THES.  Alas me! how thy sanctity kills me!  Wilt not thou go as quick as possible from thy country’s land?

HIPP.  Whither then shall I unhappy turn me; what stranger’s mansion shall I enter, banished on this charge?

THES.  His, who delights to entertain defilers of women, and those who dwell with[41] evil deeds.

HIPP.  Alas! alas! this goes to my heart, and almost makes me weep:  if indeed I appear vile, and seem so to thee.

THES.  Then oughtest thou to have groaned, and owned the guilt before, when thou daredst to wrong thy father’s wife.

HIPP.  O mansions, would that ye could utter me a voice, and bear witness whether I be a vile man!

THES.  Dost fly to dumb witnesses? this deed, though it speak not, clearly proves thee vile.

HIPP.  Alas! would that I could look upon myself standing opposite, to that degree do I weep for the evils which I suffer!

THES.  Thou hast accustomed thyself much more to regard thyself, than to be a just man, and to do what is righteous to thy parents.

HIPP.  O unhappy mother!  O wretched natal hour! may none of my friends ever be illegitimate.

THES.  Servants, will ye not drag him out? did you not hear me long ago pronounce him banished!

HIPP.  Any one of them shall touch me to his cost however; but thou thyself, if it be thy desire, thrust me out from the land.

THES.  I will do this, unless thou wilt obey my words, for no pity for thy banishment comes over me.

HIPP.  It is fixed, as it seems; alas, wretch that I am! since I know these things indeed, but know not how to say them.  O most dear to me of deities, daughter of Latona, thou that assortest with me, huntest with me, we shall then indeed be banished illustrious Athens:  but farewell O city, and land of Erectheus.  O plain of Troezene, how many things hast thou to employ the happy youth!  Farewell! for I address thee, beholding thee for the last time—­Come youths of this land my companions, bid me farewell, and conduct me from the land, for never shall you see a man more chaste, even though I seem not to my father.

CHORUS.

Surely the providence of the Gods, when it comes into my mind, greatly takes away sorrow:  but cherishing in my hope some knowledge, I am utterly deficient, when I look on the fortunes and on the deeds of men, for they are changed in different manners, and the life of man varies, ever exceeding vague.  Would that in answer to my petitions fate from the Gods would give me this, prosperity with riches, and a mind unsullied by griefs.  And be my character neither too high, nor on the other hand infamous.  But changing my easy habits with the morrow ever may I lead a happy life; for no longer have I an unperturbed mind, but I see things contrary to my expectations:  since we have seen the brightest star of Grecian Minerva sent forth to another land on account of his father’s