but to thee, Polynices, say I, that Adrastus hath conferred an unwise favor on thee; and foolishly hast thou also come to destroy this city.  Come, if thou wilt subdue this land (may which never happen), by the Gods, how wilt thou erect trophies of thy spear?  And how again wilt thou sacrifice the first-fruits, having conquered thy country? and how wilt thou engrave upon the spoils by the waters of Inachus, “Having laid Thebes in ashes, Polynices consecrated these shields to the Gods?” Never, my son, may it come to thee to receive such glory from the Greeks.  But again, shouldest thou be conquered, and should the arms of the other prevail, how wilt thou return to Argos having left behind ten thousand dead?  Surely some one will say, O! unfortunate marriage alliance!  O Adrastus, who placed them on us, through the nuptials of one bride we are lost!  Thou art hastening two ills, my son, to be deprived of those, and to fail in this.  Give up your too great ardor, give it up; the follies of two when they clash together in the same point, are the most hateful ill.

CHOR.  O ye Gods, may ye be averters of these ills, and grant to the children of Oedipus some means of agreement.

ETEO.  My mother, this is not a contest of words, but intervening time is fruitlessly wasted; and thy earnestness avails nothing; for we shall not agree in any other way, than on the terms proposed, that I holding the sceptre be monarch of this land.  Forbearing then tedious admonitions, let me have my way; and do thou begone from out these walls, or thou shalt die.

POL.  By whose hand?  Who is there so invulnerable, who having pointed the murderous sword against me, shall not bear the same fate?

ETEO.  He is near, not far removed from thee:  dost thou look on these my hands?

POL.  I see them.  But wealth is cowardly, and feeble, loving life.

ETEO.  And therefore hast thou come, with such a host against one who is nothing in arms?

POL.  For a cautious general is better than one daring.

ETEO.  Thou art insolent, having trusted in the truce, which preserves you from death.

POL.  A second time again I demand of you the sceptre and my share of the land.

ETEO.  I will admit no demand, for I will regulate my own family.

POL.  Holding more than your share?

ETEO.  I own it; but quit this land.

POL.  O ye altars of my paternal Gods.

ETEO.  Which thou art come to destroy?

POL.  Do ye hear me?

ETEO.  Who will hear thee, who art marching against thy country?

POL.  And ye shrines of the Gods[27] delighting in the milk-white steeds;

ETEO.  Who hate thee.

POL.  I am driven out of my own country.

ETEO.  For thou hast come to destroy it.

POL.  With injustice indeed, O ye Gods!

ETEO.  At Mycenae call upon the Gods, not here.

POL.  Thou art impious.