Iolaus Sirs, no island life I lead, but from Mycenae to thy land I come.
Chorus What do they call thee, aged sir, those folk in Mycenae?
Iolaus Maybe ye have heard of Iolaus, the comrade of Heracles, for he was not unknown to fame.
Chorus Yea, I have heard of him in bygone days; but tell me, whose are the tender boys thou bearest in thine arms?
Iolaus These, sirs, are the sons of Heracles, come as suppliants to you and your city.
Chorus What is their quest? Are they anxious, tell me, to obtain an audience of the state?
Iolaus That so they may escape surrender, nor be torn with violence from thy altars, and brought to Argos.
Copreus Nay, this will nowise satisfy thy masters, who o’er thee have a right, and so have tracked thee hither.
Chorus Stranger, ’tis but right we should reverence the gods’ suppliants, suffering none with violent hand to make them leave the altars, for that will dread Justice ne’er permit.
Copreus Do thou then drive these subjects of Eurystheus forth, and this hand of mine shall abstain from violence.
Chorus ’Twere impious for the state to neglect the suppliant stranger’s prayer.
Copreus Yet ’tis well to keep clear of troubles, by adopting that counsel, which is the wiser.
Chorus Thou then, shouldst have told the monarch of this land thy errand before being so bold, out of regard to his country’s freedom, instead of trying to drag strangers by force from the altars of the gods.
Copreus Who is monarch of this land and state?
Chorus Demophon, son of gallant Theseus.
Copreus Surely it were most to the purpose to discuss this matter somewhat with him; all else has been said in vain.
Chorus Lo! here he comes in person, in hot haste, and Acamas his brother, to hear what thou hast to say.
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