The Seven against Thebes.
283
Chorus.
Woe's me! More loud the rattling at the gates.
Eteocles.
Hush, nor alarm the city with these cries.
Chorus.
Associate gods, our towers abandon not. 240
Eteocles.
Plague on thee! canst thou not in silence bear?
Chorus.
Co-burgher gods! save me from slavery.
Eteocles.
Thyself enslavest, thee and all the town.
Chorus.
All-puissant Zeus, turn 'gainst the foe thy bolt.
Eteocles.
Zeus! what a gift to man was womankind!
Chorus.
Wretched as men are in a captured town.
Eteocles.
The statues touching, dost renew thy cries?
Chorus.
Through want of heart fear seizes on my tongue.
Eteocles.
I pray thee grant me but one trifling boon.
