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Chorus
Oh, but I hear horses snorting!
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Oh, but I hear horses snorting!
245
Eteocles
Hear them, then, but not too clearly.
Hear them, then, but not too clearly.
Chorus
The city groans from deep in the earth, as though we are surrounded.
The city groans from deep in the earth, as though we are surrounded.
Eteocles
Surely it is enough that I am making plans for this?
Surely it is enough that I am making plans for this?
Chorus
I am terrified—the crashing at the gates is increasing.
I am terrified—the crashing at the gates is increasing.
Eteocles
Won’t you be silent, and speak none of this throughout the city?
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Won’t you be silent, and speak none of this throughout the city?
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Chorus
Divine company, do not betray our fortifications!
Divine company, do not betray our fortifications!
Eteocles
Damn you! Will you not endure these events in silence?
Damn you! Will you not endure these events in silence?
Chorus
Gods of our city! Do not let my fate be slavery!
Gods of our city! Do not let my fate be slavery!
Eteocles
You would enslave both me and all the city.
You would enslave both me and all the city.
Chorus
Almighty Zeus, turn your missile against the enemy!
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Almighty Zeus, turn your missile against the enemy!
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Eteocles
O Zeus, what a breed you have made for us in women!
O Zeus, what a breed you have made for us in women!
Chorus
A breed steeped in misery, just like men whose city is captured.
A breed steeped in misery, just like men whose city is captured.
Eteocles
Why are your words ill-omened, when you still grasp the gods’ statues?
Why are your words ill-omened, when you still grasp the gods’ statues?
Chorus
In my weakness fear controls my tongue.
In my weakness fear controls my tongue.
Eteocles
If only you would grant my plea for a small service.
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If only you would grant my plea for a small service.
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Chorus
Please state it as quickly as possible, and I will quickly know what to do.
Please state it as quickly as possible, and I will quickly know what to do.
Eteocles
Be silent, wretched woman; do not terrify your own men.
Be silent, wretched woman; do not terrify your own men.
Chorus
I am silent. I will suffer what is destined together with the others.
I am silent. I will suffer what is destined together with the others.
Eteocles
I welcome this sentiment of yours over what you said before.
And in addition, keep your distance from the gods’ images and make a stronger prayer, that the gods fight on our side. And once you have heard my prayers, then sing the victory song, the sacred cry of joy and goodwill, our Greek ritual of shouting in tribute,
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that brings courage to our friends and dissolves fear of the enemy.
And now
Here Eteocles makes his vow. to the gods who guard our city’s land, both those who dwell in the plain and those who watch over its meeting-place, to Dirce’s springs and the waters of Ismenus, I vow that, if things go well and the city is saved,
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the citizens shall redden the gods’ altars with the blood of sheep and sacrifice bulls to the gods—this is my vow—and offer trophies, while I will crown their holy temples with the spoil of the enemy’s spear-pierced garments.
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Make this kind of prayer to the gods, without your previous lamentation, nor with wild and useless panting; for you will not escape your destiny any the more. As for me, I will go station six men, with me as the seventh, as champions to oppose the enemy in proud fashion
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at the seven exits in the wall, even before speedy messengers or swift-rushing reports arrive and inflame us with urgent need.
Exit.
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I welcome this sentiment of yours over what you said before.
And in addition, keep your distance from the gods’ images and make a stronger prayer, that the gods fight on our side. And once you have heard my prayers, then sing the victory song, the sacred cry of joy and goodwill, our Greek ritual of shouting in tribute,
265
that brings courage to our friends and dissolves fear of the enemy.
And now Here Eteocles makes his vow. to the gods who guard our city’s land, both those who dwell in the plain and those who watch over its meeting-place, to Dirce’s springs and the waters of Ismenus, I vow that, if things go well and the city is saved,
270
And now Here Eteocles makes his vow. to the gods who guard our city’s land, both those who dwell in the plain and those who watch over its meeting-place, to Dirce’s springs and the waters of Ismenus, I vow that, if things go well and the city is saved,
the citizens shall redden the gods’ altars with the blood of sheep and sacrifice bulls to the gods—this is my vow—and offer trophies, while I will crown their holy temples with the spoil of the enemy’s spear-pierced garments.
275
Make this kind of prayer to the gods, without your previous lamentation, nor with wild and useless panting; for you will not escape your destiny any the more. As for me, I will go station six men, with me as the seventh, as champions to oppose the enemy in proud fashion
280
at the seven exits in the wall, even before speedy messengers or swift-rushing reports arrive and inflame us with urgent need.
Exit.
285
Seven Against Thebes. Aeschylus. Herbert Weir Smyth (Translator). New York. 1922.
Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.
Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.