How small a share have I? Thou, swollen with pride,

Rule on, and let thy soul exalt itself;

But know that evermore the avenging god

Pursues the proud of heart. Well do I know385

The history of Thebes. Why need I tell

Of matrons who have dared and suffered wrong?

Why name the double crime, the mingled names

Of husband, father, son, the opposing camps

Of brothers? Why describe the funeral pyres?

The haughty mother, child of Tantalus,390