Chorus

Oh, but I hear horses snorting!

245

Eteocles

Hear them, then, but not too clearly.

Chorus

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?

Chorus

I am terrified—the crashing at the gates is increasing.

Eteocles

Won’t you be silent, and speak none of this throughout the city?

250

Chorus

Divine company, do not betray our fortifications!

Eteocles

Damn you! Will you not endure these events in silence?

Chorus

Gods of our city! Do not let my fate be slavery!

Eteocles

You would enslave both me and all the city.

Chorus

Almighty Zeus, turn your missile against the enemy!

255

Eteocles

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.

Eteocles

Why are your words ill-omened, when you still grasp the gods’ statues?

Chorus

In my weakness fear controls my tongue.

Eteocles

If only you would grant my plea for a small service.

260

Chorus

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.

Chorus

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,

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

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

Eteocles

It is the business of men, to present victims and offerings of worship to the gods, when foemen are making an attempt: 'tis thine on the other hand to hold thy peace and abide within doors.

Chorus

Eteocles

I am not offended that ye should honour the race of the gods; but that thou mayest not render the citizens faint-hearted, keep quiet and yield not to excessive terrors.

Chorus

Eteocles

Do not now, if ye hear of the dying or the wounded, eagerly receive them with shrieks; for with this slaughter of mortals is Mars fed.

Chorus

Eteocles

Do not now, when thou hearest them, hear too distinctly.

Chorus

Our city groans from the ground, as though the foes were hemming her in.

Eteocles

Is it not then enough that I take measures for this?

Chorus

I fear! for the battering at the gates increases.

Eteocles

Wilt thou not be silent? Say nought of this kind in the city.

Chorus

O associate band [of gods], abandon not our towers.

Eteocles

Cannot ye endure it in silence, and confusion to ye?

Chorus

Gods of my city! let me not meet with slavery.

Eteocles

Thou thyself art making a slave both of me, of thyself, and of the city.

Chorus

O all-potent Jove! turn the shaft against our foes.

Eteocles

O Jove! what a race hast thou made women!

Chorus

Just as wretched as men when their city is taken.

Eteocles

Again thou art yelping as thou claspest the statues!

Chorus

Yes, for in my panic terror hurries away my tongue.

Eteocles

Would to heaven that you would grant me a trifling favour on my requesting it.

Chorus

Tell me as quickly as you can, and I shall know at once.

Eteocles

Hold thy peace, wretched woman, alarm not thy friends.

Chorus

I hold my peace—with others I will suffer what is destined.

Eteocles

I prefer this expression of thine rather than thy former words; and moreover, coming forth from the statues, pray thou for the best,—that the gods may be our allies. And after thou hast listened to my prayers, then do thou raise the sacred auspicious shout of the Paean, the Grecian rite of sacrificial acclamation, an encouragement to thy friends that removes the fear of the foe. And I, to the tutelary gods of our land, both those who haunt the plains, and those who watch over the forum, and to the fountains of Dirce, and I speak not without those of the Ismenus

, if things turn out well and our city is preserved, do thus make my vows that we, dyeing the altars of the gods with the blood of sheep, offering bulls to the gods, will deposit trophies, and vestments of our enemies, spear-won spoils of the foe, in their hallowed abodes. Offer thou prayers like these to the gods, not with a number of sighs, nor with foolish and wild sobbings; for not one whit the more wilt thou escape Destiny. But I too, forsooth

, will go and marshal at the seven outlets of our walls, six men, with myself for a seventh, antagonists to our foes in gallant plight, before both urgent messengers and quickly-bruited tidings arrive, and inflame us by the crisis.

Exit Eteocles.

Chorus

ÉTÉOCLE

C'est aux hommes à offrir aux dieux des hécatombes, à questionner le sort en tâtant l'ennemi. Ton rôle, à toi, est de te taire et de rester dans ta maison.

LE CHŒUR

ÉTÉOCLE

Je ne te dénie point le droit d'honorer les dieux ; mais, si tu ne veux pas semer la lâcheté au cœur

ÉTÉOCLE

des citoyens, reste en repos, ne laisse pas déborder ta terreur.

LE CHŒUR

Un fracas confus tout à l'heure a frappé mes oreilles, et, d'une fuite épouvantée, j'ai couru vers cette
acropole, séjour révéré.

ÉTÉOCLE

LE CORYPHÉE

Ciel ! j'entends maintenant hennir les chevaux !

ÉTÉOCLE

Entends sans trop montrer alors que tu entends.

LE CORYPHÉE

Thèbes

ÉTÉOCLE

Je suis là pour savoir les mesures à prendre.

LE CORYPHÉE

J'ai peur ; le bruit des portes heurtées croît encore.

ÉTÉOCLE

Ne cesseras-tu pas de crier ainsi par la ville. Silence !

LE CORYPHÉE

O dieu ici assemblés, n'abandonnez pas nos remparts !

ÉTÉOCLE

Malheur ! ne te peux-tu résigner à te taire ?

LE CORYPHÉE

Dieux de ma cité, épargnez-moi l'esclavage !

ÉTÉOCLE

C'est toi qui nous livres à l'esclavage, et moi et toute ta ville.

LE CORYPHÉE

Zeus tout-puissant, tourne tes traits contre nos ennemis !

ÉTÉOCLE

O Zeus, qu'as-tu créé en nous créant la femme ?

LE CORYPHÉE

Un être misérable, aussi bien que l'homme, quand leur ville est prise.

ÉTÉOCLE

Encore parler de malheurs, et quand tu étreins des dieux !

LE CORYPHÉE

Je n'ai plus de courage : l'épouvante m'arrache mes mots !

ÉTÉOCLE

Je t'en prie, voudrais-tu m'accorder une légère grâce ?

LE CORYPHÉE

Dis vite, et vite je verrai si je puis.

ÉTÉOCLE

Tais-toi, malheureuse ; cesse d'effrayer les tiens.

LE CORYPHÉE

Je me tais : mon sort sera le sort de tous.

ÉTÉOCLE

Voilà un mot que je retiens : je te laisse les autres ! Mais fais plus ; quitte ces statues et adresse aux
dieux la seule prière qui vaille : qu'ils combattent avec nous. Puis écoute mes vœux à moi et accompagne-les, comme d'un péan favorable, de la clameur sacrée, du cri rituel qui, en Grèce, salue la chute des victimes : il donnera confiance aux nôtres et dissipera en eux tout effroi de l'ennemi. Devant les dieux maîtres de ce pays, dieux des
campagnes, dieux gardiens de nos places, source de Dirké ¹ , eaux de l'Isménos, je le déclare, si tout s'achève heureusement, si notre ville est sauvée, je ferai couler le sang des brebis sur les autels divins, pour célébrer notre victoire ; et des vêtements de nos ennemis, dépouilles déchirées par
la javeline, je ferai des offrandes pendues aux murs de leurs saintes demeures. Voilà les vœux que je t'engage à faire, au lieu de te complaire à ces gémissements, à ces cris haletants, aussi vains que sauvages, qui ne te feront pas échapper au destin. Moi, aux sept issues de nos rem-
parts, pour tenir tête à l'ennemi, j'irai placer six guerriers de grande allure — et moi septième — avant que des messagers affolés et des rumeurs trop promptes ne viennent nous surprendre et mettre tout en feu sous la menace de
la nécessité

ETEOCLES.

The victim, and the hallow'd sacrifice,

When the foes menace, are the task of men;

240

Thine, to be silent, and remain at home. s

CHORUS.

ETEOCLES.

It does not, virgin: No: your pious vows

I blame not. But be silent; left thy fears,

Swelling to this excess, dismay our youth.

CHORUS.

ETEOCLES.

If haply now your eyes behold the dead,

Or wounded; burst not forth in loud laments:

For blood and carnage is the food of war.

CHORUS.

ETEOCLES.

Whate'er thou hear'st, it asks not thy attention.

CHORUS.

The city shakes beneath th' enclosing foes.

ETEOCLES.

Be satisfied; to guard it is my charge.

CHORUS.

I fear: the clash is louder at the gates.

ETEOCLES.

Peace; nor distract the city with thy cries.

260

CHORUS.

Ye social pow'rs, leave not our walls defenceless.

ETEOCLES.

Woe on thee! Canst thou not bear this in silence?

CHORUS.

Gods of this state, save me from slavery!

ETEOCLES.

Me wou'dst thou make a slave, and all the state.

CHORUS.

Allpow'rful Jove, turn on the foe the sword!

265

ETEOCLES.

Heav'ns, of what quality are women form'd?

CHORUS.

Wretched, as men are, in their country's ruin.

ETEOCLES.

Still wail thy country? Still embrace these Gods?

CHORUS.

Wild with my fears, I speak I know not what.

ETEOCLES.

Wou'dst thou indulge me in a light request?

270

CHORUS.

Speak it at once, quickly shall I obey.

ETEOCLES.

Be silent, wretch; nor terrify thy friends.

CHORUS.

I will; and with them bear what Fate decrees.

ETEOCLES.

I praise thy resolution. Clasp no more

These images; but stand apart, and ask

275

Happier events; entreat the friendly Gods

To aid us.

Hear my vows; then instant raise

The heav'nappeasing Pæan, whose high strains

Of solemn import, 'midst her sacred rites,

280

Greece pours symphonious; strains, that raise the soul

To gen'rous courage, and the fix'd disdain

Of fear and danger.

To the guardian Gods

Whose tutelary pow'r protects our fields,

285

Protects our crouded streets; to Dirce's fount;

Nor thee, Ismenus, will I pass unhonour'd;

If conquest crowns our helms, and saves our city,

The hallow'd sacrifice shall bleed, and load

Their smoking altars; this victorious hand

290

Shall raise the glitt'ring trophies t

, and hang high,

To grace their sacred walls, the richwrought vests,

Spoils of the war, rent from the bleeding foe.

Breath to the Gods these vows: but let no sigh

Break forth, no lamentation rude and vain:

295

Weak is their pow'r to save thee from thy fate.

My charge shall be at our sev'n gates to fix

Six of our bravest youth, myself the seventh,

In dreadful opposition to the foe;

E'er yet the violent and tumultuous cry

300

Calls me perforce to join the firey conflict.

CHORUS.

ETEOCLE

Pria della pugna, sacrifici e vittime

offrire ai Numi, cómpito è degli uomini :

255

il tuo, tacere e rimanere in casa.

CORO

ETEOCLE

lo non ti vieto che tu onori i Dèmoni:

260

ma calma sii: non render pusillanimi

i cittadini, troppo non sii pavida!

CORO

ETEOCLE

Or, se udrete annunciar morti e ferite,

non prorompete in ululi. Ché Marte

di ciò, di stragi d'uomini, si pasce.

CORO

ETEOCLE

Non prestar troppo orecchio, anche se li odi.

270

CORO

Siamo strette! Dal suol geme la rocca!

ETEOCLE

A provvedere a ciò non basto io forse?

CORO

Tremo! Il fracasso alle porte si gonfia!

ETEOCLE

Vorrai tacer, che la città non t'oda?

CORO

Santo Concilio, non tradir le mura!

275

ETEOCLE

Vuoi soffrire e tacere, in tua malora?

CORO

Patrî Numi, deh!, schiava io mai non cada!

ETEOCLE

Tu me fai schiavo, e tutta la città!

CORO

Giove, contro i nemici il dardo volgi!

ETEOCLE

Giove, che dono, il sesso delle femmine!

280

CORO

Gramo è pur l'uomo, se la patria perde!

Con rinnovato impeto si prostrano innanzi alle immagini.

ETEOCLE

Stringi ancora le immagini ? Ancora ululi?

CORO

Terror, contro il voler, tragge mia lingua.

ETEOCLE

Lieve una grazia, io te lo chiedo, porgimi.

285

CORO

Súbito parla, e súbito io la sappia.

ETEOCLE

Taci! Non sbigottir gli amici, o misera!

CORO

Taccio. Con gli altri il fato soffrirò.

ETEOCLE

Piú che ogni altro tuo detto io questo ho caro.

E adesso, poi, dai simulacri spíccati,

290

e implora i Numi che agli amici arrida

la miglior sorte. E, uditi i voti miei,

leva il peana, l'ululo propizio,

il grido sacro d'Ellade, compagno

dei sacrifizî, che il terrore infesto

295

sperda, e coraggio negli amici infonda.

Ed io, frattanto, della patria ai Numi,

a quei che il piano e che la rocca e l'àgora

guardan custodi, e ai rivoli di Dirce,

né pur taccio l'Ismeno, io qui prometto

300

che, se fortuna a noi sorrida, e salva

sia la città, molto sangue d'agnelli

tingerà l'are, e sgozzeremo tauri,

alzeremo trofei, d'infeste spoglie

prese in battaglia, intrecceremo serti

305

ai templi sacri. Tali preci ai Numi

rivolgi, e cari non ti siano gli ululi

né le vane selvatiche querele:

al destino fuggir, tanto, non puoi.

Or vado, e scelgo sei guerrieri - e settimo

310

pongo me stesso, che alle sette porte

contro i nemici di gran lena voghino,

pria che affannati messaggeri giungano,

e veloci sussurri si diffondano

nella distretta, a conturbarci l'animo.

315

Eteocle parte. Le fanciulle si aggruppano di nuovo

intorno all' ara.

CORO

Eteocles

Virorum hæc funt, uictimas

215

Dijs facere hostium laceßentium:

Tuum uerò uiciſsim tacere, manere domi.

Cho.

Eteocles

Non prohibeo tibi deorum genus honorare,

Modò ne ciues ignauos reddas:

Quietus efto, neq; admodum time.

Cho.

Etc.

Ne nunc etiam si mortuos, aut uulneratos

Intelligatis, eiulatibus profequamini:

Tali mortalium cruore Mars pascitur.

Cho.

Etc.

Ne nunc audiens, perspicue audias nimis.

Cho.

Gemit urbs è terra tanquam circundata.

Etc.

Mihi igitur sufficit de his consulere.

Cho.

Timco, tumultus in portis augetur.

Etc.

Non taces? nihil horum dic contra urbem.

235

Cho.

O cognatio, ne prode turres.

Etc.

Non admortem tacens feres hec?

Cho.

Dij indigena, ne affequar feruitutem.

Etc.

Tu in seruitutem rediges me & urbem.

Cho.

O præpotens Iupiter, cõuerte in hostes iacula.

240

Etc.

O Iupiter, quale mulierum præbuisti genus?

Cho.

Flagitioſum, ut uiri funt, quorü urbs capta eſt.

Etc.

Obmutefcis rursus tangens ſtatuas?

Cho.

Ignauia linguam rapit metus.

Etc.

Mihi roganti, si leuem dederis finem.

245

Cho.

Si quàm citò dixeris, fortè ſciam.

Etc.

Tace miserâ, ne terrefacias amicos.

Cho.

Tacco, cum alijs patiar fatum.

Etc.

Hoc enim uerbum pro illis eligo à te;

Et cum bis, fine ſtatuis,

250

Optameliora, deos effe auxiliatores:

Meaq; uota audiens, deinde

Eiulatum sacrum propitium canta,

Juxta Grecanicum morem clamoris facrificij,

Etc.

Amicis audaciam præbebis ſoluens hoſtilem timore.

255

Ego uerò regionis patronis dijs,

Paganisq;, fori ſpeculatoribus,

Dircæq; fontibus, neq; ab Ismeno dico

Rebus bene accidentibus, feruataq; urbe,

Ouibus stillantes fanguinem aras deorum,

260

Taurosq; occiſos dijs, hic uoueo

Ponere trophea, ad ſepulchra hostium,

Exuuias uerò caſtis domibus hostium ferro partas.

Talia uoue non querule dijs,

Neq; in uanis feuis fufpirijs.

265

Nam nequaquam magis effugies fatum.

Ego ad ſex uiros me cum ſeptimo

Aduerfarios hoſtibus magnopere,

Ad ſeptem portas ordinabo proficifcens,

Priusquam nuncij impetuofi& celeres

270

Sermones ad nos ueniant, & urant pre neceßitate.

Cho.

Eteocles

Let men with sacrifice and augury

Approach the gods, when comes the tug of war:

Maids must be silent and abide within.

Chorus

Eteocles

Ay, pay thy vows to Heaven; I grudge them not,

But—so thou strike no fear into our men—

Have calm at heart, nor be too much afraid.

200

Chorus

Eteocles

Now, if ye hear the bruit of death or wounds,

Give not yourselves o'ermuch to shriek and scream,

205

For Ares ravins upon human flesh.

Chorus

Eteocles

Then, if thou hearest, hear them not too well!

Chorus

Hark, the earth rumbles, as they close us round!

Eteocles

Enough if I am here, with plans prepared.

210

Chorus

Alack, the battering at the gates is loud!

Eteocles

Peace! stay your tongue, or else the town may hear.

Chorus

O warders of the walls, betray them not!

Eteocles

Beshrew your cries! in silence face your fate.

Chorus

Gods of our city, see me not enslaved!

215

Eteocles

On me, on all, thy cries bring slavery.

Chorus

Zeus, strong to smite, turn upon foes thy blow!

Eteocles

Zeus, what a curse are women, wrought by thee!

Chorus

Weak wretches, even as men, when cities fall.

Eteocles

What! clasping gods, yet voicing thy despair?

220

Chorus

In the sick heart, fear maketh prey of speech.

Eteocles

Light is the thing I ask thee—do my will!

Chorus

Ask swiftly: swiftly shall I know my power.

Eteocles

Silence, weak wretch! nor put thy friends in fear.

Chorus

I speak no more: the general fate be mine!

225

Eteocles

I take that word as wiser than the rest.

Nay, more: these images possess thy will—

Pray, in their strength, that Heaven be on our side!

Then hear my prayers withal, and then ring out

The female triumph-note, thy privilege—

230

Yea, utter forth the usage Hellas knows,

The cry beside the altars, sounding clear

Encouragement to friends, alarm to foes.

But I unto all gods that guard our walls,

Lords of the plain or warders of the mart

235

And to Ismenus' stream and Dirce's rills,

I swear, if Fortune smiles and saves our town,

That we will make our altars reek with blood

Of sheep and kine, shed forth unto the gods,

And with victorious tokens front our fanes—

240

Corslets and casques that once our foemen wore,

Spear-shattered now—to deck these holy homes!

Be such thy vows to Heaven—away with sighs,

Away with outcry vain and barbarous,

That shall avail not, in a general doom!

245

But I will back, and, with six chosen men

Myself the seventh, to confront the foe

In this great aspect of a poisèd war,

Return and plant them at the sevenfold gates,

Or e'er the prompt and clamorous battle-scouts

250

Haste to inflame our counsel with the need.

[ Exit Eteocles.

Chorus

Eteokles.

Dem Manne ziemt es, frommer Opfergabe Zoll

Den Göttern darzubringen, wenn die Feinde droh'n;

Dir ziemt zu schweigen und zu harren still daheim.

Der Chor.

Dritte Strophe.

Eteokles.

Nicht wehren will ich's, daß du fromm die Götter ehrst;

Nur, daß du nicht den Bürgern feige Furcht erweckst,

Verharre ruhig, zage nicht in banger Angst.

Der Chor.

Dritte Gegenstrophe.

Eteokles.

Wird euch von Todten Kunde, von Verwundeten,

Kommt nicht mit lautem Klageruf herangestürmt;

Denn also weidet Ares sich an Menschenblut.

225

Der Chor.

Eteokles.

Nun, wenn du's hörst, nicht allzudeutlich höre mir's.

Der Chor.

Es stöhnt von Grund auf Kadmos' Stadt, vom Feind umgarnt.

Eteokles.

Und euch genügt nicht, daß sie steht in meiner Hut?

Der Chor.

Mir bangt: das Kampfgetöse vor den Thoren wächst.

230

Eteokles.

So schweige still doch, sage nichts der Stadt davon!

Der Chor.

Ihr Götter alle, gebet nicht die Burg dahin!

Eteokles.

Verwünschte, wirst du deinen Mund nicht bändigen?

Der Chor.

Ihr Götter Thebä's, nicht in Knechtschaft stoßet mich!

Eteokles.

Ihr selbst bereitet Knechtschaft euch, der Stadt und mir.

235

Der Chor.

Allmächt'ger Zeus, wend' auf die Feinde dein Geschoß!

Eteokles.

Zeus, die Frauen, welch Geschlecht erschufest du!

Der Chor.

Elend wie Männer, deren Stadt der Feind erstürmt!

Eteokles.

Schon wieder böse Worte vor der Götter Bild?

Der Chor.

Mir reißt der Unmacht feige Furcht die Zunge hin.

240

Eteokles.

Um Eines bitt' ich, schenke mir die kleine Gunst.

Der Chor.

Gleich, ohne Säumen sag' es, und gleich weiß ich es.

Eteokles.

Still schweige, Thörin, treibe nicht das Volk in Angst.

Der Chor.

Ich schweige, mit den Andern duld' ich mein Geschick.

Eteokles.

Ich nehme dies Wort lieber als die frühern an.

245

Und nun verlaßt die Götterbilder und erfleht

Das Bess're, daß die Götter uns Mitstreiter sei'n.

Und sprach ich meine Bitten aus, dann stimme du

Zur Sühne heiligen Festgesang den Göttern an,

Den Weihgesang der Opfer nach Hellenenbrauch,

250

Des Muths Erwecker, daß du bannst des Krieges Furcht.

Euch, meines Landes Göttern, euch stadtschirmenden,

Des Feldes Hütern und des Markt's, und dir, o Born

Dirka's, Ismenos' Fluten, euch gelob' ich laut: ¹

Wenn Alles wohlging und die Stadt gerettet ward,

255

So röth' ich euren Opferherd mit Lammesblut,

Und weihe Farrenopfer euch, ihr Ewigen,

Und pflanze Siegeszeichen auf, und kränze rings

Mit kühnerstritt'nem Feindesraub das Heiligthum.

So flehe du die Götter ohne Seufzerlaut

260

Und nicht mit eiteln, wilden Angstausrufen an:

Nicht mehr ja deßhalb wirst du deinem Loos entflieh'n.

Ich wähle mir sechs Männer, ich der siebente,

Die wider unsre Feinde steh'n mit großer Kraft,

Und theile sie den sieben Thorausgängen zu,

265

Eh' ungestümer Boten raschbeschwingtes Wort

Sich naht, und ängstend zündet bei des Dranges Noth.

Chor

Wechſelgesang des Chores. Erste Strophe. (ab.)