FIRSTSEMI—CHORUS
Thouspeak’stofthegodsasiftheywerejust。
SECONDSEMI—CHORUS
Forwhobuttheyallotwhate’erbetides？
FIRSTSEMI—CHORUS
Iseemuchatvarianceintheirdealingswithmen。
SECONDSEMI—CHORUS
Theformerfearhathwarpedthyjudgment。Vengeancecallsvengeanceforth；slaughtercallsforslaughter，butthegodsgiverespitefromaffliction，holdingintheirownhandseachthing’sallottedend。
FIRSTSEMI—CHORUS
WouldIcouldreachyonplainswithturretscrowned，leavingCallichorus，fountainofthegoddess！
SECONDSEMI—CHORUS
Othatsomegodwouldgivemewingstoflytothecityofriverstwain！
FIRSTSEMI—CHORUS
Somight’stthouseeandknowthefortunesofthyfriends。
SECONDSEMI—CHORUS
Whatfate，whatissuethereawaitsthevaliantmonarchofthisland？
FIRSTSEMI—CHORUS
Oncemoredoweinvokethegodswecalleduponbefore；yea，inourfearthisisourfirstandchiefesttrust。
SECONDSEMI—CHORUS
OZeus，fathertothechildtheheifer—motherboreindayslongpast，thatdaughterofInachus！
FIRSTSEMI—CHORUS
Obegracious，Ipray，andchampionthiscity！
SECONDSEMI—CHORUS
’Tisthyowndarling，thyownsettlerinthecityofArgosthatIamstrivingfromoutragetorescueforthefuneralpyre。
（AMESSENGERenters。）
MESSENGER
Ladies，Ibringyoutidingsofgreatjoy，myselfescaped—forIwastakenprisonerinthebattlewhichcostthosechieftainsseventheirlivesnearDirce’sfount—tobearthenewsofTheseus’victory。ButI
willsavetheetediousquestioning；IwastheservantofCapaneus，whomZeuswithscorchingbolttoashesburnt。
LEADEROFTHECHORUS
Friendoffriends，fairthynewsofthyownreturn，norlessthenewsaboutTheseus；andifthehostofAthens，too，issafe，welcomewillallthymessagebe。
MESSENGER
’Tissafe，andallhathhappenedasIwouldithadbefallenAdrastusandhisArgives，whomfromInachusheled，tomarchagainstthecityoftheCadmeans。
LEADER
HowdidthesonofAegeusandhisfellow—warriorsraisetheirtrophytoZeus？Tellus，forthouwertthereandcanstgladdenuswhowerenot。
MESSENGER
Brightshonethesun，onelevelledlineoflight，upontheworld，asbyElectra’sgateIstoodtowatch，fromaturretwithafaroutlook。Andlo！Isawthehostinthreedivisions，deployingitsmail—cladwarriorsonthehighgroundbythebanksofIsmenus；thislastIheard；andwiththemwasthekinghimself，famoussonofAegeus；hisownmen，nativesofoldCecropia，wererangedupontheright；whileontheleft，hardbythefountainofAres，werethedwellersbythesea，harnessedspearmenthey；oneitherwingwerepostedcavalry，inequalnumbers，andchariotswerestationedintheshelterofAmphion’sholytomb。Meantime，thefolkofCadmussetthemselvesbeforethewalls，placingintherearthebodiesforwhichtheyfought。Horsetohorse，andcartocarstoodranged。ThendidtheheraldofTheseuscryaloudtoall：\"Bestill，yefolk！
hush，yeranksofCadmus，hearken！wearecometofetchthebodiesoftheslain，wishingtoburytheminobservanceoftheuniversallawofHellas；nowishhavewetolengthenouttheslaughter。\"NotawordwouldCreonlethisheraldanswerback，buttherehestoodinsilenceunderarms。Thendidthedriversofthefour—horsecarsbeginthefray；on，pasteachothertheydravetheirchariots，bringingthewarriorsattheirsidesupintoline。Somefoughtwithswords，somewheeledthehorsesbacktothefrayagainforthosetheydrove。NowwhenPhorbas，whocaptainedthecavalryoftheErechtheidae，sawthethrongingchariots，heandtheywhohadthechargeoftheThebanhorsemethandtohand，andbyturnswerevictorsandvanquished。ThemanyhorrorshappeningthereIsaw，notmerelyheardabout，forIwasatthespotwherethechariotsandtheirridersmetandfought，butwhichtotelloffirstIknownot，—thecloudsofdustthatmountedtothesky，thewarriorstangledinthereinsanddraggedthiswayandthat，thestreamsofcrimsongore，whenmenfelldead，orwhen，fromshatteredchariot—seats，theytumbledheadlongtotheground，and，amidthesplintersoftheircars，gaveuptheghost。ButCreon，whenhemarkedourcavalry’ssuccessononewing，caughtupashieldandrushedintothefray，erethatdespondencyshouldseizehismen；butnotforthatdidTheseusrecoilinfear；no！snatchingupatoncehisglitteringharneshehiedhimon。Andthetwain，clashingtheirshieldstogetherastheymetinthemidstoftheassembledhost，weredealingdeathandcourtingit，shoutingloudlyeachtohisfellowthebattle—cry：\"Slay，andwiththyspearstrikehomeagainstthesonsofErechtheus。\"Fiercefoestocopewithwerethewarriorswhomthedragon’steethtomanhoodreared；sofierce，theybrokeourleftwing，albeittheirswasroutedbyourrightandputtoflight，sothatthestrugglewasevenlybalanced。Hereagainourchiefdeservedallpraise，forthissuccesswasnottheonlyonehegained；no！nexthesoughtthatpartofhisarmywhichwaswavering；andloudhecalledtothem，thattheearthrangagain，\"Mysons，ifyecannotrestraintheearth—bornwarriors’
stubbornspear，thecauseofPallasislost。\"HiswordinspirednewcourageinalltheDanaidhost。Therewithhimselfdidseizeafearsomemace，weaponofEpidaurianwarfare，andswungittoandfro，andwiththatclub，aswithasickle，heshoreoffnecksandheadsandhelmetsthereupon。Scarceeventhentheyturnedthemselvestofly。I
criedaloudforjoy，anddancedandclappedmyhands；whiletothegatestheyran。Throughoutthetownechoedtheshrieksofyoungandold，astheycrowdedthetemplesinterror。ButTheseus，whenhemighthavecomeinsidethewalls，heldbackhismen，forhehadnotcome，saidhe，tosackthetown，buttoaskforthebodiesofthedead。Suchthegeneralmenshouldchoose，onewhoshowshisbraveryindanger，yethatestheprideofthosethatintheirhouroffortunelosetheblisstheymighthaveenjoyed，throughseekingtoscaletheladder’stopmoststep。
LEADER
NowdoIbelieveinthegodsafterseeingthisunexpectedday，andfeelmywoesarelighternowthatthesehavepaidtheirpenalty。
ADRASTUS
OZeus，whydomenassertthewisdomofthewretchedhumanrace？
Ontheewealldepend，andallwedoisonlywhatthoulistest。WethoughtourArgosirresistible，ourselvesayoungandlustyhost，andsowhenEteocleswasformakingterms，inspiteofhisfairofferwewouldnotacceptthem，andsoweperished。ThenintheirturnthosefoolishfolkofCadmus，tofortuneraised，likesomebeggarwithhisnewly—gottenwealth，waxedwanton，and，waxingso，wereruinedintheirturn。Yefoolishsonsofmen！whostrainyourbowlikemenwhoshootbeyondtheirmark，andonlybysufferingmanyevilsasyedeserve，thoughdeaftofriends，yetyieldtocircumstances；yecitieslikewise，thoughyemightbyparleyendyourills，yetyechoosetheswordinsteadofreasontosettlealldisputes。Butwhereforethesereflections？ThisIfainwouldlearn，thewaythoudidstescape；andafterthatIwillasktheeoftherest。
MESSENGER
Duringtheuproarwhichprevailedinthecityowingtothebattle，Ipassedthegates，justasthehosthadenteredthem。
ADRASTUS
Areyebringingthebodies，forthewhichthestrifearose？
MESSENGER
Ay，eachofthesevenchiefswholedtheirfamoushosts。
ADRASTUS
Whatsayestthou？therestwhofell—say，wherearethey？
MESSENGER
TheyhavefoundburialinthedellsofCithaeron。
ADRASTUS
Onthisorthatsideofthemount？Andwhodidburythem？
MESSENGER
Theseusburiedthem’neaththeshadowofEleutherae’scliff。
ADRASTUS
Wheredidstthouleavethedeadhehathnotburied？
MESSENGER
Notfaraway；earnesthastemakeseverygoallookclose。
ADRASTUS
Nodoubtinsorrowslaveswouldgatherthemfromthecarnage。
MESSENGER
Slaves！notoneofthemwassettodothistoil。
[AspeechbelongingtoADRASTUShasbeenlost。]
MESSENGER
Thouwouldstsayso，hadstthoubeentheretoseehislovingtendanceofthedead。
ADRASTUS
Didhehimselfwashthebloodywoundsofthehaplessyouths？
MESSENGER
Ay，andstrewedtheirbiersandwrappedthemintheirshrouds。
ADRASTUS
Anawfulburdenthis，involvingsomedisgrace。
MESSENGER
Why，whatdisgracetomenaretheirfellows’sorrows？
ADRASTUS
Ahme！howmuchratherhadIdiedwiththem！
MESSENGER
’Tisvaintoweepandmovetotearsthesewomen。
ADRASTUS
Methinks’tistheywhogivethelesson。Enoughofthat！Myhandsliftatmeetingofthedead，andpourforthatearfuldirgetoHades，callingonmyfriends，whoselossImourninwretchedsolitude；
forthisonething，whenonce’tisspent，mancannotrecover，thebreathoflife，thoughheknowethwaystogethiswealthagain。
CHORUS（singing）
stropheJoyishereandsorrowtoo，—forthestatefairfame，andforourcaptainsdoublemeedofhonour。Bitterformeitistoseethelimbsofmydeadsons，andyetawelcomesightwithal，becauseIshallbeholdtheunexpecteddayaftersorrow’scupwasfull。
antistropheWouldthatFatherTimehadkeptmeunwedfrommyyouthupe’entillnowwhenIamold！WhatneedhadIofchildren？MethinksIshouldnothavesufferedovermuch，hadIneverbornethemarriage—yoke；butnowIhavemysorrowfullinview，thelossofchildrendear。
Lo！Iseethebodiesofthefallenyouths。Woeisme！wouldI
couldjointhesechildrenintheirdeathanddescendtoHadeswiththem！
（THESEUSandhissoldiersenter，carryingthecorpsesoftheslainchieftains。ADRASTUSandtheCHORUS
chantthelamentresponsively。）
ADRASTUS
Mothers，raisethewailforthedeaddeparted；cryinanswerwhenyehearmynoteofwoe。
CHORUS
Mysons，mysons！Obitterwordsforlovingmotherstoaddresstoyou！Tothee，mylifelesschild，Icall。
ADRASTUS
Woe！woe！
CHORUS
Ahme，mysufferings！
ADRASTUS
Alas！Wehaveendured，alas！—
CHORUS
Sorrowsmostgrievous。
ADRASTUS
OcitizensofArgos！doyenotbeholdmyfate？
CHORUS
Theyseethee，andmethehaplessmother，reftofherchildren。
ADRASTUS
Bringneartheblood—bolteredcorpsesofthosehaplesschiefs，foullyslainbyfoesunworthy，withwhomlaythedecisionofthecontest。
CHORUS
Letmeembraceandholdmychildrentomybosominmyenfoldingarms。
ADRASTUS
There，there！thouhast—
CHORUS
Sorrowsheavyenoughtobear。
ADRASTUS
Ahme！
CHORUS
Thygroansminglewiththoseoftheirparents。
ADRASTUS
Hearme。
CHORUS
O’erbothofusthoudostlament。
ADRASTUS
WouldGodtheThebanrankshadlaidmedeadinthedust！
CHORUS
OhthatIhadne’erbeenweddedtoahusband！
ADRASTUS
Ah！haplessmothers，beholdthisseaoftroubles！
CHORUS
Ournailshaveploughedourcheeksinfurrows，ando’erourheadshavewestrewnashes。
ADRASTUS
Ahme！ahme！Ohthatearth’sfloorwouldswallowme，orthewhirlwindsnatchmeaway，orZeus’sflamingboltdescenduponmyhead！
CHORUS
Bitterthemarriagesthoudidstwitness，bittertheoracleofPhoebus！ThecurseofOedipus，fraughtwithsorrow，afterdesolatinghishouse，iscomeonthee。
THESEUS
Imeanttoquestiontheewhenthouwertventingthylamentationstothehost，butIwillletitpass；yet，thoughIdroppedthematterthenandleftitalone，InowdoaskAdrastus，\"Ofwhatlineagesprangthoseyouths，toshinesobrightinchivalry？\"Tellittoouryoungercitizensofthyfullerwisdom，forthouartskilledtoknow。
Myselfbeheldtheirdaringdeeds，toohighforwordstotell，wherebytheythoughttocaptureThebes。OnequestionwillIsparethee，lestIprovokethylaughter；thefoethateachofthemencounteredinthefray，thespearfromwhicheachreceivedhisdeath—wound。Thesebeidletalesalikeforthosewhohearorhimwhospeaks，thatanymanamidthefray，whencloudsofdartsarehurtlingbeforehiseyes，shoulddeclareforcertainwhoeachchampionis。Icouldnotasksuchquestions，noryetbelievethosewhodareassertthelike；forwhenamanisfacetofacewiththefoe，hescarcecanseeeventhatwhich’tishisboundendutytoobserve。
ADRASTUS
Hearkenthen。Foringivingthistasktomethoufindestawillingeulogistoffriends，whosepraiseIwoulddeclareinalltruthandsincerity。DostseeyoncorpsebyZeus’sbolttransfixed？ThatisCapaneus；thoughhehadamplewealth，yetwashethelasttoboastofhisprosperity；norwouldheevervaunthimselfaboveapoorerneighbour，butshunnedthemanwhosesumptuousboardhadpuffedhimuptoohighandmadehimscornmerecompetence，forheheldthatvirtueliesnotingreedygluttony，butthatmoderatemeanssuffice。Truefriendwashe，aliketopresentortoabsentfriendsthesame；ofsuchthenumberisnotgreat。Hiswasguilelesscharacter，acourteousaddress，thatleftnopromiseunperformedeithertowardshisownhouseholdorhisfellow—citizens。ThenextInameisEteoclus；amasterheofotherkindsofexcellence；young，norrichlydoweredwithstore，yethighinhonourintheArgiveland。Andthoughhisfriendsoftofferedgiftsofgold，hewouldnothaveitinhishouse，tomakehischaracteritsslavebytakingwealth’syokeuponhim。Nothiscity，butthosethatsinnedagainstherdidhehate，foracityisnowisetobeblamedifitgetanevilnamebyreasonofanevilgovernor。SuchanotherwasHippomedon，thirdofallthisband；fromhisveryboyhoodherefrainedfromturningtowardstheallurementsoftheMuses，toleadlifeofease；hishomewasinthefields，andgladlywouldheschoolhisnaturetohardshipswithaviewtomanliness，ayehastingtothechase，rejoicinginhissteedsorstrainingofhisbow，becausehewouldmakehimselfofuseuntohisstate。NextbeholdthehuntressAtalanta’sson，Parthenopaeus，ayouthofpeerlessbeauty；fromArcadyhecameeventothestreamsofInachus，andinArgosspenthisboyhood。There，whenhegrewtoman’sestate，first，asisthedutyofstrangerssettledinanotherland，heshowednopiqueorjealousyagainstthestate，becamenoquibbler，chiefestsourceofannoyancecitizenorstrangercangive，buttookhisstandamidthehost，andfoughtforArgosashewereherownson，gladatheartwhensothecityprospered，deeplygrievedife’erreversescame；manyaloverthoughhehadmidstmenandmaids，yetwashecarefultoavoidoffence。OfTydeusnexttheloftypraiseI
willexpressinbrief；nobrilliantspokesmanhe，butaclevercraftsmanintheartofwar，withmanyashrewddevice；inferiorinjudgmenttohisbrotherMeleager，yetthroughhiswarriorskilllendinghisnametoequalpraise，forhehadfoundinarmsaperfectscience；hiswasanambitiousnature，aspiritrichinstoreofdeeds，withwordslessfullydowered。Fromthisaccountthenwondernot，Theseus，thattheydaredtodiebeforethetowers；fornoblenurturecarrieshonourwithit，andeveryman，whenoncehehathpractisedvirtue，scornsthenameofvillain。Couragemaybelearnt，forevenababedothlearntospeakandhearthingsitcannotcomprehend；andwhatso’erachildhathlearnt，thisitishiswonttotreasureuptillheisold。Sotrainupyourchildreninavirtuousway。
CHORUS（chanting）
Alas！myson，tosorrowIbaretheeandcarriedtheewithinmywomb，enduringthepangsoftravail；butnowHadestakesthefruitofallmyhaplesstoil，andIthathadasonamleft，ahme！withnonetonursemyage。
THESEUS
AsforthenoblesonofOecleus，him，whileyethelived，thegodssnatchedhencetothebowelsoftheearth，andhischariottoo，manifestlyblessinghim；whileImyselfmaytruthfullytellthepraisesofthesonofOedipus，thatis，Polyneices，forhewasmyguest—friendereheleftthetownofCadmusandcrossedtoArgosinvoluntaryexile。ButdostthouknowwhatIwouldhavetheedointhis？
ADRASTUS
Iknownaughtsavethis，—toyieldobediencetothyhests。
THESEUS
AsforyonCapaneus，strickenbytheboltofZeus—
ADRASTUS
Wiltburyhimapartasaconsecratedcorpse？
THESEUS
Evenso；butalltherestononefuneralpyre。
ADRASTUS
Wherewiltthousetthetombapartforhim？
THESEUS
HerenearthistemplehaveIbuildedhimasepulchre。
ADRASTUS
Thythrallsforthwithmustundertakethistoil。
THESEUS
Myselfwilllooktothoseothers；letthebiersadvance。
ADRASTUS
Approachyoursons，unhappymothers。
THESEUS
Thisthyproposal，Adrastus，isanythingbutgood。
ADRASTUS
Mustnotthemotherstouchtheirsons？
THESEUS
Itwouldkillthemtoseehowtheyarealtered。
ADRASTUS
’Tisbitter，truly，toseethedeadevenatthemomentofdeath。
THESEUS
Whythenwiltthouaddfreshgrieftothem？
ADRASTUS
Thouartright。Yeneedsmustpatientlyabide，forthewordsofTheseusaregood。Butwhenwehavecommittedthemuntotheflames，yeshallcollecttheirbones。Owretchedsonsofmen！Whydoyegetyouweaponsandbringslaughterononeanother？Ceasetherefrom，giveo’eryourtoiling，andinmutualpeacekeepsafeyourcities。
Shortisthespanoflife，so’twerebesttorunitscourseaslightlyaswemay，fromtroublefree。
（Thecorpses，followedbytheCHILDRENoftheslainchieftains，arecarriedofftothepyrewhichiskindledwithinthesightofthepersonsonthestage。）
CHORUS（singing）
stropheNomoreahappymotherI，withchildrenblest；nomoreIshare，amongArgivewomen，whohavesons，theirhappylot；noranymorewillArtemisinthehouroftravailkindlygreetthesechildlessmothers。Mostdrearyismylife，andlikesomewanderingclouddriftbeforethehowlingblast。
antistropheThesevennoblestsonsinArgosoncewehad，wesevenhaplessmothers；butnowmysonsaredead，Ihavenochild，andonmestealsoldageinpiteouswise，nor’mongstthedeadnor’mongstthelivingdoIcountmyself，havingasitwerealotapartfromthese。
Tearsaloneareleftme；inmyhousesadmemoriesofmysonarestored；mournfultressesshornfromhishead，chapletsthathewore，libationsforthedeaddeparted，andsongs，butnotsuchasgolden—hairedApollowelcometh；andwhenIwaketoweep，mytearswilleverdrenchthefoldsofmyrobeuponmybosom。Ah！thereIseethesepulchrereadye’ennowforCapaneus，hisconsecratedtomb，andthevotiveofferingsTheseusgivesuntothedeadoutsidetheshrine，andnighyonlightning—smittenchiefIseehisnoblebride，Evadne，daughterofKingIphis。Whereforestandssheonthetoweringrock，whicho’ertopsthistemple，advancingalongyonpath？
（EVADNEisseenonarockwhichoverhangstheburningpyre。Sheisdressedasthoughforafestival。）
EVADNE（chanting）
Whatlight，whatradiancydidthesun—god’scardartforth，andthemoonathwartthefirmament，whileroundherinthegloomswiftstarscareered，inthedaythatthecityofArgosraisedthestatelychantofjoyatmywedding，inhonourofmymarriagewithmail—cladCapaneus？Nowfrommyhomeinfrantichastewithfrenziedmindrushtojointhee，seekingtosharewiththeethefire’sbrightflameandtheself—sametomb，toridmeofmywearylifeinHades’halls，andofthepainsoflife；yea，for’tisthesweetestendtosharethedeathofthosewelove，ifonlyfatewillsanctionit。
LEADEROFTHECHORUS
Beholdyonpyre，whichthouartoverlooking，nighthereto，setapartforZeus！Thereisthyhusband’sbody，vanquishedbytheblazingbolt。
EVADNE（chanting）
Life’sgoalInowbeholdfrommystationhere；mayfortuneaidmeinmyheadlongleapfromthisrockinhonour’scause，downintothefirebelow。tomixmyashesintheruddyblazewithmyhusband’s，tolaymesidebysidewithhim，thereinthecouchofPersephone；forne’erwilltosavemylife，proveuntruetotheewherethouliestinthygrave。Awaywithlifeandmarriagetoo！Oh！maymychildrenlivetoseethedawnofafairer，happierwedding—dayinArgos！Mayloyaltyinspirethehusband’sheart，hisnaturefusingwithhiswife’s！
LEADER
Lo！theagedIphis，thyfather，drawethnightohearthystartlingspeech，whichyetheknowsnotandwillgrievetolearn。
（IPHISenters。）
IPHIS
Unhappychild！lo！Iamcome，apooroldman，withtwofoldsorrowinmyhousetomourn，thatImaycarrytohisnativelandthecorpseofmysonEteoclus，slainbytheThebanspear，andfurtherinquestofmydaughterwhorushedheadlongfromthehouse，forshewasthewifeofCapaneusandlongedwithhimtodie。Erethisshewaswellguardedinmyhouse，but，whenItookthewatchawayinthepresenttroubles，sheescaped。ButIfeelsurethatsheishere；tellmeifyehaveseenher。
EVADNE
Whyquestionthem？Lo，hereupontherock，father，o’erthepyreofCapaneus，likesomebirdIhoverlightly，inmywretchedness。
IPHIS
Whatwindhathblowntheehither，child？Whitherthyjourney？
Whydidstthoupassthethresholdofmyhouseandseekthisland？
EVADNE
ItwouldbutangertheetohearwhatIintend，andsoIfainwouldkeeptheeignorant，myfather。
IPHIS
Whathathnotthyownfatherarighttoknow？
EVADNE
Thouwouldstnotwiselyjudgemypurpose。
IPHIS
Whydostthoudeckthyselfinthatapparel？
EVADNE
Apurportstrangethisrobeconveys，father。
IPHIS
Thouhastnolookofmourningforthylord。
EVADNE
No，thereasonwhyIthusamdeckedisstrange，maybe。
IPHIS
Dostthouinsuchgarbappearbeforeafuneral—pyre？
EVADNE
Yea，forhitheritisIcometotakethemeedofvictory。
IPHIS
\"Victory！\"Whatvictory？ThiswouldIlearnofthee。
EVADNE
Avictoryo’erallwomenonwhomthesunlooksdown。
IPHIS
InAthena’shandiworkorinprudentcounsel？
EVADNE
Inbravery；forIwilllaymedownanddiewithmylord。
IPHIS
Whatdostthousay？Whatisthissillyriddlethoupropoundest？
EVADNE
ToyonderpyrewhereliesdeadCapaneus，Iwillleapdown。
IPHIS
Mydaughter，speaknotthusbeforethemultitude！
EVADNE
TheverythingIwish，thateveryArgiveshouldlearnit。
IPHIS
Nay，Iwillne’erconsenttolettheedothisdeed。
EVADNE
’Tisallone；thoushaltnevercatchmeinthygrasp。Lo！Icastmedown，nojoytothee，buttomyselfandtomyhusbandblazingonthepyrewithme。
（Sheleapsintothepyre。）
CHORUS（chanting）
Olady，thouhastdoneafearfuldeed！
IPHIS
Ahme！Iamundone，yedamesofArgos！
CHORUS（chanting）
Alack，alack！acruelblowisthistothee，butthoumustyetwitness，poorwretch，thefullhorrorofthisdeed。
IPHIS
Amoreunhappywretchthanmeyecouldnotfind。
CHORUS（chanting）
Woeforthee，unhappyman！Thou，oldsir，hastbeenmadepartakerinthefortuneofOedipus，thouandmypoorcitytoo。
IPHIS
Ah，whyaremortalmendeniedthisboon，tolivetheiryouthtwiceo’er，andtwiceinturntoreacholdage？Ifaughtgoeswrongwithinourhomes，wesetitrightbyjudgmentmorematurelyformed，butourlifewemaynotsocorrect。Nowifwehadasecondspellofyouthandage，thisdoubletermoflifewouldletusthencorrecteachpreviousslip。ForI，seeingothersblestwithchildren，longedtohavethemtoo，andfoundmyruininthatwish。WhereasifIhadhadpresentexperience，andbyafather’slighthadlearnthowcruelathingitistobebereftofchildren，nevershouldhavefallenonsuchevildaysasthese，—Iwhodidbegetabraveyoungson，proudparentthatIwas，andafterallamnowbereftofhim。Enoughofthis。Whatremainsforsuchahaplesswretchasme？ShallItomyhome，theretoseeitsutterdesolationandtheblankwithinmylife？orshalltothehallsofthatdeadCapaneus？—hallsIsmiledtoseeindaysgoneby，whenyetmydaughterwasalive。Butsheislostandgone，shethatwouldeverdrawdownmycheektoherlips，andtakemyheadbetweenherhands；fornaughtistheremoresweetuntoanagedsirethanadaughter’slove；oursonsaremadeofsternerstuff，butlesswinningaretheircaresses。Oh！takemetomyhouseatonce，indarknesshidemethere，towasteandfretthisagedframewithfasting！Whatshallitavailmetotouchmydaughter’sbones？Oldage，resistlessfoe，howdoIloathethypresence！ThemtooIhate，whosodesiretolengthenoutthespanoflife，seekingtoturnthetideofdeathasidebyphiltres，drugs，andmagicspells，—folkthatdeathshouldtakeawaytoleavetheyoungtheirplace，whentheynomorecanbenefittheworld。
（IPHISdeparts。Aprocessionentersfromthedirectionofthepyre，ledbytheCHILDRENoftheslainchieftains，whocarrytheashesoftheirfathersinfuneralurns。
ThefollowinglinesbetweentheCHORUSandtheCHILDRENarechantedresponsively。）
CHORUS
Woe，woe！Beholdyourdeadsons’bonesarebroughthither；takethem，servantsofyourweakoldmistress，forinmeisnostrengthleftbyreasonofmymourningformysons；time’scomradelonghaveIbeen，andmanyatearformanyasorrowhaveIshed。Forwhatsharperpangwiltthoueverfindformortalsthanthesightofchildrendead？
CHILDREN
Poormothermine，beholdIbringmyfather’sbonesgatheredfromthefire，aburdengriefhasrenderedheavy，thoughthistinyurncontainsmyall。
CHORUS
Ahme！ahme！Whybearthytearfulloadtothefondmotherofthedead，ahandfulofashesinthesteadofthosewhoerstweremenofmarkinMycenae？
CHILDREN
Woeworththehour！woeworththeday！Reftofmyhaplesssire，awretchedorphanshallIinheritadesolatehouse，tornfrommyfather’sarms。
CHORUS
Woeisthee！WhereisnowthetoilIspentuponmysons？whatthankhaveIfornightlywatch？Wherethemother’snursingcare？thesleeplessvigilsmineeyeshavekept？thelovingkissuponmychildren’sbrow？
CHILDREN
Thysonsaredeadandgone。Poormother！deadandgone；theboundlessairnowwrapsthemround。
CHORUS
Turnedtoashesbytheflame，theyhavewingedtheirflightto，Hades。
CHILDREN
Father，thouhearestthychildren’slamentation；say，shallI
e’er，aswarriordight，avengethyslaughter？
CHORUS
Godgrantit，OmychildCHILDREN
Someday，ifgodsowill，shalltheavengingofmyfatherbemytask；notyetthissorrowsleeps。
CHORUS
Alas！Fortune’ssorrowsareenoughforme，Ihaveenoughoftroublesnow。
CHILDREN
ShallAsopus’laughingtideeverreflectmybrazenarmsasI
leadonmyArgivetroops？
CHORUS
Toavengethyfallensire。
CHILDREN
MethinksIseetheestillbeforemyeye，myfather—
CHORUS
Printingalovingkissuponthycheek。
CHILDREN
Butthywordsofexhortationareborneonthewindsaway。
CHORUS
Twomournershathheleftbehind，thymotherandthee，bequeathingtotheeanendlesslegacyofgriefforthyfather。
CHILDREN
TheweightofgriefIhavetobearhathcrushedmeutterly。
CHORUS
Come，letmeclasptheashesofmysontomybosom。
CHILDREN
Iweeptohearthatpiteousword；’itstabsmetotheheart，CHORUS
Mychild，thouartundone；nomoreshallIbeholdthee，thyownfondmother’streasure。
THESEUS
Adrastus，andyedamesfromArgossprung，yeseethesechildrenbearingintheirhandsthebodiesoftheirvaliantsireswhomI
redeemed；totheeIgivethesegifts，IandAthens。Andyemustbearinmindthememoryofthisfavour，markingwellthetreatmentyehavehadofme。AndtothesechildrenIrepeattheself—samewords，thattheymayhonourthiscity，tochildren’schildreneverhandingonthekindnessyereceivedfromus。BeZeusthewitness，withthegodsinheaven，ofthetreatmentwevouchsafedyouereyouleftus。
ADRASTUS
Theseus，wellweknowallthekindnessthouhastconferreduponthelandofArgosinherneed，andoursshallbeagratitudethatneverwaxethold，foryourgeneroustreatmentmakesusdebtorsforalikereturn。
THESEUS
Whatyetremains，whereinIcanserveyou？
ADRASTUS
Faretheewell，forsuchisthydesertandsuchthycity’stoo。
THESEUS
Evenso。Maystthoutoohavetheself—samefortune！
（ATHENAappearsfromabove。）
ATHENA
Hearken，Theseus，tothewordsthatIAthenautter，tellingtheethyduty，which，ifthouperformit，willservethycity。GivenotthesebonestothechildrentocarrytothelandofArgos，lettingthemgosolightly；nay，takefirstanoathofthemthattheywillrequitetheeandthycityforyourefforts。ThisoathmustAdrastusswear，forastheirkingitishisrighttotaketheoathforthewholerealmofArgos。Andthisshallbetheformthereof：\"WeArgivesswearweneverwillagainstthislandleadonourmail—cladtroopstowar，and，ifotherscome，wewillrepelthem。\"Butiftheyviolatetheiroathandcomeagainstthecity，praythatthelandofArgosmaybemiserablydestroyed。NowhearkenwhileItelltheewherethoumustslaythevictims。Thouhastwithinthyhallsatripodwithbrazenfeet，whichHeracles，indaysgoneby，afterhehado’erthrownthefoundationsofIliumandwasstartingonanotherenterprise，enjoinedthetosetupatthePythianshrine。O’eritcutthethroatsofthreesheep；thengravewithinthetripod’shollowbellytheoath；thisdone，deliverittothegodwhowatchesoverDelphitokeep，awitnessandmemorialuntoHellasoftheoath。
Andburythesharp—edgedknife，wherewiththoushalthavelaidthevictimsopenandshedtheirblood，deepinthebowelsoftheearth，hardbythepyreswherethesevenchieftainsburn；foritsappearanceshallstrikethemwithdismay，ife’eragainstthytowntheycome，andshallcausethemtoreturnwithsorrow。Whenthouhastdoneallthis，dismissthedeadfromthyland。Andtothegodresignassacredlandthespotwheretheirbodieswerepurifiedbyfire，therebythemeetingofthetripleroadsthatleaduntotheIsthmus。Thusmuchtothee，Theseus，address；nexttothesonsofArgosIspeak；whenyearegrowntomen’sestate，thetownbesideIsmenusshallyesack，avengingtheslaughterofyourdeadsires；thoutoo，Aegialeus，shalttakethyfather’splaceandinthyyouthcommandthehost，andwiththeeTydeus’sonmarchingfromAetolia，—himwhomhisfathernamedDiomedes。Soonasthebeardsyourcheekso’ershadowmustyeleadanarmedDanaidhostagainstthebattlementsofThebeswithsevenfoldgates。Fortotheirsorrowshallyecomelikelion’swhelpsinfull—grownmighttosacktheircity。Nootherwiseisittobe；andyeshallbeathemeforminstrels’songsindaystocome，knownthroughHellasas\"theAfter—born\"；sofamousshallyourexpeditionbe，thankstoHeaven。
THESEUS
QueenAthena，Iwillhearkentothybidding；forthouitisdostsetmeup，sothatIgonotastray。AndIwillbindthismonarchbyanoath；dothoubutguidemystepsaright。Forifthouartfriendlytoourstate，weshallhenceforthlivesecure。
（ATHENAvanishes。）
CHORUS（chanting）
Letusgo，Adrastus，andtaketheoathtothismonarchandhisstate；fortheservicetheyhavealreadydoneusclaimsourreverence。