Alas! Fortune’s sorrows are enough for me, I have troubles and to spare already. ChildrenShall Asopus’ laughing tide ever reflect my brazen arms as I lead on my Argive troops?ChorusTo avenge thy fallen sire.

ChildrenMethinks I see thee still before my eyes, my father—ChorusPrinting a loving kiss upon thy cheek.ChildrenBut thy words of exhortation are borne on the winds away.ChorusTwo mourners hath he left behind, thy mother and thee, bequeathing to thee an endless legacy of grief for thy father.

ChildrenThe weight of grief I have to bear hath crushed me utterly.ChorusCome, let me clasp the ashes of my son to my bosom.ChildrenI weep to hear that piteous word; it stabs me to the heart.ChorusMy child, thou art undone; no more shall I behold thee, thy own fond mother’s treasure.

TheseusAdrastus, and ye dames from Argos sprung, ye see these children bearing in their hands the bodies of their valiant sires whom I redeemed; to thee I give these gifts, I and Athens. And ye must bear in mind the memory of this favour, marking well the treatment ye have had of me. And to these children I repeat the self-same words, that they may honour this city, to children’s children ever handing on the kindness ye received from us. Be Zeus the witness, with the gods in heaven, of the treatment we vouchsafed you ere you left us.AdrastusTheseus, well we know all the kindness thou hast conferred upon the land of Argos in her need, and ours shall be a gratitude that never waxeth old, for your generous treatment makes us debtors for a like return.TheseusWhat yet remains, wherein I can serve you?