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.

  1. whether you wish to rule or save your city? Will you say you wish to rule?
  2. 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
  3. brutally dishonored by men of the enemy. Then that wealth you seek to have will become grievous to Thebes; but still ambition fills you.
  4. That I say to you; and this to you, Polyneices; Adrastus has conferred a foolish favor on you;
  5. 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:
  6. 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?
  7. Some one will be sure to say: Adrastus, you made an evil betrothal; we are ruined by the marriage of one bride.
  8. You are eager for two evils, my son, the loss of those there and ruin in the midst of your efforts here.
  9. Lay aside your violence, my sons, lay it aside; two men’s follies,
  10. once they meet, result in very deadly mischief.
Chorus Leader
  1. O gods, avert these troubles and reconcile the sons of Oedipus!
Eteocles
  1. Mother, it is no longer a contest of words; the time we still delay is idle waste; your good wishes accomplish nothing;
  2. for we can never be reconciled except upon the terms already named, that I should keep the scepter and be king of this land. Cease these tedious warnings and let me be. Turning to Polyneices And as for you, get outside the walls, or die!
Polyneices
  1. Who will kill me? Who is so invulnerable as to plunge a murderous sword
  2. in my body without getting for himself the same fate?
Eteocles
  1. He is near, not far away. Do you see my hands?
Polyneices
  1. I see them; but wealth is cowardly, a craven too fond of life.
Eteocles
  1. Then did you come to battle with so many against a man worth nothing?
Polyneices
  1. Yes, for a steadfast general is better than a bold one.
Eteocles
  1. Relying on the truce, which saves your life, you turn boaster.