Eteocles Mother, it is no longer a contest of words; the time we still delay is idle waste; your good wishes accomplish nothing; for we can never be reconciled except upon the terms already named, that I should keep the scepter and be king of this land. Cease these tedious warnings and let me be. And as for you, get outside the walls, or die!
Polyneices Who will kill me? Who is so invulnerable as to plunge a murderous sword in my body without getting for himself the same fate?
Eteocles He is near, not far away. Do you see my hands?
Polyneices I see them; but wealth is cowardly, a craven too fond of life.
Eteocles Then did you come to battle with so many against a man worth nothing?
Polyneices Yes, for a steadfast general is better than a bold one.
Eteocles Relying on the truce, which saves your life, you turn boaster.
Polyneices And so do you; once more I demand back my scepter and share of the land.
Eteocles I admit no demand; I will live in my own house.
Polyneices And keep more than your share?
Eteocles Yes. Leave the country!
Polyneices O altars of my fathers’ gods—
Eteocles Which you are here to destroy.
Polyneices Hear me—
Eteocles Who would hear you after you have marched against your fatherland?
Polyneices And temples of the gods who ride on white horses—
Eteocles And who hate you.
Polyneices I am being driven from my country—
Eteocles Yes, for you came to destroy it.
Polyneices Unjustly, O gods!
Eteocles Call on the gods at Mycenae, not here.
Polyneices You have become unholy—
Eteocles But I have not, like you, become my country’s enemy.
Polyneices By driving me out without my portion.
Eteocles I will kill you in addition.
Polyneices O father, do you hear what I am suffering?
Eteocles Yes, and he hears what you are doing.
Polyneices And you, mother?
Eteocles It is not lawful for you to mention your mother.
Polyneices O my city!
Eteocles Go to Argos, and invoke the waters of Lerna.
Polyneices I will; do not be troubled; but I thank you, mother.
Eteocles Go forth from the land!
Polyneices I will go; but let me see my father.
Eteocles You will not have your wish.
Polyneices At least then my maiden sisters.
Eteocles You will not ever see them either.
Polyneices Ah, my sisters!
Eteocles Why do you, their bitterest enemy, call on them?
Polyneices To you at least farewell, mother!
Jocasta Indeed I am faring well, my son!
Polyneices I am no longer your son.
Jocasta I was born to great sorrow.
Polyneices Because my brother treats me outrageously.
Eteocles I am treated just the same.
Polyneices Where will you be stationed before the towers?
Eteocles Why do you ask me this?
Polyneices I will set myself against you for your death.
Eteocles I too have the same desire.
Jocasta Woe is me! what will you do, my sons?
Polyneices The event will show.
Jocasta Oh, try to escape your father’s curse!
Eteocles May destruction seize our whole house!
Polyneices Soon my sword will be busy, plunged in gore. But I call my native land and the gods to witness, with what dishonor and bitter treatment I am being driven forth, as though I were a slave, not a son of Oedipus as much as he. If anything happens to you, my city, blame him, not me; for I did not come willingly, and unwillingly I am driven from the land. And you, Phoebus, lord of highways, and my home, farewell, and my comrades, and statues of the gods, where sheep are sacrificed. For I do not know if I can ever again address you; though hope is not yet asleep, which makes me confident that with the gods’ help I shall slay him and rule this land of Thebes.
Eteocles Get out of the country! It was a true name our father gave you, when, prompted by some god, he called you Polyneices, man of many quarrels.
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