EURIPIDES
Chorus
Such a husband, to lose such a wife. I pity you.
Maid
The master does not see it and he will not see it 145
until it happens.
Chorus
There is no hope left she will live?
Maid
None. This is the day of destiny. It is too strong.
Chorus
Surely, he must be doing all he can for her.
Maid
All is prepared so he can bury her in style.
Chorus
Let her be sure, at least, that as she dies, there dies 150
the noblest woman underneath the sun, by far.
Maid
Noblest? Of course the noblest, who will argue that?
What shall the wife be who surpasses her? And how
could any woman show that she loves her husband more
than herself better than by consent to die for him? 155
But all the city knows that well. You shall be told
now how she acted in the house, and be amazed
to hear. For when she understood the fatal day
was come, she bathed her white body with water drawn
from running streams, then opened the cedar chest and
took 160
her clothes out, and dressed in all her finery
and stood before the Spirit in the Hearth, and prayed:
"Mistress, since I am going down beneath the ground,
I kneel before you in this last of all my prayers.
Take care of my children for me. Give the little girl 165
a husband; give the little boy a generous wife;
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