flesh to writhe by cruel wounds.
- Begin thy butchery, stain the altar of the goddess with blood, for she will visit thy iniquity.
- Barbarian creature, hardened in impudence, wilt thou brave death itself? Still will I find speedy means to make thee quit this seat of thy free-will; such a bait have I to lure thee with. But I will hide my meaning,
- which the event itself shall soon declare. Yes, keep thy seat, for I will make thee rise, though molten lead is holding thee there, before Achilles’ son, thy trusted champion, arrive. Exit Hermione.