Euripides' SUPPLIANTS Complete

Translated by E. Coleridge.

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53 pages - You are on Page 32

Leader: Now do I believe in the gods after seeing this unexpected
day, and 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, 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 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 ills, yet ye choose the sword instead
of reason to settle all disputes. But wherefore these reflections?
This I fain would learn, the way thou didst escape; and after that
I will ask thee of the rest.

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?

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