EURIPIDES
There the streams flow with ambrosia
by Zeus's bed of love,
and holy earth, the giver of life, 750
yields to the Gods rich blessedness.
STROPHE
O Cretan ship with the white sails,
from a happy home you brought her,
my mistress over the tossing foam, over the salty sea, 755
to bless her with a marriage unblest.
Black was the omen that sped her here,
black was the omen for both her lands,
for glorious Athens and her Cretan home,
as they bound to Munychia's pier 760
the cables' ends with their twisted strands
and stepped ashore on the continent.
ANTISTROPHE
The presage of the omen was true; 765
Aphrodite has broken her spirit
with the terrible sickness of impious love.
The waves of destruction are over her head,
from the roof of her room with its marriage bed,
she is tying the twisted noose. 770
And now it is around her fair white neck!
The shame of her cruel fate has conquered.
She has chosen good name rather than life:
she is easing her heart of its bitter load of love. 775
Nurse (within)
Ho, there, help!
You who are near the palace, help!
My mistress, Theseus' wife, ha$ hanged herself.
Chorus Leader
It is done, she is hanged in the dangling rope.
Our Queen is dead.
212