The. Why are they come to us, with suppliant hand outstretched?
Æth. I know; but 'tis for them to tell their story, my son.
The. To thee, in thy mantle muffled, I address my inquiries; unveil thy head, let lamentation be, and speak; for naught can be achieved save through the utterance of thy tongue.[1]
Adr. Victorious prince of the Athenian realm, Theseus, to thee and to thy city I, a suppliant, come.
The. What seekest thou? What need is thine?
Adr. Dost know how I did lead an expedition to its ruin?
The. Assuredly; thou didst not pass through Hellas, all in silence.
Adr. There I lost the pick of Argos' sons.
The. These are the results of that unhappy war.
Adr. I went and craved their bodies from Thebes.
The. Didst thou rely on heralds, Hermes' servants, in order to bury them?
Adr. I did; and even then their slayers said me nay.
The. Why, what say they to thy just request?
Adr. Say! Success makes them forget how to bear their fortune.
The. Art come to me then for counsel? or wherefore?
Adr. With the wish that thou, O Theseus, shouldst recover the sons of the Argives.
The. Where is your Argos now? were its vauntings all in vain?
Adr. Defeat and ruin are our lot. To thee for aid we come.
The. Is this thy own private resolve, or the wish of all the city?
- ↑ Markland's emendation περᾷς . . . ἰών, is certainly tempting. Hartung adopts it; but Paley and Nauck, whom I have followed, retain the old reading πέρας . . . ἰόν.
