What means it, mother? ’Tis thine to make it plain to me, mine to listen; yea, for I expect some tidings strange. AethraMy son, these are the mothers of those chieftains seven, who fell around the gates of Cadmus’ town. With suppliant boughs they keep me prisoner, as thou seest, in their midst.TheseusAnd who is yonder man, that moaneth piteously in the gateway?AethraAdrastus, they inform me, king of Argos.TheseusAre those his children, those boys who stand round him?AethraNot his, but the sons of the fallen slain.TheseusWhy are they come to us, with suppliant hand outstretched?AethraI know; but ’tis for them to tell their story, my son.TheseusTo 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.AdrastusrisingVictorious prince of the Athenian realm, Theseus, to thee and to thy city I, a suppliant, come. TheseusWhat seekest thou? What need is thine?AdrastusDost know how I did lead an expedition to its ruin? TheseusAssuredly; thou didst not pass through Hellas, all in silence.AdrastusThere I lost the pick of Argos’ sons.TheseusThese are the results of that unhappy war. AdrastusI went and craved their bodies from Thebes.