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MEROPE.
MEROPE.
At the undried fount of this breast,
A babe, thou smilest again.
Thy brothers play at my feet,
Early-slain innocents! near,
Thy kind-speaking father stands.
ÆPYTUS.
Remember, to avenge his death I come!
MEROPE.
Ah...revenge! ant.
That word! it kills me! I see
Once more roll back on my house,
Never to ebb, the accurst
All-flooding ocean of blood.
ÆPYTUS.
Mother, sometimes the justice of the Gods
Appoints the way to peace through shedding blood.
MEROPE.
Sorrowful peace!
ÆPYTUS.
And yet the only peace to us allow'd.
MEROPE.
From the first-wrought vengeance is born
A long succession of crimes.
Fresh blood flows, calling for blood.
Fathers, sons, grandsons, are all
One death-dealing vengeful train.
