...wrenched from its base, a hint to us of the fate in store for Thebes. Adrastus was at the seventh gate; a hundred vipers engraved on his shield, [ as he bore on his left arm the hydra] the boast of Argos , and serpents were carrying off in their jaws the sons of Thebes from within our very walls. Now I was able to see each of them, as I carried the watch-word along to the leaders of our companies. ...