Close-warded kept their sire, that his dark fate,
By manifold shifts scarce veiled, might be forgot.65
Within he lives: but, by his fate distraught,
A curse most impious hurled he at his sons,
That they may share their heritage with the sword.
They, terror-stricken lest, if they should dwell
Together, Gods might bring the curse to pass,70
Made covenant that Polyneikes first,
The younger, self-exiled, should leave the land,
That Eteokles tarrying wear the crown
One year—then change. But, once in sovranty
Firm-seated, he would step not from the throne,75
And thrust Polyneikes banished forth the land.
To Argos fares he, weds Adrastus' child,
And bringeth huge war-muster of Argive shields.
To our very walls seven-gated hath he come,
Claiming his father's sceptre and his right.80
And I, to allay their strife, persuaded son
In truce to meet son, ere they touch the spear:
And, saith the messenger I sent, he comes.
O dweller Zeus in heaven's veiling light,
Save us, grant reconciling to my sons!85
Thou oughtest not, so thou be wise, to leave
The same man evermore to be unblest.
Enter, above, Old Servant and Antigonê.
Old Servant.
Fair flower of thy sire's house, Antigonê,
Albeit thy mother suffered thee to leave
Thy maiden-bower at thine entreaty, and mount90
The palace-roof to view the Argive host,
Yet stay, that I may scan the highway first,
