Why do the companies of the Greeks and their swift horses 
march through the great city of the mighty sons of Cadmus? And 
why throughout the plain do men with white shields move in 
polished arms around the long walls? 

There comes against the city of the stout son of Agenor an army 
of Argive men for a mighty prize, there come the leaders of the 
Danaans, bringing war to Thebes, Tydeus, Capaneus and Parth- 
enopaeus, King Amphiaraus, the godlike might of Hippomedon, 
King Adrastus, and Polynices, king of men; all march together 
with horse and car. 

There glitter in the field iron lances and bossy shields and 
silver-studded swords. Just as when a serpent suddenly coils round 
a sheep and envelops it, enclosing all its limbs, so did the Danaans 
surround the seat of Thebe. 

But when all the ranks had taken up their position, spear in 
hand, men came out from the city, helmeted in flashing bronze, 
and among them was Eteocles, the stout son of Oedipus and 
a bold warrior. And when the leaders of the Boeotians and 
the soldiers of the Argives met together, they clashed together 
their shields, their spears and the might of bronze-breastplated 
men: and there arose a dreadful din. Bloody flowed the 
stream of famous Dirce, bloody the Ismenus, as man threw down 
man. 

And in the forefront raged Eteocles with his bronze spear; and 
many were the warriors who fell to the ground, vanquished by his 
keen shaft. And the son of Agenor, descrying mighty Polynices 

Early Literary Experiments 573 

striding among the Argives, prayed to Athena: “Pallas, daughter 
of aegis-bearing Zeus, Atrytone, hear me. If ever I have burned 
for you fat thighs of oxen and of goats, grant me this prayer. Let 
me sink my long-shadowing spear in the breast of that man, of the 
race of famed Oedipus who, though he is my brother, goodly 
Polynices, yet has come from thirsty Argos with the rulers of the 
Argives to devastate his native land.” 

So he spoke, and then addressed winged words to his brother: 
“Son of Oedipus, Polynices of the loud voice, it is with thee that 
my heart within my breast bids me fight: come hither as champion 
of all against the godlike Eteocles.” 

So he spoke; and his brother prayed to the lady Hera: “Hear 
me, Hera, sister and spouse of Zeus, for thine I now am, since I 
have wedded an Argive woman, the daughter of Adrastus, who 
rules over the Argives, grant me now to slay with my spear stout 
Eteocles, because he did not respect his oath of loyalty in Thebes.” 
So he spoke, and then Eteocles, king of men, came over into the 
mid field, held back the ranks in the field. And to both sides he 
spoke such words: “Listen to me, Danaans and well-greaved 
Achaeans, that I may tell you what my spirit within my breast bids 
me. The Argives and the peoples of Boeotia are dying in 
hard-fought strife. And the business is not accomplished. My spirit 
bids me fight with my brother. This I declare and may Zeus be my 
witness. If he overcomes me with his long-bladed bronze, so let 
him rule over the Cadmeians among the people. But if I overcome 
him, and Athena gives me her spear, mine will be the dignity and 
the kingdom of my father, and you Argives may go back again to 
your home.” 

So he spoke. And Achaeans and Boeotians rejoiced, and they 
drew up their horses in ranks, and dismounted themselves, and 
took off their suits of armour and laid them on the ground near 
one another, and there was little space round about. 

Now Eteocles hurls his long-shadowing spear, and the lordly son 
of Agenor, seeing it approaching, avoided black Death, and the 
bronze spear flew over him. 

And the godlike Polynices, swiftly drawing his gold-studded 
sword, rushed upon his adversary, and they clashed together 
like twosavage lions, brothers and siblings of one blood. And as 
he hastened, by his golden belt........... darkness. And he pressed 
upon him, relying on his heavy hand. At once black blood 
began to flow from the wound. And at the same time the 
keen sword of Polynices, king of men, drove through breast- 
plate and breast of Eteocles. And they both fell to the ground, 

and darkness covered their eyes. They lay there, brother 
having slain brother with long-bladed bronze. So perished the 
race of noble Oedipus.