View:
By Scene
Theseus
As for the noble son of Oecleus, him, while yet he lived, the gods snatched hence to the bowels of the earth, and. his chariot too, manifestly blessing him; while I myself may truthfully tell the praises of the son of Oedipus, that is, Polynices,
925
for he was my guest-friend ere he left the town of Cadmus and crossed to
Argos
in voluntary exile. But dost thou know what I would have thee do in this matter?
930
As for the noble son of Oecleus, him, while yet he lived, the gods snatched hence to the bowels of the earth, and. his chariot too, manifestly blessing him; while I myself may truthfully tell the praises of the son of Oedipus, that is, Polynices,
925
for he was my guest-friend ere he left the town of Cadmus and crossed to
Argos
in voluntary exile. But dost thou know what I would have thee do in this matter?
930
Adrastus
I know naught save this,—to yield obedience to thy hests.
I know naught save this,—to yield obedience to thy hests.
Theseus
As for yon Capaneus, stricken by the bolt of Zeus—
As for yon Capaneus, stricken by the bolt of Zeus—
Adrastus
Wilt bury him apart as a consecrated corpse?
935
Wilt bury him apart as a consecrated corpse?
935
Theseus
Even so; but all the rest on one funeral pyre.
Even so; but all the rest on one funeral pyre.
Adrastus
Where wilt thou set the tomb apart for him?
Where wilt thou set the tomb apart for him?
Theseus
Here near this temple have I builded him a sepulchre.
Here near this temple have I builded him a sepulchre.
Adrastus
Thy thralls forthwith must undertake this toil.
Thy thralls forthwith must undertake this toil.
Theseus
Myself will look to those others; let the biers advance.
940
Myself will look to those others; let the biers advance.
940
Adrastus
Approach your sons, unhappy mothers.
Approach your sons, unhappy mothers.
Theseus
This thy proposal, Adrastus, is anything but good.
This thy proposal, Adrastus, is anything but good.
Adrastus
Must not the mothers touch their sons?
Must not the mothers touch their sons?
Theseus
It would kill them to see how they are altered.
It would kill them to see how they are altered.
Adrastus
’Tis bitter, truly, to see the dead even
1
at the moment of death.
945
’Tis bitter, truly, to see the dead even
1
at the moment of death.
945
Theseus
Why then wilt thou add fresh grief to them?
Why then wilt thou add fresh grief to them?
Adrastus
Thou art right. Ye
2
needs must patiently abide, for the words of Theseus are good. But when we have committed them unto the flames, ye shall collect their bones. O wretched sons of men!
Why do ye get you weapons and bring slaughter on one another? Cease therefrom, give o’er your toiling, and in mutual peace keep safe your cities. Short is the span of life, so ’twere best to run its course as lightly as we may, from trouble free.
950
Thou art right. Ye
2
needs must patiently abide, for the words of Theseus are good. But when we have committed them unto the flames, ye shall collect their bones. O wretched sons of men!
Why do ye get you weapons and bring slaughter on one another? Cease therefrom, give o’er your toiling, and in mutual peace keep safe your cities. Short is the span of life, so ’twere best to run its course as lightly as we may, from trouble free.
950
The Suppliant Maidens. Euripides. E. P. Coleridge (Translator). London. 1906.
Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.
Funding provided by Tufts University.