Why are they come to us, with suppliant hand outstretched? Aethra I know; but ’tis for them to tell their story, my son. Theseus To 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 . Adrastus rising Victorious prince of the Athenian realm, Theseus, to thee and to thy city I, a suppliant, come.
 Theseus What seekest thou? What need is thine? Adrastus Dost know how I did lead an expedition to its ruin?
 Theseus Assuredly; thou didst not pass through Hellas , all in silence. Adrastus There I lost the pick of Argos ’ sons. Theseus These are the results of that unhappy war. Adrastus I went and craved their bodies from Thebes . Theseus Didst thou rely on heralds, Hermes’ servants, in order to bury them?
 Adrastus I did; and even then their slayers said me nay. Theseus Why, what say they to thy just request? Adrastus Say! Success makes them forget how to bear their
 fortune. Theseus Art come to me then for counsel? or wherefore? Adrastus With the wish that thou, O Theseus, shouldst recover the sons of the Argives. Theseus Where is your Argos now? were its vauntings all in vain? Adrastus Defeat and ruin are our lot. To thee for aid we come. Theseus this thy own private resolve, or the wish of all the city? Adrastus The sons of Danaus, one and all, implore thee to bury the dead. Theseus Why didst lead thy seven armies against Thebes ? Adrastus To confer that favour on the husbands of my daughters twain. Theseus To which of the Argives didst thou give thy daughters in marriage? Adrastus I made no match for them with kinsmen of my family. Theseus What! didst give Argive maids to foreign lords? Adrastus Yea, to Tydeus, and to Polynices, who was Theban-born.