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Theseus
[1165] Adrastus, and you women sprung from Argos, you see these children bearing in their hands the bodies of their valiant sires whom I redeemed; to you I give these gifts, I and Athens. And you must bear in mind the memory of this favor, [1170] marking well the treatment you have had of me. And to the children I repeat these same words, that you may honor this city, to children's children ever handing on the the memory of what you have received. Be Zeus the witness, with the gods in heaven, [1175] of the treatment we vouchsafed you before you left us. Adrastus
Theseus, well we know all the kindness you have conferred upon the land of Argos in her need, and ours shall be a gratitude that never grows old, for your generous treatment makes us debtors for a like return. Theseus
[1180] What still remains, where I can serve you? Adrastus
Fare well, for you are worthy of it, and your city too. Theseus
It will be so; may you too have the same fortune! Athena appears from above.
Athena
Athena
Hear, Theseus, these words of Athena, what you must do that will benefit you. [1185] Do not give these bones to the children to carry to the land of Argos, letting them go so lightly; no, first take an oath of them that they will requite you and your city for your efforts. This oath Adrastus must swear, for as their king it is his right [1190] to take the oath for the whole realm of Argos. And this will be the oath: for the Argives never to lead on armor-clad troops to war against this land, and, if others come, to repel them. But if they violate their oath and come against the city, [1195] that the land of Argos may be miserably destroyed in turn.
Euripides. The Complete Greek Drama, edited by Whitney J. Oates and Eugene O'Neill, Jr. in two volumes. 1. The Suppliants, translated by E. P. Coleridge. New York. Random House. 1938.
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