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THE IVY. 



Hecuba. It is of strong necessity that I 



Die with my child. 

 Ulysses. What strong necessity ? 



I know no mighty lord's commanding power. 

 Hecuba. I'll clasp her as the ivy clasps the oak. 

 Ulysses. Not so, if temperate prudence might prevail. 

 Hecuba. Never, never will I quit my child." * 



Fast he stealeth on, though he wears no wings, 



And a staunch old heart has he. 

 How closely he twineth, how tight he clings, 



To his friend the huge Oak Tree ! 

 And slily he traileth along the ground, 



And his leaves he gently waves, 

 As he joyously hugs and crawleth round 



The rich mould of dead men's graves. 



Creeping where grim death has been, 

 A rare old plant is the Ivy green. 



Potter's translation, 368376. 





