THE HERACLEIDAE
O children, these are really friends in need.
If you should ever see your native land 310
And home again and there receive your due,
Remember them as friends who saved your lives.
With this in mind, don't ever fight with them
At all, but treat them as your best allies.
They've earned your full respect by taking on 315
A formidable enemy on our
Account. Though we'd no place to lay our heads,
They didn't drive us out or let us go
For all of that. And I for one must say
That while I live and breathe—and after, too— 320
I'll honor you like Theseus and I'll sing
Your praises everywhere and tell the world
How well you treated and protected these
Young children. You've kept up your father's name
In Greece. You're living up to the high standard 325
Set by your great family in every way.
That's most unusual. You'll find, I think,
That very few men match their fathers now.
Chorus
We've always felt it was the decent thing
To succor men who couldn't help themselves. 330
We've fought for others many times before,
And now we see a new war coming up.
Demophon
Thank you. I'm sure of your sincerity,
Old man, and that you're grateful, as you say.
And now I've got to mobilize my men 335
And station them so that the enemy
Will get a hot reception. First my scouts
Will go to see we're not caught by surprise.
The Argives waste no time in their attacks.
Meanwhile I'll sacrifice with seers, but 340
You take the children from this altar and
Go to my palace. You'll be in good hands
While this keeps me away. Why, go ahead.
MS