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。