am old! What need had I of children? Methinks I should not have suffered excessively, had I never borne the marriage-yoke; but now I have my sorrow full in view, the loss of children dear.
Lo! I see the bodies of the fallen youths. Woe is me! would I could join these children in their death and descend to Hades with them!
Adr. Mothers, raise the wail for the dead departed; cry in answer when ye hear my note of woe.
Cho. My sons, my sons! O bitter words for loving mothers to address to you! To thee, my lifeless child, I call.
Adr. Woe! woe!
Cho. Ah me, my sufferings!
Adr. Alas!
Cho. . . . .[1]
Adr. We have endured, alas!—
Cho. Sorrows most grievous.
Adr. O citizens of Argos! do ye not behold my fate?
Cho. They see thee, and me the hapless mother, reft of her children.
Adr. Bring near the blood-boltered corpses of those hapless chiefs, foully slain by foes unworthy, with whom lay the decision of the contest.
Cho. Let me embrace and hold my children to my bosom in my enfolding arms.
Adr. There, there! thou hast—
Cho. Sorrows heavy enough to bear.
Adr. Ah me!
Cho. Thy groans mingle with those of their parents.[2]
Adr. Hear me.
Cho. O'er both of us thou dost lament.
Adr. Would God the Theban ranks had laid me dead in the dust!
