as a man might who was hampered by the weakness of women in the moment of emergency, he launches out into stern condemnation of the sex—
"Nor in misfortune, nor in dear success,
Be woman my associate; if her power
Bears sway, her insolence exceeds all bounds;
But if she fears, woe to that house and city.
······
War is no female province, but the scene
For men: hence; home, nor spread your mischiefs here!"
The Greek had not that chivabous respect for women which would insure the condemnation, by a modern audience, of such a sentiment; and, on the other hand, their sense of proportion was offended by anything approaching to forwardness on a woman's part, or any interference with the offices of men. Their estimate of "women's work" is best expressed by the words which Thucydides puts into the mouth of Pericles: "That woman is most laudable whose name is least heard among men either for praise or blame." In the last lines, however, Eteocles goes beyond the general Greek sentiment and practice. Both Homer and Virgil represent the matrons of a beleaguered town as going in procession to the temples, to entreat for their countrymen the protection of the gods; and in all civilised countries the rule has to some extent been recognised, that "men must work and women must weep." And the king soon modifies his prohibition. He orders the women to leave the shrines, but to continue their prayers in quiet by
