All here would tell thee they approve my deed,
Were they not tongue-tied to authority.
But kingship hath much profit; this in chief,
That it may do and say whate’er it will.
Cr. No Theban sees the matter with thine eye.
Ant. They see, but curb their voices to thy sway.
Cr. And art thou not ashamed, acting alone?
Ant. A sister’s piety hath no touch of shame.
Cr. Was not Eteocles thy brother too?
Ant. My own true brother from both parents’ blood.
Cr. This duty was impiety to him.
Ant. He that is dead will not confirm that word.
Cr. If you impart his honours to the vile.
Ant. It was his brother, not a slave, who fell.
Cr. But laying waste the land for which he fought.
Ant. Death knows no difference, but demands his due.
Cr. Yet not equality ’twixt good and bad.
Ant. Both may be equal yonder; who can tell?
Cr. An enemy is hated even in death.
Ant. Love, and not hatred, is the part for me.
Cr. Down then to death! and, if you must, there love
The dead. No woman rules me while I live.
Ch. Now comes Ismenè forth. Ah, see,
From clouds above her brow
The sister-loving tear
Is falling wet on her fair cheek,
Distaining all her passion-crimson’d face!
Enter Ismene.
Cr. And thou, that like a serpent coiled i’ the house
Hast secretly been draining my 1ife-blood,—
Little aware that I was cherishing
Two curses and subverters of my throne,—
Tell us, wilt thou avouch thy share in this
Entombment, or forswear all knowledge of it?
Ism. If her voice go therewith, I did the deed,
And bear my part and burden of the blame.
