Fourth Stasimon (976-1001) (1)

Now I have no more hopes for the children's life
no more. They go now to murder.
The bride will take, the poor woman will take
the doom of the golden diadem;
on her golden hair she will put Death's 980
adornment, taking it in her own hands.

The beauty and unfading glow of the golden robe
will persuade her to put on the crafted crown.
She will dress now as a bride for the dead below. 985
Into such a snare she will fall
and into the destiny of death, unhappy girl. And she
will not escape her doom.

But you, unhappy, ill-wedded son-in-law of kings 990
unknowing, to your children
you are bringing death and to your wife
hateful death.
Unhappy man, how far you have strayed from your destiny. 995

And most of all I lament your grief, oh unhappy mother
of children whom you will murder —
your own children, for the sake of the marriage bed, which
your husband 1000
lawlessly deserted and now dwells with another spouse.

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