Euripides The Phoenician Women 690

Eteocles

to an attendant

Go, bring Creon, son of Menoeceus, the brother of Jocasta my mother; tell him I want to consult with him on matters public and private, before we set out to battle and the arrangement of the army.

690

But he is here, saving you the trouble; I see him on his way to my house.

695

Creon

I have been everywhere, lord Eteocles, in my desire to see you, and have gone all round the gates and sentinels of Thebes hunting for you.

Eteocles

And I wanted to see you, Creon; for I found the terms of peace far from satisfactory, when I came to confer with Polyneices.

700

Creon

I hear that he has wider aims than Thebes , relying on his alliance with Adrastus and his army. But we must leave this dependent on the gods;

I have come to tell you our chief obstacle.

705

Eteocles

What is that? I do not understand what you say.

Creon

Someone has come who was captured from the Argives.

Eteocles

What news does he bring from there?

Creon

He says the Argive army intend at once to wind about the city of Thebes and its towers, with their army.

710

Eteocles

In that case the city of Cadmus must lead out its army.

Creon

Where? Are you so young that your eyes do not see what they should?

Eteocles

Across those trenches, to fight at once.

Creon

Our forces are small, while theirs are plentiful.

715

Eteocles

I know well they are brave in argument.

Creon

Argos has some weight among the Hellenes.

Eteocles

Never fear! I will soon fill the plain with their dead.

Creon

I could wish it so; but I see great difficulties in this.

Eteocles

I will not keep my army within the walls.

720

Creon

And yet victory is entirely a matter of good counsel.

Eteocles

Do you then want me to turn to some other way?

Creon

Yes, to every one, before running the risk once for all.

Eteocles

Suppose we fall on them by night from ambush?

Creon

Yes, if in the event of defeat you can return safely here.

725

Eteocles

Night equalizes risks, though it rather favors daring.

Creon

The darkness of night is a terrible time to suffer disaster.

Eteocles

Well, shall I attack them as they sit at dinner?

Creon

That might cause them fright, but victory is what we need.

Eteocles

Dirce’s ford is certainly deep enough to prevent their retreat.

730

Creon

No plan so good as to keep well guarded.

Eteocles

What if we ride out against the army of Argos ?

Creon

Their troops too are fenced all round with chariots.

Eteocles

What shall I do, then? Am I to surrender the city to the enemy?

Creon

No indeed! But out of your wisdom form some plan.

735

Eteocles

What forethought is wiser than mine?

Creon

They have seven men, I hear—

Eteocles

What is their appointed task? their might is small.

Creon

. . . To attack the seven gates.

Eteocles

What are we to do then? I will not wait till every chance is gone.

740

Creon

You also choose seven men to set against them at the gates.

Eteocles

To lead our companies, or to fight single-handed?

Creon

To lead; choose the very bravest ones.

Eteocles

I understand; to repel attempts at scaling our walls.

Creon

With others to share the command, for one man doesn’t see everything.

745

Eteocles

Selecting them for courage or thoughtful prudence?

Creon

Both; for one is nothing without the other.

Eteocles

It shall be done; I will go to our seven towers and post captains at the gates, as you say,

pitting them man for man against the enemy. To tell each one’s name is a great waste of time, when the enemy are camped beneath our very walls. But I will go, that my hands may no longer hang idle. And may I find my brother face to face,

750

meet him in battle and kill him with my spear and kill him, for coming to waste my country! But if I suffer any misfortune, you must see to the marriage between Antigone, my sister and Haemon, your son; and now, as I take my leave,

755

I ratify their previous betrothal. You are my mother’s brother, no need to speak at length. Take care of her as she deserves, both for your own sake and mine. As for my father, he has been guilty of folly against himself in putting out his eyes; I have small praise for him;

760

by his curses it may be that he will slay us too.

765

One thing we still have to do: ask Teiresias, the seer, if he has anything to say of heaven’s will. I will send your son Menoeceus, who bears your father’s name,

to fetch Teiresias here, Creon; for he will readily converse with you, but I have before now so scorned his prophetic art to his face, that he has reasons to reproach me. This commandment, Creon, I lay upon the city and you:

770

if my cause should prevail, never give Polyneices’ corpse a grave in Theban soil, and let the one who buries him die, even if it is a friend. This I say to you; and this to my servants Bring out my weapons and armor,

775

so that I may start at once for the appointed combat, with justice to lead to victory. We will pray to Caution, the most useful goddess, to save our city. Exit Eteocles.

780