It would seem that the women of our race are destined to be for the spoiler's hand. I remember the misery of my mother's departure, and now I too am equally a prey. 60 70 Num generis fato, quod nostros errat in annos, Non ego fluminei referam mendacia cygni, Nec querar in plumis delituisse Iovem; Taenaris Idaeo trans aequora ab hospite rapta Vix equidem memini, memini tamen : omnia luctus, Flebat avus Phoebeque soror fratresque gemelli, 111 119 b 100 I did not even What can be my crime? I have had no mother's care. know my mother when she returned. I have had but one blessing, my cousin-husband, and now he too is to be taken from me. 80 9༠ Quae mea caelestes iniuria fecit iniquos? Non ego captavi brevibus tua colla lacertis, Sp.23 note p.143,ix. Te tamen esse Helenam, quod eras pulcherrima, [sensi : 149 Pars haec una mihi, coniux bene cessit Orestes : XIII. OENONE. Mournful Oenone, wandering forlorn Of Paris, once her playmate on the hills.-TENNYSON. ARGUMENT. OENONE complains to Paris of his faithlessness. She, a nymph, had condescended to be his wife when he was only a slave, and now is rejected for the worthless Helen.-(HEROIDES, V.) This story is the subject of one of Mr. Tennyson's most beautiful poems. [Oenone writes.] You were proud enough of me once as the companion of your rustic life, and swore eternal fidelity to me. ΙΟ 20 NONDUM tantus eras, quum te contenta marito Et legor Oenone falce notata tua : Et quantum trunci, tantum mea nomina crescunt: "Quum Paris Oenone poterit spirare relicta, 1196 107 112 107 106 I 149 122& But now all is changed, since the three goddesses submitted their claims to the prize of beauty to your decision. 30 Xanthe, retro propera, versaeque recurrite lymphae ! Illa dies fatum miserae mihi dixit, ab illa Qua Venus et Iuno, sumptisque decentior armis Attoniti micuere sinus, gelidusque cucurrit, neque 140 106 2 152 II. I There was great bustle in the ship-yards. Even then, in parting, your old. love would not be hushed, and I prayed for your speedy and safe return 40 Caesa abies, sectaeque trabes, et classe parata Ut tua sunt collo brachia nexa meo. Qua licet, et lacrimis humet arena meis. 125 124 I 1326 106 112 142 (2) I anxiously waited for your return, only to see a rival flaunting her power over you before my eyes. 50 Aspicit immensum moles nativa profundum : 106 3 140 60 Dum moror, in summa fulsit mihi purpura prora. Fit propior, terrasque cita ratis attigit aura : Non satis id fuerat..... quid enim furiosa morabar?... Tunc vero rupique sinus et pectora planxi, 153 2 1107 a 106 I Sic Helene doleat, desertaque coniuge ploret, 119 b 106 a When you were poor I was true to you. I never coveted your royal state, but the sceptre would have become my hands as well as hers, and I should have brought no avenging war in my train. 70 Nunc tibi conveniunt quae te per aperta sequantur {1061 At quum pauper eras armentaque pastor agebas, Non ego miror opes, nec me tua regia tangit, Non tamen ut Priamus nymphae socer esse recuset, Sunt mihi, quas possint sceptra decere, manus; 150 Hac venit in thalamos dote superba tuos. 114 But I have only my own folly to blame. Cassandra warned me of vour fickleness, but, like others, I heeded not her warnings. 80 Tu levior foliis, tum quum sine pondere suci 124 111 Hoc tua... nam recolo... quondam germana cane- [bat, 115 90 Quid facis, Oenone? Quid arenae semina mandas? Graia iuvenca venit, quae te patriamque domumque 150 131 107 |