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Seven Against Thebes (822-870)

urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0085.tlg004.perseus-eng2:822-870
Refs {'start': {'reference': '822', 'human_reference': 'Line 822'}, 'end': {'reference': '870', 'human_reference': 'Line 870'}}
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O great Zeus and the divine powers that guard our city, you who indeed protect these walls of Cadmus,
should I rejoice and shout in triumph for the unharmed safety of the city, or should I lament our leaders in war,
now wretched, ill-fated and childless? Indeed, in exact accordance with their name and as men of much strife, they have perished through their impious intent.
833
Chorus
O black curse on the family, Oedipus’ curse, now brought to fulfillment! A chill of horror falls about my heart.
In frenzy like a maenad I make my song for the grave as I hear of their corpses dripping with blood, how they died through the workings of cruel fate. This song of the spear, sung to the flute, is indeed born of an ill omen.[*]
840
Chorus
The curseful utterance of their father has done its work and not fallen short. Laius’ plans, made in disobedience, have kept their force. I am anxious for our city; divine decrees do not lose their edge. The funeral procession with the bodies of the brothers comes into view.
Chorus
O bringers of immense grief, you have done in this a deed beyond belief, yet lamentable troubles have indeed come.
848
The events are self-evident; the messenger’s report is plain to see. Twofold is our distress—double disaster
of kindred murder, this double suffering has come to fulfillment. What shall I say? What else indeed than that sorrow born of sorrows surround this house’s hearth?
But sail upon the wind of lamentation, my friends,
and about your head row with your hands’ rapid stroke in conveyance of the dead,[*] that stroke which always causes the sacred slack-sailed, black-clothed ship to pass over Acheron to the unseen land where Apollo does not walk,
the sunless land that receives all men.
But here come Antigone and Ismene to do their bitter duty, the dirge over their brothers both. With all sincerity, I think, will they
pour forth their fitting grief from their lovely, deep-bosomed breasts. But it is right for us, before their singing, to cry out the awful hymn of the Erinys and thereafter
sing the hated victory song of Hades.
Ah, sisters most unfortunate in your kin of all women who clasp their girdle about their robes, I weep, I groan, and there is no feigning in the shrill cries that come straight from my heart.

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