Epeisodion 3
Messenger
and loud he called to them, that the earth rang again, My sons, if ye cannot restrain the earth-born warriors’ stubborn spear, the cause of Pallas is lost. His word inspired new courage in all the DanaidPaley, Δαναιδῶν. Nauck, Κεκροπιδῶν. As applied to Athenians, the latter title is preferable. Musgrave, Κραναιδῶν. host. Therewith himself did seize a fearsome mace, weapon of Epidaurian warfare,
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and swung it to and fro, and with that club, as with a sickle, he shore off necks and heads and helmets thereupon. Scarce even then they turned them- selves to fly. For joy cried I, and danced
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and clapped my hands; while to the gates they ran. Throughout the town echoed the shrieks of young and old, as they crowded the temples in terror. But Theseus, when he might have come inside the walls, held back his men, for he had not come, said he,
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to sack the town, but to ask for the bodies of the dead.
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Such the general men should choose, one who shows his bravery in danger, yet hates the pride of those that in their hour of fortune lose the bliss they might have enjoyed,
through seeking to scale the ladder’s topmost step.
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Chorus
Now do I believe in the gods after seeing this unexpected day, and I feel my woes are lighter now that these have paid their penalty.
Adrastus
O Zeus, why do men assert the wisdom of the wretched
human race? On thee we all depend, and all we do is only what thou listest. We thought our Argos irresistible, ourselves a young and lusty host, and so when Eteocles was for making terms,
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in spite of his fair offer we would not accept them, and so we perished. Then in their turn those foolish folk of Cadmus, to fortune raised, like some beggar with his newly-gotten wealth, waxed wanton, and, waxing so, were ruined in their turn. Ye foolish sons of men! who strain your bow like men who shoot
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beyond their mark, and only by suffering many evils as ye deserve, though deaf to friends, yet yield to circumstances; ye cities likewise, though ye might by parley end your mischief, yet ye choose the sword instead of reason to settle all disputes.
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But wherefore these reflections? This I fain would learn, the way thou didst escape; and after that I will ask thee of the rest.
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Messenger
During the uproar which prevailed in the city owing to the battle, I passed the gates, just as the host had entered them.
Adrastus
Are ye bringing the bodies, for the which the strife arose?
Messenger
Ay, each of the seven chiefs who led their famous hosts.
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Adrastus
What sayest thou? the rest who fell—say, where are they?
Messenger
They have found burial in the dells of Cithseron.
Adrastus
On this or that side of the mount? And who did bury them?
Messenger
Theseus buried them ’neath the shadow of Eleutherae’s cliff.
Adrastus
Where didst thou leave the dead he hath not buried?
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