Cho. What is their quest? Are they anxious, tell me, to obtain an audience of the state?
Iol. That so they may escape surrender, nor be torn with violence from thy altars, and brought to Argos.
Cop. Nay, this will nowise satisfy thy masters, who o'er thee have a right, and so have tracked thee hither.
Cho. Stranger, 'tis but right we should reverence the gods' suppliants, suffering none with violent hand to make them[1] leave the altars, for that will dread Justice ne'er permit.
Cop. Do thou then drive these subjects of Eurystheus forth, and this hand of mine shall abstain from violence.
Cho. 'Twere impious for the state to neglect the suppliant stranger's prayer.
Cop. Yet 'tis well to keep clear of troubles, by adopting that counsel, which is the wiser.
Cho. Thou then shouldst have told the monarch of this land thy errand before being so bold, out of regard to his country's freedom, instead of trying to drag strangers by force from the altars of the gods.
Cop. Who is monarch of this land and state?
Cho. Demophon, son of gallant Theseus.
Cop. Surely it were most to the purpose to discuss this matter somewhat with him; all else has been said in vain.
Cho. Lo! here he comes in person, in hot haste, and Acamas his brother, to hear what thou hast to say.
Dem. Since thou for all thy years hast outstripped younger men in coming to the rescue to this altar of Zeus, do thou tell me what hath chanced to bring this crowd together.
Cho. There sit the sons of Heracles as suppliants, having wreathed the altar, as thou seest, O king, and with them is Iolaus, trusty comrade of their sire.
- ↑ Reading σφε (Musgrave) for MS. σε. Schmidt, τάδ᾽ ἀλιτεῖν σ᾽ ἕδη "thee (i.e. Copreus) to transgress against."
