Seven Against Thebes

Aeschylus

Aeschylus, Volume 1. Smyth, Herbert Weir, translator. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1922.

  1. The god’s lightning and thunderbolts he compares to midday heat. For his shield’s symbol he has a man without armor bearing fire, and the torch, his weapon, blazes in his hands; and in golden letters he says I will burn the city.
  2. Against such a man make your dispatch—who will meet him in combat, who will stand firm without trembling before his boasts?
Eteocles
  1. Here too gain follows with interest from gain.[*](Tydeus’ insolence (l. 387) was gain to our cause; to it is now added that of Capaneus, which is like money put out at interest (τόκος).) The tongue proves in the end to be an unerring accuser of men’s wicked thoughts.
  2. Capaneus makes his threats, ready to act, irreverent toward the gods, and giving his tongue full exercise in wicked glee, he, though a mere mortal, sends a loud and swollen boast to Zeus in heaven. But I trust that the fire-bearing thunderbolt will justly come to him,