Epeisodion 2
Theseus
Ay, with all wanton villains; virtue I punish not.
575
Herald
To meddle is aye thy wont and thy city’s too.
Theseus
Hence her enterprise on many a held hath won her frequent success.
Herald
Come then, that the warriors of the dragon-crop may catch thee in our city.
Theseus
What furious warrior-host could spring from dragon’s seed?
Herald
Thou shalt learn that to thy cost. As yet thou art young and rash.
580
Theseus
Thy boastful speech stirs not my heart at all to rage. Yet get thee gone from my land, taking with thee the idle words thou broughtest; for we are making no advance. [Exit Herald.]
’Tis time for all to start,
each stout footman, and whoso mounts the car; ’tis time the bit, dripping with foam, should urge the charger on toward the land of Cadmus. For I will march in person to the seven gates thereof
585
with the sharp sword in my hand, and be myself my herald. But thee, Adrastus, I bid stay, nor blend with mine thy fortunes, for I will take my own good star to lead my host, a chieftain famed in famous deeds of arms. One thing alone I need, the favour of all gods that reverence right, for the presence of these things
590
insures victory. For their valour availeth men naught, unless they have the god’s goodwill. [Exit Theseus.
595
