The Suppliants (1031-1075)

Lo! the aged Iphis, thy father, draweth nigh to hear thy startling scheme, which yet he knows not and will grieve to learn.

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 Eteocles, 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.

Why question them? Lo, here upon the rock, father, o’er the pyre of Capaneus, like some bird I hover lightly, in my wretchedness.

What wind hath blown thee hither, child? Whither away? Why didst thou pass the threshold of my house and seek this land?

It would but anger thee to hear what I intend, and so I fain would keep thee ignorant, my father.

What! hath not thy own father a right to know?

Thou wouldst not wisely judge my intention.

Why dost thou deck thyself in that apparel?

A purport strange this robe conveys, father.

Thou hast no look of mourning for thy lord.

No, the reason why I thus am decked is strange, maybe.

Dost thou in such garb appear before a funeral-pyre?

Yea, for hither it is I come to take the meed of victory.

Victory! what victory? This would I learn of thee.

A victory o’er all women on whom the sun looks down.

In Athena’s handiwork or in prudent counsel?

In bravery; for I will lay me down and die with my lord.

What dost thou say? What is this silly riddle thou propoundest?

To yonder pyre where lies dead Capaneus, I will leap down.

My daughter, speak not thus before the multitude!

The very thing I wish, that every Argive should learn it.

Nay, I will ne’er consent to let thee do this deed.

(as she is throwing herself). ’Tis all one; thou shalt never catch me in thy grasp.

Lo! I cast me down, no joy to thee, but to myself and to my husband blazing on the pyre with me.