The Phoenician Women
Euripides
Euripides. The Plays of Euripides, Translated into English Prose from the Text of Paley. Vol. II. Coleridge, Edward P., translator. London: George Bell and Sons, 1891.
- or charmed spell, go, restrain your children from this terrible combat, for great is the risk they run. The prize of the contest will be grievous sorrow for you, if to-day you are deprived of both your sons. Exit Messenger.
- Antigone, my daughter, come out of the house;
- this heaven-sent crisis is no time for dances or girlish pursuits. But you and your mother must prevent two brave men, your own brothers, from plunging into death and falling by each other’s hand.
- Mother, what new terror are you proclaiming to your friends before the palace?
- Daughter, your brothers’ lives are going to ruin.
- What do you mean?
- They have resolved on single combat.
- Oh no! what do you have to say, mother?
- No welcome news; follow me.
- Where, away from my maiden’s chamber?
- To the army.
- I cannot face the crowd.
- Coyness is not for you now.
- But what shall I do?
- You will put an end to your brothers’ strife.
- How so, mother?
- By falling at their knees with me.
- Lead on till we are between the armies; we must not delay.
- Haste, my daughter, haste! For, if I can forestall the onset of my sons, I may yet live; but if they are dead, I will lie down in death with them. Exeunt Jocasta and Antigone.
- Alas, alas! My mind is trembling with fear,