Eteocles
You intolerable things! I ask you, is this the best way to save the city? Does it hearten our army here besieged, when you fall before the images of the gods that guard the city and shout and shriek—behavior that moderate people despise? May I never share my home with the female race, neither in time of evil nor in pleasant prosperity! When things go well for her, her boldness is unbearable, but when she is afraid, she is an even greater evil for home and city. So now your cries as you rushed here and there in panicked flight have rattled the citizens into dispirited cowardice. The cause of the enemy outside our gates is excellently strengthened by your behavior, while we inside are ruined by our own people. This is the sort of trouble you will have if you dwell with women. Now if anyone fails to obey my authority—whether man or woman or something in between—a sentence of death will be decreed for him and by no means whatsoever will he escape destruction by stoning at the people’s hands. It is for the man to take care of business outside the house; let no woman make decrees in those matters. Keep inside and do no harm! Do you hear me or not? Am I speaking to the deaf?
Chorus Dear son of Oedipus, I grew afraid when I heard the clatter of the crashing chariots, when the hubs screamed as they whirled around the wheel, and when I heard the sound of the steering gear, fire-forged bits, in the horses’ mouths.
Eteocles Well, then, has a helmsman ever found a way to safety by fleeing from stern to prow, when his ship is foundering in high seas?
Chorus But trusting in the gods I came in haste to their ancient statues, when the deadly blizzard of falling stones thundered against the gates. Just then I set out in fear to pray to the Blessed Ones that they spread their protection over the city.
Eteocles Pray that the rampart withstand the enemy spear. Yes, the outcome is in the gods’ hands—but then, it is said that the gods of a captured city abandon it.
Chorus Never so long as I live may this divine assembly abandon us, nor may I live to see the city overrun and the army seizing it with hostile fire!
Eteocles When you invoke the gods, do not be ill-advised. For Obedience is the mother of Success, wife of Salvation—as the saying goes.
Chorus So she is, but the power of god is supreme, and often in bad times it raises the helpless man out of harsh misery even when stormclouds are lowering over his eyes.
Eteocles It is the man’s duty to offer victims and sacrifices to the gods when they test their enemy; your duty is to be silent and to remain inside the house.
Chorus By the will of the gods we inhabit an unconquered city, and the rampart withstands the enemy throng. What indignation makes you resent this?
Eteocles I do not begrudge your honor of the divine race; but lest you make the citizens cowardly, be calm and do not be overly fearful.
Chorus When I heard the strange and jumbled clashes, I came in trembling fear to this citadel, our seat of worship.
Eteocles If, then, you hear that men are dying or wounded, do not seize on the news with loud wailing. For this is the food of Ares, human blood.
Chorus Oh, but I hear horses snorting!
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?
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!
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.
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, that brings courage to our friends and dissolves fear of the enemy. And now 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. 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 at the seven exits in the wall, even before speedy messengers or swift-rushing reports arrive and inflame us with urgent need.
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