Give up your too great ardor, give it up; the follies of two when they clash together in the same point, are the most hateful ill. CHOR. O ye Gods, may ye be averters of these ills, and grant to the children of Œdipus some means of agreement. ETEO. My mother, this is not a contest of words, but intervening time is fruitlessly wasted; and thy earnestness avails nothing; for we shall not agree in any other way, than on the terms proposed, that I holding the sceptre be monarch of this land. Forbearing then tedious admonitions, let me have my way; and do thou begone from out these walls, or thou shalt die. POL. By whose hand? Who is there so invulnerable, who having pointed the murderous sword against me, shall not bear the same fate? ETEO. He is near, not far removed from thee: dost thou look on these my hands? POL. I see them. But wealth is cowardly, and feeble, loving life. ETEO. And therefore hast thou come, with such a host against one who is nothing in arms? POL. For a cautious general is better than one daring. ETEO. Thou art insolent, having trusted in the truce, which preserves you from death. POL. A second time again I demand of you the sceptre and my share of the land. ETEO. I will admit no demand, for I will regulate my own family. POL. Holding more than your share? ETEO. I own it; but quit this land. POL. O ye altars of my paternal Gods. ETEO. Which thou art come to destroy? POL. Do ye hear me? ETEO. Who will hear thee, who art marching against thy country? POL. And ye shrines of the Gods[27] delighting in the milk-white steeds; ETEO. Who hate thee. POL. I am driven out of my own country. ETEO. For thou hast come to destroy it. POL. With injustice indeed, O ye Gods! ETEO. At Mycenæ call upon the Gods, not here. POL. Thou art impious. ETEO. But not my country's enemy, as thou art. POL. Who drives me out without my share. ETEO. And I will put thee to death in addition. POL. My father, hearest thou what I suffer? ETEO. For he hears what wrongs thou doest. POL. And thou, my mother? ETEO. It is not lawful for thee to mention thy mother. POL. O my city! ETEO. To Argos go, and call on Lerna's stream. POL. I will go, do not distress thyself; but thee, my mother, I mention with honor. ETEO. Depart from out of the country. POL. I will go out; but grant me to see my father. ETEO. You will not obtain your request. POL. But my virgin sisters then. ETEO. Never shalt thou behold these. POL. O my sisters! ETEO. Why callest thou on these--being their greatest enemy? POL. My mother, but thou farewell. JOC. Do I experience any thing that is well, my son? POL. I am no longer thy child. JOC. To many troubles was I born. POL. For he throws insults on us. ETEO. For I am insulted in turn. POL. Where wilt thou stand before the towers? ETEO. Why dost thou ask me this question? POL. I will oppose myself to thee, to slay thee. ETEO. Desire of this seizes me also. JOC. Wretched me! what will ye do, my children?