Classic Greek Drama_ 10 Plays by Euripides in a Single File [NOOK Book] - Euripides [194]
OR. Speak words of better omen. I must needs bear my troubles, but when I may [endure] one single trouble, I will not endure twain. For what thou callest bitter and reproachful, that is my portion, if I cause thee to be slain who hast shared my toils. For, as far as I am concerned, it stands not badly with me, faring as I fare at the hands of the Gods, to end my life. But thou art prosperous, and hast a home pure, not sickening, but I [have] one impious and unhappy. And living thou mayest raise children from my sister, whom I gave thee to have[92] as a wife, and my name might exist, nor would my ancestral house be ever blotted out. But go, live, and dwell in my father's house; and when thou comest to Greece and chivalrous Argos, by thy right hand, I commit to thee this charge. Heap up a tomb, and place upon it remembrances of me, and let my sister offer tears and her shorn locks upon my sepulchre. And tell how I died by an Argive woman's hand, sacrificed as an offering by the altar's side. And do thou never desert my sister, seeing my father's connections and home bereaved. And fare thee well! for I have found thee best among my friends. Oh thou who hast been my fellow-huntsman, my mate! Oh thou who hast borne the weight of many of my sorrows! But Phoebus, prophet though he be, has deceived me. For, artfully devising, he has driven me as far as possible from Greece, in shame of his former prophecies. To whom I, yielding up mine all, and obeying his words, having slain my mother, myself perish in turn.
PYL. Thou shalt have a tomb, and never will I, hapless one, betray thy sister's bed, since I shall hold thee more a friend dead than living. But the oracle of the God has never yet wronged thee, although thou art indeed on the very verge of death. But excessive mischance is very wont, is very wont to present changes, when the matter so falls.
OR. Be silent--the words of Phoebus avail me naught, for the lady is coming hither without the temple.
IPH. Depart ye, and go and make ready the things within for those who superintend the sacrifice. These, O stranger, are the many-folded inclosures of the letter, but hear thou what I further wish. No man is the same in trouble, and when he changes from fear into confidence. But I fear, lest he having got away from this land, will deem my letter of no account, who is about to bear this letter to Argos.[93]
OR. What wouldst thou? Concerning what art thou disturbed?
IPH. Let him make me oath that he will ferry these writings to Argos, to those friends to whom I wish to send them.
OR. Wilt thou in turn make the same assertion to him?
IPH. That I will do, or will not do what thing? say.
OR. That you will release him from this barbarian land, not dying.
IPH. Thou sayest justly; for how could he bear the message?
OR. But will the ruler also grant this?
IPH. Yea. I will persuade him, and will myself embark him on the ship's hull.
OR. Swear, but do thou commence such oath as is holy.
IPH. Thou must say "I will give this [letter] to my friends."
PYL. I will give this letter to thy friends.
IPH. And I will send thee safe beyond the Cyanean rocks.
PYL. Whom of the Gods dost thou call to witness of thine oath in these words?
IPH. Diana, in whose temple I hold office.
PYL. But I [call upon] the king of heaven, hallowed Jove.
IPH. But if, deserting thine oath, thou shouldst wrong me--
PYL. May I not return? But thou, if thou savest me not--
IPH. May I never living set footprint in Argos.
PYL. Hear now then a matter which we have passed by.
IPH. There will be opportunity hereafter, if matters stand aright.
PYL. Grant me this one exception. If the vessel suffer any harm, and the letter be lost[94] in the storm, together with the goods, and I save my person only, that this mine oath be no longer valid.[95]
IPH. Knowest thou