Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/141

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THE CHILDREN OF HERAKLES.
85

For churl he is. Let wise men pray to strive
With wise men, not with graceless arrogance.
So, if one fall, he stoops to a chivalrous foe. 460


Chorus.

O ancient, upon Athens cast not blame!
Haply 'twere false,[1] yet foul reproach were this
That we abandoned stranger-suppliants.


Demophon.

Noble thine offer: yet it cannot be.
Not craving thee doth this king hither march: 465
For of what profit to Eurystheus were
An old man's death? Nay, these he lusts to slay.
For dangerous to foes are high-born youths
Growing to man, and brooding on sires' wrongs:[2]
And all this he foresees, he needs must so. 470
If any rede thou knowest more than this
In season, set it forth: I am desperate.
Hearing those oracles, and full of fear.

Enter Makaria from the temple.


Makaria.

Strangers, impute not for my coming forth
Boldness to me; this is my first request; 475
Since for a woman silence and discretion
Be fairest, and still tarrying in the home.
But, Iolaus, I heard thy moans, and came,—
Though I be not ordained mine house's head,

  1. ↑ The Aldine κέρδος has no MS. authority (Paley).
  2. ↑ Cf. Andromache, l. 521.
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