Leader: Lo! the aged Iphis, thy father, draweth nigh to hear thy startling
speech, which yet he knows not and will grieve to learn. (Iphis enters.)
Iphis: Unhappy child! lo! I am come, a poor old man, with twofold
sorrow in my house to mourn, that I may carry to his native land the
corpse of my son Eteoclus, slain by the Theban spear, and further
in quest of my daughter who rushed headlong from the house, for she
was the wife of Capaneus and longed with him to die. Ere this she
was well guarded in my house, but, when I took the watch away in the
present troubles, she escaped. But I feel sure that she is here; tell
me if ye have seen her.
Evadne: Why question them? Lo, here upon the rock, father, o'er the
pyre of Capaneus, like some bird I hover lightly, in my wretchedness.
Iphis: What wind hath blown thee hither, child? Whither thy journey?
Why didst thou pass the threshold of my house and seek this land?
Evadne: It would but anger thee to hear what I intend, and so I fain
would keep thee ignorant, my father.
Studies
