The Phoenician Maidens (612-636)

And you, mother?

It is not lawful for you to mention your mother.

O my city!

Go to Argos, and invoke the waters of Lerna.

I will; do not be troubled; but I thank you, mother.

Go forth from the land!

I will go; but let me see my father.

You will not have your wish.

At least then my maiden sisters.

You will not ever see them either.

Ah, my sisters!

Why do you, their bitterest enemy, call on them?

To you at least farewell, mother!

Indeed I am faring well, my son!

I am no longer your son.

I was born to great sorrow.

Because my brother treats me outrageously.

I am treated just the same.

Where will you be stationed before the towers?

Why do you ask me this?

I will set myself against you for your death.

I too have the same desire.

Woe is me! what will you do, my sons?

The event will show.

Oh, try to escape your father’s curse! Exit Jocasta.

May destruction seize our whole house!

Soon my sword will be busy, plunged in gore. But I call my native land and the gods to witness, with what dishonor and bitter treatment I am being driven forth, as though I were a slave, not a son of Oedipus as much as he. If anything happens to you, my city, blame him, not me;

for I did not come willingly, and unwillingly I am driven from the land. And you, Phoebus, lord of highways, and my home, farewell, and my comrades, and statues of the gods, where sheep are sacrificed. For I do not know if I can ever again address you; though hope is not yet asleep, which makes me confident that with the gods’ help

I shall slay him and rule this land of Thebes. Exit Polyneices.

Get out of the country! It was a true name our father gave you, when, prompted by some god, he called you Polyneices, man of many quarrels. Exit Eteocles.