Who bitter kingship tasted; war's keen blade
To you, at length, hath reconcilement brought.
Semi-chorus II.
The dread Erinys of their sire hath wrought,
Fulfilling his stern curse, this stubborn woe.
Semi-chorus I. Strophe II.
Both smitten through the breast,
Yea, through the heart, sprung from one common womb!
*****
Woe! Woe! ye fiend possest!
Woe for the curse of mutual-slaughtering doom!
Semi-chorus II.
Smitten, as ye relate,
Smitten in home and life, with ruin dire,
By Wrath transcending speech, and vengeful Hate, 890
Sprung from the curse of Œpidus, their sire.
Semi-chorus I. Antristrophe II.
The city groans amain,
The turrets groan, groans the man-loving plain;
But with their kin doth bide
Their wealth, dire cause to that ill-fated twain
Of strife, whose issue death to either side.
Semi-chorus II.
With hearts keen whetted they
Their wealth apportioned, equal shares they gain;—
Friends blame the umpire,[1] neither may their fray 900
Be now applauded in triumphal strain.
- ↑ The umpire alluded to is the sword.
