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Polyneices
The doorkeeper’s bolts admitted me readily within the walls, and so I fear that now they have caught me in their nets, they will not let me out unscathed;
so I must turn my eye in every direction, here and there, to guard against treachery. Armed with this sword, I shall inspire myself with the confidence that is born of boldness.
Starting. Oh! Who is that? Or is it a sound I fear?
265
Everything seems a danger to the daring, when their feet begin to tread an enemy’s country. Still I trust my mother, and at the same time mistrust her, the one who persuaded me to come here under truce. Well, there is help at hand, for the altar’s hearth
270
is close and the house is not deserted. Come, let me sheath my sword in its dark scabbard and ask these women standing near the house, who they are.
275
Ladies of another land, tell me from what country do you come to the halls of
Hellas
?
The doorkeeper’s bolts admitted me readily within the walls, and so I fear that now they have caught me in their nets, they will not let me out unscathed;
so I must turn my eye in every direction, here and there, to guard against treachery. Armed with this sword, I shall inspire myself with the confidence that is born of boldness.
Starting. Oh! Who is that? Or is it a sound I fear?
265
Everything seems a danger to the daring, when their feet begin to tread an enemy’s country. Still I trust my mother, and at the same time mistrust her, the one who persuaded me to come here under truce. Well, there is help at hand, for the altar’s hearth
270
is close and the house is not deserted. Come, let me sheath my sword in its dark scabbard and ask these women standing near the house, who they are.
275
Ladies of another land, tell me from what country do you come to the halls of
Hellas
?
Chorus Leader
Phoenicia
is my native land where I was born and bred; and the grandsons of Agenor sent me here as first-fruits of the spoil of war for Phoebus. But when the noble son of Oedipus was about to send me to the hallowed oracle and the altars of Loxias,
280
the
Argive
army came against his city. Now tell me in return who you are, who have come to this fortress of the Theban land with its seven gates.
285
Phoenicia
is my native land where I was born and bred; and the grandsons of Agenor sent me here as first-fruits of the spoil of war for Phoebus. But when the noble son of Oedipus was about to send me to the hallowed oracle and the altars of Loxias,
280
the
Argive
army came against his city. Now tell me in return who you are, who have come to this fortress of the Theban land with its seven gates.
285
Polyneices
My father was Oedipus, the son of Laius; my mother Jocasta, daughter of Menoeceus;
and I am called Polyneices by the people of
Thebes
.
290
My father was Oedipus, the son of Laius; my mother Jocasta, daughter of Menoeceus;
and I am called Polyneices by the people of
Thebes
.
290
Chorus
O kinsman of Agenor’s race, my royal masters who sent me here!
O kinsman of Agenor’s race, my royal masters who sent me here!
The Phoenician Women. Euripides. Edward P. Coleridge (Translator). London. 1891.
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