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. No plan so good as to keep well guarded.
Eteocles
  1. What if we ride out against the army of Argos?
Creon
  1. Their troops too are fenced all round with chariots.
Eteocles
  1. What shall I do, then? Am I to surrender the city to the enemy?
Creon
  1. No indeed! But out of your wisdom form some plan.
Eteocles
  1. What forethought is wiser than mine?
Creon
  1. They have seven men, I hear—
Eteocles
  1. What is their appointed task? their might is small.
Creon
  1. . . . To attack the seven gates.
Eteocles
  1. What are we to do then? I will not wait till every chance is gone.
Creon
  1. You also choose seven men to set against them at the gates.
Eteocles
  1. To lead our companies, or to fight single-handed?
Creon
  1. To lead; choose the very bravest ones.
Eteocles
  1. I understand; to repel attempts at scaling our walls.
Creon
  1. With others to share the command, for one man doesn’t see everything.
Eteocles
  1. Selecting them for courage or thoughtful prudence?
Creon
  1. Both; for one is nothing without the other.