EURIPIDES
Lycus
(Within.)
Help! Help!
Chorus
ANTISTROPHE i
From within the song begins 750
I long to hear. That cry
was prelude to his death:
the tyrant's death is near.
Lycus
O land of Cadmus! Treachery! I die!
Chorus
Die: you would have killed. Show your boldness now 755
as you repay to justice all you owe.
What lying mortal made that fable
that mindless tale
that slander on the blessed?
Who denied the gods are strong?
Old friends, the godless man is dead! 760
The house is silent. Turn to the dances!
Those I love now prosper as I hoped.
STROPHE 2
Let dance and feasting now prevail
throughout this holy town of Thebes!
Joy and mourning change their places, 765
old disaster turns to dancing!
Change now rings my change of song!
The new king runs to death, the old king rules!
Our king runs home from Hades' harbor! 770
He comes again, he comes, my king and hope,
of whom my hope despaired.