The Argonautica

women, one here and one there, will reproach me with shameful derision:

She who died from concern for a man who came from a foreign land,

she who disgraced her home and brought reproach on both parents,

yielding to frenzy. What shame shall not be mine?

Ah, my blind folly! It would surely be far better

to leave life here tonight within my private chamber,

escaping every evil, shameful word of reproach,

before I accomplish these deeds too shameful even for naming.

She spoke, and brought out the casket where many of her drugs were lying,

some of them healing and good, and others destructive of life.

Setting it down on her knees, she lamented; her tears drenched her bosom

without any limit; they streamed in a flood, not merely in droplets,

as she wept bitterly, mourning the fate that was wholly her own.

She longed to choose the deadly drugs and taste their poison.

Already she started to loosen the fastening bands of the casket,

eager to take them out, unfortunate girl; but suddenly

dread of hateful Hades came down through the depths of her spirit.

She held back, long speechless; visions thronged around her,

the joys and heart-lifting cares attending mortal life.

She recalled every sweet delight of mortal living,

remembered the joyful companionship of girls her own age;

and even the sun became sweeter to look upon than ever,

before, if indeed she examined each prospect truly in mind.

Then she put the casket away once more from her knees.