Eteocles
Mother, it is no longer a contest of words; the time we still delay is idle waste; your good wishes accomplish nothing;
[590]
for we can never be reconciled except upon the terms already named, that I should keep the scepter and be king of this land. Cease these tedious warnings and let me be. Turning to Polyneices And as for you, get outside the walls, or die!
Polyneices
Who will kill me? Who is so invulnerable as to plunge a murderous sword
[595]
in my body without getting for himself the same fate?
Eteocles
He is near, not far away. Do you see my hands?
Polyneices
I see them; but wealth is cowardly, a craven too fond of life.
Eteocles
Then did you come to battle with so many against a man worth nothing?
Polyneices
Yes, for a steadfast general is better than a bold one.
Eteocles
[600]
Relying on the truce, which saves your life, you turn boaster.
Polyneices
And so do you; once more I demand back my scepter and share of the land.
Eteocles
I admit no demand; I will live in my own house.
Polyneices
And keep more than your share?
Eteocles
Yes. Leave the country!
Polyneices
O altars of my fathers' gods—
Eteocles
Which you are here to destroy.
Polyneices
[605]
Hear me—
Eteocles
Who would hear you after you have marched against your fatherland?
Polyneices
And temples of the gods who ride on white horses—
Eteocles
And who hate you.
Polyneices
I am being driven from my country—
Eteocles
Yes, for you came to destroy it.
Polyneices
Unjustly, O gods!
Eteocles
Call on the gods at Mycenae, not here.
Polyneices
You have become unholy—
Eteocles
But I have not, like you, become my country's enemy.
Polyneices
[610]
By driving me out without my portion.
Eteocles
And I will kill you in addition.
Polyneices
O father, do you you hear what I am suffering?
Eteocles
Yes, and he hears what you are doing.
Polyneices
And you, mother?
Eteocles
It is not lawful for you to mention your mother.
Polyneices
O my city!
Eteocles
Go to Argos, and invoke the waters of Lerna.
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Table of Contents:
Euripides. The Complete Greek Drama, edited by Whitney J. Oates and Eugene O'Neill, Jr. in two volumes. 2. The Phoenissae, translated by E. P. Coleridge. New York. Random House. 1938.
The Annenberg CPB/Project provided support for entering this text.