THE HERACLEIDAE
Though butchery's his special field, 375
We'll hold our own if it should come
To handling a spear or shield.
He'd better keep his creatures from
Attacking Athens, hold his hand,
And not pollute our lovely land. 380
(Re-enter Demophon.)
lolctus
My son, why are you looking so depressed?
Bad news about the Argive movements? Don't
Keep us all guessing. Is all quiet or
Are they advancing? What their herald said
Is worth attention, as their king will come 385
Here as the pet of chance and of the gods,
And cordially detests this city, to boot.
Still, in the end, Zeus sees to it that no
One can afford such high and mighty airs.
Demophon
The Argives and their king are on the way.
I've reconnoitered, since a man who setfc 390
Up for a decent general has got
To see these things himself, not second-hand.
They haven't reached the plain; their leader keeps
Them on the rocky cliff. He's looking for
A way to bring his army to the heart 395
• Of Attica, and camp there, I should think,
Without unnecessary risk. And our
Own preparations are complete; the town
Is on a battle footing. We're about
To offer all the things up to the gods 400
Required to save us and to win the fight.
While priests a're sacrificing everywhere,
I've had all oracles, all old and well-known
Or confidential forecasts analyzed
To find out what to do. In most respects 405
They varied a great deal, but in one thing
They tally every one: we have to give
147