The Suppliant Maidens

Euripides

Euripides. The Plays of Euripides, Translated into English Prose from the Text of Paley. Vol. I. Coleridge, Edward P., translator. London: George Bell and Sons, 1906.

  1. It would but anger thee to hear what I intend, and so I fain would keep thee ignorant, my father.
Iphis
  1. What! hath not thy own father a right to know?
Evadne
  1. Thou wouldst not wisely judge my intention.
Iphis
  1. Why dost thou deck thyself in that apparel?
Evadne
  1. A purport strange this robe conveys, father.
Iphis
  1. Thou hast no look of mourning for thy lord.
Evadne
  1. No, the reason why I thus am decked is strange, maybe.
Iphis
  1. Dost thou in such garb appear before a funeral-pyre?
Evadne
  1. Yea, for hither it is I come to take the meed of victory.
Iphis
  1. Victory! what victory? This would I learn of thee.
Evadne
  1. A victory o’er all women on whom the sun looks down.
Iphis
  1. In Athena’s handiwork or in prudent counsel?
Evadne
  1. In bravery; for I will lay me down and die with my lord.
Iphis
  1. What dost thou say? What is this silly riddle thou propoundest?
Evadne
  1. To yonder pyre where lies dead Capaneus, I will leap down.
Iphis
  1. My daughter, speak not thus before the multitude!