Thou mightst have hope; but, Polynices, never,

Or when the darkness of the mother’s womb

Thou first didst leave, or in thy nursling prime,

Or in thy bloom of youth, or in the gathering

Of beard on manhood’s chin, hath Justice owned thee,

Or known thy name; and shall she know thee now

Thou leadst a stranger host against thy country?

Her nature were a mockery of her name

If she could fight for knaves, and still be Justice.

In this faith strong, this traitor I will meet