Why to sorrow thus abandoned?--weep not thus, as all forlorn, Hear ye now my speech, my parents--and your sorrows may be borne. Me with right ye may abandon--none that right in doubt will call, Yield up her that best is yielded--I alone may save you all. Wherefore wishes man for children?--they in need mine help will be: Lo, the time is come, my parents--in your need find help in me. Ever here the son by offering--or hereafter doth atone, Either way is he th' atoner--hence the wise have named him son. Daughters too, the great forefathers--of a noble race desire, And I now shall prove their wisdom--saving thus from death my sire. Lo, my brother but an infant!--to the other world goest thou, In a little time we perish--who may dare to question how? But if first depart to heaven--he that after me was born, Cease our race's sacred offerings--our offended sires would mourn. Without father, without mother--of my brother too bereft, I shall die, unused to sorrow--yet to deepest sorrow left. But thyself, my sire! my mother--and my gentle brother save, And their meet, unfailing offerings--shall our fathers' spirits have. A second self the son, a friend the wife--the daughter's but a grief, From thy grief thy daughter offering--thou of right wilt find relief. Desolate and unprotected--ever wandering here and there, Shall I quickly be, my father!--reft of thy paternal care! But wert thou through me, my father--and thy race from peril freed, Noble fruit should I have borne thee--having done this single deed. But if thou from hence departing-leav'st me, noblest, to my fate, Down I sink to bitterest misery--save, Oh save me from that state! For mine own sake, and for virtue's--for our noble race's sake, Yield up her who best is yielded--me thine own life's ransom make. Instantly this step, the only--the inevitable take. Hath the world a fate more wretched--than when thou to heaven art fled, Like a dog to wander begging--and subsist on others' bread. But my father, thus preserving--thus preserving all that's thine, I shall then become immortal--and partake of bliss divine, And the gods, and our forefathers--all will hail the prudent choice, Still will have the water offerings--that their holy spirits rejoice. * * * * *