Eteokles.
Were wisdom gauged alike of all, and honour,
No strife of warring words were known to men.500
But no men judge alike, no men agree,
Save touching names; no being hath the deed.[1]
Yea, mother, nothing feigning will I speak:—
I would mount to the risings of the stars
Or sun, would plunge 'neath earth, if this I could,505
So to win Power, diviner than all gods.
This precious thing, my mother, will I not
Yield to another, when myself might keep.
No man's part this, to let the better slip
And grasp the worse! Nay more—I think foul shame510
That he should come with arms, lay waste the land,
And win his heart's desire. This were reproach
To Thebes, if I, by spear Mycenian cowed,
Should yield my sceptre up for him to hold.
With arms should he not come in quest of peace,515
Mother; for parley can accomplish all
That even steel of foes can bring to pass.
If he on other terms will dwell in Thebes,
That may he. This consent I not to yield.
I, who may rule, shall I be thrall to him?520
Wherefore let fire have way, let swords have way,
Yoke ye the steeds, with chariots fill the plains:—
I will not render him my sovereignty.
If wrong may e'er be right, for a throne's sake
Were wrong most right:—be God in all else feared!525
- ↑ Paley, reading ὀνομάσαι, interprets
"But fairness nor equality men regard,
Save so to name them; no such thing exists."
