Messenger.
How, wouldst thou more than know thy sons are safe?
Jocasta.
Yea, know if things to come be well for me.
Messenger.
Now let me go: thy son his henchman lacks.
Jocasta.
Some ill thou hid'st—in darkness veilest it!
Messenger.
I would not tell thee evil blent with good.1215
Jocasta.
That shalt thou—except to heaven thou wing thy flight.
Messenger.
Alas! why couldst thou let me not go hence
After good tidings, but wouldst have the ill?
Thy two sons purpose single fight, apart
From all the host—a desperate deed of shame!1220
To Argives and Kadmeans one and all
They spake that which would God they had left unsaid!
Eteokles from a lofty tower began—
Having bid publish silence to the host—
And said: "O battle-chiefs of Hellas-land,1225
Lords of the Danaans who have hither come,
Sell not your lives for nought, nor yet for mine.
For I myself, of this risk freeing you,
