Euripides The Phoenician Women 499

Eteocles

If all were unanimous in their ideas of honor and wisdom,

there would be no strife to make men disagree; but, as it is, fairness and equality have no existence in this world beyond the name; there is really no such thing. I will tell you this, mother, without any concealment: I would go to the rising of the stars and the sun,

500

or beneath the earth, if I were able so to do, to win Tyranny, the greatest of the gods. Therefore, mother, I will not yield this blessing to another rather than keep it for myself; for it is cowardly to lose the greater

505

and to win the less. Besides, I am ashamed to think that he should gain his object by coming with arms and ravaging the land; for this would be a disgrace to Thebes , if I should yield my scepter up to him for fear of Mycenaean might.

510

He ought not to have attempted reconcilement by armed force, mother, for words accomplish everything that even the sword of an enemy might effect. Still, if on any other terms he cares to dwell here, he may; but that I shall never willingly let go.

515

Shall I become his slave, when I can rule? Therefore come fire, come sword! Harness your horses, fill the plains with chariots, for I will not give up my tyranny to him. For if we must do wrong, to do so for tyranny

520

is the fairest cause, but in all else piety should be our aim.

525

Chorus Leader

One should not speak well on deeds that are not good; for that is not good, but bitter to justice.

Jocasta

Eteocles, my child, it is not all evil that attends old age; but experience

has something to say wiser than youth. Why, my son, do you so long for Ambition, that worst of deities? Oh, do not; the goddess is unjust; many are the homes and cities once prosperous that she has entered and left, to the ruin of her worshippers;

530

and she is the one you are mad for. It is better, my son, to honor Equality, who always joins friend to friend, city to city, allies to allies; for Equality is naturally lasting among men; but the less is always in opposition to the greater,

535

and begins the dawn of hatred. For it is Equality that has set up for man measures and divisions of weights, and has determined numbers; night’s sightless eye, and radiant sun proceed upon their yearly course on equal terms,

540

and neither of them is envious when it has to yield. Though both sun and night are servants for mortals, you will not be content with your fair share of your heritage and give the same to him? Then where is justice?

545

Chor.

Nicht ziemt es, gut zu reden bei nicht schoner That;

Denn nimmer schon ist dieses, und verhdhnt das Recht.

520

Jokaste.

Dem Alter ist nicht lauter Uebles zugesellt,

Mein lieber Sohn Eteokles; nein, viel weisern Rath

Gibt ihm Erfahrung an die Hand, als Jüngeren.

Was strebst du nach der schlimmsten aller Göttinnen,

Der Ehre? Thu nicht also! Sie ist ungerecht:

525

In manches Haus, in hochbeglückte Städte zog

Sie ein und ging, verderbend, die ihr huldigten;

Und ihr erglühst du. Schoner ist's, Gleichheit, o Kind,

In Ehren halten, die den Freund dem Freunde stets,

Die Städte Städten, Bundsgenoß mit Bundsgenoß,

530

Verbindet; Gleichheit ist der Menschheit Urgesez.

Dem machtbegabten Manne lebt im Schwachen stets

Ein Widersacher, der des Haders Tag beginnt.

Gleichheit ja war es, die Gewicht den Sterblichen

Und Maaß geordnet, die geschieden Zahl von Zahl.

535

Der Nacht umdüstertes Augenlied, der Sonne Licht,

Durchwandeln ihren Jahreskreis in gleichem Schritt,

Und ihrer keins ist neidisch auf des andern Sieg.

So dient die Sonne, dient die Nacht den Sterblichen:

To

Und dir genügt am Reiche nicht der gleiche Theil,

540

Ihm gonnst du nicht den seinen? Wo bleibt hier das Recht?