Rhesus

Euripides

Euripides. The Plays of Euripides, Translated into English Prose from the Text of Paley. Vol. I. Coleridge, Edward P., translator. London: George Bell and Sons, 1906.

  1. Fear nothing; all is quiet in the army, and Hector has gone to assign a sleeping-place to the Thracian army.
Paris
  1. You persuade me, and I believe your words, and will go to guard my post, free of fear.
Athena
  1. Go, for it is my pleasure ever to watch your interests, that so I may see my allies prosperous. Yes, and you too shall recognize my zeal. Exit Paris.
  2. In a loud voice, to Odysseus and Diomedes.Son of Laertes, I bid you sheath your whetted swords, you warriors all too keen.
  3. For the Thracian chief lies dead and his horses are captured, but the enemy know it, and are coming against you; fly with all speed to the ships’ station. Why delay saving your lives, when the enemy’s storm is just bursting on you?
Enter the Chorus, Odysseus and Diomedes.
Chorus
  1. Oh, oh! At them, at them! Strike them, strike them!
  2. Who goes there?
  3. Look; I mean that man. There are the thieves who in the gloom disturbed this army.
  4. Come here, here, everyone! I have them, I have clutched them fast.
  5. What is your company? Where did you come from? Who are you?
Odysseus
  1. It is not for you to know; for you will die today for your villainy.
Chorus
  1. Will you not declare the password, before my sword finds its way to your heart?
Odysseus
  1. Halt! Be of good heart.
Chorus
  1. Come near. Strike, everyone!
Odysseus
  1. What! have you slain Rhesus?
Chorus
  1. No, but you, who came to slay us—
Odysseus
  1. Stay, every man of you!
Chorus
  1. No, no, lay on!
Odysseus
  1. Ah! do not slay a friend!
Chorus
  1. What is the password, then?