| "Not I! How many months have passed, how many months and years, |
| While with my milk-white breasts I sweep, and waste my life in tears! |
| Thou, cruel dame, a single broom ne'er gav'st me at my need; |
| These brought a bundle; let them go in peace; I will not heed." |
Creonta cried:
| "O rope, O rope! hang up the knaves!" |
And the rope, still observing the text, answered:
| "Hard heart! hast thou forgot |
| Those many years, those many months, thou left'st me here to rot? |
| By thee was I abandoned long in damp to waste away; |
| These stretched me to the sun; let them go forth in peace, I say." |
Creonta howled aloud:
| "Dog, faithful watch-dog! rend and tear those wretches limb from limb." |
The dog retorted:
| "Nay, why, Creonta, should I rend poor fellows at thy whim? |
| So many years, so many months, I've served thee without food; |
| These filled my belly full; thy cries shall not control my mood." |