---
title: "Phoenician Women · Φοίνισσαι"
author: "Euripides"
translator: "Edward P. Coleridge"
languages: [grc, en]
shelf: "Classical Greek"
section: 1 of 3
url: https://scriptura.si/works/euripides-phoenissae/1/
cite: "Euripides, tr. Edward P. Coleridge, Phoenician Women · Φοίνισσαι, section 1. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/euripides-phoenissae/1/"
---

# Phoenician Women · Φοίνισσαι

*Euripides, tr. Edward P. Coleridge*

Jocasta tries to reconcile her warring sons before the gates of Thebes.

> Greek: ed. Gilbert Murray, from the Perseus Digital Library (canonical-greekLit, tlg0006.tlg015, CC BY-SA 4.0).

> English: Edward P. Coleridge, from the Perseus Digital Library (tlg0006.tlg015.perseus-eng2). Notes are not included.

> Rows follow the references the two texts share (line numbers), cut where both reach the end of a sentence.

## 1. Lines 1–600

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/euripides-phoenissae/1/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/euripides-phoenissae/1/#p-N

[¶0] Before the royal palace of Thebes.
Jocasta:
O Sun-god, you who cut your path in heaven’s stars, mounted on a chariot inlaid with gold and whirling out your flame with swift horses, what an unfortunate beam you shed on Thebes, the day
that Cadmus left Phoenicia’s realm beside the sea and reached this land! He married at that time Harmonia, the daughter of Cypris, and begot Polydorus from whom they say Labdacus was born, and Laius from him.

> Greek: Ἰοκάστη:
ὦ τὴν ἐν ἄστροις οὐρανοῦ τέμνων ὁδὸν
καὶ χρυσοκολλήτοισιν ἐμβεβὼς δίφροις
Ἥλιε, θοαῖς ἵπποισιν εἱλίσσων φλόγα,
ὡς δυστυχῆ Θήβαισι τῇ τόθʼ ἡμέρᾳ
ἀκτῖνʼ ἐφῆκας, Κάδμος ἡνίκʼ ἦλθε γῆν
τήνδʼ, ἐκλιπὼν Φοίνισσαν ἐναλίαν χθόνα·
ὃς παῖδα γήμας Κύπριδος Ἁρμονίαν ποτὲ
Πολύδωρον ἐξέφυσε, τοῦ δὲ Λάβδακον
φῦναι λέγουσιν, ἐκ δὲ τοῦδε Λάιον.

[¶1] I am known as the daughter of Menoeceus, and Creon is my brother by the same mother. They call me Jocasta, for so my father named me, and I am married to Laius. Now when he was still childless after being married to me a long time in the palace,
he went and questioned Phoebus, and asked for us both to have sons for the house. But the god said: “Lord of Thebes famous for horses, do not sow a furrow of children against the will of the gods; for if you beget a son, that child will kill you,”
“and all your house shall wade through blood.” But he, yielding to pleasure in a drunken fit, begot a child on me; and afterwards, conscious of his sin and of the god’s warning, he gave the child to shepherds to expose
in Hera’s meadow and the crag of Cithaeron, after piercing his ankles with iron spikes; from which Hellas named him Oedipus. But Polybus’ horsemen found him and took him home and laid him in the arms of their mistress.
So she suckled the child that I had borne and persuaded her husband she was its mother.

> Greek: ἐγὼ δὲ παῖς μὲν κλῄζομαι Μενοικέως,
— Κρέων τʼ ἀδελφὸς μητρὸς ἐκ μιᾶς ἔφυ —
καλοῦσι δʼ Ἰοκάστην με· τοῦτο γὰρ πατὴρ
ἔθετο. γαμεῖ δὲ Λάιός μʼ· ἐπεὶ δʼ ἄπαις
ἦν χρόνια λέκτρα τἄμʼ ἔχων ἐν δώμασιν,
ἐλθὼν ἐρωτᾷ Φοῖβον ἐξαιτεῖ θʼ ἅμα
παίδων ἐς οἴκους ἀρσένων κοινωνίαν.
ὃ δʼ εἶπεν· ὦ Θήβαισιν εὐίπποις ἄναξ,
μὴ σπεῖρε τέκνων ἄλοκα δαιμόνων βίᾳ·
εἰ γὰρ τεκνώσεις παῖδʼ, ἀποκτενεῖ σʼ ὁ φύς,
καὶ πᾶς σὸς οἶκος βήσεται διʼ αἵματος.
ὃ δʼ ἡδονῇ δοὺς ἔς τε βακχείαν πεσὼν
ἔσπειρεν ἡμῖν παῖδα· καὶ σπείρας, βρέφος
γνοὺς τἀμπλάκημα τοῦ θεοῦ τε τὴν φάτιν,
λειμῶνʼ ἐς Ἥρας καὶ Κιθαιρῶνος λέπας
δίδωσι βουκόλοισιν ἐκθεῖναι βρέφος,
σφυρῶν σιδηρᾶ κέντρα διαπείρας μέσον·
ὅθεν νιν Ἑλλὰς ὠνόμαζεν Οἰδίπουν.
Πολύβου δέ νιν λαβόντες ἱπποβουκόλοι
φέρουσʼ ἐς οἴκους ἔς τε δεσποίνης χέρας
ἔθηκαν. ἣ δὲ τὸν ἐμὸν ὠδίνων πόνον
μαστοῖς ὑφεῖτο καὶ πόσιν πείθει τεκεῖν.

[¶2] When my son had become a man, with tawny beard, either because he had guessed or learned it from another, he set out for the shrine of Phoebus, wanting to know for certain who his parents were;
and so did Laius, my husband, seeking to learn if the child he had exposed was dead. And the two of them met at the branching road of Phocis. And Laius’ charioteer ordered him:

> Greek: ἤδη δὲ πυρσαῖς γένυσιν ἐξανδρούμενος
παῖς οὑμὸς ἢ γνοὺς ἤ τινος μαθὼν πάρα
ἔστειχε τοὺς φύσαντας ἐκμαθεῖν θέλων
πρὸς δῶμα Φοίβου, Λάιός θʼ, οὑμὸς πόσις,
τὸν ἐκτεθέντα παῖδα μαστεύων μαθεῖν
εἰ μηκέτʼ εἴη. καὶ ξυνάπτετον πόδα
ἐς ταὐτὸν ἄμφω Φωκίδος σχιστῆς ὁδοῦ.
καί νιν κελεύει Λαΐου τροχηλάτης·

[¶3] “Stranger, make way for the king!” But he walked on without a word, in his pride. The horses with their hoofs drew blood from the tendons of his feet. Then—why need I speak of matters outside these evils?—son slew father, and taking his chariot
gave it to Polybus, his foster-father. Now when the Sphinx was oppressing and ravaging our city, after my husband’s death, my brother Creon proclaimed my marriage: that he would marry me to anyone who should guess the riddle of the crafty maiden. It happened somehow
that my son, Oedipus, guessed the Sphinx’s song; [and so he became king of this land] and received the scepter of this land as his prize. He married his mother in ignorance, luckless wretch! nor did his mother know that she was sleeping with her son.

> Greek: ὦ ξένε, τυράννοις ἐκποδὼν μεθίστασο.
ὃ δʼ εἷρπʼ ἄναυδος, μέγα φρονῶν. πῶλοι δέ νιν
χηλαῖς τένοντας ἐξεφοίνισσον ποδῶν.
ὅθεν — τί τἀκτὸς τῶν κακῶν με δεῖ λέγειν; —
παῖς πατέρα καίνει καὶ λαβὼν ὀχήματα
Πολύβῳ τροφεῖ δίδωσιν. ὡς δʼ ἐπεζάρει
Σφὶγξ ἁρπαγαῖσι πόλιν ἐμός τʼ οὐκ ἦν πόσις,
Κρέων ἀδελφὸς τἀμὰ κηρύσσει λέχη,
ὅστις σοφῆς αἴνιγμα παρθένου μάθοι,
τούτῳ ξυνάψειν λέκτρα. τυγχάνει δέ πως
μούσας ἐμὸς παῖς Οἰδίπους Σφιγγὸς μαθών·
[ὅθεν τύραννος τῆσδε γῆς καθίσταται]
καὶ σκῆπτρʼ ἔπαθλα τῆσδε λαμβάνει χθονός.
γαμεῖ δὲ τὴν τεκοῦσαν οὐκ εἰδὼς τάλας
οὐδʼ ἡ τεκοῦσα παιδὶ συγκοιμωμένη.

[¶4] I bore my son two sons, Eteocles and the hero Polyneices, and two daughters; the one her father called Ismene; the other, which was the elder, I named Antigone. Now when Oedipus, who endured so much,
learned that he was married to his mother, he inflicted a dreadful slaughter upon his eyes, making the pupils bloody with a golden brooch. But when my sons grew to bearded men, they hid their father behind bars, so that his misfortune,
needing as it did much skill to hide it, might be forgotten. He is still living in the house. Afflicted by his fate, he makes the most unholy curses against his sons, praying that they may divide this house with a sharp sword.

> Greek: τίκτω δὲ παῖδας παιδὶ δύο μὲν ἄρσενας,
Ἐτεοκλέα κλεινήν τε Πολυνείκους βίαν,
κόρας τε δισσάς· τὴν μὲν Ἰσμήνην πατὴρ
ὠνόμασε, τὴν δὲ πρόσθεν Ἀντιγόνην ἐγώ.
μαθὼν δὲ τἀμὰ λέκτρα μητρῴων γάμων
ὁ πάντʼ ἀνατλὰς Οἰδίπους παθήματα
ἐς ὄμμαθʼ αὑτοῦ δεινὸν ἐμβάλλει φόνον,
χρυσηλάτοις πόρπαισιν αἱμάξας κόρας.
ἐπεὶ δὲ τέκνων γένυς ἐμῶν σκιάζεται,
κλῄθροις ἔκρυψαν πατέρʼ, ἵνʼ ἀμνήμων τύχη
γένοιτο πολλῶν δεομένη σοφισμάτων·
ζῶν δʼ ἔστʼ ἐν οἴκοις. πρὸς δὲ τῆς τύχης νοσῶν
ἀρὰς ἀρᾶται παισὶν ἀνοσιωτάτας,
θηκτῷ σιδήρῳ δῶμα διαλαχεῖν τόδε.

[¶5] So they were afraid
that the gods might fulfil his prayers if they dwell together; and they made an agreement, that Polyneices, the younger, should first leave the land in voluntary exile, while Eteocles should stay and hold the scepter, and then change places yearly. But as soon as Eteocles was seated on the bench of power,
he did not leave the throne, but drove Polyneices into exile from this land. So Polyneices went to Argos and married into the family of Adrastus, and having collected a numerous force of Argives is leading them here; and he has come against these very walls of seven gates,
demanding the scepter of his father and his share of the land. Now I, to end their strife, have persuaded one son to meet the other under truce, before seizing arms; and the messenger I sent tells me that he will come. O Zeus, dwelling in the bright folds of heaven,
save us, and reconcile my sons! For you, if you are really wise, must not allow the same mortal to be forever wretched. Exit Jocasta.

> Greek: τὼ δʼ ἐς φόβον πεσόντε, μὴ τελεσφόρους
εὐχὰς θεοὶ κραίνωσιν οἰκούντων ὁμοῦ,
ξυμβάντʼ ἔταξαν τὸν νεώτερον πάρος
φεύγειν ἑκόντα τήνδε Πολυνείκη χθόνα,
Ἐτεοκλέα δὲ σκῆπτρʼ ἔχειν μένοντα γῆς,
ἐνιαυτὸν ἀλλάσσοντε. ἐπεὶ δʼ ἐπὶ ζυγοῖς
καθέζετʼ ἀρχῆς, οὐ μεθίσταται θρόνων,
φυγάδα δʼ ἀπωθεῖ τῆσδε Πολυνείκη χθονός.
ὃ δʼ Ἄργος ἐλθών, κῆδος Ἀδράστου λαβών,
πολλὴν ἀθροίσας ἀσπίδʼ Ἀργείων ἄγει·
ἐπʼ αὐτὰ δʼ ἐλθὼν ἑπτάπυλα τείχη τάδε,
πατρῷʼ ἀπαιτεῖ σκῆπτρα καὶ μέρη χθονός.
ἐγὼ δʼ ἔριν λύουσʼ ὑπόσπονδον μολεῖν
ἔπεισα παιδὶ παῖδα πρὶν ψαῦσαι δορός.
ἥξειν δʼ ὁ πεμφθείς φησιν αὐτὸν ἄγγελος.
ἀλλʼ, ὦ φαεννὰς οὐρανοῦ ναίων πτυχὰς
Ζεῦ, σῶσον ἡμᾶς, δὸς δὲ σύμβασιν τέκνοις.
χρὴ δʼ, εἰ σοφὸς πέφυκας, οὐκ ἐᾶν βροτὸν
τὸν αὐτὸν αἰεὶ δυστυχῆ καθεστάναι.

[¶6] Old servant:
From the roof. Antigone, famous child in your father’s house, although your mother allowed you at your entreaty to leave your maiden chamber
for the topmost story of the house, to see the Argive army, wait, so that I may first investigate the path, whether there be any of the citizens visible on the road, and reproach, a slight matter to a slave like me, should come
to you, my royal mistress; and when I have examined everything, I will tell you what I saw and heard from the Argives, when I carried the terms of the truce from here to Polyneices and back from him again.
After a slight pause.

> Greek: Παιδαγωγός:
ὦ κλεινὸν οἴκοις Ἀντιγόνη θάλος πατρί,
ἐπεί σε μήτηρ παρθενῶνας ἐκλιπεῖν
μεθῆκε μελάθρων ἐς διῆρες ἔσχατον
στράτευμʼ ἰδεῖν Ἀργεῖον ἱκεσίαισι σαῖς,
ἐπίσχες, ὡς ἂν προυξερευνήσω στίβον,
μή τις πολιτῶν ἐν τρίβῳ φαντάζεται,
κἀμοὶ μὲν ἔλθῃ φαῦλος ὡς δούλῳ ψόγος,
σοὶ δʼ ὡς ἀνάσσῃ· πάντα δʼ ἐξειδὼς φράσω
ἅ τʼ εἶδον εἰσήκουσά τʼ Ἀργείων πάρα,
σπονδὰς ὅτʼ ἦλθον σῷ κασιγνήτῳ φέρων
ἐνθένδʼ ἐκεῖσε, δεῦρό τʼ αὖ κείνων πάρα.

[¶7] No, there is no citizen near the house,
so mount the ancient cedar steps, and view the plains; beside Ismenus’ streams and the fountain of Dirce see the great army of the enemy.

> Greek: ἀλλʼ οὔτις ἀστῶν τοῖσδε χρίμπτεται δόμοις,
κέδρου παλαιὰν κλίμακʼ ἐκπέρα ποδί·
σκόπει δὲ πεδία καὶ παρʼ Ἰσμηνοῦ ῥοὰς
Δίρκης τε νᾶμα πολεμίων στράτευμʼ ὅσον.

[¶8] Antigone:
Stretch out your hand to me from the stairs now, stretch it out, the hand of age to youth,
helping me to rise.

> Greek: Ἀντιγόνη:
ὄρεγέ νυν ὄρεγε γεραιὰν νέᾳ
χεῖρʼ ἀπὸ κλιμάκων
ποδὸς ἴχνος ἐπαντέλλων.

[¶9] Old servant:
There! clasp it, maiden; you have come at the right time; for Pelasgia’s army is just upon the move, and they are separating the companies.

> Greek: Παιδαγωγός:
ἰδοὺ ξύναψον, παρθένʼ· ἐς καιρὸν δʼ ἔβης·
κινούμενον γὰρ τυγχάνει Πελασγικὸν
στράτευμα, χωρίζουσι δʼ ἀλλήλων λόχους.

[¶10] Antigone:
O Lady Hecate,
child of Leto! The plain is one lightning-flash of bronze.

> Greek: Ἀντιγόνη:
ἰὼ πότνια παῖ
Λατοῦς Ἑκάτα, κατάχαλκον ἅπαν
πεδίον ἀστράπτει.

[¶11] Old servant:
Ah! this is no ordinary home-coming of Polyneices, with the clash of many horses, many arms.

> Greek: Παιδαγωγός:
οὐ γάρ τι φαύλως ἦλθε Πολυνείκης χθόνα,
πολλοῖς μὲν ἵπποις, μυρίοις δʼ ὅπλοις βρέμων.

[¶12] Antigone:
Are the gates barred, and the brazen bolts
fitted into Amphion’s walls of stone?

> Greek: Ἀντιγόνη:
ἆρα πύλαι κλῄθροις — χαλκόδετʼ ἆρʼ ἔμβολα
λαϊνέοισιν Ἀμφίονος ὀργάνοις
τείχεος ἥρμοσται;

[¶13] Old servant:
Never fear! All is safe within the town. But see the first one, if you want to know him.

> Greek: Παιδαγωγός:
θάρσει· τά γʼ ἔνδον ἀσφαλῶς ἔχει πόλις.
ἀλλʼ εἰσόρα τὸν πρῶτον, εἰ βούλῃ μαθεῖν.

[¶14] Antigone:
Who is that one with the white crest,
who marches before the army, lightly bearing on his arm a shield all of bronze?

> Greek: Ἀντιγόνη:
τίς οὗτος ὁ λευκολόφας,
πρόπαρ ὃς ἁγεῖται στρατοῦ πάγχαλκον ἀσπίδʼ
ἀμφὶ βραχίονι κουφίζων;

[¶15] Old servant:
A captain, mistress.

> Greek: Παιδαγωγός:
λοχαγός, ὦ δέσποινα.

[¶16] Antigone:
Who is he? Who is his family? Tell me his name, old man.

> Greek: Ἀντιγόνη:
τίς, πόθεν γεγώς;
αὔδασον, ὦ γεραιέ, τίς ὀνομάζεται;

[¶17] Old servant:
He claims to be Mycenaean; by Lerna’s streams he dwells, the lord Hippomedon.

> Greek: Παιδαγωγός:
οὗτος Μυκηναῖος μὲν αὐδᾶται γένος,
Λερναῖα δʼ οἰκεῖ νάμαθʼ, Ἱππομέδων ἄναξ.

[¶18] Antigone:
Ah, ah! How proud, how fearful to see, like an earth-born giant, with stars engraved on his shield, not resembling
mortal race.

> Greek: Ἀντιγόνη:
ἒ ἒ ὡς γαῦρος, ὡς φοβερὸς εἰσιδεῖν,
γίγαντι γηγενέτᾳ προσόμοιος
ἀστερωπὸς ἐν γραφαῖσιν, οὐχὶ πρόσφορος
ἁμερίῳ γέννᾳ.

[¶19] Old servant:
Do you see the one crossing Dirce’s stream?

> Greek: Παιδαγωγός:
τὸν δʼ ἐξαμείβοντʼ οὐχ ὁρᾷς Δίρκης ὕδωρ;

[¶20] Antigone:
His armor is quite different. Who is that?

> Greek: Ἀντιγόνη:
ἄλλος ἄλλος ὅδε τευχέων τρόπος.
τίς δʼ ἐστὶν οὗτος;

[¶21] Old servant:
Tydeus, the son of Oeneus, Aetolian battle-spirit in his breast.

> Greek: Παιδαγωγός:
παῖς μὲν Οἰνέως ἔφυ
Τυδεύς, Ἄρη δʼ Αἰτωλὸν ἐν στέρνοις ἔχει.

[¶22] Antigone:
Is this the one, old man, who married a sister of Polyneices’ wife? What a foreign look his armor has, half-barbarian!

> Greek: Ἀντιγόνη:
οὗτος ὁ τᾶς Πολυνείκεος,
ὦ γέρον, αὐτοκασιγνήτᾳ νύμφας
ὁμόγαμος κυρεῖ;
ὡς ἀλλόχρως ὅπλοισι, μειξοβάρβαρος.

[¶23] Old servant:
Yes, my child; all Aetolians carry shields,
and are most unerring marksmen with their darts.
[]

> Greek: Παιδαγωγός:
σακεσφόροι γὰρ πάντες Αἰτωλοί, τέκνον,
λόγχαις τʼ ἀκοντιστῆρες εὐστοχώτατοι.

[¶24] Antigone:
[How do you know them so clearly, old man?]
[]

> Greek: Ἀντιγόνη:
σὺ δʼ, ὦ γέρον, πῶς αἰσθάνῃ σαφῶς τάδε;

[¶25] Old servant:
[I saw and learned the devices on their shields before, when I went with the terms of the truce to your brother, since I looked closely at them, I know the armed men.]

> Greek: Παιδαγωγός:
σημεῖʼ ἰδὼν τότʼ ἀσπίδων ἐγνώρισα,
σπονδὰς ὅτʼ ἦλθον σῷ κασιγνήτῳ φέρων
ἃ προσδεδορκὼς οἶδα τοὺς ὡπλισμένους.

[¶26] Antigone:
Who is that youth passing by the tomb of Zethus, with long flowing hair, fierce to see? Is he a captain? For an armed crowd follows at his heels.

> Greek: Ἀντιγόνη:
τίς δʼ οὗτος ἀμφὶ μνῆμα τὸ Ζήθου περᾷ
καταβόστρυχος, ὄμμασι γοργὸς
εἰσιδεῖν νεανίας,
λοχαγός, ὡς ὄχλος νιν ὑστέρῳ ποδὶ
πάνοπλος ἀμφέπει;

[¶27] Old servant:
That is Parthenopaeus, Atalanta’s son.

> Greek: Παιδαγωγός:
ὅδʼ ἐστὶ Παρθενοπαῖος, Ἀταλάντης γόνος.

[¶28] Antigone:
May Artemis, who rushes over the hills with his mother, lay him low with an arrow, for coming against my city to sack it!

> Greek: Ἀντιγόνη:
ἀλλά νιν ἁ κατʼ ὄρη μετὰ ματέρος
Ἄρτεμις ἱεμένα τόξοις δαμάσασʼ ὀλέσειεν,
ὃς ἐπʼ ἐμὰν πόλιν ἔβα πέρσων.

[¶29] Old servant:
May it be so, my child; but they have come here with justice,
and my fear is that the gods will take the rightful view.

> Greek: Παιδαγωγός:
εἴη τάδʼ, ὦ παῖ. σὺν δίκῃ δʼ ἥκουσι γῆν·
ὃ καὶ δέδοικα μὴ σκοπῶσʼ ὀρθῶς θεοί.

[¶30] Antigone:
Where is the one who was born of the same mother as I was, by a painful destiny? Oh! tell me, old friend, where Polyneices is.

> Greek: Ἀντιγόνη:
ποῦ δʼ ὃς ἐμοὶ μιᾶς ἐγένετʼ ἐκ ματρὸς
πολυπόνῳ μοίρᾳ;
ὦ φίλτατʼ, εἰπέ, ποῦ ʼστι Πολυνείκης, γέρον.

[¶31] Old servant:
He is standing by Adrastus,
near the tomb of Niobe’s seven unwed daughters. Do you see him?

> Greek: Παιδαγωγός:
ἐκεῖνος ἑπτὰ παρθένων τάφου πέλας
Νιόβης Ἀδράστῳ πλησίον παραστατεῖ.
ὁρᾷς;

[¶32] Antigone:
I see him, yes! but not clearly; I see the outline of his form, the likeness of his breast. Would I could speed through the sky, swift as a cloud before the wind,
towards my own dear brother, and throw my arms about my darling’s neck, so long, poor boy! an exile. How distinguished he is with his golden weapons, old man, flashing like the morning rays!

> Greek: Ἀντιγόνη:
ὁρῶ δῆτʼ οὐ σαφῶς, ὁρῶ δέ πως
μορφῆς τύπωμα στέρνα τʼ ἐξῃκασμένα.
ἀνεμώκεος εἴθε δρόμον νεφέλας ποσὶν ἐξανύσαιμι
διʼ αἰθέρος
πρὸς ἐμὸν ὁμογενέτορα, περὶ δʼ ὠλένας
δέρᾳ φιλτάτᾳ βάλοιμʼ ⟨ἐν⟩ χρόνῳ
φυγάδα μέλεον. ὡς
ὅπλοισι χρυσέοισιν ἐκπρεπής, γέρον,
ἑῴοις ὅμοια φλεγέθων βολαῖς [ἀελίου].

[¶33] Old servant:
He will come to this house, under truce, to fill your heart with joy.

> Greek: Παιδαγωγός:
ἥξει δόμους τούσδʼ, ὥστε σʼ ἐμπλῆσαι χαρᾶς,
ἔνσπονδος.

[¶34] Antigone:
Who is that, old man, on his chariot, driving white horses?

> Greek: Ἀντιγόνη:
οὗτος δʼ, ὦ γεραιέ, τίς κυρεῖ,
ὃς ἅρμα λευκὸν ἡνιοστροφεῖ βεβώς;

[¶35] Old servant:
That, lady, is the prophet Amphiaraus; with him are the victims, earth’s bloodthirsty streams.

> Greek: Παιδαγωγός:
ὁ μάντις Ἀμφιάραος, ὦ δέσποινʼ, ὅδε·
σφάγια δʼ ἅμʼ αὐτῷ, γῆς φιλαίματοι ῥοαί.

[¶36] Antigone:
Daughter of the sun with dazzling zone, O moon, you circle of golden light, how quietly, with what restraint he drives, goading first one horse, then the other! But where is the one who utters those dreadful insults against this city?

> Greek: Ἀντιγόνη:
ὦ λιπαροζώνου θύγατερ Ἀελίου
Σελαναία, χρυσεόκυκλον φέγγος,
ὡς ἀτρεμαῖα κέντρα καὶ σώφρονα
πώλοις μεταφέρων ἰθύνει.
ποῦ δʼ ὃς τὰ δεινὰ τῇδʼ ἐφυβρίζει πόλει;

[¶37] Old servant:
Capaneus? There he is, calculating how he may scale the towers, taking the measure of our walls up and down.

> Greek: Παιδαγωγός:
Καπανεύς; ἐκεῖνος προσβάσεις τεκμαίρεται
πύργων ἄνω τε καὶ κάτω τείχη μετρῶν.

[¶38] Antigone:
O Nemesis, and roaring thunder-peals of Zeus and blazing lightning-bolts, oh! put to sleep his presumptuous boasting!

> Greek: Ἀντιγόνη:
ἰώ,
Νέμεσι καὶ Διὸς βαρύβρομοι βρονταί,
κεραυνῶν τε φῶς αἰθαλόεν, σύ τοι
μεγαλαγορίαν ὑπεράνορα κοιμίζεις·

[¶39] This is the man who says he will give the Theban girls as captives of his spear to the women of Mycenae, to Lerna’s trident, and the waters of Amymone, dear to Poseidon, when he has them enslaved.
Never, never, Lady Artemis, golden-haired child of Zeus, may I endure that slavery.

> Greek: ὅδʼ ἐστίν, αἰχμαλώτιδας
ὃς δορὶ Θηβαίας Μυκηνηΐσιν
Λερναίᾳ τε δώσειν τριαίνᾳ,
Ποσειδανίοις Ἀμυμωνίοις
ὕδασι δουλείαν περιβαλών —
μήποτε μήποτε τάνδʼ, ὦ πότνια,
χρυσεοβόστρυχον ὦ Διὸς ἔρνος
Ἄρτεμι, δουλοσύναν τλαίην.

[¶40] Old servant:
My child, go inside, and stay beneath the shelter of your maiden chamber, now that you have had
your wish and seen all that you wanted; for a crowd of women is coming toward the royal palace, as confusion enters the city. Now women by nature love scandal; and if they get some slight handle for their gossip
they exaggerate it, for women seem to have pleasure in saying nothing wholesome about each other. Exeunt Antigone and the old servant.

> Greek: Παιδαγωγός:
ὦ τέκνον, ἔσβα δῶμα καὶ κατὰ στέγας
ἐν παρθενῶσι μίμνε σοῖς, ἐπεὶ πόθου
ἐς τέρψιν ἦλθες ὧν ἔχρῃζες εἰσιδεῖν.
ὄχλος γάρ, ὡς ταραγμὸς εἰσῆλθεν πόλιν,
χωρεῖ γυναικῶν πρὸς δόμους τυραννικούς,
φιλόψογον δὲ χρῆμα θηλειῶν ἔφυ,
σμικράς τʼ ἀφορμὰς ἢν λάβωσι τῶν λόγων,
πλείους ἐπεσφέρουσιν· ἡδονὴ δέ τις
γυναιξὶ μηδὲν ὑγιὲς ἀλλήλας λέγειν.

[¶41] Chorus:
From the Tyrian swell of the sea I came, a choice offering for Loxias from the island of Phoenicia,
to be a slave to Phoebus in his halls, where he dwells under the snow-swept peaks of Parnassus; through the Ionian sea I sailed in the waves,
over the unharvested plains, in the gusts of Zephyrus that ride from Sicily, sweetest music in the sky.

> Greek: Χορός:
Τύριον οἶδμα λιποῦσʼ ἔβαν
ἀκροθίνια Λοξίᾳ
Φοινίσσας ἀπὸ νάσου
Φοίβῳ δούλα μελάθρων,
ἵνʼ ὑπὸ δειράσι νιφοβόλοις
Παρνασοῦ κατενάσθη,
Ἰόνιον κατὰ πόντον ἐλά-
τᾳ πλεύσασα περιρρύτῳ
ὑπὲρ ἀκαρπίστων πεδίων
Σικελίας Ζεφύρου πνοαῖς
ἱππεύσαντος, ἐν οὐρανῷ
κάλλιστον κελάδημα.

[¶42] Chorus:
Chosen from my city
as beauty’s gift for Loxias, to the land of Cadmus I came, sent here to the towers of Laius, the home of my kin, the famous sons of Agenor.

> Greek: Χορός:
πόλεος ἐκπροκριθεῖσʼ ἐμᾶς
καλλιστεύματα Λοξίᾳ
Καδμείων ἔμολον γᾶν,
κλεινῶν Ἀγηνοριδᾶν
ὁμογενεῖς ἐπὶ Λαΐου
πεμφθεῖσʼ ἐνθάδε πύργους.

[¶43] And I became the handmaid of Phoebus, dedicated like his statues of wrought gold. But the water of Castalia is still waiting for me to drench the maiden glory of my hair
for the service of Phoebus.

> Greek: ἴσα δʼ ἀγάλμασι χρυσοτεύ-
κτοις Φοίβῳ λάτρις ἐγενόμαν·
ἔτι δὲ Κασταλίας ὕδωρ
περιμένει με κόμας ἐμᾶς
δεῦσαι παρθένιον χλιδὰν
Φοιβείαισι λατρείαις.

[¶44] Chorus:
Hail, rock that lights up a double-crested flash of fire above the frenzied heights of Dionysus; and the vine, that every day
lets fall the lush cluster of grapes; and the holy cavern of the serpent and the gods’ watchtower on the hills, and the sacred snow-swept mountain!
Would I were free of fear and circling in the dance of the deathless god, having left Dirce for the valleys of Phoebus at the center of the world.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἰὼ λάμπουσα πέτρα πυρὸς
δικόρυφον σέλας ὑπὲρ ἄκρων
βακχειῶν Διονύσου,
οἴνα θʼ ἃ καθαμέριον
στάζεις τὸν πολύκαρπον
οἰνάνθας ἱεῖσα βότρυν,
ζάθεά τʼ ἄντρα δράκοντος οὔ-
ρειαί τε σκοπιαὶ θεῶν
νιφόβολόν τʼ ὄρος ἱερόν, εἱ-
λίσσων ἀθανάτας θεοῦ
χορὸς γενοίμαν ἄφοβος
παρὰ μεσόμφαλα γύαλα Φοί-
βου Δίρκαν προλιποῦσα.

[¶45] Chorus:
But now I find
the impetuous god of war has come to battle before the walls, and is kindling a murderous blaze—may he not succeed!—for this city. For a friend’s pain is shared, and if this land with its seven towers
suffers any mischance, Phoenicia’s realm will share it. Ah me! our blood is one; we are all children of Io, the horned maid; these sorrows I claim as mine.

> Greek: Χορός:
νῦν δέ μοι πρὸ τειχέων
θούριος μολὼν Ἄρης
αἷμα δάιον φλέγει
τᾷδʼ, ὃ μὴ τύχοι, πόλει·
κοινὰ γὰρ φίλων ἄχη,
κοινὰ δʼ, εἴ τι πείσεται
ἑπτάπυργος ἅδε γᾶ,
Φοινίσσᾳ χώρᾳ. φεῦ φεῦ.
κοινὸν αἷμα, κοινὰ τέκεα
τᾶς κερασφόρου πέφυκεν Ἰοῦς·
ὧν μέτεστί μοι πόνων.

[¶46] Chorus:
Around the city a thick cloud of shields is kindling a shape of bloody battle, which Ares will soon learn, if he brings upon the sons of Oedipus
the curse of the Furies. O Argos, city of Pelasgia! I dread your might, and also what comes from the gods; for the one who approaches his home in armor is setting out to a contest
that is not without justice.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἀμφὶ δὲ πτόλιν νέφος
ἀσπίδων πυκνὸν φλέγει
σχῆμα φοινίου μάχης,
ἃν Ἄρης τάχʼ εἴσεται
παισὶν Οἰδίπου φέρων
πημονὰν Ἐρινύων.
Ἄργος ὦ Πελασγικόν,
δειμαίνω τὰν σὰν ἀλκάν,
καὶ τὸ θεόθεν· οὐ γὰρ ἄδικον
εἰς ἀγῶνα τόνδʼ ἔνοπλος ὁρμᾷ [παῖς]
ὃς μετέρχεται δόμους.

[¶47] Polyneices:
The doorkeeper’s bolts admitted me readily within the walls, and so I fear that now they have caught me in their nets, they will not let me out unscathed;

> Greek: Πολυνείκης:
τὰ μὲν πυλωρῶν κλῇθρά μʼ εἰσεδέξατο
διʼ εὐπετείας τειχέων ἔσω μολεῖν.
ὃ καὶ δέδοικα μή με δικτύων ἔσω
λαβόντες οὐκ ἐκφρῶσʼ ἀναίμακτον χρόα.

[¶48] so I must turn my eye in every direction, here and there, to guard against treachery. Armed with this sword, I shall inspire myself with the confidence that is born of boldness. Starting. Oh! Who is that? Or is it a sound I fear?

> Greek: ὧν οὕνεκʼ ὄμμα πανταχῇ διοιστέον
κἀκεῖσε καὶ τὸ δεῦρο, μὴ δόλος τις ᾖ.
ὡπλισμένος δὲ χεῖρα τῷδε φασγάνῳ
τὰ πίστʼ ἐμαυτῷ τοῦ θράσους παρέξομαι.
ὠή, τίς οὗτος; ἢ κτύπον φοβούμεθα;

[¶49] Everything seems a danger to the daring, when their feet begin to tread an enemy’s country. Still I trust my mother, and at the same time mistrust her, the one who persuaded me to come here under truce. Well, there is help at hand, for the altar’s hearth
is close and the house is not deserted. Come, let me sheath my sword in its dark scabbard and ask these women standing near the house, who they are.

> Greek: ἅπαντα γὰρ τολμῶσι δεινὰ φαίνεται,
ὅταν διʼ ἐχθρᾶς ποὺς ἀμείβηται χθονός.
πέποιθα μέντοι μητρί, κοὐ πέποιθʼ ἅμα,
ἥτις μʼ ἔπεισε δεῦρʼ ὑπόσπονδον μολεῖν.
ἀλλʼ ἐγγὺς ἀλκή· βώμιοι γὰρ ἐσχάραι
πέλας πάρεισι, κοὐκ ἔρημα δώματα.
φέρʼ ἐς σκοτεινὰς περιβολὰς μεθῶ ξίφος
καὶ τάσδʼ ἔρωμαι, τίνες ἐφεστᾶσιν δόμοις.

[¶50] Ladies of another land, tell me from what country do you come to the halls of Hellas?

> Greek: ξέναι γυναῖκες, εἴπατʼ, ἐκ ποίας πάτρας
Ἑλληνικοῖσι δώμασιν πελάζετε;

[¶51] Chorus Leader:
Phoenicia is my native land where I was born and bred; and the grandsons of Agenor sent me here as first-fruits of the spoil of war for Phoebus. But when the noble son of Oedipus was about to send me to the hallowed oracle and the altars of Loxias,
the Argive army came against his city. Now tell me in return who you are, who have come to this fortress of the Theban land with its seven gates.

> Greek: Χορός:
Φοίνισσα μὲν γῆ πατρὶς ἡ θρέψασά με,
Ἀγήνορος δὲ παῖδες ἐκ παίδων δορὸς
Φοίβῳ μʼ ἔπεμψαν ἐνθάδʼ ἀκροθίνιον.
μέλλων δὲ πέμπειν μʼ Οἰδίπου κλεινὸς γόνος
μαντεῖα σεμνὰ Λοξίου τʼ ἐπʼ ἐσχάρας —
ἐν τῷδʼ ἐπεστράτευσαν Ἀργεῖοι πόλιν.
σὺ δʼ ἀντάμειψαί μʼ, ὅστις ὢν ἐλήλυθας
ἑπτάστομον πύργωμα Θηβαίας χθονός.

[¶52] Polyneices:
My father was Oedipus, the son of Laius; my mother Jocasta, daughter of Menoeceus;

> Greek: Πολυνείκης:
πατὴρ μὲν ἡμῖν Οἰδίπους ὁ Λαΐου,
ἔτικτε δʼ Ἰοκάστη με, παῖς Μενοικέως·

[¶53] and I am called Polyneices by the people of Thebes.

> Greek: καλεῖ δὲ Πολυνείκη με Θηβαῖος λεώς.

[¶54] Chorus:
O kinsman of Agenor’s race, my royal masters who sent me here!
I fall to my knees before you, lord, honoring the custom of my home.
At last you have come to your native land. Hail to you! all hail! Lady, come from the house, open wide the gates! Do you hear, you who gave birth to this man? Why do you delay to leave the sheltered hall
and hold your son in your embrace?

> Greek: Χορός:
ὦ συγγένεια τῶν Ἀγήνορος τέκνων,
ἐμῶν τυράννων, ὧν ἀπεστάλην ὕπο —
Χορός:
γονυπετεῖς ἕδρας προσπίτνω σʼ, ἄναξ,
τὸν οἴκοθεν νόμον σέβουσʼ —
ἔβας ὢ χρόνῳ γᾶν πατρῴαν.
ἰὼ ἰώ· πότνια, μόλε πρόδομος,
ἀμπέτασον πύλας.
κλύεις, ὦ τεκοῦσα τόνδε μᾶτερ;
τί μέλλεις ὑπώροφα μέλαθρα περᾶν
θιγεῖν τʼ ὠλέναισιν τέκνου;

[¶55] Jocasta:
Maidens, I hear your Phoenician voice, and my old feet drag their tottering steps. O my son,
at last after countless days I see your face; throw your arms about your mother’s breast, stretch out to me your cheeks and the dark, curly locks of your hair, overshadowing my neck.

> Greek: Ἰοκάστη:
Φοίνισσαν βοὰν
κλύουσʼ, ὦ νεάνιδες, γηραιὸν
πόδʼ ἕλκω, τρομερὰν βάσιν· ἰὼ τέκνον,
χρόνῳ σὸν ὄμμα μυρίαις τʼ ἐν ἁμέραις
προσεῖδον· ἀμφίβαλλε μα-
στὸν ὠλέναισι ματέρος,
παρηίδων τʼ ὄρεγμα βο-
στρύχων τε κυανόχρωτα χαί-
τας πλόκαμον, δέραν σκιάζων ἁμάν.

[¶56] Hail to you! all hail! scarcely here in your mother’s arms, beyond hope and expectation. What can I say to you? How in every way, by hands, by words, in the mazy delight
of the dance, shall I find the pleasure of my former joy? Ah! my son, you left your father’s house desolate, when your brother’s outrage drove you away in exile.
Truly you were missed alike by your friends and Thebes. And so I cut my white hair and let it fall for grief, in tears, not clad in robes of white, my son,
but taking instead these dark rags.

> Greek: ἰὼ ἰώ, μόλις φανεὶς
ἄελπτα κἀδόκητα ματρὸς ὠλέναις.
τί φῶ σε; πῶς ἅπαντα
καὶ χερσὶ καὶ λόγοισι
πολυέλικτον ἁδονὰν
[ἐκεῖσε καὶ τὸ δεῦρο]
περιχορεύουσα τέρψιν παλαιᾶν λάβω
χαρμονᾶν; ἰὼ τέκος,
ἔρημον πατρῷον ἔλιπες δόμον
φυγὰς ἀποσταλεὶς ὁμαίμου λώβᾳ,
ἦ ποθεινὸς φίλοις,
ἦ ποθεινὸς Θήβαις.
ὅθεν ἐμάν τε λευκόχροα κείρομαι
δακρυόεσσʼ ἀνεῖσα πένθει κόμαν,
ἄπεπλος φαρέων λευκῶν, ⟨ὦ⟩ τέκνον,
δυσόρφναια δʼ ἀμφὶ τρύχη τάδε
σκότιʼ ἀμείβομαι.

[¶57] While in the house the old blind man, always possessed by his tearful longing for the pair of brothers estranged from the home,
rushed to kill himself with the sword or by the noose suspended over his chamber-roof, moaning his curses on his sons;

> Greek: ὁ δʼ ἐν δόμοισι πρέσβυς ὀμματοστερὴς
ἀπήνας ὁμοπτέρου τᾶς ἀπο-
ζυγείσας δόμων
πόθον ἀμφιδάκρυτον ἀεὶ κατ-
έχων ἀνῇξε μὲν ξίφους
ἐπʼ αὐτόχειρά τε σφαγάν,
ὑπὲρ τέραμνά τʼ ἀγχόνας,
στενάζων ἀρὰς τέκνοις·

[¶58] and now he hides himself in darkness, always weeping and lamenting. And you, my child, I hear you have married and are begetting children to your joy in a foreign home,
and are courting a foreign alliance, a ceaseless regret to me your mother and to Laius your ancestor, ruin brought by your marriage. I was not the one who lit for you the marriage-torch,
the custom in marriage for a happy mother; Ismenus had no part at your wedding in supplying the luxurious bath, and there was silence through the streets of Thebes, at the entrance of your bride.

> Greek: σὺν ἀλαλαῖσι δʼ αἰὲν αἰαγμάτων
σκότια κρύπτεται.
σὲ δʼ, ὦ τέκνον, [καὶ] γάμοισι δὴ
κλύω ζυγέντα παιδοποιὸν ἁδονὰν
ξένοισιν ἐν δόμοις ἔχειν
ξένον τε κῆδος ἀμφέπειν,
ἄλαστα ματρὶ τᾷδε Λα-
ίῳ τε τῷ παλαιγενεῖ,
γάμων ἐπακτὸν ἄταν.
ἐγὼ δʼ οὔτε σοι πυρὸς ἀνῆψα φῶς
νόμιμον ἐν γάμοις
[ὡς πρέπει] ματέρι μακαρίᾳ·
ἀνυμέναια δʼ Ἰσμηνὸς ἐκηδεύθη
λουτροφόρου χλιδᾶς, ἀνὰ δὲ Θηβαίαν
πόλιν ἐσιγάθη σᾶς ἔσοδοι νύμφας.

[¶59] Curses on them! whether the sword or strife or your father that is to blame, or heaven’s visitation that has burst riotously upon the house of Oedipus; for on me has come all the anguish of these evils.

> Greek: ὄλοιτο, τάδʼ εἴτε σίδαρος
εἴτʼ ἔρις εἴτε πατὴρ ὁ σὸς αἴτιος,
εἴτε τὸ δαιμόνιον κατεκώμασε
δώμασιν Οἰδιπόδα·
πρὸς ἐμὲ γὰρ κακῶν ἔμολε τῶνδʼ ἄχη.

[¶60] Chorus Leader:
Their offspring are a wonderful thing to women; all of them have some love for their children.

> Greek: Χορός:
δεινὸν γυναιξὶν αἱ διʼ ὠδίνων γοναί,
καὶ φιλότεκνόν πως πᾶν γυναικεῖον γένος.

[¶61] Polyneices:
Mother, I have come among enemies wisely or foolishly; but all men must love their native land; whoever says otherwise
is pleased to say so, but his thoughts are turned elsewhere. I was so fearful and in such terror, lest my brother should kill me by treachery, that I came through the city sword in hand, looking all round. I had one advantage,
the truce and your word, which brought me to to the paternal walls; and I arrived here weeping, to see after a long time my home and the altars of the gods, the training ground, scene of my childhood, and the water of Dirce, from which I was unjustly driven to live in a foreign city,
a stream of tears flowing from my eyes. Now, grief upon grief, I see you [with hair cut short and in black robes], alas for my sorrows!

> Greek: Πολυνείκης:
μῆτερ, φρονῶν εὖ κοὐ φρονῶν ἀφικόμην
ἐχθροὺς ἐς ἄνδρας· ἀλλʼ ἀναγκαίως ἔχει
πατρίδος ἐρᾶν ἅπαντας· ὃς δʼ ἄλλως λέγει,
λόγοισι χαίρει τὸν δὲ νοῦν ἐκεῖσʼ ἔχει.
οὕτω δʼ ἐτάρβουν ἐς φόβον τʼ ἀφικόμην,
μή τις δόλος με πρὸς κασιγνήτου κτάνῃ,
ὥστε ξιφήρη χεῖρʼ ἔχων διʼ ἄστεως
κυκλῶν πρόσωπον ἦλθον. ἓν δέ μʼ ὠφελεῖ,
σπονδαί τε καὶ σὴ πίστις, ἥ μʼ ἐσήγαγε
τείχη πατρῷα· πολύδακρυς δʼ ἀφικόμην,
χρόνιος ἰδὼν μέλαθρα καὶ βωμοὺς θεῶν
γυμνάσιά θʼ οἷσιν ἐνετράφην Δίρκης θʼ ὕδωρ·
ὧν οὐ δικαίως ἀπελαθεὶς ξένην πόλιν
ναίω, διʼ ὄσσων νᾶμʼ ἔχων δακρύρροον.
ἀλλʼ ἐκ γὰρ ἄλγους ἄλγος αὖ σὲ δέρκομαι
[κάρα ξυρῆκες καὶ πέπλους μελαγχίμους]
ἔχουσαν, οἴμοι τῶν ἐμῶν ἐγὼ κακῶν.

[¶62] What a terrible thing, mother, is hatred between dear friends.
[and how hard it makes reconciliation]
What is my old father doing within the house, looking on darkness? What of my two sisters? Surely the unhappy ones lament my exile?

> Greek: ὡς δεινὸν ἔχθρα, μῆτερ, οἰκείων φίλων
[καὶ δυσλύτους ἔχουσα τὰς διαλλαγάς].
τί γὰρ πατήρ μοι πρέσβυς ἐν δόμοισι δρᾷ,
σκότον δεδορκώς; τί δὲ κασίγνηται δύο;
ἦ που στένουσι τλήμονες φυγὰς ἐμάς;

[¶63] Jocasta:
Some god with evil intent is destroying the race of Oedipus.

> Greek: Ἰοκάστη:
κακῶς θεῶν τις Οἰδίπου φθείρει γένος·

[¶64] So it began, my childbearing was unholy, and in an evil hour I married your father and you were born. But why repeat these horrors? What the gods send we have to bear. I am afraid to ask you what I would, for fear of stinging your heart; yet I long to.

> Greek: οὕτω γὰρ ἤρξατʼ, ἄνομα μὲν τεκεῖν ἐμέ,
κακῶς δὲ γῆμαι πατέρα σὸν φῦναί τε σέ.
ἀτὰρ τί ταῦτα; δεῖ φέρειν τὰ τῶν θεῶν.
ὅπως δʼ ἔρωμαι, μή τι σὴν δάκω φρένα,
δέδοιχʼ, ἃ χρῄζω· διὰ πόθου δʼ ἐλήλυθα.

[¶65] Polyneices:
No, question me, leave out nothing; for your will, mother, is my pleasure too.

> Greek: Πολυνείκης:
ἀλλʼ ἐξερώτα, μηδὲν ἐνδεὲς λίπῃς·
ἃ γὰρ σὺ βούλῃ, ταὔτʼ ἐμοί, μῆτερ, φίλα.

[¶66] Jocasta:
Well then, first I ask you what I long to have answered. What is it, to be deprived of one’s country? Is it a great evil?

> Greek: Ἰοκάστη:
καὶ δή σʼ ἐρωτῶ πρῶτον ὧν χρῄζω τυχεῖν,
τί τὸ στέρεσθαι πατρίδος; ἦ κακὸν μέγα;

[¶67] Polyneices:
The greatest; harder to bear than tell.

> Greek: Πολυνείκης:
μέγιστον· ἔργῳ δʼ ἐστὶ μεῖζον ἢ λόγῳ.

[¶68] Jocasta:
What is it like? What annoys the exile?

> Greek: Ἰοκάστη:
τίς ὁ τρόπος αὐτοῦ; τί φυγάσιν τὸ δυσχερές;

[¶69] Polyneices:
One thing most of all; he cannot speak his mind.

> Greek: Πολυνείκης:
ἓν μὲν μέγιστον, οὐκ ἔχει παρρησίαν.

[¶70] Jocasta:
This is a slave’s lot you speak of, not to say what one thinks.

> Greek: Ἰοκάστη:
δούλου τόδʼ εἶπας, μὴ λέγειν ἅ τις φρονεῖ.

[¶71] Polyneices:
The follies of the rulers must be borne.

> Greek: Πολυνείκης:
τὰς τῶν κρατούντων ἀμαθίας φέρειν χρεών.

[¶72] Jocasta:
That too is painful, to join in the folly of fools.

> Greek: Ἰοκάστη:
καὶ τοῦτο λυπρόν, συνασοφεῖν τοῖς μὴ σοφοῖς.

[¶73] Polyneices:
Yet to gain our ends we must serve against our nature.

> Greek: Πολυνείκης:
ἀλλʼ ἐς τὸ κέρδος παρὰ φύσιν δουλευτέον.

[¶74] Jocasta:
Hope, they say, is the exile’s food.

> Greek: Ἰοκάστη:
αἱ δʼ ἐλπίδες βόσκουσι φυγάδας, ὡς λόγος.

[¶75] Polyneices:
Yes, hope that looks so fair; but always in the future.

> Greek: Πολυνείκης:
καλοῖς βλέπουσαί γʼ ὄμμασιν, μέλλουσι δέ.

[¶76] Jocasta:
But doesn’t time expose its emptiness?

> Greek: Ἰοκάστη:
οὐδʼ ὁ χρόνος αὐτὰς διεσάφησʼ οὔσας κενάς;

[¶77] Polyneices:
It has a certain winsome charm in misfortune.

> Greek: Πολυνείκης:
ἔχουσιν Ἀφροδίτην τινʼ ἡδεῖαν κακῶν.

[¶78] Jocasta:
Where did you get your living, before your marriage found it for you?

> Greek: Ἰοκάστη:
πόθεν δʼ ἐβόσκου, πρὶν γάμοις εὑρεῖν βίον;

[¶79] Polyneices:
Sometimes I would have enough for the day, and sometimes not.

> Greek: Πολυνείκης:
ποτὲ μὲν ἐπʼ ἦμαρ εἶχον, εἶτʼ οὐκ εἶχον ἄν.

[¶80] Jocasta:
Didn’t your father’s friends and guests assist you?

> Greek: Ἰοκάστη:
φίλοι δὲ πατρὸς καὶ ξένοι σʼ οὐκ ὠφέλουν;

[¶81] Polyneices:
Seek to be prosperous; friends are nothing in misfortune.

> Greek: Πολυνείκης:
εὖ πρᾶσσε· τὰ φίλων δʼ οὐδέν, ἤν τι δυστυχῇς.

[¶82] Jocasta:
Didn’t your noble breeding lead you to the heights?

> Greek: Ἰοκάστη:
οὐδʼ ηὑγένειά σʼ ἦρεν εἰς ὕψος μέγαν;

[¶83] Polyneices:
Poverty is a curse; breeding did not find me food.

> Greek: Πολυνείκης:
κακὸν τὸ μὴ ἔχειν· τὸ γένος οὐκ ἔβοσκέ με.

[¶84] Jocasta:
Man’s dearest treasure, it seems, is his country.

> Greek: Ἰοκάστη:
ἡ πατρίς, ὡς ἔοικε, φίλτατον βροτοῖς.

[¶85] Polyneices:
You could not name how dear it is!

> Greek: Πολυνείκης:
οὐδʼ ὀνομάσαι δύναιʼ ἂν ὡς ἐστὶν φίλον.

[¶86] Jocasta:
How did you come to Argos? What was your scheme?

> Greek: Ἰοκάστη:
πῶς δʼ ἦλθες Ἄργος; τίνʼ ἐπίνοιαν ἔσχεθες;

[¶87] Polyneices:
Loxias gave Adrastus an oracle.

> Greek: Πολυνείκης:
ἔχρησʼ Ἀδράστῳ Λοξίας χρησμόν τινα.

[¶88] Jocasta:
What was it? What are you saying? I cannot guess.

> Greek: Ἰοκάστη:
ποῖον; τί τοῦτʼ ἔλεξας; οὐκ ἔχω μαθεῖν.

[¶89] Polyneices:
That he should marry his daughters to a boar and a lion.

> Greek: Πολυνείκης:
κάπρῳ λέοντί θʼ ἁρμόσαι παίδων γάμους.

[¶90] Jocasta:
What did you, my son, have to do with the name of beasts?

> Greek: Ἰοκάστη:
καὶ σοὶ τί θηρῶν ὀνόματος μετῆν, τέκνον;

[¶91] Polyneices:
I don’t know; the deity summoned me there to my destiny.

> Greek: Πολυνείκης:
οὐκ οἶδʼ· ὁ δαίμων μʼ ἐκάλεσεν πρὸς τὴν τύχην.

[¶92] Jocasta:
Yes, for the god is wise; but how did you win your wife?

> Greek: Ἰοκάστη:
σοφὸς γὰρ ὁ θεός· τίνι τρόπῳ δʼ ἔσχες λέχος;

[¶93] Polyneices:
It was night when I reached the porch of Adrastus.

> Greek: Πολυνείκης:
νὺξ ἦν, Ἀδράστου δʼ ἦλθον ἐς παραστάδας.

[¶94] Jocasta:
In search of a resting-place, because you were in exile?

> Greek: Ἰοκάστη:
κοίτας ματεύων, ᾗ φυγὰς πλανώμενος;

[¶95] Polyneices:
Yes; and then another exile came there.

> Greek: Πολυνείκης:
ἦν ταῦτα· κᾆτά γʼ ἦλθεν ἄλλος αὖ φυγάς.

[¶96] Jocasta:
Who was he? He too was in trouble, surely.

> Greek: Ἰοκάστη:
τίς οὗτος; ὡς ἄρʼ ἄθλιος κἀκεῖνος ἦν.

[¶97] Polyneices:
Tydeus; they say that Oineus is his father.

> Greek: Πολυνείκης:
Τυδεύς, ὃν Οἰνέως φασὶν ἐκφῦναι πατρός.

[¶98] Jocasta:
But why did Adrastus compare you to wild beasts?

> Greek: Ἰοκάστη:
τί θηρσὶν ὑμᾶς δῆτʼ Ἄδραστος ᾔκασεν;

[¶99] Polyneices:
Because we came to blows about our bed.

> Greek: Πολυνείκης:
στρωμνῆς ἐς ἀλκὴν οὕνεκʼ ἤλθομεν πέρι.

[¶100] Jocasta:
Was it then that the son of Talaus understood the oracle?

> Greek: Ἰοκάστη:
ἐνταῦθα Ταλαοῦ παῖς συνῆκε θέσφατα;

[¶101] Polyneices:
Yes, and he gave the two of us his two daughters.

> Greek: Πολυνείκης:
κἄδωκέ γʼ ἡμῖν δύο δυοῖν νεάνιδας.

[¶102] Jocasta:
Are you blessed or cursed in your marriage?

> Greek: Ἰοκάστη:
ἆρʼ εὐτυχεῖς οὖν τοῖς γάμοις ἢ δυστυχεῖς;

[¶103] Polyneices:
As yet I have no fault to find with it.

> Greek: Πολυνείκης:
οὐ μεμπτὸς ἡμῖν ὁ γάμος ἐς τόδʼ ἡμέρας.

[¶104] Jocasta:
How did you persuade an army to follow you here?

> Greek: Ἰοκάστη:
πῶς δʼ ἐξέπεισας δεῦρό σοι σπέσθαι στρατόν;

[¶105] Polyneices:
Adrastus swore an oath to his two sons-in-law, [Tydeus and myself; for he is my relative by marriage] that he would restore us both to our country, me first.

> Greek: Πολυνείκης:
δισσοῖς Ἄδραστος ὤμοσεν γαμβροῖς τόδε,
[Τυδεῖ τε κἀμοί· σύγγαμος γάρ ἐστʼ ἐμός·]
ἄμφω κατάξειν ἐς πάτραν, πρόσθεν δʼ ἐμέ.

[¶106] So many Danaan and Mycenaean chiefs have joined me, doing me a bitter though needful service, for it is against my own city I am marching. Now I call the gods to witness, that it is not willingly I have raised the spear against my willing friends.

> Greek: πολλοὶ δὲ Δαναῶν καὶ Μυκηναίων ἄκροι
πάρεισι, λυπρὰν χάριν, ἀναγκαίαν δʼ, ἐμοὶ
διδόντες· ἐπὶ γὰρ τὴν ἐμὴν στρατεύομαι
πόλιν. θεοὺς δʼ ἐπώμοσʼ ὡς ἀκουσίως
τοῖς φιλτάτοις ἑκοῦσιν ἠράμην δόρυ.

[¶107] But it belongs to you, mother, to dissolve this unhappy feud, and, by reconciling loving brothers, to end the trouble for me and you and the whole city. It has been said for a long time, but I will say it anyway: wealth is most valued by men,
and of all things in the world it has the greatest power. This I have come to secure at the head of my great army; for a man well-born but poor is worth nothing.

> Greek: ἀλλʼ ἐς σὲ τείνει τῶνδε διάλυσις κακῶν,
μῆτερ, διαλλάξασαν ὁμογενεῖς φίλους
παῦσαι πόνων με καὶ σὲ καὶ πᾶσαν πόλιν.
πάλαι μὲν οὖν ὑμνηθέν, ἀλλʼ ὅμως ἐρῶ·
τὰ χρήματʼ ἀνθρώποισι τιμιώτατα,
δύναμίν τε πλείστην τῶν ἐν ἀνθρώποις ἔχει.
ἁγὼ μεθήκω δεῦρο μυρίαν ἄγων
λόγχην· πένης γὰρ οὐδὲν εὐγενὴς ἀνήρ.

[¶108] Chorus Leader:
And see, Eteocles comes here to discuss the truce. It is your task, mother Jocasta, to speak
such words as may reconcile your sons.

> Greek: Χορός:
καὶ μὴν Ἐτεοκλῆς ἐς διαλλαγὰς ὅδε
χωρεῖ· σὸν ἔργον, μῆτερ Ἰοκάστη, λέγειν
τοιούσδε μύθους οἷς διαλλάξεις τέκνα.

[¶109] Eteocles:
Mother, I am here; I have come to do you a favor. What am I to do? Let some one begin the conference; for I stopped marshalling the citizens in pairs of companies around the walls, so that I might hear your
arbitration between us, by which you persuaded me to admit this man under truce within the walls.

> Greek: Ἐτεοκλῆς:
μῆτερ, πάρειμι· τὴν χάριν δὲ σοὶ διδοὺς
ἦλθον. τί χρὴ δρᾶν; ἀρχέτω δέ τις λόγου·
ὡς ἀμφὶ τείχη καὶ ξυνωρίδας λόχων
τάσσων ἐπέσχον πόλιν, ὅπως κλύοιμί σου
κοινὰς βραβείας, αἷς ὑπόσπονδον μολεῖν
τόνδʼ εἰσεδέξω τειχέων πείσασά με.

[¶110] Jocasta:
Wait; haste does not carry justice with it; but slow deliberation often attains a wise result. Restrain the fierceness of your look and panting rage;

> Greek: Ἰοκάστη:
ἐπίσχες· οὔτοι τὸ ταχὺ τὴν δίκην ἔχει,
βραδεῖς δὲ μῦθοι πλεῖστον ἀνύουσιν σοφόν.
σχάσον δὲ δεινὸν ὄμμα καὶ θυμοῦ πνοάς·

[¶111] for this is not the Gorgon’s severed head but your own brother whom you see has come. You too, Polyneices, turn and face your brother; for if you look at him, you will speak and listen to him the better.

> Greek: οὐ γὰρ τὸ λαιμότμητον εἰσορᾷς κάρα
Γοργόνος, ἀδελφὸν δʼ εἰσορᾷς ἥκοντα σόν.
σύ τʼ αὖ πρόσωπον πρὸς κασίγνητον στρέφε,
Πολύνεικες· ἐς γὰρ ταὐτὸν ὄμμασιν βλέπων
λέξεις τʼ ἄμεινον τοῦδέ τʼ ἐνδέξῃ λόγους.

[¶112] I want to give you both one piece of good counsel; when a man that is angry with his friend confronts him face to face, he ought only to keep in view the object of his coming, forgetting all previous quarrels.

> Greek: παραινέσαι δὲ σφῷν τι βούλομαι σοφόν·
ὅταν φίλος τις ἀνδρὶ θυμωθεὶς φίλῳ
ἐς ἓν συνελθὼν ὄμματʼ ὄμμασιν διδῷ,
ἐφʼ οἷσιν ἥκει, ταῦτα χρὴ μόνον σκοπεῖν,
κακῶν δὲ τῶν πρὶν μηδενὸς μνείαν ἔχειν.

[¶113] My son Polyneices, speak first, for you have come at the head of a Danaid army, alleging wrongful treatment; may some god be the judge and reconciler of the troubles.

> Greek: λόγος μὲν οὖν σὸς πρόσθε, Πολύνεικες τέκνον·
σὺ γὰρ στράτευμα Δαναϊδῶν ἥκεις ἄγων,
ἄδικα πεπονθώς, ὡς σὺ φῄς· κριτὴς δέ τις
θεῶν γένοιτο καὶ διαλλακτὴς κακῶν.

[¶114] Polyneices:
The words of truth are naturally simple,
and justice needs no subtle interpretations, for it has a fitness in itself; but the words of injustice, being sick in themselves, require clever treatment. I provided for his interests and mine in our father’s house, being anxious to escape the curse
which Oedipus once uttered against us; of my own free-will I left this land, allowing him to rule the country for one full year, on condition that I should then take up the rule in turn, instead of plunging into deadly enmity with this man,
doing others harm and suffering it myself, as is now the case. But he, after consenting to this and calling the gods to witness his oath, has performed none of his promises, but is still keeping the sovereignty in his own hands together with my share of our heritage.

> Greek: Πολυνείκης:
ἁπλοῦς ὁ μῦθος τῆς ἀληθείας ἔφυ,
κοὐ ποικίλων δεῖ τἄνδιχʼ ἑρμηνευμάτων·
ἔχει γὰρ αὐτὰ καιρόν· ὁ δʼ ἄδικος λόγος
νοσῶν ἐν αὑτῷ φαρμάκων δεῖται σοφῶν.
ἐγὼ δὲ πατρὸς δωμάτων προυσκεψάμην
τοὐμόν τε καὶ τοῦδʼ, ἐκφυγεῖν χρῄζων ἀρὰς
ἃς Οἰδίπους ἐφθέγξατʼ εἰς ἡμᾶς ποτε,
ἐξῆλθον ἔξω τῆσδʼ ἑκὼν αὐτὸς χθονός,
δοὺς τῷδʼ ἀνάσσειν πατρίδος ἐνιαυτοῦ κύκλον,
ὥστʼ αὐτὸς ἄρχειν αὖθις ἀνὰ μέρος λαβὼν
καὶ μὴ διʼ ἔχθρας τῷδε καὶ φθόνου μολὼν
κακόν τι δρᾶσαι καὶ παθεῖν, ἃ γίγνεται.
ὃ δʼ αἰνέσας ταῦθʼ ὁρκίους τε δοὺς θεούς,
ἔδρασεν οὐδὲν ὧν ὑπέσχετʼ, ἀλλʼ ἔχει
τυραννίδʼ αὐτὸς καὶ δόμων ἐμῶν μέρος.

[¶115] And now I am ready to take my own
and dismiss the army from this land, receiving my house in turn to dwell in, and once more restore it to him for an equal period, instead of ravaging our country and bringing scaling-ladders against the towers,
as I shall attempt to do if I do not get my rights. I call the gods to witness that spite of my just dealing in everything I am being unjustly robbed of my country, a most unholy act. I have made my points, mother, without stringing together
words to entangle you, but urging a fair case, I think, in the judgment of the wise and the simple.

> Greek: καὶ νῦν ἕτοιμός εἰμι τἀμαυτοῦ λαβὼν
στρατὸν μὲν ἔξω τῆσδʼ ἀποστεῖλαι χθονός,
οἰκεῖν δὲ τὸν ἐμὸν οἶκον ἀνὰ μέρος λαβὼν
καὶ τῷδʼ ἀφεῖναι τὸν ἴσον αὖθις ⟨αὖ⟩ χρόνον,
καὶ μήτε πορθεῖν πατρίδα μήτε προσφέρειν
πύργοισι πηκτῶν κλιμάκων προσαμβάσεις,
ἃ μὴ κυρήσας τῆς δίκης πειράσομαι
δρᾶν. μάρτυρας δὲ τῶνδε δαίμονας καλῶ,
ὡς πάντα πράσσων σὺν δίκῃ, δίκης ἄτερ
ἀποστεροῦμαι πατρίδος ἀνοσιώτατα.
ταῦτʼ αὔθʼ ἕκαστα, μῆτερ, οὐχὶ περιπλοκὰς
λόγων ἀθροίσας εἶπον, ἀλλὰ καὶ σοφοῖς
καὶ τοῖσι φαύλοις ἔνδιχʼ, ὡς ἐμοὶ δοκεῖ.

[¶116] Chorus Leader:
To me, although I was not born and bred in Hellas, your words seem full of sense.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἐμοὶ μέν, εἰ καὶ μὴ καθʼ Ἑλλήνων χθόνα
τεθράμμεθʼ, ἀλλʼ οὖν ξυνετά μοι δοκεῖς λέγειν.

[¶117] Eteocles:
If all were unanimous in their ideas of honor and wisdom,
there would be no strife to make men disagree; but, as it is, fairness and equality have no existence in this world beyond the name; there is really no such thing. I will tell you this, mother, without any concealment: I would go to the rising of the stars and the sun,
or beneath the earth, if I were able so to do, to win Tyranny, the greatest of the gods. Therefore, mother, I will not yield this blessing to another rather than keep it for myself; for it is cowardly to lose the greater
and to win the less. Besides, I am ashamed to think that he should gain his object by coming with arms and ravaging the land; for this would be a disgrace to Thebes, if I should yield my scepter up to him for fear of Mycenaean might.

> Greek: Ἐτεοκλῆς:
εἰ πᾶσι ταὐτὸν καλὸν ἔφυ σοφόν θʼ ἅμα,
οὐκ ἦν ἂν ἀμφίλεκτος ἀνθρώποις ἔρις·
νῦν δʼ οὔθʼ ὅμοιον οὐδὲν οὔτʼ ἴσον βροτοῖς,
πλὴν ὀνόμασαι· τὸ δʼ ἔργον οὐκ ἔστιν τόδε.
ἐγὼ γὰρ οὐδέν, μῆτερ, ἀποκρύψας ἐρῶ·
ἄστρων ἂν ἔλθοιμʼ ἡλίου πρὸς ἀντολὰς
καὶ γῆς ἔνερθεν, δυνατὸς ὢν δρᾶσαι τάδε,
τὴν θεῶν μεγίστην ὥστʼ ἔχειν Τυραννίδα.
τοῦτʼ οὖν τὸ χρηστόν, μῆτερ, οὐχὶ βούλομαι
ἄλλῳ παρεῖναι μᾶλλον ἢ σῴζειν ἐμοί·
ἀνανδρία γάρ, τὸ πλέον ὅστις ἀπολέσας
τοὔλασσον ἔλαβε. πρὸς δὲ τοῖσδʼ αἰσχύνομαι,
ἐλθόντα σὺν ὅπλοις τόνδε καὶ πορθοῦντα γῆν
τυχεῖν ἃ χρῄζει· ταῖς γὰρ ἂν Θήβαις τόδε
γένοιτʼ ὄνειδος, εἰ Μυκηναίου δορὸς
φόβῳ παρείην σκῆπτρα τἀμὰ τῷδʼ ἔχειν.

[¶118] He ought not to have attempted reconcilement by armed force, mother, for words accomplish everything that even the sword of an enemy might effect. Still, if on any other terms he cares to dwell here, he may; but that I shall never willingly let go.

> Greek: χρῆν δʼ αὐτὸν οὐχ ὅπλοισι τὰς διαλλαγάς,
μῆτερ, ποιεῖσθαι· πᾶν γὰρ ἐξαιρεῖ λόγος
ὃ καὶ σίδηρος πολεμίων δράσειεν ἄν.
ἀλλʼ, εἰ μὲν ἄλλως τήνδε γῆν οἰκεῖν θέλει,
ἔξεστʼ· ἐκεῖνο δʼ οὐχ ἑκὼν μεθήσομαι.

[¶119] Shall I become his slave, when I can rule? Therefore come fire, come sword! Harness your horses, fill the plains with chariots, for I will not give up my tyranny to him. For if we must do wrong, to do so for tyranny
is the fairest cause, but in all else piety should be our aim.

> Greek: ἄρχειν παρόν μοι, τῷδε δουλεύσω ποτέ;
πρὸς ταῦτʼ ἴτω μὲν πῦρ, ἴτω δὲ φάσγανα,
ζεύγνυσθε δʼ ἵππους, πεδία πίμπλαθʼ ἁρμάτων,
ὡς οὐ παρήσω τῷδʼ ἐμὴν τυραννίδα.
εἴπερ γὰρ ἀδικεῖν χρή, τυραννίδος πέρι
κάλλιστον ἀδικεῖν, τἄλλα δʼ εὐσεβεῖν χρεών.

[¶120] Chorus Leader:
One should not speak well on deeds that are not good; for that is not good, but bitter to justice.

> Greek: Χορός:
οὐκ εὖ λέγειν χρὴ μὴ ʼπὶ τοῖς ἔργοις καλοῖς·
οὐ γὰρ καλὸν τοῦτʼ, ἀλλὰ τῇ δίκῃ πικρόν.

[¶121] Jocasta:
Eteocles, my child, it is not all evil that attends old age; but experience
has something to say wiser than youth. Why, my son, do you so long for Ambition, that worst of deities? Oh, do not; the goddess is unjust; many are the homes and cities once prosperous that she has entered and left, to the ruin of her worshippers;

> Greek: Ἰοκάστη:
ὦ τέκνον, οὐχ ἅπαντα τῷ γήρᾳ κακά,
Ἐτεόκλεες, πρόσεστιν· ἀλλʼ ἡμπειρία
ἔχει τι λέξαι τῶν νέων σοφώτερον.
τί τῆς κακίστης δαιμόνων ἐφίεσαι
Φιλοτιμίας, παῖ; μὴ σύ γʼ· ἄδικος ἡ θεός·
πολλοὺς δʼ ἐς οἴκους καὶ πόλεις εὐδαίμονας
ἐσῆλθε κἀξῆλθʼ ἐπʼ ὀλέθρῳ τῶν χρωμένων·

[¶122] and she is the one you are mad for. It is better, my son, to honor Equality, who always joins friend to friend, city to city, allies to allies; for Equality is naturally lasting among men; but the less is always in opposition to the greater,
and begins the dawn of hatred. For it is Equality that has set up for man measures and divisions of weights, and has determined numbers; night’s sightless eye, and radiant sun proceed upon their yearly course on equal terms,
and neither of them is envious when it has to yield. Though both sun and night are servants for mortals, you will not be content with your fair share of your heritage and give the same to him? Then where is justice?

> Greek: ἐφʼ ᾗ σὺ μαίνῃ. κεῖνο κάλλιον, τέκνον,
Ἰσότητα τιμᾶν, ἣ φίλους ἀεὶ φίλοις
πόλεις τε πόλεσι συμμάχους τε συμμάχοις
συνδεῖ· τὸ γὰρ ἴσον μόνιμον ἀνθρώποις ἔφυ,
τῷ πλέονι δʼ αἰεὶ πολέμιον καθίσταται
τοὔλασσον ἐχθρᾶς θʼ ἡμέρας κατάρχεται.
καὶ γὰρ μέτρʼ ἀνθρώποισι καὶ μέρη σταθμῶν
Ἰσότης ἔταξε κἀριθμὸν διώρισε,
νυκτός τʼ ἀφεγγὲς βλέφαρον ἡλίου τε φῶς
ἴσον βαδίζει τὸν ἐνιαύσιον κύκλον,
κοὐδέτερον αὐτῶν φθόνον ἔχει νικώμενον.
εἶθʼ ἥλιος μὲν νύξ τε δουλεύει βροτοῖς
σὺ δʼ οὐκ ἀνέξῃ δωμάτων ἔχων ἴσον
καὶ τῷδε νεῖμαι; κᾆτα ποῦ ʼστιν ἡ δίκη;

[¶123] Why do you honor to excess tyranny, a prosperous injustice,
why do you think so much of it? Admiring glances are to be prized? No, that is an empty pleasure. Or do you want to have many troubles from the many riches in your house? What advantage is it? The name only; for the wise find what suffices to be enough.

> Greek: τί τὴν τυραννίδʼ, ἀδικίαν εὐδαίμονα,
τιμᾷς ὑπέρφευ καὶ μέγʼ ἥγησαι τόδε;
περιβλέπεσθαι τίμιον; κενὸν μὲν οὖν.
ἢ πολλὰ μοχθεῖν πόλλʼ ἔχων ἐν δώμασι
βούλῃ; τί δʼ ἔστι τὸ πλέον; ὄνομʼ ἔχει μόνον·
ἐπεὶ τά γʼ ἀρκοῦνθʼ ἱκανὰ τοῖς γε σώφροσιν.

[¶124] Mortals indeed have no possessions of their own; we hold the management of the gods’ property; and when they will, they take it back again. [Prosperity is not secure, but as transient as the day.]

> Greek: οὔτοι τὰ χρήματʼ ἴδια κέκτηνται βροτοί,
τὰ τῶν θεῶν δʼ ἔχοντες ἐπιμελούμεθα·
ὅταν δὲ χρῄζωσʼ, αὔτʼ ἀφαιροῦνται πάλιν.
[ὁ δʼ ὄλβος οὐ βέβαιος, ἀλλʼ ἐφήμερος.]

[¶125] Come, suppose I put before you two alternatives, and ask you
whether you wish to rule or save your city? Will you say you wish to rule?

> Greek: ἄγʼ, ἤν σʼ ἔρωμαι δύο λόγω προθεῖσʼ ἅμα,
πότερα τυραννεῖν ἢ πόλιν σῷσαι θέλεις,
ἐρεῖς τυραννεῖν; ἢν δὲ νικήσῃ σʼ ὅδε;

[¶126] Again, if this man conquers you [and his Argive warriors take the army of Cadmus,] you will see this city of Thebes conquered, and you will see many captured maidens
brutally dishonored by men of the enemy. Then that wealth you seek to have will become grievous to Thebes; but still ambition fills you.

> Greek: [Ἀργεῖά τʼ ἔγχη δόρυ τὸ Καδμείων ἕλῃ,]
ὄψῃ δαμασθὲν ἄστυ Θηβαῖον τόδε,
ὄψῃ δὲ πολλὰς αἰχμαλωτίδας κόρας
βίᾳ πρὸς ἀνδρῶν πολεμίων πορθουμένας.
ὀδυνηρὸς ἆρʼ ὁ πλοῦτος, ὃν ζητεῖς ἔχειν,
γενήσεται Θήβαισι, φιλότιμος δὲ σύ.

[¶127] That I say to you; and this to you, Polyneices; Adrastus has conferred a foolish favor on you;
and you too have shown little sense in coming to lay your city waste. Suppose you conquer this land—may it not happen!—tell me, by the gods, how will you set up a trophy to Zeus? How will you begin the sacrifice after your country’s conquest or inscribe the spoils at the streams of Inachus:

> Greek: σοὶ μὲν τάδʼ αὐδῶ. σοὶ δέ, Πολύνεικες, λέγω·
ἀμαθεῖς Ἄδραστος χάριτας ἔς σʼ ἀνήψατο,
ἀσύνετα δʼ ἦλθες καὶ σὺ πορθήσων πόλιν.
φέρʼ, ἢν ἕλῃς γῆν τήνδʼ — ὃ μὴ τύχοι ποτέ —
πρὸς θεῶν, τρόπαια πῶς ἀναστήσεις Διί;
πῶς δʼ αὖ κατάρξῃ θυμάτων, ἑλὼν πάτραν,
καὶ σκῦλα γράψεις πῶς ἐπʼ Ἰνάχου ῥοαῖς;

[¶128] “Polyneices after giving Thebes to the flames dedicated these shields to the gods”? O my son, may you never win such fame from Hellas! If, on the other hand, you are beaten and your brother’s cause prevails, how will you return to Argos, leaving countless dead behind?

> Greek: Θήβας πυρώσας τάσδε Πολυνείκης θεοῖς
ἀσπίδας ἔθηκε; μήποτʼ, ὦ τέκνον, κλέος
τοιόνδε σοι γένοιθʼ ὑφʼ Ἑλλήνων λαβεῖν.
ἢν δʼ αὖ κρατηθῇς καὶ τὰ τοῦδʼ ὑπερδράμῃ,
πῶς Ἄργος ἥξεις μυρίους λιπὼν νεκρούς;

[¶129] Some one will be sure to say: “Adrastus, you made an evil betrothal; we are ruined by the marriage of one bride.”
You are eager for two evils, my son, the loss of those there and ruin in the midst of your efforts here.

> Greek: ἐρεῖ δὲ δή τις· ὦ κακὰ μνηστεύματα
Ἄδραστε προσθείς, διὰ μιᾶς νύμφης γάμον
ἀπωλόμεσθα. δύο κακὼ σπεύδεις, τέκνον,
κείνων στέρεσθαι τῶνδέ τʼ ἐν μέσῳ πεσεῖν.

[¶130] Lay aside your violence, my sons, lay it aside; two men’s follies,
once they meet, result in very deadly mischief.

> Greek: μέθετον τὸ λίαν, μέθετον· ἀμαθία δυοῖν,
ἐς ταὔθʼ ὅταν μόλητον, ἔχθιστον κακόν.

[¶131] Chorus Leader:
O gods, avert these troubles and reconcile the sons of Oedipus!

> Greek: Χορός:
ὦ θεοί, γένοισθε τῶνδʼ ἀπότροποι κακῶν
καὶ ξύμβασίν τινʼ Οἰδίπου τέκνοις δότε.

[¶132] Eteocles:
Mother, it is no longer a contest of words; the time we still delay is idle waste; your good wishes accomplish nothing;

> Greek: Ἐτεοκλῆς:
μῆτερ, οὐ λόγων ἔθʼ ἁγών, ἀλλʼ ἀναλοῦται χρόνος
οὑν μέσῳ μάτην, περαίνει δʼ οὐδὲν ἡ προθυμία·

[¶133] 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!

> Greek: οὐ γὰρ ἂν ξυμβαῖμεν ἄλλως ἢ ʼπὶ τοῖς εἰρημένοις,
ὥστʼ ἐμὲ σκήπτρων κρατοῦντα τῆσδʼ ἄνακτʼ εἶναι χθονός·
τῶν μακρῶν δʼ ἀπαλλαγεῖσα νουθετημάτων μʼ ἔα.
καὶ σὺ τῶνδʼ ἔξω κομίζου τειχέων, ἢ κατθανῇ.

[¶134] Polyneices:
Who will kill me? Who is so invulnerable as to plunge a murderous sword
in my body without getting for himself the same fate?

> Greek: Πολυνείκης:
πρὸς τίνος; τίς ὧδʼ ἄτρωτος, ὅστις εἰς ἡμᾶς ξίφος
φόνιον ἐμβαλὼν τὸν αὐτὸν οὐκ ἀποίσεται μόρον;

[¶135] Eteocles:
He is near, not far away. Do you see my hands?

> Greek: Ἐτεοκλῆς:
ἐγγύς, οὐ πρόσω βέβηκεν· ἐς χέρας λεύσσεις ἐμάς;

[¶136] Polyneices:
I see them; but wealth is cowardly, a craven too fond of life.

> Greek: Πολυνείκης:
εἰσορῶ· δειλὸν δʼ ὁ πλοῦτος καὶ φιλόψυχον κακόν.

[¶137] Eteocles:
Then did you come to battle with so many against a man worth nothing?

> Greek: Ἐτεοκλῆς:
κᾆτα σὺν πολλοῖσιν ἦλθες πρὸς τὸν οὐδὲν ἐς μάχην;

[¶138] Polyneices:
Yes, for a steadfast general is better than a bold one.

> Greek: Πολυνείκης:
ἀσφαλὴς γάρ ἐστʼ ἀμείνων ἢ θρασὺς στρατηλάτης.

[¶139] Eteocles:
Relying on the truce, which saves your life, you turn boaster.

> Greek: Ἐτεοκλῆς:
κομπὸς εἶ σπονδαῖς πεποιθώς, αἵ σε σῴζουσιν θανεῖν.