Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/460

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EURIPIDES.

Enter Theseus, with attendants.


Theseus.

I come, with them that by Asopus' stream
In arms are tarrying, Athens' warrior sons,
Ancient, to bring thy son my battle-aid. 1165
For rumour came to the Erechtheïds' town
That Lykus, this land's sceptred sway usurped,
For war had risen against you, and for fight.
And to requite the service done of him
Who out of Hades saved me, come I, ancient, 1170
If aught ye need mine hand or mine allies.
Ha! wherefore bears the earth this load of dead?
Have I been laggard?—have I come too late
To stay fell mischief? Who could slay these boys?
Whose wife is she, this woman that I see? 1175
Not boys, good sooth, are ranged to face the spear![1]
Sure, some unheard-of outrage here I find!


Amphitryon.

King, lord of the mount with the olives crowned—


Theseus.

Why hail'st thou me with preluding of woe?


Amphitryon.

Sore ills at the hands of the Gods have we found! 1180


Theseus.

What lads be these, for whom thou weepest so?

  1. ↑ A reference to l. 1168; meaning, "There can have been no true fight here, since these are corpses, not of men, but of children."
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