Читать книгу The Greatest German Classics (Vol. 1-14) - Various - Страница 123

I am a man.

And better 'tis we end this conference.

Hear then my last resolve. Be priestess still

Of the great goddess who selected thee;

And may she pardon me, that I from her,

Unjustly and with secret self-reproach,

Her ancient sacrifice so long withheld.

From olden time no stranger near'd our shore

But fell a victim at her sacred shrine.

But thou, with kind affection (which at times

Seem'd like a gentle daughter's tender love,

At times assum'd to my enraptur'd heart

The modest inclination of a bride),

Didst so inthral me, as with magic bowls,

That I forgot my duty. Thou didst rock

My senses in a dream: I did not hear

My people's murmurs: now they cry aloud,

Ascribing my poor son's untimely death

To this my guilt. No longer for thy sake

Will I oppose the wishes of the crowd,

Who urgently demand the sacrifice.