I might lament in plaintive strain, 205 And live in fame as Iole, The maiden bird. I saw, alas, I saw my father's dreadful fate, When, smitten with that deadly club, He fell, in mangled fragments dashed 210 Throughout the palace hall. If then His fate had granted burial, How often had I searched, O sire, For all thy parts! How could I look upon thy death, O Toxeus, with thy tender cheeks Unbearded yet, thy boyish veins Not yet with manhood's vigor filled? But why do I bewail your fates, 215 O parents, whom to safety now Kind death has borne? My fortune bids That I bewail myself instead. Soon, ah too soon, in captive state, Shall I the flying spindle turn For some proud mistress in her hall. O cruel beauty, how hast thou 220 Decreed my death! For thee alone Am I and all my house undone, Since when my sire to Hercules Refused my hand, because he feared Great Hercules as son-in-law. And now, not wife, but captive maid, I seek my haughty mistress' home. _Chorus:_ Why dost thou, foolish, ever dwell 225 Upon thy sire's illustrious realm, And on thy own unhappy fate? Forget thy former station now; For only is he happy who, As king or slave, knows how to bear His lot, and fit his countenance To changing circumstance. For he 230 Who bears his ills with steadfast soul Has from misfortune reft away Its strength and heaviness. FOOTNOTES: [25] Reading, _quam prosequor_. [26] Reading, _patriae moenibus_. ACT II [_In the palace of_ Deianira _at Trachin_.]