Theseus, that they dared to die before the towers; for noble nurture carries honour with it, and every man, when once he hath practised virtue, scorns the name of villain. Courage may be learnt, for even a babe doth learn to speak and hear things it cannot comprehend; and whatso’er a childReading παῖς with Valckenaer. hath learnt, this it is his wont to treasure up till he is old. So train up your children in a virtuous way.

ChorusAlas! my son, to sorrow I bare thee and carried thee within my womb, enduring the pangs of travail; but now Hades takes the fruit of all my hapless toil, and I that; had a son am left, ah me! with none to nurse my age.

TheseusAs for the noble son of Oecleus, him, while yet he lived, the gods snatched hence to the bowels of the earth, and. his chariot too, manifestly blessing him; while I myself may truthfully tell the praises of the son of Oedipus, that is, Polynices, for he was my guest-friend ere he left the town of Cadmus and crossed to Argos in voluntary exile. But dost thou know what I would have thee do in this matter?AdrastusI know naught save this,—to yield obedience to thy hests. TheseusAs for yon Capaneus, stricken by the bolt of Zeus—AdrastusWilt bury him apart as a consecrated corpse? TheseusEven so; but all the rest on one funeral pyre. AdrastusWhere wilt thou set the tomb apart for him? TheseusHere near this temple have I builded him a sepulchre.AdrastusThy thralls forthwith must undertake this toil.TheseusMyself will look to those others; let the biers advance.AdrastusApproach your sons, unhappy mothers.TheseusThis thy proposal, Adrastus, is anything but good.