But now prostrate beneath so great a woe,
Not tasting food nor drink, he sits among
The sword-slain beasts, motionless where he sank.
And plainly he meditates some baleful deed,
For so portend his words and lamentations.
But, friends!—'twas for this cause I came forth—
Enter and help, if help at all you can:
For by friends' words men so bestead are won.
CHORUS
Child of Teleutas, fearful are thy tidings,
That our prince has been maddened by his griefs.
AIAS [Within]
Alas! Woe, woe!
TECMESSA
Soon, I fear, worse will follow. Heard you not?
'Twas Aias. Oh, how dreadful was that cry.
AIAS
Alas! Woe, woe!
CHORUS
He seems either still frenzied, or else grieving
For his past frenzies, now he sees their work.
AIAS
Alas! My son, my son!
TECMESSA
Woe's me! Eurusakes, 'tis for thee he calls.
What can he purpose?—Where are thou?—Ah, woe!
AIAS
Teucer, come!—Where is Teucer? Will he never
Come back from cattle-raiding?—while I perish!
CHORUS
He seems in his right mind. But open the doors.
Perhaps even the sight of me may sober him.
[She opens the doors. Aias is revealed sitting among
the slain beasts.]
19
