To where thy father waits. Faint wax my knees;
Journeying so long, scarce have I strength to go.
Kreon.
Take heart, Teiresias, thou art nigh thy friends,845
And thy foot's anchorage. Grasp his hand, my child.
Mule-car and agèd foot alike are wont
To await the upbearing of another's hand.[1]
Teiresias.
Here am I. Why this instant summons, Kreon?
Kreon.
We have not forgotten. Gather strength, regain850
Thy breath, cast off thy journey's toil and strain.
Teiresias.
Sooth am I spent with toil, brought hitherward
But yesterday from King Erechtheus' folk.
There too was war, against Eumolpus' spear,
Where I to Kekrops' sons gave victory.855
This crown of gold, as thou mayst see, have I
As firstfruits of the foemen's spoils received.
Kreon.
I take thy triumph-crown for omen fair;
For we are, as thou knowest, in mid-surge
Of Danaïd war, and Thebes must wrestle hard.860
King Eteokles, clad in war-array,
- ↑ The mule-car was used by ladies, who required (cf. Electra, 999, and Iph. Aul., 617) a supporting hand in alighting, just as the old man did in walking.
