Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/130

As that whence thou didst drive these—not of right,
But, even as now, by vaunting Argos' power,— 195
These, suppliant at the altar as they sat!
If this shall be, if she but ratify
Thine bests, free Athens then no more I know.
Nay, her sons' nature know I, know their mood:
They will die sooner; for in brave men's eyes 200
The honour that fears shame is more than life.
Suffice for Athens this; for over-praise
Is odious: yea, myself have oftentimes,
Praised above measure, been but galled thereby.
But that thou canst not choose but save these boys 205
I would show thee, who rulest o'er this land.
Pittheus was Pelops' son: of Pittheus sprang
Aithra; of her was thy sire Theseus born.
Again, the lineage of these lads I trace:
Zeus' and Alkmena's son was Herakles: 210
She, child of Pelops' daughter: cousins then
Shall be thy father and the sire of these.
So their near kinsman art thou, Demophon:
But what requital—ties of blood apart—
Thou owest to these lads, I tell thee:—once 215
Shield-bearer to their sire, I sailed with him
To win for Theseus that Belt slaughter-fraught;^[1]
And from black gulfs of Hades he brought up
Thy sire: all Hellas witnesseth to this.
This to requite, one boon they crave of thee,— 220
Not to be given up, nor torn by force
From thy Gods' fanes, and banished from thy land;
For this were thy shame, Athens' bane withal,
That homeless suppliants, kinsmen,—ah, their woes!