{223}
He approached the fallen monarch, and striking him once more with his
sword, Eteocles expired beneath the blow, while Polynice himself exhausted
with his efforts to subdue his pain, and the death struggle which tore his
bosom, fell in the very act of striking him.
Their implacable hatred manifested itself even after death, for when their
bodies were placed on the bier, their ashes refused to mingle, and the very
flames separated as they arose in bright columns from the funeral pile.
[Illustration]
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