A savage desire eats away at you, drives you to murder, blood-sacrifice proscribed by divine law, whose only fruit is bitterness.
 Eteocles True, my own beloved father’s hateful, ruinous curse hovers before my dry, unweeping eyes, and informs me of benefit preceding subsequent death. Literally gain coming before death that comes later. The curse whispers slay him, then be slain yourself. 
 
 Chorus No, do not let yourself be driven to it. You will not be called a coward if you retain life nobly. Will not the avenging Erinys in her dark aegis leave your house, when the gods receive sacrifice from your hands?
 Eteocles The gods, it seems, have already banished us from their care, yet they admire the grace we offer them when we perish. So then, why should we cringe and shy away from deadly fate?
 Chorus It is only at this moment that death stands close by you, for the divine spirit may change its purpose even after a long time and come on a gentler wind. But now it still seethes.
 Eteocles Yes, the curses of Oedipus have made it seethe in fury. Too true were the phantoms in my sleeping visions, predicting the division of our father’s wealth!
 Chorus Obey us women, although you do not like to.
 Eteocles Recommend something that can be accomplished; your request need not be lengthy.
 Chorus Do not yourself take the road to the seventh gate!
 Eteocles Let me assure you, you will not blunt my sharpened purpose with words.
 Chorus And yet any victory, even a cowardly one, is nonetheless held in honor by God.