ETEO.  But not my country’s enemy, as thou art.

POL.  Who drives me out without my share.

ETEO.  And I will put thee to death in addition.

POL.  My father, hearest thou what I suffer?

ETEO.  For he hears what wrongs thou doest.

POL.  And thou, my mother?

ETEO.  It is not lawful for thee to mention thy mother.

POL.  O my city!

ETEO.  To Argos go, and call on Lerna’s stream.

POL.  I will go, do not distress thyself; but thee, my mother, I mention with honor.

ETEO.  Depart from out of the country.

POL.  I will go out; but grant me to see my father.

ETEO.  You will not obtain your request.

POL.  But my virgin sisters then.

ETEO.  Never shalt thou behold these.

POL.  O my sisters!

ETEO.  Why callest thou on these—­being their greatest enemy?

POL.  My mother, but thou farewell.

JOC.  Do I experience any thing that is well, my son?

POL.  I am no longer thy child.

JOC.  To many troubles was I born.

POL.  For he throws insults on us.

ETEO.  For I am insulted in turn.

POL.  Where wilt thou stand before the towers?

ETEO.  Why dost thou ask me this question?

POL.  I will oppose myself to thee, to slay thee.

ETEO.  Desire of this seizes me also.

JOC.  Wretched me! what will ye do, my children?

POL.  The deed itself will show.

JOC.  Will ye not escape your father’s curses?

ETEO.  Let the whole house perish!

POL.  Since soon my blood-stained sword will not remain any longer in inactivity.  But I call to witness the land that nurtured me, and the Gods, how dishonored I am driven from this land, suffering such foul treatment, as a slave and not born of the same father Oedipus.  And if any thing befalls thee, my city, blame not me, but him; for against my will have I come, and against my will am I driven from this land.  And thou, king Apollo, God of our streets, and ye shrines, farewell, and ye my equals, and ye altars of the Gods receiving the victims; for I know not if it is allowed me ever again to address you.  But hope does not yet slumber, in which I have trusted with the favor of the Gods, that having slain this man, I shall be master of this Theban land.

ETEO.  Depart from out of the country; with truth indeed did your father give you the name of Polynices by some divine foreknowledge, a name corresponding with strife.

CHORUS.