Matheson Collection > Togail na Tebe

THE THEBAID
sounded by them, and they divided their hosts among the gates
of Thebes, and they were swiftly scattering the Thebans.
Awful indeed to listen to at that time were the clatter and
tumult of the Thebans throughout the ancient city, owing to
the greatness of the fear that seized them at the strong assault
which the Greeks delivered round about them, and they filled
the houses and temples of that city, and they were involved in
sorrow, dejection, and many reflections among themselves. And
some of them there were saying that the kingdom should be
given to Polynices for the space of that year, and Eteocles put
upon his agreement and driven from them. Some others of
them said that counsel was not proper, and though they
adopted it, that Polynices would not take it at their hands, till
he could bring home upon them every injustice they had done
to him. But they decided on this, that their very skilful wizard,
to wit, Tiresias, should be brought to them, and a truthful
prophecy be made them.
Then Tiresias arose and said to his daughter, to wit, Manto:
" Make us an altar of sacrifice, O daughter, and light fires." And
that the maiden did, till it was finished by her.
Then was seen the vision of a serpent on the highest point
of the flame that rose from the fires, and through that occur-
rence Tiresias understood the burden of the prophecy, and he
was illumined there by vision and by prophecy. And this is
what he said to the Thebans: " If ye do everything that I shall
tell you, victory were yours at this time, to wit, that the
youngest man of the seed of Cadmus, son of Agenor, should
be sacrificed to the gods; and it would be a blessing for that
man that aid and help for the Thebans should be found through
his means."
Heroic Creon of the brave race of Cadmus heard that, and
great fear seized him thereat, for he thought that it was his
own son that would be offered there, to wit, Menoeceus. For he
was the youngest among them of the royal seed of Cadmus, son
of Agenor.
And then Creon said to the wizard: "Hide that fact and
speak it no more." Now the wizard remained silent thereupon.
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