Messenger Be of good cheer, maidens that have been nurtured by your mothers.164 This city hath escaped the yoke of servitude; the vauntings of our mighty foes have fallen; and our city is calm, and hath not admitted a leak from the many buffets of the surge; our fortification too stands proof, and we have fenced our gates with champions fighting single-handed, and bringing surety; for the most part, at six of our gates, it is well; but the seventh, the revered lord of the seventh, sovereign Apollo, chose for himself, bringing to a consummation the ancient indiscretions of Laïus. Ch. And what new event is happening to our city? Ch. Mes. These men have fallen by hands that dealt mutual slaughter.165— Mes. Ch. Who? What is it thou sayest! I am distracted with terror at thy tidings. Ch. Mes. Now be calm and listen, the race of Œdipus— Mes. Ch. Alas for me wretched! I am a prophetess of horrors. Ch. Mes. Stretched in the dust are they beyond all dispute. Mes. Ch. Came they even to that? bitter then are thy tidings, yet speak them. Ch. Mes. Even thus [too surely] were they destroyed by brotherly hands.
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