Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/124

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EURIPIDES.

Iolaus.

O ye, in Athens dwellers from of old,
Help! Suppliants we of Zeus of the Market-stead 70
Are evil-entreated, holy wreaths defiled,
To Athens' shame and to your Gods' dishonour!

Enter Chorus.

Chorus.

What ho! what outcry by the altar wakes?
Now what calamity shall this reveal?


Iolaus.

Behold ye!—the eld-stricken see 75
In his feebleness hurled to the ground, woe's me!


Chorus.

Of whom thus pitiably wast thou dashed down?


Iolaus.

This man, O strangers, sets thy Gods at naught,[1]
And drags me from the altar-floor of Zeus.


Chorus.

But from what land, O ancient, hast thou come 80
To the folk of the Four Burgs' federal home?
Were ye sped overseas by the brine-dipt oar
To our land from Eubœa's craggy shore?

  1. ↑ Iolaus, in his agitation, addresses himself sometimes to the whole Chorus (as though still appealing for their aid), and sometimes to their spokesman.
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