Would then a mother feign her offspring's death,

And fear no baleful omens of that word?

They omens fear who have no greater dread.610

Her truth hath she upheld by straightest oath.

If that she perjured be, what greater fear

Doth vex her soul? Now have I urgent need

Of all my skill and cunning, all my arts,

By which so oft Ulysses hath prevailed;

For truth, though long concealed, can never die.

Now watch the mother; note her grief, her tears,615