I, at the seven outlets of the ports,
In gallant style will marshal 'gainst the foe,
Ere hurrying scouts and swiftly-rushing news
Arrive, and by the stress set all ablaze.
[Exit Eteocles.
Chorus. Strophe I.
I heed, but terror leaves my heart no rest,
And in my bosom anxious care,
Sad neighbour, doth enkindle there
Dread of the wall-surrounding multitude;
Like trembling dove am I, that for her brood 280
Doth serpents fear, fell inmates of her nest;
For some against our towers,
A warlike throng, in numbers strong,
Advance;—ah what will me betide?
Others, 'gainst citizens on every side
Sore pelted, hurl the rugged stone;
Put forth, O kindred gods, your utmost powers,[1]
Save host and State as Sire who Cadmos own. 290
Antistrophe I.
And say what soil of earth will ye obtain
Better than this, if ye betray
To foreign foes this fertile land
And Dirka's water, richest draught of all
That the earth-circling God sends forth amain,
- ↑ This follows the conjectural παντὶ τρόπῳ δὲ, συγγενεῖς θεοὶ, answering metrically to καὶ πόλεως ῥυτῆρες ἔλ | θετ᾽.
