Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1898) v3.djvu/36

8 Close-warded kept their sire, that his dark fate,

By manifold shifts scarce veiled, might be forgot.

Within he lives: but, by his fate distraught,

A curse most impious hurled he at his sons,

That they may share their heritage with the sword.

They, terror-stricken lest, if they should dwell

Together, Gods might bring the curse to pass,

Made covenant that Polyneikes first,

The younger, self-exiled, should leave the land,

That Eteokles tarrying wear the crown

One year—then change. But, once in sovranty

Firm-seated, he would step not from the throne,

And thrust Polyneikes banished forth the land.

To Argos fares he, weds Adrastus' child,

And bringeth huge war-muster of Argive shields.

To our very walls seven-gated hath he come,

Claiming his father's sceptre and his right.

And I, to allay their strife, persuaded son

In truce to meet son, ere they touch the spear:

And, saith the messenger I sent, he comes.

O dweller Zeus in heaven's veiling light,

Save us, grant reconciling to my sons!

Thou oughtest not, so thou be wise, to leave

The same man evermore to be unblest.

[Exit.

Enter, above, Old Servant and Antigonê.

Fair flower of thy sire's house, Antigonê,

Albeit thy mother suffered thee to leave

Thy maiden-bower at thine entreaty, and mount

The palace-roof to view the Argive host,

Yet stay, that I may scan the highway first,