an image to Zeus, who routs the foe, for their triumphant victory, whilst they bid me bring this prisoner to thee, wishing to gladden thy heart; for 'tis the sweetest sight to see a foe fall on evil days after prosperity.
Alc. Art come, thou hateful wretch? Hath Justice caught thee then at last? First, turn thy head this way to me, and endure to look thy enemies in the face, for thou art no more the ruler, but the slave. Art[1] thou the man—for this I fain would learn who didst presume to heap thy insults on my son, who now is where he is, thou miscreant? What outrage didst thou abstain from putting upon him? Thou that didst make him go down alive even to Hades, and wouldst send him with an order to slay hydras and lions? Thy other evil schemes I mention not, for to tell them were a tedious task for me. Nor did it content thee to venture thus far only; no! but from all Hellas wouldst thou drive me and my children, heaven's suppliants though we were, grey-heads some of us, and some still tender babes. But here hast thou found men and a free city, that feared not thee. Die in torment must thou, and e'en so wilt thou gain in every way, for one death is not thy due, after all the sorrow thou hast caused.
Mes. Thou mayst not slay him.
Alc. Then have we taken him captive in vain. But say, what law forbids his death?
Mes. It is not the will of the rulers of this land.
Alc. Why, what is this? Do they not approve of slaying enemies?
Mes. Not such as they have taken alive in battle.
Alc. Did Hyllus uphold this decision?
Mes. He, I suppose, ought to have disobeyed the law of the land.
Alc. The prisoner's life ought not to have been spared a moment.
- ↑ Nauck condemns this line; as also line 948.
