1st Half-Cho. Once more do we invoke the gods we called upon before; yea, in our fear this is our first and chiefest trust.
2nd Half-Cho. O Zeus, father to the child the heifer-mother bore in days long past, that daughter of Inachus!
1st Half-Cho. O be gracious, I pray, and champion this city!
2nd Half-Cho. 'Tis thy own darling, thy own settler in the city of Argos that I[1] am striving to rescue for the funeral pyre from outrageous insult.
Mes. Ladies, I bring you tidings of great joy, myself escaped—for I was taken prisoner in the battle which cost those chieftains seven their lives near Dirce's fount—to bear the news of Theseus' victory. But I will save thee tedious questioning; I was the servant of Capaneus, whom Zeus with scorching bolt to ashes burnt.
Cho. Friend of friends, fair thy news of thy own return, nor less the news about Theseus; and if the host of Athens, too, is safe, welcome will all thy message be.
Mes. 'Tis safe, and all hath happened as I would it had befallen Adrastus and his Argives, whom from Inachus he led, to march against the city of the Cadmeans.
Cho. How did the son of Ægeus and his fellow-warriors raise their trophy to Zeus? Tell us, for thou wert there and canst gladden us who were not.
Mes. Bright shone the sun, one levelled line of light, upon the world, as by Electra's gate I stood to watch, from a turret with a far outlook. And lo! I saw the host in three divisions, deploying its mail-clad warriors on the high ground by the banks of Ismenus; this last I heard;[2] and with them was the king himself, famous son of Ægeus; his own men,
