THE BOOK WAS DRENCHED - OUDL Home

938 Euripides [731-761]
LEADER
Now do I believe in the gods after seeing this unexpected day, and I
feel my woes are lighter now that these have paid their penalty.
ADRASTUS
O Zeus, why do men assert the wisdom of the wretched human race?
On thee we all depend, and all we do is only what thou listest. We thought
our Argos irresistible, ourselves a young and lusty host, and so when
Eteocles was for making terms, in spite of his fair offer we would not
accept them, and so we perished. Then in their turn those foolish folk of
Cadmus, to fortune raised, like some beggar with his newly-gotten wealth,
waxed wanton, and, waxing so, were ruined in their turn. Ye foolish sons
of men! who strain your bow like men who shoot beyond their mark, and
only by suffering many evils as ye deserve, though deaf to friends, yet
yield to circumstances; ye cities likewise, though ye might by parley end
your ills, yet ye choose the sword instead of reason to settle all disputes.
But wherefore these reflections? This I fain would learn, the way thou
didst escape; and after that I will ask thee of the rest.
MESSENGER
During the uproar which prevailed in the city owing to the battle, I
passed the gates, just as the host had entered them.
ADRASTUS
Are ye bringing the bodies, for the which the strife arose?
MESSENGER
Ay, each of the seven chiefs who led their famous hosts.
ADRASTUS
What sayest thou? the rest who fell—say, where are they?
MESSENGER
They have found burial in the dells of Cithaeron.
ADRASTUS
On this or that side of the mount? And who did bury them?
MESSENGER
Theseus buried them 'neath the shadow of Eleutherae's cliff.
ADRASTUS
Where didst thou leave the dead he hath not buried?
MESSENGER
Not far away; earnest haste makes every goal look close.