Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1894) v1.djvu/431

Rh Know that Gods live, and feel my load of ill

Lighter, since these have paid the penalty.

Zeus, wherefore do they say that wretched man

Is wise? For lo, we hang upon thy skirts,

And that we do, it is but as thou wilt.

We deemed before our Argos none might stand,

Ourselves, a countless host of lusty arms;

And, when Eteokles terms of peace,

Fair was his offer, yet we would not hear;

So were undone. Now, prospering in their turn,

Like beggar-wight with sudden-gotten wealth,

Wanton they waxed, and perished in their pride

Kadmus' mad-hearted sons. O foolish men,

Who, straining with the bow beyond the mark,

And suffering many ills at justice' hand,

To friends at last yield not, but circumstance!

Ye states, which might by parley end your feuds,

By bloodshed, not by words, decide your wrongs.

Yet wherefore this?—Fain would I know of thee

How thou didst 'scape; then will I ask the rest.

When tumult's battle-earthquake shook the town,

Through that gate slipt I where the host poured in.

And the dead bring ye, cause of all the strife?

Even all which captained those seven bands renowned.