No More Learning

_Io. _ And penalty for what crimes dost thou pay?

_Pr. _ Thus much only can I show thee.

_Io. _ But beside this, declare what time will be
To me unfortunate the limit of my wandering.

_Pr. _ Not to learn is better for thee than to learn these things.

_Io. _ Conceal not from me what I am to suffer.

_Pr. _ Indeed, I grudge thee not this favor.

_Io. _ Why, then, dost thou delay to tell the whole?

_Pr.
_ There's no unwillingness, but I hesitate to vex thy mind.

_Io. _ Care not for me more than is pleasant to me.

_Pr. _ Since you are earnest, it behooves to speak; hear then.

_Ch. _ Not yet, indeed; but a share of pleasure also give to me.
First we'll learn the malady of this one,
Herself relating her destructive fortunes,
And the remainder of her trials let her learn from thee.

_Pr. _ 'T is thy part, Io, to do these a favor,
As well for every other reason, and as they are sisters of thy
father.
Since to weep and to lament misfortunes,
There where one will get a tear
From those attending, is worthy the delay.

_Io. _ I know not that I need distrust you,
But in plain speech you shall learn
All that you ask for; and yet e'en telling I lament
The god-sent tempest, and dissolution
Of my form--whence to me miserable it came.
For always visions in the night, moving about
My virgin chambers, enticed me
With smooth words: "O greatly happy virgin,
Why be a virgin long? is permitted to obtain
The greatest marriage. For Zeus with love's dart
Has been warmed by thee, and wishes to unite
In love; but do thou, O child, spurn not the couch
Of Zeus, but go out to Lerna's deep
Morass, and stables of thy father's herds,
That the divine eye may cease from desire.