Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1898) v3.djvu/87

Rh Of Eteokles' death, by whose shield aye

Thou marchedst, warding him from foemen's darts?

What word of tidings bringest thou to me?

Dead is my son, or liveth he?—declare.

He lives. Fear not! I rid thee so of dread.

And the seven towers, how fares the fence thereof?

They stand unshattered: Thebes not yet is spoiled.

Were they sore perilled of the Argive spear?

At ruin's brink: but stronger proved the might

Of Kadmus' people than Mycenæ's spear.

One thing, by heaven!—of Polyneikes aught

Canst tell? I yearn for this! Doth he see light?

Liveth thus far thy chariot-yoke of sons.

Blessings on thee! How did ye thrust the spear

Of Argos back from your beleaguered gates?

Tell, that I may rejoice the blind old man

The halls within, with news of this land saved.