Then those that had been sent to fetch the maiden Ismené brought her forth from the palace. And when the King accused her that she had been privy to the deed she denied not, but would have shared one lot with her sister. But Antigone turned from her, saying: "Not so; thou hast no part or lot in the matter. For thou hast chosen life, and I have chosen death; and even so shall it be." And when Ismené saw that she prevailed nothing with her sister, she turned to the King and said: "Wilt thou slay the bride of thy son?" "Ay," said he, "there are other brides to win!" "But none," she made reply, "that accord so well with him." "I will have no evil wives for my sons," said the King. Then cried Antigone: "O Hæmon, whom I love, how thy father wrongeth thee!" Then the King bade the guards lead the two into the palace. But scarcely had they gone when there came to the place the Prince Hæmon, the King's son, who was betrothed to the maiden Antigone. And when the King saw him, he said: "Art thou content, my son, with thy father's judgment?" And the young man answered: "My father, I would follow thy counsels in all things." Then said the King: "'Tis well spoken, my son. This is a thing to be desired, that a man should have obedient children. But if it be otherwise with a man, he hath gotten great trouble for himself, and maketh sport for them that hate him. And now as to this matter. There is naught worse than an evil wife. Wherefore I say let this damsel wed a bridegroom among the dead. For since I have found her, alone of all this people, breaking my decree, surely she shall die. Nor shall it profit her to claim kinship with me, for he that would rule a city must first deal justly with his own kindred. And as for obedience, this it is that maketh a city to stand both in peace and in war." To this the Prince Hæmon made answer: "What thou sayest, my father, I do not judge. Yet bethink thee, that I see and hear on thy behalf what is hidden from thee. For common men cannot abide thy look if they say that which pleaseth thee not. Yet do I hear it in secret. Know then that all the city mourneth for this maiden, saying that she dieth wrongfully for a very noble deed, in that she buried her brother. And 'tis well, my father, not to be wholly set on thy thoughts, but to listen to the counsels of others." "Nay," said the King; "shall I be taught by such an one as thou?" "I pray thee regard my words, if they be well, and not my years." "Can it be well to honour them that transgress? And hath not this woman transgressed?" "The people of this city judgeth not so." "The people, sayest thou? Is it for them to rule, or for me?" "No city is the possession of one man only." So the two answered one the other, and their anger waxed hot. And at the last the King cried: "Bring this accursed woman, and slay her before his eyes." And the Prince answered: "That thou shalt never do. And know this also, that thou shalt never see my face again."