A large gathering of citizens of Thebes. Enter Eteocles with attendants.Eteocles:Men of Cadmus’s city, he who guards from the stern the concerns of the State and guides its helm with eyes untouched by sleep must speak to the point. For if we succeed, the responsibility is heaven’s;
Ἐτεοκλής:Κάδμου πολῖται, χρὴ λέγειν τὰ καίριαὅστις φυλάσσει πρᾶγος ἐν πρύμνῃ πόλεωςοἴακα νωμῶν, βλέφαρα μὴ κοιμῶν ὕπνῳ.εἰ μὲν γὰρ εὖ πράξαιμεν, αἰτία θεοῦ·
but if—may it not happen—disaster is our lot, Eteocles would be the one name shouted many times throughout the city in the citizens’ resounding uproars and laments. From these evils may Zeus the Defender, upholding his name, shield the city of the Cadmeans!
εἰ δʼ αὖθʼ, ὃ μὴ γένοιτο, συμφορὰ τύχοι,Ἐτεοκλέης ἂν εἷς πολὺς κατὰ πτόλινὑμνοῖθʼ ὑπʼ ἀστῶν φροιμίοις πολυρρόθοιςοἰμώγμασίν θʼ, ὧν Ζεὺς ἀλεξητήριοςἐπώνυμος γένοιτο Καδμείων πόλει.
But now you—both he who is still short of his youthful prime, and he who, though past his prime, still strengthens the abundant growth of his body, and every man still in his prime, as is fitting—you must aid the State andthe altars of your homeland’s gods so that their honors may never be obliterated. You must aid, too, your children, and Mother Earth, your beloved nurse. For welcoming all the distress of your childhood, when you were young and crept upon her kind soil, she raised you to inhabit her and bear the shield,and to prove yourselves faithful in this time of need. And so, until today, God has been favorably inclined, for though we have long been under siege, the war has gone well for the most part through the gods’ will. But now, as the seer, the herdsman of birds, informs us,using his ears and his mind to understand with unerring skill the prophetic birds unaided by sacrificial fire—he, master of such prophecy, declares that the greatest Argive attack is being planned in night assembly and that they will make plans to capture our city.
ὑμᾶς δὲ χρὴ νῦν, καὶ τὸν ἐλλείποντʼ ἔτιἥβης ἀκμαίας καὶ τὸν ἔξηβον χρόνῳ,βλαστημὸν ἀλδαίνοντα σώματος πολύν,ὥραν τʼ ἔχονθʼ ἕκαστον ὥστε συμπρεπές,πόλει τʼ ἀρήγειν καὶ θεῶν ἐγχωρίωνβωμοῖσι, τιμὰς μὴ ʼξαλειφθῆναί ποτε·τέκνοις τε, Γῇ τε μητρί, φιλτάτῃ τροφῷ·ἡ γὰρ νέους ἕρποντας εὐμενεῖ πέδῳ,ἅπαντα πανδοκοῦσα παιδείας ὄτλον,ἐθρέψατʼ οἰκητῆρας ἀσπιδηφόρουςπιστοὺς ὅπως γένοισθε πρὸς χρέος τόδε.καὶ νῦν μὲν ἐς τόδʼ ἦμαρ εὖ ῥέπει θεός·χρόνον γὰρ ἤδη τόνδε πυργηρουμένοιςκαλῶς τὰ πλείω πόλεμος ἐκ θεῶν κυρεῖ.νῦν δʼ ὡς ὁ μάντις φησίν, οἰωνῶν βοτήρ,ἐν ὠσὶ νωμῶν καὶ φρεσίν, πυρὸς δίχα,χρηστηρίους ὄρνιθας ἀψευδεῖ τέχνῃ·οὗτος τοιῶνδε δεσπότης μαντευμάτωνλέγει μεγίστην προσβολὴν Ἀχαιίδανυκτηγορεῖσθαι κἀπιβουλεύσειν πόλει.
Hurry each of you to the battlements and the gates of our towered walls! Rush with all your armor! Fill the parapets and take your positions on the platforms of the towers. Stand your ground bravely where the gates open out,and do not be afraid of this crowd of foreigners. God will bring it to a good end. I myself have dispatched scouts and men to observe their army, and I am confident that their going is not in vain. Once I have heard their report, I will not be taken by any trickery.Enter a Scout.
ἀλλʼ ἔς τʼ ἐπάλξεις καὶ πύλας πυργωμάτωνὁρμᾶσθε πάντες, σοῦσθε σὺν παντευχίᾳ,πληροῦτε θωρακεῖα, κἀπὶ σέλμασινπύργων στάθητε, καὶ πυλῶν ἐπʼ ἐξόδοιςμίμνοντες εὖ θαρσεῖτε, μηδʼ ἐπηλύδωνταρβεῖτʼ ἄγαν ὅμιλον· εὖ τελεῖ θεός.σκοποὺς δὲ κἀγὼ καὶ κατοπτῆρας στρατοῦἔπεμψα, τοὺς πέποιθα μὴ ματᾶν ὁδῷ·καὶ τῶνδʼ ἀκούσας οὔ τι μὴ ληφθῶ δόλῳ.
Scout:Eteocles, mighty prince of the Cadmeans,I have returned with a sure report of the army outside the walls; I myself am an eyewitness of their actions. Seven warriors, fierce regiment-commanders, slaughtered a bull over a black shield, and then touching the bull’s gore with their hands they swore an oathby Ares, by Enyo, and by Rout who delights in blood, that either they will level the city and sack the Cadmeans’ town by force, or will in death smear this soil with their blood. And on Adrastus’ chariot they were placing remembrances of themselvesfor their parents at home, and were shedding tears while so doing, but no piteous wailing escaped their lips. For their iron- hearted spirit heaved, blazing with courage, as of lions with war in their eyes. Your knowledge of these things was not delayed by fearfulness;
Ἄγγελος:Ἐτεόκλεες, φέριστε Καδμείων ἄναξ,ἥκω σαφῆ τἀκεῖθεν ἐκ στρατοῦ φέρων,αὐτὸς κατόπτης δʼ εἴμʼ ἐγὼ τῶν πραγμάτων·ἄνδρες γὰρ ἑπτά, θούριοι λοχαγέται,ταυροσφαγοῦντες ἐς μελάνδετον σάκοςκαὶ θιγγάνοντες χερσὶ ταυρείου φόνου,Ἄρη τʼ, Ἐνυώ, καὶ φιλαίματον Φόβονὡρκωμότησαν ἢ πόλει κατασκαφὰςθέντες λαπάξειν ἄστυ Καδμείων βίᾳ,ἢ γῆν θανόντες τήνδε φυράσειν φόνῳ·μνημεῖά θʼ αὑτῶν τοῖς τεκοῦσιν ἐς δόμουςπρὸς ἅρμʼ Ἀδράστου χερσὶν ἔστεφον, δάκρυλείβοντες· οἶκτος δʼ οὔτις ἦν διὰ στόμα.σιδηρόφρων γὰρ θυμὸς ἀνδρείᾳ φλέγωνἔπνει, λεόντων ὡς Ἄρη δεδορκότων.καὶ τῶνδε πύστις οὐκ ὄκνῳ χρονίζεται·
for I left them casting lots to decide how each commander, his post assigned by chance, would lead his regiment against the gates. Therefore, choose the bravest men of the city and station them quickly at the outlets of the gates. For nearby already the Argive army in full armoris advancing in a flurry of dust, and glistening foam splatters the plain in drops from the horses’ pantings. So you, like the careful helmsman of a ship, secure the city before Ares’ blasts storm down upon it; for the wave of their army now crashes over the dry land.
κληρουμένους δʼ ἔλειπον, ὡς πάλῳ λαχὼνἕκαστος αὐτῶν πρὸς πύλας ἄγοι λόχον.πρὸς ταῦτʼ ἀρίστους ἄνδρας ἐκκρίτους πόλεωςπυλῶν ἐπʼ ἐξόδοισι τάγευσαι τάχος·ἐγγὺς γὰρ ἤδη πάνοπλος Ἀργείων στρατὸςχωρεῖ, κονίει, πεδία δʼ ἀργηστὴς ἀφρὸςχραίνει σταλαγμοῖς ἱππικῶν ἐκ πλευμόνων.σὺ δʼ ὥστε ναὸς κεδνὸς οἰακοστρόφοςφράξαι πόλισμα, πρὶν καταιγίσαι πνοὰςἌρεως· βοᾷ γὰρ κῦμα χερσαῖον στρατοῦ·
Seize the first opportune moment for doing this. For all else, I, on my part, will keep a reliable eye on the lookout, and you, by learning from my certain report what happens beyond the gates, shall remain unharmed. Exit.
καὶ τῶνδε καιρὸν ὅστις ὤκιστος λαβέ·κἀγὼ τὰ λοιπὰ πιστὸν ἡμεροσκόπονὀφθαλμὸν ἕξω, καὶ σαφηνείᾳ λόγουεἰδὼς τὰ τῶν θύραθεν ἀβλαβὴς ἔσῃ.
Eteocles:O Zeus and Earth, and gods that guard our city,and Curse, potent agent of my father’s vengeance, do not destroy my city, ripping it up from its foundations, captive of the enemy, a city that speaks in Greece’s tongue, and do not destroy our hearths and homes.May they never hold the free land and city of Cadmus beneath the yoke of slavery! Be our protection! I am certain that what I ask is in our common interest; for a State that prospers pays honors to its gods. Exit Eteocles, with citizens. The Chorus enters in fearful agitation.
Ἐτεοκλής:ὦ Ζεῦ τε καὶ Γῆ καὶ πολισσοῦχοι θεοί,Ἀρά τʼ Ἐρινὺς πατρὸς ἡ μεγασθενής,μή μοι πόλιν γε πρυμνόθεν πανώλεθρονἐκθαμνίσητε δῃάλωτον, Ἑλλάδοςφθόγγον χέουσαν, καὶ δόμους ἐφεστίους·ἐλευθέραν δὲ γῆν τε καὶ Κάδμου πόλινζυγοῖσι δουλίοισι μήποτε σχεθεῖν·γένεσθε δʼ ἀλκή· ξυνὰ δʼ ἐλπίζω λέγειν·πόλις γὰρ εὖ πράσσουσα δαίμονας τίει.
Chorus:In terror I wail loud cries of sorrow. Their army is let loose! Leaving camp,—look!—the mounted throng floods swiftly ahead. The dust whirling in the air tells me this is so—its message is speechless, yet clear and true. And now the plains of my native land under the blows of hooves send a roar to my ears; the sound fliesand rumbles like a resistless torrent crashing down a mountainside. Ah, ah, you gods and goddesses, raise your war cry over our walls to drive away the onrushing evil! The army of the white shield,ready for battle, rushes at full speed against the city. Who then will rescue us, which of the gods or goddesses will help? Or shall I fall in supplication at the feetof our ancestral gods’ statues? Ah, blessed gods, firmly enthroned, the time has come to hold fast to your statues. Why do we delay, who are much to be lamented?
Χορός:θρέομαι φοβερὰ μεγάλʼ ἄχη·μεθεῖται στρατός· στρατόπεδον λιπὼνῥεῖ πολὺς ὅδε λεὼς πρόδρομος ἱππότας·αἰθερία κόνις με πείθει φανεῖσʼ,ἄναυδος σαφὴς ἔτυμος ἄγγελος.ἔτι δὲ ⟨γᾶς⟩ ἐμᾶς πεδίʼ ὁπλόκτυπʼ ὠ-τὶ χρίμπτει βοάν· ποτᾶται, βρέμει δʼἀμαχέτου δίκαν ὕδατος ὀροτύπου.ἰὼ ἰὼἰὼ θεοὶ θεαί τʼ ὀρόμενον κακὸνβοᾷ τειχέων ὕπερ ἀλεύσατε.ὁ λεύκασπις ὄρνυται λαὸς εὐ-τρεπὴς ἐπὶ πόλιν διώκων [πόδα].τίς ἄρα ῥύσεται, τίς ἄρʼ ἐπαρκέσειθεῶν ἢ θεᾶν;πότερα δῆτʼ ἐγὼ ⟨πάτρια⟩ ποτιπέσωβρέτη δαιμόνων;ἰὼ μάκαρες εὔεδροι,ἀκμάζει βρετέων ἔχεσθαι· τί μέλ-λομεν ἀγάστονοι;
Do you hear the clash of shields, or does it escape you? When, if not now, shall we place sacred robes and wreaths on the statues to accompany our prayers? I see the clash—it is not the clatter of a single spear. What will you do? Will you betrayyour own land, Ares, where you have dwelt since long ago? God of the golden helmet, look, look upon the city that you once cherished!
ἀκούετʼ ἢ οὐκ ἀκούετʼ ἀσπίδων κτύπον;πέπλων καὶ στεφέων πότʼ εἰ μὴ νῦν ἀμ-φὶ λιτάνʼ ἕξομεν;κτύπον δέδορκα· πάταγος οὐχ ἑνὸς δορός.τί ῥέξεις; προδώσεις, παλαίχθωνἌρης, τὰν τεάν;ἰὼ χρυσοπήληξ δαῖμον ἔπιδʼ ἔπι-δε πόλιν ἅν ποτʼ εὐφιλήταν ἔθου.
Chorus:Oh come all you gods who guard our city and its land!
Χορός:θεοὶ πολιάοχοι πάντες ἴτε χθονὸς·
See this suppliant band of maidens praying to be saved from slavery. A torrent of men, their helmet plumes tossing, crashes around the city,sped on by the blasts of Ares. No! Father Zeus, all-accomplishing, fend from us altogether capture at the hands of the enemy.
ἴδετε παρθένωνἱκέσιον λόχον δουλοσύνας ὕπερ.κῦμα [γὰρ] περὶ πτόλιν δοχμολόφων ἀνδρῶνκαχλάζει πνοαῖς Ἄρεος ὀρόμενον.ἀλλʼ, ὦ Ζεῦ πάτερ παντελές,πάντως ἄρηξον δαΐων ἅλωσιν.
The Argives encircle the citadel of Cadmus. Terror of their weapons of war shakes us, as the bridles in the horse’s jaws rattle the sound of death. Seven bold captains, conspicuous among the armyin spear-wielding harnesses, at the seven gates … take their stand each according to his lot.
Ἀργέιοι δὲ πόλισμα Κάδμουκυκλοῦνται· φόβος δʼ ἀρῄων ὅπλων[δονεῖ], διὰ δέ τοι γενύων ἱππίωνκινύρονται φόνον χαλινοί.ἑπτὰ δʼ ἀγάνορες πρέποντες στρατοῦδορυσσοῖς σαγαῖς πύλαις ἑβδόμαις…προσίστανται πάλῳ λαχόντες.
Chorus:Pallas, Zeus-born power delighting in battle, prove yourself the savior of the city!And you, lord of steeds, ruler of the deep, Poseidon, with your fish-striking weapon grant us release from our fears, grant us release!
Χορός:σύ τʼ, ὦ Διογενὲς φιλόμαχον κράτος,ῥυσίπολις γενοῦ,Παλλάς, ὅ θʼ ἵππιος ποντομέδων ἄναξἰχθυβόλῳ Ποσειδάων μαχανᾷ,ἐπίλυσιν φόβων, ἐπίλυσιν δίδου.
You too, Ares—pity us!—guard the city named for Cadmus and make evident your closeness to us!
σύ τʼ, Ἄρης, φεῦ, φεῦ, πόλιν ἐπώνυμονΚάδμου φύλαξον κήδεσαί τʼ ἐναργῶς.
And Cypris, you who are the first mother of our race, defend us who are sprung from your blood. We come to you, crying out in prayers for your divine ears.
καὶ Κύπρις, ἅτʼ εἶ γένους προμάτωρ,ἄλευσον· σέθεν γὰρ ἐξ αἵματοςγεγόναμεν· λιταῖσί σε θεοκλύτοιςἀυτοῦσαι πελαζόμεσθα.
And you, Apollo, lord of the Wolf, be a wolf to the enemy force and give them groan for groan! You too, maiden child of Leto, ready your bow!
καὶ σύ, Λύκειʼ ἄναξ, Λύκειος γενοῦστρατῷ δαΐῳ στόνων ἀντίτας.σύ τʼ, ὦ Λατογένει-α κούρα, τόξον εὐτυκάζου [Ἄρτεμι φίλα].
Chorus:Ah! Ah!I hear the rattle of chariots encircling the town. O lady Hera! The hubs are creaking beneath the axles’ load. Beloved Artemis!The air rages at the shaking of spears! What is happening to our city? What will the future bring? And where does God finally lead us?
Χορός:ἒ ἒ ἒ ἔ,ὄτοβον ἁρμάτων ἀμφὶ πόλιν κλύω·ὦ πότνιʼ Ἥρα.ἔλακον ἀξόνων βριθομένων χνόαι.Ἄρτεμι φίλα, ἒ ἒ ἒ ἔ,δοριτίνακτος αἰθὴρ δʼ ἐπιμαίνεται.τί πόλις ἄμμι πάσχει, τί γενήσεται;ποῖ δʼ ἔτι τέλος ἐπάγει θεός;
Chorus:Ah! Ah! A hail of stones strikes our battlements from afar. O beloved Apollo!
Χορός:ἒ ἒ ἒ ἔ,ἀκροβόλων δʼ ἐπάλξεων λιθὰς ἔρχεται·ὦ φίλʼ Ἄπολλον·
There is the clang of bronze-bound shields at the gates. O son of Zeus, in whom dwells the sacred power to decide in battle war’s outcome! And you, blessed queen Onca, on behalf of the city,defend your seven- gated home!
κόναβος ἐν πύλαις χαλκοδέτων σακέων,παῖ Διός, ὅθενπολεμόκραντον ἁγνὸν τέλος ἐν μάχᾳ.σύ τε, μάκαιρʼ ἄνασσʼ Ὄγκα, πρὸ πόλεωςἑπτάπυλον ἕδος ἐπιρρύου.
Chorus:All-powerful divinities, you gods and goddesses who wield the power to guard the towers of our land, do not betray our city that now toils under the spearto an alien-tongued army. Hear us, hear, as is right, the prayers we maidens offer with outstretched hands.
Χορός:ἰὼ παναρκεῖς θεοί,ἰὼ τέλειοι τέλειαί τε γᾶςτᾶσδε πυργοφύλακες,πόλιν δορίπονον μὴ προδῶθʼἑτεροφώνῳ στρατῷ.κλύετε παρθένων κλύετε πανδίκωςχειροτόνους λιτάς.
Chorus:Beloved spirits,encompass the city to deliver it from ruin and show that you love it. Consider the people’s offerings, and as you consider, help us.Remember, I beg, our city’s worship, rich in sacrifice..
Χορός:ἰὼ φίλοι δαίμονες,λυτήριοί ⟨τʼ⟩ ἀμφιβάντες πόλιν,δείξαθʼ ὡς φιλοπόλεις,μέλεσθέ θʼ ἱερῶν δημίων,μελόμενοι δʼ ἀρήξατε·φιλοθύτων δέ τοι πόλεος ὀργίωνμνήστορες ἐστέ μοι.
Eteocles:You intolerable things! I ask you, is this the best way to save the city? Does it hearten our army here besieged,when you fall before the images of the gods that guard the city and shout and shriek—behavior that moderate people despise? May I never share my home with the female race, neither in time of evil nor in pleasant prosperity! When things go well for her, her boldness is unbearable,but when she is afraid, she is an even greater evil for home and city. So now your cries as you rushed here and there in panicked flight have rattled the citizens into dispirited cowardice. The cause of the enemy outside our gates is excellently strengthened by your behavior, while we inside are ruined by our own people.
Ἐτεοκλής:ὑμᾶς ἐρωτῶ, θρέμματʼ οὐκ ἀνασχετά,ἦ ταῦτʼ ἄριστα καὶ πόλει σωτήρια,στρατῷ τε θάρσος τῷδε πυργηρουμένῳ,βρέτη πεσούσας πρὸς πολισσούχων θεῶναὔειν, λακάζειν, σωφρόνων μισήματα;μήτʼ ἐν κακοῖσι μήτʼ ἐν εὐεστοῖ φίλῃξύνοικος εἴην τῷ γυναικείῳ γένει.κρατοῦσα μὲν γὰρ οὐχ ὁμιλητὸν θράσος,δείσασα δʼ οἴκῳ καὶ πόλει πλέον κακόν.καὶ νῦν πολίταις τάσδε διαδρόμους φυγὰςθεῖσαι διερροθήσατʼ ἄψυχον κάκην·τὰ τῶν θύραθεν δʼ ὡς ἄριστʼ ὀφέλλεται,αὐτοὶ δʼ ὑπʼ αὐτῶν ἔνδοθεν πορθούμεθα.
This is the sort of trouble you will have if you dwell with women. Now if anyone fails to obey my authority—whether man or woman or something in between—a sentence of death will be decreed for him and by no means whatsoever will he escape destruction by stoning at the people’s hands.
τοιαῦτά τἂν γυναιξὶ συνναίων ἔχοις.κεἰ μή τις ἀρχῆς τῆς ἐμῆς ἀκούσεται,ἀνὴρ γυνή τε χὤ τι τῶν μεταίχμιον,ψῆφος κατʼ αὐτῶν ὀλεθρία βουλεύσεται,λευστῆρα δήμου δʼ οὔ τι μὴ φύγῃ μόρον.
It is for the man to take care of business outside the house; let no woman make decrees in those matters. Keep inside and do no harm! Do you hear me or not? Am I speaking to the deaf?
μέλει γὰρ ἀνδρί, μὴ γυνὴ βουλευέτω,τἄξωθεν· ἔνδον δʼ οὖσα μὴ βλάβην τίθει.ἤκουσας ἢ οὐκ ἤκουσας, ἢ κωφῇ λέγω;
Chorus:Dear son of Oedipus, I grew afraid when I heard the clatter of the crashing chariots,when the hubs screamed as they whirled around the wheel, and when I heard the sound of the steering gear, fire-forged bits, in the horses’ mouths.
Χορός:ὦ φίλον Οἰδίπου τέκος, ἔδεισʼ ἀκού-σασα τὸν ἁρματόκτυπον ὄτοβον ὄτοβον,ὅτε τε σύριγγες ἔκλαγξαν ἑλίτροχοι,ἱππικῶν τʼ ἀπύαν πηδαλίων διὰ στόμαπυριγενετᾶν χαλινῶν.
Eteocles:Well, then, has a helmsman ever found a way to safety by fleeing from stern to prow,when his ship is foundering in high seas?
Ἐτεοκλής:τί οὖν; ὁ ναύτης ἆρα μὴ ʼς πρῷραν φυγὼνπρύμνηθεν ηὗρε μηχανὴν σωτηρίας,νεὼς καμούσης ποντίῳ πρὸς κύματι;
Chorus:But trusting in the gods I came in haste to their ancient statues, when the deadly blizzard of falling stones thundered against the gates. Just then I set out in fear to pray to the Blessed Onesthat they spread their protection over the city.
Χορός:ἀλλʼ ἐπὶ δαιμόνων πρόδρομος ἦλθον ἀρ-χαῖα βρέτη, θεοῖσι πίσυνος, νιφάδοςὅτʼ ὀλοᾶς νειφομένας βρόμος ἐν πύλαις·δὴ τότʼ ἤρθην φόβῳ πρὸς μακάρων λιτάς, πόλεωςἵνʼ ὑπερέχοιεν ἀλκάν.
Eteocles:Pray that the rampart withstand the enemy spear. Yes, the outcome is in the gods’ hands—but then, it is said that the gods of a captured city abandon it.
Ἐτεοκλής:πύργον στέγειν εὔχεσθε πολέμιον δόρυ.οὐκοῦν τάδʼ ἔσται πρὸς θεῶν· ἀλλʼ οὖν θεοὺςτοὺς τῆς ἁλούσης πόλεος ἐκλείπειν λόγος.
Chorus:Never so long as I live may this divine assembly abandon us,nor may I live to see the city overrun and the army seizing it with hostile fire!
Χορός:μήποτʼ ἐμὸν κατʼ αἰῶνα λίποι θεῶνἅδε πανάγυρις, μηδʼ ἐπίδοιμι τάνδʼἀστυδρομουμέναν πόλιν καὶ στράτευμʼἁπτόμενον πυρὶ δαΐῳ.
Eteocles:When you invoke the gods, do not be ill-advised. For Obedience isthe mother of Success, wife of Salvation—as the saying goes.
Ἐτεοκλής:μή μοι θεοὺς καλοῦσα βουλεύου κακῶς·πειθαρχία γάρ ἐστι τῆς εὐπραξίαςμήτηρ, γυνὴ σωτῆρος· ὧδʼ ἔχει λόγος.
Chorus:So she is, but the power of god is supreme, and often in bad times it raises the helpless man out of harsh misery even when stormclouds are lowering over his eyes.
Χορός:ἔστι· θεοῦ δʼ ἔτʼ ἰσχὺς καθυπερτέρα·πολλάκι δʼ ἐν κακοῖσι τὸν ἀμάχανονκἀκ χαλεπᾶς δύας ὕπερθʼ ὀμμάτωνκρημναμενᾶν νεφελᾶν ὀρθοῖ.
Eteocles:It is the man’s duty to offer victims and sacrifices to the gods when they test their enemy; your duty is to be silent and to remain inside the house.
Ἐτεοκλής:ἀνδρῶν τάδʼ ἐστί, σφάγια καὶ χρηστήριαθεοῖσιν ἕρδειν πολεμίων πειρωμένους·σὸν δʼ αὖ τὸ σιγᾶν καὶ μένειν εἴσω δόμων.
Chorus:By the will of the gods we inhabit an unconquered city, and the rampart withstands the enemy throng.
Χορός:διὰ θεῶν πόλιν νεμόμεθʼ ἀδάματον,δυσμενέων δʼ ὄχλον πύργος ἀποστέγει.
What indignation makes you resent this?
τίς τάδε νέμεσις στυγεῖ;
Eteocles:I do not begrudge your honor of the divine race; but lest you make the citizens cowardly, be calm and do not be overly fearful.
Ἐτεοκλής:οὔτοι φθονῶ σοι δαιμόνων τιμᾶν γένος·ἀλλʼ ὡς πολίτας μὴ κακοσπλάγχνους τιθῇς,εὔκηλος ἴσθι μηδʼ ἄγαν ὑπερφοβοῦ.
Chorus:When I heard the strange and jumbled clashes,I came in trembling fear to this citadel, our seat of worship.
Χορός:ποτίφατον κλύουσα πάταγον ἀνάμιγαταρβοσύνῳ φόβῳ τάνδʼ ἐς ἀκρόπτολιν,τίμιον ἕδος, ἱκόμαν.
Eteocles:If, then, you hear that men are dying or wounded, do not seize on the news with loud wailing. For this is the food of Ares, human blood.
Ἐτεοκλής:μή νυν, ἐὰν θνῄσκοντας ἢ τετρωμένουςπύθησθε, κωκυτοῖσιν ἁρπαλίζετε.τούτῳ γὰρ Ἄρης βόσκεται, φόνῳ βροτῶν.
Chorus:Oh, but I hear horses snorting!
Χορός:καὶ μὴν ἀκούω γʼ ἱππικῶν φρυαγμάτων.
Eteocles:Hear them, then, but not too clearly.
Ἐτεοκλής:μή νυν ἀκούουσʼ ἐμφανῶς ἄκουʼ ἄγαν.
Chorus:The city groans from deep in the earth, as though we are surrounded.
Χορός:στένει πόλισμα γῆθεν, ὡς κυκλουμένων.
Eteocles:Surely it is enough that I am making plans for this?
Ἐτεοκλής:οὐκοῦν ἔμʼ ἀρκεῖ τῶνδε βουλεύειν πέρι.
Chorus:I am terrified—the crashing at the gates is increasing.
Χορός:δέδοικʼ, ἀραγμὸς δʼ ἐν πύλαις ὀφέλλεται.
Eteocles:Won’t you be silent, and speak none of this throughout the city?
Ἐτεοκλής:οὐ σῖγα μηδὲν τῶνδʼ ἐρεῖς κατὰ πτόλιν;
Chorus:Divine company, do not betray our fortifications!
Χορός:ὦ ξυντέλεια, μὴ προδῷς πυργώματα.
Eteocles:Damn you! Will you not endure these events in silence?
Ἐτεοκλής:οὐκ ἐς φθόρον σιγῶσʼ ἀνασχήσῃ τάδε;
Chorus:Gods of our city! Do not let my fate be slavery!
Χορός:θεοὶ πολῖται, μή με δουλείας τυχεῖν.
Eteocles:You would enslave both me and all the city.
Ἐτεοκλής:αὐτὴ σὺ δουλοῖς κἀμὲ καὶ πᾶσαν πόλιν.
Chorus:Almighty Zeus, turn your missile against the enemy!
Χορός:ὦ παγκρατὲς Ζεῦ, τρέψον εἰς ἐχθροὺς βέλος.
Eteocles:O Zeus, what a breed you have made for us in women!
Ἐτεοκλής:ὦ Ζεῦ, γυναικῶν οἷον ὤπασας γένος.
Chorus:A breed steeped in misery, just like men whose city is captured.
Χορός:μοχθηρόν, ὥσπερ ἄνδρας ὧν ἁλῷ πόλις.
Eteocles:Why are your words ill-omened, when you still grasp the gods’ statues?
Ἐτεοκλής:παλινστομεῖς αὖ θιγγάνουσʼ ἀγαλμάτων;
Chorus:In my weakness fear controls my tongue.
Χορός:ἀψυχίᾳ γὰρ γλῶσσαν ἁρπάζει φόβος.
Eteocles:If only you would grant my plea for a small service.
Ἐτεοκλής:αἰτουμένῳ μοι κοῦφον εἰ δοίης τέλος.
Chorus:Please state it as quickly as possible, and I will quickly know what to do.
Χορός:λέγοις ἂν ὡς τάχιστα, καὶ τάχʼ εἴσομαι.
Eteocles:Be silent, wretched woman; do not terrify your own men.
Ἐτεοκλής:σίγησον, ὦ τάλαινα, μὴ φίλους φόβει.
Chorus:I am silent. I will suffer what is destined together with the others.
Χορός:σιγῶ· σὺν ἄλλοις πείσομαι τὸ μόρσιμον.
Eteocles:I welcome this sentiment of yours over what you said before.
Ἐτεοκλής:τοῦτʼ ἀντʼ ἐκείνων τοὔπος αἱροῦμαι σέθεν.
And in addition, keep your distance from the gods’ images and make a stronger prayer, that the gods fight on our side. And once you have heard my prayers, then sing the victory song, the sacred cry of joy and goodwill, our Greek ritual of shouting in tribute,that brings courage to our friends and dissolves fear of the enemy. And now Here Eteocles makes his vow. to the gods who guard our city’s land, both those who dwell in the plain and those who watch over its meeting-place, to Dirce’s springs and the waters of Ismenus, I vow that, if things go well and the city is saved,the citizens shall redden the gods’ altars with the blood of sheep and sacrifice bulls to the gods—this is my vow—and offer trophies, while I will crown their holy temples with the spoil of the enemy’s spear-pierced garments.
καὶ πρός γε τούτοις, ἐκτὸς οὖσʼ ἀγαλμάτων,εὔχου τὰ κρείσσω, ξυμμάχους εἶναι θεούς·κἀμῶν ἀκούσασʼ εὐγμάτων, ἔπειτα σὺὀλολυγμὸν ἱερὸν εὐμενῆ παιώνισον,Ἑλληνικὸν νόμισμα θυστάδος βοῆς,θάρσος φίλοις, λύουσα πολέμιον φόβον.ἐγὼ δὲ χώρας τοῖς πολισσούχοις θεοῖς,πεδιονόμοις τε κἀγορᾶς ἐπισκόποις,Δίρκης τε πηγαῖς, ὕδατί τʼ Ἰσμηνοῦ λέγωεὖ ξυντυχόντων καὶ πόλεως σεσωμένης,μήλοισιν αἱμάσσοντας ἑστίας θεῶν,[ταυροκτονοῦντας θεοῖσιν, ὧδʼ ἐπεύχομαι]θύσειν τροπαῖα, δαΐων δʼ ἐσθήματα,στέψω λάφυρα δουρίπληχθʼ ἁγνοῖς δόμοις.[στέψω πρὸ ναῶν, πολεμίων δʼ ἐσθήματα.]
Make this kind of prayer to the gods, without your previous lamentation, nor with wild and useless panting; for you will not escape your destiny any the more. As for me, I will go station six men, with me as the seventh, as champions to oppose the enemy in proud fashionat the seven exits in the wall, even before speedy messengers or swift-rushing reports arrive and inflame us with urgent need. Exit.
τοιαῦτʼ ἐπεύχου μὴ φιλοστόνως θεοῖς,μηδʼ ἐν ματαίοις κἀγρίοις ποιφύγμασιν·οὐ γάρ τι μᾶλλον μὴ φύγῃς τὸ μόρσιμον.ἐγὼ δέ γʼ ἄνδρας ἓξ ἐμοὶ σὺν ἑβδόμῳἀντηρέτας ἐχθροῖσι τὸν μέγαν τρόπονεἰς ἑπτατειχεῖς ἐξόδους τάξω μολών,πρὶν ἀγγέλους σπερχνούς τε καὶ ταχυρρόθουςλόγους ἱκέσθαι καὶ φλέγειν χρείας ὕπο.
Chorus:I heed him, but through terror my heart finds no repose.Anxieties border upon my heart and kindle my fear of the army surrounding our walls, as a trembling dove fears for her children in the nest because of snakes that are dangerous bed-fellows.
Χορός:μέλει, φόβῳ δʼ οὐχ ὑπνώσσει κέαρ·γείτονες δὲ καρδίαςμέριμναι ζωπυροῦσι τάρβοςτὸν ἀμφιτειχῆ λεών,δράκοντας ὥς τις τέκνωνὑπερδέδοικεν λεχαίων δυσευνάτοραςπάντρομος πελειάς.
For against our fortifications some are advancing with all their men, all in formation. Ah, what will become of me? Others are hurling jagged bouldersat the citizens on all sides. O Gods born of Zeus, by every means rescue our city and people, sprung from Cadmus!
τοὶ μὲν γὰρ ποτὶ πύργουςπανδαμεὶ πανομιλεὶστείχουσιν. τί γένωμαι;τοὶ δʼ ἐπʼ ἀμφιβόλοισινἰάπτουσι πολίταιςχερμάδʼ ὀκριόεσσαν.παντὶ τρόπῳ, Διογενεῖςθεοί, πόλιν καὶ στρατὸνΚαδμογενῆ ῥύεσθε.
Chorus:What more fertile plain will you find in place of ours,if you abandon to the enemy this deep-soiled land and the water of Dirce which is the most nourishing of the streams that earth-encircling Poseidonand Tethys’ children pour forth? Therefore, divine guardians of the city, hurl murderous destruction on the men outside our wallsand panic that makes them throw away their weapons, and so win glory for these citizens. Defend the city and remain in possession of your home and thronein answer to our shrill, wailing prayers!
Χορός:ποῖον δʼ ἀμείψεσθε γαίας πέδοντᾶσδʼ ἄρειον, ἐχθροῖςἀφέντες τὰν βαθύχθονʼ αἶαν,ὕδωρ τε Διρκαῖον, εὐ-τραφέστατον πωμάτωνὅσων ἵησιν Ποσει-δᾶν ὁ γαιάοχοςΤηθύος τε παῖδες.πρὸς τάδʼ, ὦ πολιοῦχοιθεοί, τοῖσι μὲν ἔξωπύργων ἀνδρολέτειρανκῆρα, ῥίψοπλον ἄταν,ἐμβαλόντες ἄροισθεκῦδος τοῖσδε πολίταις.καὶ πόλεως ῥύτορες ⟨ἔστʼ⟩εὔεδροί τε στάθητʼὀξυγόοις λιταῖσιν.
Chorus:It is a great cause for grief to hurl a primeval city to Hades in this way, quarry and slave of the spear, ravaged shamefully in the dusty ashes by an Argive man through divine will.And grief, too, to let the women be led away captive—ah me!—young and old, dragged by the hair, like horses, with their cloaks torn off them.A city, emptied, shouts out as the human booty perishes with mingled cries. A heavy fate, indeed, my fear anticipates.
Χορός:οἰκτρὸν γὰρ πόλιν ὧδʼ ὠγυγίανἈίδᾳ προϊάψαι, δορὸς ἄγρανδουλίαν ψαφαρᾷ σποδῷὑπʼ ἀνδρὸς Ἀχαιοῦ θεόθενπερθομέναν ἀτίμως,τὰς δὲ κεχειρωμένας ἄγεσθαι,ἒ ἔ, νέας τε καὶ παλαιὰςἱππηδὸν πλοκάμων, περιρ-ρηγνυμένων φαρέων. βοᾷδʼ ἐκκενουμένα πόλις,λαΐδος ὀλλυμένας μιξοθρόου·βαρείας τοι τύχας προταρβῶ.
Chorus:It is a lamentable thing that modest girls should be plucked unripe, before the customary rites, and should makea loathsome journey from their homes. What? I declare that the dead will do better than the captives; for when a city is subdued—ah, ah!—many and miserable are its sufferings.
Χορός:κλαυτὸν δʼ ἀρτιτρόποις ὠμοδρόποιςνομίμων προπάροιθεν διαμεῖψαιδωμάτων στυγερὰν ὁδόν·τί; τὸν φθίμενον γὰρ προλέγωβέλτερα τῶνδε πράσσειν·πολλὰ γάρ, εὖτε πτόλις δαμασθῇ,ἒ ἔ, δυστυχῆ τε πράσσει.
Man drags off man, or kills, or sets fires; the whole city is defiled with smoke. Mad Ares storms, subduing the people and polluting reverence.
ἄλλος δʼ ἄλλον ἄγει, φονεύ-ει, τὰ δὲ πυρφορεῖ· καπνῷ[δὲ] χραίνεται πόλισμʼ ἅπαν·μαινόμενος δʼ ἐπιπνεῖ λαοδάμαςμιαίνων εὐσέβειαν Ἄρης.
Chorus:Tumults swell through the town, and against it a towering net is advancing. Man falls before man beneath the spear. Sobs and wails over gore-covered babes, just nursed at their mothers’ breasts,resound. Rape and pillage of those fleeing through the city are the deeds of one’s own blood. Plunderer joins up with plunderer; the empty-handed calls to the empty-handed, wishing to have a partner,each greedy for neither less nor equal share. Reason exists for imagining what will come after this.
Χορός:κορκορυγαὶ δʼ ἀνʼ ἄστυ, προτὶ [πτόλιν]δʼ ὁρκάναπυργῶτις· πρὸς ἀνδρὸς δʼ ἀνὴρ⟨ἀμφὶ⟩ δορὶ κλίνεται·βλαχαὶ δʼ αἱματόεσσαιτῶν ἐπιμαστιδίωνἀρτιτρεφεῖς βρέμονται.ἁρπαγαὶ δὲ διαδρομᾶν ὁμαίμονες·ξυμβολεῖ φέρων φέροντι,καὶ κενὸς κενὸν καλεῖ,ξύννομον θέλων ἔχειν,οὔτε μεῖον οὔτʼ ἴσον λελιμμένοι.τἀκ τῶνδʼ εἰκάσαι λόγος πάρα.
Chorus:The earth’s varied fruits, fallen to the ground, give pain, a bitter sight for the maid-servants.
Χορός:παντοδαπὸς δὲ καρπὸς χαμάδις πεσὼνἀλγύνει κυρήσας· πικρὸν δʼὄμμα θαλαμηπόλων·
In jumbled confusion the abundant gifts of earth are carried away by reckless looting waves. Young women, enslaved, suffer a new evil: a bed of misery, prize of the conquering enemy’s spear, as though of a prospering husband—they can expect the coming of the nightly rite, which gives aid to tears and anguish!The Scout is seen approaching from one side; Eteocles from the other.
πολλὰ δʼ ἀκριτόφυρτοςγᾶς δόσις οὐτιδανοῖςἐν ῥοθίοις φορεῖται.δμωίδες δὲ καινοπήμονες νέαι·τλάμονʼ εὐνὰν αἰχμάλωτονἀνδρὸς εὐτυχοῦντος ὣςδυσμενοῦς ὑπερτέρουἐλπίς ἐστι νύκτερον τέλος μολεῖν,παγκλαύτων ἀλγέων ἐπίρροθον.
LEADER OF THE FIRST HALF-CHORUS:The scout, I believe,is bringing some fresh news of the army to us, my friends, since the joints of his legs are hastily speeding as they carry him on his mission.
Ἡμιχόριον Α:ὅ τοι κατόπτης, ὡς ἐμοὶ δοκεῖ, στρατοῦπευθώ τινʼ ἡμῖν, ὦ φίλαι, νέαν φέρει,σπουδῇ διώκων πομπίμους χνόας ποδῶν.
LEADER OF THE SECOND HALF-CHORUS:And, indeed, here is our lord himself, the son of Oedipus, at the right moment to hear the messenger’s report. Haste makes his stride uneven, too.
Ἡμιχόριον Β:καὶ μὴν ἄναξ ὅδʼ αὐτὸς Οἰδίπου τόκοςεἰς ἀρτίκολλον ἀγγέλου λόγον μαθεῖν·σπουδὴ δὲ καὶ τοῦδʼ οὐκ ἀπαρτίζει πόδα.
Scout:It is with certain knowledge that I will give my account of the enemy’s actions, how each man according to lot has been posted at the gates. Tydeus is already storming opposite the Proetid gates; but the seer will not allow him to ford the Ismenus because the omens from the sacrifices are not favorable.
Ἄγγελος:λέγοιμʼ ἂν εἰδὼς εὖ τὰ τῶν ἐναντίων,ὥς τʼ ἐν πύλαις ἕκαστος εἴληχεν πάλον.Τυδεὺς μὲν ἤδη πρὸς πύλαισι Προιτίσινβρέμει, πόρον δʼ Ἰσμηνὸν οὐκ ἐᾷ περᾶνὁ μάντις· οὐ γὰρ σφάγια γίγνεται καλά.
Yet Tydeus, raging and eager for battle, shouts like a serpent hissing at high noon, and lashes skilled Oecles’ son, with the taunt that he cringes in cowardice before death and battle. With such cries he shakes three overshadowing plumes,his helmet’s mane, while from under his shield, bells forged of bronze therein ring out a fearsome clang. He has this haughty symbol on his shield: a well-crafted sky, ablaze with stars, and the brightness of the full moon shining in the center of the shield,the moon that is the most revered of the stars, the eye of night. Raving so in his arrogant armor, he shouts beside the river-bank, craving battle, like some charger that fiercely champs at the bit as he waits in eagerness for the trumpet’s war-cry.
Τυδεὺς δὲ μαργῶν καὶ μάχης λελιμμένοςμεσημβριναῖς κλαγγαῖσιν ὡς δράκων βοᾷ·θείνει δʼ ὀνείδει μάντιν Οἰκλείδην σοφόν,σαίνειν μόρον τε καὶ μάχην ἀψυχίᾳ.τοιαῦτʼ ἀυτῶν τρεῖς κατασκίους λόφουςσείει, κράνους χαίτωμʼ, ὑπʼ ἀσπίδος δʼ ἔσωχαλκήλατοι κλάζουσι κώδωνες φόβον·ἔχει δʼ ὑπέρφρον σῆμʼ ἐπʼ ἀσπίδος τόδε,φλέγονθʼ ὑπʼ ἄστροις οὐρανὸν τετυγμένον·λαμπρὰ δὲ πανσέληνος ἐν μέσῳ σάκει,πρέσβιστον ἄστρων, νυκτὸς ὀφθαλμός, πρέπει.τοιαῦτʼ ἀλύων ταῖς ὑπερκόμποις σαγαῖςβοᾷ παρʼ ὄχθαις ποταμίαις, μάχης ἐρῶν,ἵππος χαλινῶν ὣς κατασθμαίνων μένει,ὅστις βοὴν σάλπιγγος ὁρμαίνει μένων.
Whom will you send against him? Who will be capable of standing as our champion at the Proetid gate when its bars are loosened?
τίνʼ ἀντιτάξεις τῷδε; τίς Προίτου πυλῶνκλῄθρων λυθέντων προστατεῖν φερέγγυος;
Eteocles:I would not tremble before any mere ornaments on a man. Nor can signs and symbols wound and kill—crests and bell have no bite without the spear.
Ἐτεοκλής:κόσμον μὲν ἀνδρὸς οὔτινʼ ἂν τρέσαιμʼ ἐγώ,οὐδʼ ἑλκοποιὰ γίγνεται τὰ σήματα·λόφοι δὲ κώδων τʼ οὐ δάκνουσʼ ἄνευ δορός.
And regarding this "night" which you describe on his shield, sparkling with heaven’s stars—perhaps the folly of it might yield to one some prophetic understanding. For should night fall on this man’s eyes as he dies, then to its bearer this arrogant symbolwould prove rightly and justly named; and it is against himself that he will have prophesied this outrageous violence. Now as for me, against Tydeus I will station the trusty son of Astacus as defender of this gate, since he is full noble andreveres the throne of Honor and detests proud speech. He is slow to act disgracefully, and he has no cowardly nature. His race springs from the men sown of the dragon’s teeth, from one of those whom Ares spared, and so Melanippus is truly born of our land. Ares will decide the outcome with a throw of the dice;
καὶ νύκτα ταύτην ἣν λέγεις ἐπʼ ἀσπίδοςἄστροισι μαρμαίρουσαν οὐρανοῦ κυρεῖν,τάχʼ ἂν γένοιτο μάντις ἡ ἀνοία τινί.εἰ γὰρ θανόντι νὺξ ἐπʼ ὀφθαλμοῖς πέσοι,τῷ τοι φέροντι σῆμʼ ὑπέρκομπον τόδεγένοιτʼ ἂν ὀρθῶς ἐνδίκως τʼ ἐπώνυμον,καὐτὸς καθʼ αὑτοῦ τήνδʼ ὕβριν μαντεύσεται.ἐγὼ δὲ Τυδεῖ κεδνὸν Ἀστακοῦ τόκοντῶνδʼ ἀντιτάξω προστάτην πυλωμάτων,μάλʼ εὐγενῆ τε καὶ τὸν Αἰσχύνης θρόνοντιμῶντα καὶ στυγοῦνθʼ ὑπέρφρονας λόγους.αἰσχρῶν γὰρ ἀργός, μὴ κακὸς δʼ εἶναι φιλεῖ.σπαρτῶν δʼ ἀπʼ ἀνδρῶν, ὧν Ἄρης ἐφείσατο,ῥίζωμʼ ἀνεῖται, κάρτα δʼ ἔστʼ ἐγχώριος,Μελάνιππος· ἔργον δʼ ἐν κύβοις Ἄρης κρινεῖ·
but Justice, his kin by blood, indeed sends this man forth to keep the enemy spear from the mother that gave him birth. Exit Melanippus.
Δίκη δʼ ὁμαίμων κάρτα νιν προστέλλεταιεἴργειν τεκούσῃ μητρὶ πολέμιον δόρυ.
Chorus:May the gods grant success to our champion, since he rises up in a just cause, to battle for his city! But I shudderto watch the bloody deaths of men cut down for the sake of their own people.
Χορός:τὸν ἁμόν νυν ἀντίπαλον εὐτυχεῖνθεοὶ δοῖεν, ὡς δικαίως πόλεωςπρόμαχος ὄρνυται· τρέμω δʼ αἱματη-φόρους μόρους ὑπὲρ φίλωνὀλομένων ἰδέσθαι.
Scout:Yes, may the gods so grant success to this man. Capaneus is stationed at the Electran gates, another giant of a man, greater than the one described before.But his boast is too proud for a mere human, and he makes terrifying threats against our battlements—which, I hope, chance will not fulfil! For he says he will utterly destroy the city with god’s will or without it, and that not even conflict with Zeus, though it should fall before him in the plain, will stand in his way.
Ἄγγελος:τούτῳ μὲν οὕτως εὐτυχεῖν δοῖεν θεοί·Καπανεὺς δʼ ἐπʼ Ἠλέκτραισιν εἴληχεν πύλαις,γίγας ὅδʼ ἄλλος τοῦ πάρος λελεγμένουμείζων, ὁ κόμπος δʼ οὐ κατʼ ἄνθρωπον φρονεῖ,πύργοις δʼ ἀπειλεῖ δείνʼ, ἃ μὴ κραίνοι τύχη·θεοῦ τε γὰρ θέλοντος ἐκπέρσειν πόλινκαὶ μὴ θέλοντός φησιν, οὐδὲ τὴν Διὸςἔριν πέδοι σκήψασαν ἐμποδὼν σχεθεῖν.
The god’s lightning and thunderbolts he compares to midday heat. For his shield’s symbol he has a man without armor bearing fire, and the torch, his weapon, blazes in his hands; and in golden letters he says “I will burn the city.”
τὰς δʼ ἀστραπάς τε καὶ κεραυνίους βολὰςμεσημβρινοῖσι θάλπεσιν προσῄκασεν·ἔχει δὲ σῆμα γυμνὸν ἄνδρα πυρφόρον,φλέγει δὲ λαμπὰς διὰ χερῶν ὡπλισμένη·χρυσοῖς δὲ φωνεῖ γράμμασιν πρήσω πόλιν.
Against such a man make your dispatch—who will meet him in combat, who will stand firm without trembling before his boasts?
τοιῷδε φωτὶ πέμπε—τίς ξυστήσεται,τίς ἄνδρα κομπάζοντα μὴ τρέσας μενεῖ;
Eteocles:Here too gain follows with interest from gain. The tongue proves in the end to be an unerring accuser of men’s wicked thoughts.
Ἐτεοκλής:καὶ τῷδε κέρδει κέρδος ἄλλο τίκτεται.τῶν τοι ματαίων ἀνδράσιν φρονημάτωνἡ γλῶσσʼ ἀληθὴς γίγνεται κατήγορος·
Capaneus makes his threats, ready to act, irreverent toward the gods, and giving his tongue full exercise in wicked glee, he, though a mere mortal, sends a loud and swollen boast to Zeus in heaven. But I trust that the fire-bearing thunderbolt will justly come to him,and when it comes it will not be anything like the sun’s mid-day heat. And against him, even though he is a big talker, a man of fiery spirit, mighty Polyphontes, is stationed, a dependable sentinelwith the good will of guardian Artemis and the other gods. Now tell me about another one allotted to other gates! Exit Polyphontes.
Καπανεὺς δʼ ἀπειλεῖ, δρᾶν παρεσκευασμένος,θεοὺς ἀτίζων, κἀπογυμνάζων στόμαχαρᾷ ματαίᾳ θνητὸς ὢν εἰς οὐρανὸνπέμπει γεγωνὰ Ζηνὶ κυμαίνοντʼ ἔπη·πέποιθα δʼ αὐτῷ ξὺν δίκῃ τὸν πυρφόρονἥξειν κεραυνόν, οὐδὲν ἐξῃκασμένονμεσημβρινοῖσι θάλπεσιν τοῖς ἡλίου.ἀνὴρ δʼ ἐπʼ αὐτῷ, κεἰ στόμαργός ἐστʼ ἄγαν,αἴθων τέτακται λῆμα, Πολυφόντου βία,φερέγγυον φρούρημα, προστατηρίαςἈρτέμιδος εὐνοίαισι σύν τʼ ἄλλοις θεοῖς.λέγʼ ἄλλον ἄλλαις ἐν πύλαις εἰληχότα.
Chorus:Death to him who exults so arrogantly over the city! May the thunderbolt stop him before he leaps into my homeand plunders me from my maiden chambers with his outrageous spear!
Χορός:ὄλοιθʼ ὃς πόλει μεγάλʼ ἐπεύχεται,κεραυνοῦ δέ νιν βέλος ἐπισχέθοι,πρὶν ἐμὸν ἐσθορεῖν δόμον, πωλικῶνθʼ ἑδωλίων ὑπερκόπῳδορί ποτʼ ἐκλαπάξαι.
Scout:Now I will tell you about the man who next drew station at the gates. The third lot leaped out of the upturned bronze helmet for Eteoclus,to hurl his band against the Neistan gates. He whirls his horses as they snort through their bridles, eager to fall against the gate. Their muzzles whistle in a barbarian way, filled with the breath of their haughty nostrils.
Ἄγγελος:καὶ μὴν τὸν ἐντεῦθεν λαχόντα πρὸς πύλαιςλέξω· τρίτῳ γὰρ Ἐτεόκλῳ τρίτος πάλοςἐξ ὑπτίου ʼπήδησεν εὐχάλκου κράνους,πύλαισι Νηίστῃσι προσβαλεῖν λόχον.ἵππους δʼ ἐν ἀμπυκτῆρσιν ἐμβριμωμέναςδινεῖ, θελούσας πρὸς πύλαις πεπτωκέναι.φιμοὶ δὲ συρίζουσι βάρβαρον τρόπον,μυκτηροκόμποις πνεύμασιν πληρούμενοι.
His shield is decorated in great style: an armored man climbs a ladder’s rungs to mount an enemy tower that he wants to destroy. This one, too, shouts in syllables of written letters that even Ares could not hurl him from the battlements.
ἐσχημάτισται δʼ ἀσπὶς οὐ σμικρὸν τρόπον·ἀνὴρ [δʼ·] ὁπλίτης κλίμακος προσαμβάσειςστείχει πρὸς ἐχθρῶν πύργον, ἐκπέρσαι θέλων.βοᾷ δὲ χοὖτος γραμμάτων ἐν ξυλλαβαῖς,ὡς οὐδʼ ἂν Ἄρης σφʼ ἐκβάλοι πυργωμάτων.
Send a dependable opponent against this man, too, to keep the yoke of slavery from our city.
καὶ τῷδε φωτὶ πέμπε τὸν φερέγγυονπόλεως ἀπείργειν τῆσδε δούλιον ζυγόν.
Eteocles:I would send this man here, and with good fortune. Exit Megareus. Indeed, he has already been sent, his only boast in his hands, Megareus, Creon’s seed, of the race of the sown- men.He will not withdraw from the gate in fear of the thunder of the horses’ furious snorting; but either he will die and pay the earth the full price of his nurture, or will capture two men and the city on the shield, and then adorn his father’s house with the spoils.
Ἐτεοκλής:πέμποιμʼ ἂν ἤδη τόνδε, σὺν τύχῃ δέ τῳ·καὶ δὴ πέπεμπται κόμπον ἐν χεροῖν ἔχων,Μεγαρεύς, Κρέοντος σπέρμα τοῦ σπαρτῶνγένους,ὃς οὔτι μάργων ἱππικῶν φρυαγμάτωνβρόμον φοβηθεὶς ἐκ πυλῶν χωρήσεται,ἀλλʼ ἢ θανὼν τροφεῖα πληρώσει χθονί,ἢ καὶ δύʼ ἄνδρε καὶ πόλισμʼ ἐπʼ ἀσπίδοςἑλὼν λαφύροις δῶμα κοσμήσει πατρός.
Tell me about another’s boasts and do not begrudge me the full tale!
κόμπαζʼ ἐπʼ ἄλλῳ, μηδέ μοι φθόνει λέγων.
Chorus:O champion of my home, I pray that this man will have good fortune, and that there will be bad fortune for his enemies. As they boast too much against the city in their frenzied mind,so, too, may Zeus the Requiter look on them in anger!
Χορός:ἐπεύχομαι τῷδε μὲν εὐτυχεῖν, ἰὼπρόμαχʼ ἐμῶν δόμων, τοῖσι δὲ δυστυχεῖν.ὡς δʼ ὑπέραυχα βάζουσιν ἐπὶ πτόλειμαινομένᾳ φρενί, τώς νινΖεὺς νεμέτωρ ἐπίδοι κοταίνων.
Scout:Another, the fourth, has the gate near Onca Athena and takes his stand with a shout, Hippomedon, tremendous in form and figure. I shuddered in fear as he spun a huge disk—the circle of his shield, I mean—I cannot deny it. The symbol-maker who put the design on his shield was no lowly craftsman: the symbol is Typhon, spitting out of his fire-breathing mouth a dark, thick smoke, the darting sister of fire.
Ἄγγελος:τέταρτος ἄλλος, γείτονας πύλας ἔχωνὌγκας Ἀθάνας, ξὺν βοῇ παρίσταται,Ἱππομέδοντος σχῆμα καὶ μέγας τύπος·ἅλω δὲ πολλήν, ἀσπίδος κύκλον λέγω,ἔφριξα δινήσαντος· οὐκ ἄλλως ἐρῶ.ὁ σηματουργὸς δʼ οὔ τις εὐτελὴς ἄρʼ ἦνὅστις τόδʼ ἔργον ὤπασεν πρὸς ἀσπίδι,Τυφῶνʼ ἱέντα πύρπνοον διὰ στόμαλιγνὺν μέλαιναν, αἰόλην πυρὸς κάσιν·
And the rim of the hollow-bellied shield is fastened all around with snaky braids. The warrior himself has raised the war-cry and, inspired by Ares he raves for battle like a maenad, with a look to inspire fear. We must put up a good defense against the assault of such a man,for already Rout is boasting of victory at the gate.
ὄφεων δὲ πλεκτάναισι περίδρομον κύτοςπροσηδάφισται κοιλογάστορος κύκλου.αὐτὸς δʼ ἐπηλάλαξεν, ἔνθεος δʼ Ἄρειβακχᾷ πρὸς ἀλκὴν Θυιὰς ὣς φόβον βλέπων.τοιοῦδε φωτὸς πεῖραν εὖ φυλακτέον·Φόβος γὰρ ἤδη πρὸς πύλαις κομπάζεται.
Eteocles:First Onca Pallas, who dwells near the city, close by the gate, and who loathes outrageousness in a man, will fend him off like a dangerous snake away from nestlings. Moreover, Hyperbius, Oenops’ trusty son,is chosen to match him, man to man, as he is eager to search out his fate in the crisis that chance has wrought—neither in form, nor spirit nor in the wielding of his arms does he bear reproach. Hermes has appropriately pitted them against each other. For the man is hostile to the man he faces in battle,and the gods on their shields also meet as enemies. The one has fire-breathing Typhon, while father Zeus stands upright on Hyperbius’ shield, his lightening bolt aflame in his hand. And no one yet has seen Zeus conquered.
Ἐτεοκλής:πρῶτον μὲν Ὄγκα Παλλάς, ἥτʼ ἀγχίπτολις,πύλαισι γείτων, ἀνδρὸς ἐχθαίρουσʼ ὕβριν,εἴρξει νεοσσῶν ὣς δράκοντα δύσχιμον·Ὑπέρβιος δέ, κεδνὸς Οἴνοπος τόκος,ἀνὴρ κατʼ ἄνδρα τοῦτον ᾑρέθη, θέλωνἐξιστορῆσαι μοῖραν ἐν χρείᾳ τύχης,οὔτʼ εἶδος οὔτε θυμὸν οὐδʼ ὅπλων σχέσινμωμητός, Ἑρμῆς δʼ εὐλόγως ξυνήγαγεν.ἐχθρὸς γὰρ ἁνὴρ ἀνδρὶ τῷ ξυστήσεται,ξυνοίσετον δὲ πολεμίους ἐπʼ ἀσπίδωνθεούς· ὁ μὲν γὰρ πύρπνοον Τυφῶνʼ ἔχει,Ὑπερβίῳ δὲ Ζεὺς πατὴρ ἐπʼ ἀσπίδοςσταδαῖος ἧσται, διὰ χερὸς βέλος φλέγων·κοὔπω τις εἶδε Ζῆνά που νικώμενον.
Such then is the favor of the divine powers: we are with the victors, they with the vanquished, if Zeus in fact proves stronger in battle than Typhon. And it is likely that the mortal adversaries will fare as do their gods; and so, in accordance with the symbol,Zeus will be a savior for Hyperbius since he resides on his shield. Exit Hyperbius.
τοιάδε μέντοι προσφίλεια δαιμόνων·πρὸς τῶν κρατούντων δʼ ἐσμέν, οἱ δʼ ἡσσωμένων,εἰ Ζεύς γε Τυφῶ καρτερώτερος μάχῃ·εἰκὸς δὲ πράξειν ἄνδρας ὧδʼ ἀντιστάτας,Ὑπερβίῳ τε πρὸς λόγον τοῦ σήματοςσωτὴρ γένοιτʼ ἂν Ζεὺς ἐπʼ ἀσπίδος τυχών.
Chorus:I am sure that Zeus’ antagonist, since he has on his shield the unloved form of an earth-born deity, an image hated by both mortals and the long-lived gods,will drop his head in death before the gate.
Χορός:πέποιθα ⟨δὴ⟩ τὸν Διὸς ἀντίτυπον ἔχοντʼἄφιλον ἐν σάκει τοῦ χθονίου δέμαςδαίμονος, ἐχθρὸν εἴκασμα βροτοῖς τε καὶδαροβίοισι θεοῖσιν,πρόσθε πυλᾶν κεφαλὰν ἰάψειν.
Scout:Let it be so! Next I describe the fifth man who is stationed at the fifth, the Northern gate opposite the tomb of Amphion, Zeus’s son. He swears by his spear which, in his confidence, he holds more to be revered than a godand more precious than his eyes, that he will sack the city of the Cadmeans in spite of Zeus. He says this, the beautiful child of a mountain-bred mother—a warrior, half man, half boy, and his beard’s first growth is just now advancing on his cheeks,his youth in first bloom, thick, upspringing hair. But now he makes his advance with a savage heart and a terrifying look, not at all like the maidens he’s named for. Nor does he take his stand at the gate unboasting, but wields our city’s shame on his bronze-forgedshield, his body’s circular defence, on which the Sphinx who eats men raw is cleverly fastened with bolts, her body embossed and gleaming. She carries under her a single Cadmean, so that against this man chiefly our missiles will be hurled.
Ἄγγελος:οὕτως γένοιτο. τὸν δὲ πέμπτον αὖ λέγω,πέμπταισι προσταχθέντα Βορραίαις πύλαις,τύμβον κατʼ αὐτὸν Διογενοῦς Ἀμφίονος·ὄμνυσι δʼ αἰχμὴν ἣν ἔχει μᾶλλον θεοῦσέβειν πεποιθὼς ὀμμάτων θʼ ὑπέρτερον,ἦ μὴν λαπάξειν ἄστυ Καδμείων βίᾳΔιός· τόδʼ αὐδᾷ μητρὸς ἐξ ὀρεσκόουβλάστημα καλλίπρῳρον, ἀνδρόπαις ἀνήρ·στείχει δʼ ἴουλος ἄρτι διὰ παρηίδων,ὥρας φυούσης, ταρφὺς ἀντέλλουσα θρίξ.ὁ δʼ ὠμόν, οὔτι παρθένων ἐπώνυμον,φρόνημα, γοργὸν δʼ ὄμμʼ ἔχων, προσίσταται.οὐ μὴν ἀκόμπαστός γʼ ἐφίσταται πύλαις·τὸ γὰρ πόλεως ὄνειδος ἐν χαλκηλάτῳσάκει, κυκλωτῷ σώματος προβλήματι,Σφίγγʼ ὠμόσιτον προσμεμηχανημένηνγόμφοις ἐνώμα, λαμπρὸν ἔκκρουστον δέμας,φέρει δʼ ὑφʼ αὑτῇ φῶτα Καδμείων ἕνα,ὡς πλεῖστʼ ἐπʼ ἀνδρὶ τῷδʼ ἰάπτεσθαι βέλη.