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. And so do you; once more I demand back my scepter and share of the land.
Eteocles
  1. I admit no demand; I will live in my own house.
Polyneices
  1. And keep more than your share?
Eteocles
  1. Yes. Leave the country!
Polyneices
  1. O altars of my fathers’ gods—
Eteocles
  1. Which you are here to destroy.
Polyneices
  1. Hear me—
Eteocles
  1. Who would hear you after you have marched against your fatherland?
Polyneices
  1. And temples of the gods who ride on white horses—
Eteocles
  1. And who hate you.
Polyneices
  1. I am being driven from my country—
Eteocles
  1. Yes, for you came to destroy it.
Polyneices
  1. Unjustly, O gods!
Eteocles
  1. Call on the gods at Mycenae, not here.
Polyneices
  1. You have become unholy—
Eteocles
  1. But I have not, like you, become my country’s enemy.
Polyneices
  1. By driving me out without my portion.
Eteocles
  1. I will kill you in addition.
Polyneices
  1. O father, do you you hear what I am suffering?
Eteocles
  1. Yes, and he hears what you are doing.