To pierce the bosom of Eteocles.
He falls—upon his brother spouts his blood!"
This unnatural combat was brief, though fierce, Eteocles the king was the first who fell, and Polynice regarding him with ill-disguised pleasure; and although the blood was flowing fast and free from his own mortal wounds, exclaimed:
————————"'Thou diest, and I am king,
Within these hands, red with a brother's blood,
Shall dwell the sceptre thou didst wrest from me.
Thy brow on which doth rest the same bright drop,
Shall bear the crown thou did'st usurp from me.
And that thy soul may fly with more regret
Know traitor that thy last blow comes from me.'"