And who is yonder man, that moaneth piteously in the gateway?AethraAdrastus, they inform me, king of Argos.TheseusAre those his children, those boys who stand round him?AethraNot his, but the sons of the fallen slain.TheseusWhy are they come to us, with suppliant hand outstretched?AethraI know; but ’tis for them to tell their story, my son.TheseusTo thee, in thy mantle muffled, I address my inquiries; unveil thy head, let lamentation be, and speak; for naught can be achieved save through the utterance of thy tongue.Markland’s emendation περᾷς … ’ιών, is certainly tempting. Hartung adopts it; but Paley and Nauck, whom I have followed, retain the old reading πάρας … ’ιόν.AdrastusrisingVictorious prince of the Athenian realm, Theseus, to thee and to thy city I, a suppliant, come. TheseusWhat seekest thou? What need is thine?AdrastusDost know how I did lead an expedition to its ruin? TheseusAssuredly; thou didst not pass through Hellas, all in silence.AdrastusThere I lost the pick of Argos’ sons.TheseusThese are the results of that unhappy war. AdrastusI went and craved their bodies from Thebes.TheseusDidst thou rely on heralds, Hermes’ servants, in order to bury them? AdrastusI did; and even then their slayers said me nay.TheseusWhy, what say they to thy just request?AdrastusSay! Success makes them forget how to bear their fortune.TheseusArt come to me then for counsel? or wherefore?AdrastusWith the wish that thou, O Theseus, shouldst recover the sons of the Argives.TheseusWhere is your Argos now? were its vauntings all in vain?AdrastusDefeat and ruin are our lot. To thee for aid we come.Theseus this thy own private resolve, or the wish of all the city?AdrastusThe sons of Danaus, one and all, implore thee to bury the dead.TheseusWhy didst lead thy seven armies against Thebes?AdrastusTo confer that favour on the husbands of my daughters twain.TheseusTo which of the Argives didst thou give thy daughters in marriage?AdrastusI made no match for them with kinsmen of my family.TheseusWhat! didst give Argive maids to foreign lords?AdrastusYea, to Tydeus, and to Polynices, who was Theban-born.