The Spy monologue — Four Plays of Aeschylus

Nay, let him pass, and the gods’ help be his! Next, Capaneus comes on, by lot to lead The onset at the gates Electran styled: A giant he, more huge than Tydeus’ self, And more than human in his arrogance— May fate forefend his threat against our walls! _God willing, or unwilling_—such his vaunt— _I will lay waste this city; Pallas’ self, Zeus’ warrior maid, although she swoop to earth And plant her in my path, shall stay me not_. And, for the flashes of the levin-bolt, He holds them harmless as the noontide rays. Mark, too, the symbol on his shield—a man Scornfully weaponless but torch in hand, And the flame glows within his grasp, prepared For ravin: lo, the legend, wrought in words, _Fire for the city bring I_, flares in gold! Against such wight, send forth—yet whom? what man Will front that vaunting figure and not fear?