GetPassage urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0006.tlg015.perseus-eng2:1055-1095 urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0006.tlg015.perseus-eng2:1055-1095

who has gone to his death in his country’s cause, leaving tears to Creon, but bringing a crown of victory to our seven fenced towers.May we be mothers in this way, may we have such fair children, dear PalIas, you who with well-aimed stone spilled the serpent’s blood, rousing Cadmus to brood upon the task,from which a demon’s curse swooped upon this land and ravaged it.

MessengerHo there! Who is at the palace-gates? Open the door, summon Jocasta forth. Ho there! once again I call; in spite of this long delay,come forth; listen, noble wife of Oedipus, cease your lamentation and your tears of woe.JocastaSurely you have not come, dear friend, with the sad news of Eteocles’ death, beside whose shield you have always marched, warding off from him the enemy’s darts?What tidings are you here to bring me? Is my son alive or dead? Tell me.MessengerHe is alive, do not fear that, so that I may rid you of your terror.JocastaWell? How is it with the seven towers that wall us in?MessengerThey stand unshattered; the city is not plundered.JocastaHave they been in jeopardy of the Argive spear?MessengerYes, on the very brink; but our Theban warriors proved stronger than Mycenae’s might.JocastaOne thing tell me, by the gods, if you know anything of Polyneices; for this too is my concern, if he is alive.MessengerAs yet your sons are living, the pair of them.JocastaGod bless you! How did you succeed in beating off from our gates the Argive army, when beleaguered? Tell me, so that I may go within and cheer the old blind man, since our city is still safe.MessengerAfter Creon’s son, who gave up his life for his country, had taken his stand on the turret’s top and plunged a dark-hilted sword through his throat to save this land, your son told off seven companies with their captains to the seven gates to keep watch on the Argive warriors,and stationed cavalry to cover cavalry, and infantry to support infantry, so that assistance might be close at hand for any weak point in the walls. Then from our lofty towers we saw the Argive army with their white shields leaving