Thy bared breast interpose. Then, mother, haste;405

Or stop the war, or be thou first to fall.

Jocasta: I go, I go, and 'twixt their swords will stand,

And there unto their points expose my life.

And he who shall his brother seek to slay

Must slay his mother first. At my command

The son whose heart is moved by piety

Will lay aside his arms; the impious son410

Must first make war on me. These fiery youths

Will I, although a woman, old, restrain.