CHOR.  To conquer is glorious; but if the Gods have the better intent, may I be fortunate!

JOC.  Well are the ways of the Gods, and of fortune; for my children live, and my country has escaped; but the unhappy Creon seems to feel the effects of my marriage, and of Oedipus’s misfortunes, being deprived of his child; for the state indeed, happily, but individually, to his misery:  but recount to me again, what after this did my two sons purpose to do?

MESS.  Forbear the rest; for in every circumstance hitherto thou art fortunate.

JOC.  This hast thou said so as to raise suspicion; I must not forbear.

MESS.  Dost thou want any thing more than that thy sons are safe?

JOC.  In what follows also I would hear if I am fortunate.

MESS.  Let me go:  thy son is deprived of his armor-bearer.

JOC.  Thou concealest some ill and coverest it in obscurity.

MESS.  I can not speak thy ills after thy happiness.

JOC. But thou shalt, unless fleeing from me thou fleest through the air.

MESS.  Alas! alas!  Why dost thou not suffer me to depart after a message of glad tidings, but forcest me to tell calamities?—­Thy sons are intent on most shameful deeds of boldness—­to engage in single combat apart from the whole army, having addressed to the Argives and Thebans in common a speech, such as they never ought to have spoken.  But Eteocles began, standing on the lofty turret, having commanded to proclaim silence to the army.  And he said, “O generals of the Grecian land, and chieftains of the Danai, who have come hither, and O people of Cadmus, neither for the sake of Polynices barter your lives, nor for my cause.  For I myself, taking this danger on myself, alone will enter the lists with my brother; and if indeed I slay him, I will dwell in the palace alone; but should I be subdued, I will give it up to him alone.  But you, ceasing from the combat, O Argives, shall return to your land, not leaving your lives here; [of the Theban people also there is enough that lieth dead,”] Thus much he spake; but thy son Polynices rushed from the ranks, and approved his words.  But all the Argives murmured their applause, and the people of Cadmus, as thinking this plan just.  And after this the generals made a truce, and in the space between the two armies pledged an oath to abide by it.  And now the two sons of the aged Oedipus clad their bodies in an entire suit of brazen armor.  And their friends adorned them, the champion of this land indeed the chieftains of the Thebans; and him the principal men of the Danai.  And they stood resplendent, and they changed not their color, raging to let forth their spears at each other.  But their friends on either side as they passed by encouraging them with words, thus spoke.  “Polynices, it rests with thee to erect the statue of Jove, emblem of victory, and to confer a glorious fame on Argos.”  But to Eteocles on the other hand; “Now thou