EURIPIDES
The royal princess, is dying in the dress, I know it.
But—for it is the most dreadful of roads for me
To tread, and them I shall send on a more dreadful still—
I wish to speak to the children.
(She calls the children to her.)
Come, children, give
Me your hands, give your mother your hands to kiss them. 1070
Oh the dear hands, and O how dear are these lips to me,
And the generous eyes and the bearing of my children!
I wish you happiness, but not here in this world.
What is here your father took. Oh how good to hold you!
How delicate the skin, how sweet the breath of children! 1075
Go, go! I am no longer able, no longer
To look upon you. I am overcome by sorrow.
(The children go into the house.)
I know indeed what evil I intend to do,
But stronger than all my afterthoughts is my fury,
Fury that brings upon mortals the greatest evils. 1080
(She goes out to the right, toward the royd palace.)
Chorus
Often before
I have gone through more subtle reasons,
And have come upon questions greater
Than a woman should strive to search out
But we too have a goddess to help us 1085
And accompany us into wisdom.
Not all of us. Still you will find
Among many women a few,
And our sex is not without learning.
This I say, that those who have never 1090
Had children, who know nothing of it,
In happiness have the advantage
Over those who are parents.
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