Delphi Complete Works of Aeschylus (Illustrated) (Delphi Ancient Classics) by Aeschylus Read Free Book Online

of a captured city abandon it.
    CHORUS
[219] 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
[223] 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
[226] 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
[230]  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
[233] 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
[236] 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
[239] When I
heard the strange and jumbled clashes,  I came in trembling fear to this
citadel, our seat of worship.
    ETEOCLES
[242] 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
[245]  Oh,
but I hear horses snorting!
    ETEOCLES
[246] Hear them,
then, but not too clearly.
    CHORUS
[247] The city
groans from deep in the earth, as though we are surrounded.
    ETEOCLES
[248] Surely it
is enough that I am making plans for this?
    CHORUS
[249] am
terrified — the crashing at the gates is increasing.
    ETEOCLES
[250]  Won’t
you be silent, and speak none of this throughout the city?
    CHORUS
[251] Divine
company, do not betray our fortifications!
    ETEOCLES
[252] Damn you!
Will you not endure these events in silence?
    CHORUS
[253] Gods of
our city! Do not let my fate be slavery!
    ETEOCLES
[254] You would
enslave both me and all the city.
    CHORUS
[255]  Almighty
Zeus, turn your missile against the enemy!
    ETEOCLES
[256] O Zeus,
what a breed you have made for us in women!
    CHORUS
[257] A breed
steeped in misery, just like men whose city is captured.
    ETEOCLES
[258] Why are
your words ill-omened, when you still grasp the gods’ statues?
    CHORUS
[259] In my
weakness fear controls my tongue.
    ETEOCLES
[260]  If
only you would grant my plea for a small service.
    CHORUS
[261] Please
state it as quickly as possible, and I will quickly know what to do.
    ETEOCLES
[262] Be silent,
wretched woman; do not terrify your own men.
    CHORUS
[263] I am
silent. I will suffer what is destined together with the others.
    ETEOCLES
[264] 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.
    [271] [ Here Eteocles
makes his vow .] 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.
    [280]  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.
[ Exit. ]
    CHORUS
[288] I heed
him, but through terror my heart finds no