Euripides, Children of Heracles 236–287: First episode: Demophon refuses to give up the suppliants

Three aspects of the case constrain me, Iolaus, not to spurn the guests thou bringest; first and foremost, there is Zeus, at whose altar thou art seated with these tender children gathered round thee; next come ties of kin, and the debt I owe to treat them kindly for their father’s sake; and last, mine honour, which before all I must regard; for if I permit this altar to be violently despoiled by stranger hands, men will think the land I inhabit is free no more, and that through fear I have surrendered suppliants to Argives, and this comes nigh to make one hang oneself. Would that thou hadst come under a luckier star! yet, as it is, fear not that any man shall tear thee and these children from the altar by force. Get thee to Argos and tell Eurystheus so; yea and more, if he have any charge against these strangers, he shall have justice; but never shalt thou drag them hence.

Copreus Not even if I have right upon my side and prove my case?

Demophon How can it be right to drag the suppliant away by force?

Copreus Well, mine is the disgrace; no harm will come to thee.

Demophon Tis harm to me, if I let them be haled away by thee.

Copreus Banish them thyself, and then will I take them from elsewhere.

Demophon Nature made thee a fool, to think thou knowest better than the god.

Copreus It seems then evildoers are to find a refuge here.

Demophon A temple of the gods is an asylum open to the world.

Copreus Maybe they will not take this view in Mycensa.

Demophon What! am I not lord of this domain?

Copreus So long as thou injure not the Argives, and if wise, thou wilt not.

Demophon Be injured for all I care, provided I sin not against the gods.

Copreus I would not have thee come to blows with Argos.

Demophon I am of like mind in this; but I will not dismiss these from my protection.

Copreus For all that, I shall take and drag my own away.

Demophon Why then perhaps thou wilt find a difficulty in returning to Argos.

Copreus That shall I soon find out by making the attempt.

Demophon Touch them and thou shalt rue it, and that without delay.

Chorus I conjure thee, never dare to strike a herald.

Demophon Strike I will, unless that herald learn discretion.

Chorus Depart; and thou, O king, touch him not.

Copreus I go; for ’tis feeble fighting with a single arm. But I will come again, bringing hither a host of Argive troops, spearmen clad in bronze; for countless warriors are awaiting my return, and king Eurystheus in person at their head; anxiously he waits the issue here on the borders of Alcathous’ realm. And when he hears thy haughty answer, he will burst upon thee, and thy citizens, on this land and all that grows therein; for all in vain should we possess such hosts of picked young troops in Argos, should we forbear to punish thee.

Demophon Perdition seize thee ! I am not afraid of thy Argos. Be very sure thou shalt not drag these suppliants hence by force, to my shame; for I hold not this city subject unto Argos, but independently.