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THEBAID, V. 667–691

protect their king. Between them Adrastus in gentler mood and Amphiaraus, fearing the strife of kindred fillets,[1] cry: “Not so, I pray you, unhand the sword! Our sires are of one blood, give not vent to rage! Thou first disarm!” But Tydeus, his spirit not assuaged, rejoins: “Daredst thou then slay upon the grave—and in revenge for what a death!—[2] and before so many thankless thousands the guide and preserver of the Inachian host, who was once a queen, and has Thoas for her sire and shining Euhan for her ancestor? Is it too little for thy cowardice that, when on all sides thy folk are speeding to war, thou alone keepest peace among the hurrying cavalcades? Keep it then, and let the Grecian triumph find thee still groaning at this tomb.”

He spoke, and the other, now more controlled as anger ebbed, replied: “Indeed I thought your troops were bound, not for the walls of Thebes, but hither with hostile intent. March on then to destroy, if kindred murder so delights you, flesh first your arms at home, ay, and let impious fire—what indeed is not lawful?—devour Jove’s temple that but now I sought in vain, if I thought, oppressed by bitter grief, that I had power upon a worthless slave, who am her king and lord![3] But the ruler of the gods beholds it, yea he beholds it, and his wrath, though late it fall, awaits your daring deeds.” So speaking he looks back toward the city. And lo! there another armed affray is raging from house to house; recent Fame had outstripped the horsemen’s

  1. ↑ Lycurgus had just been sacrificing, and would be wearing the fillets; Amphiaraus as a soothsayer wore them habitually.
  2. ↑ Ironically spoken: it was only a babe’s death.
  3. ↑ This too is ironical: let Jove’s temple be destroyed, if he was so impious as to think he had power over his own slave!

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