What then? _ant._ 2. Seems it lighter, my loss, If, perhaps, unpierced by the sword, My child lies in his jagg'd Sunless prison of rock, On the black wave borne to and fro? _The Chorus_ Worse, far worse, if his friend, If the Arcadian within, If---- _Merope_ (_with a start_) How say'st thou? within?... _The Chorus_ He in the guest-chamber now, Faithlessly murder'd his friend. _Merope_ Ye, too, ye, too, join to betray, then Your Queen! _The Chorus_ What is this? _Merope_ Ye knew, O false friends! into what Haven the murderer had dropp'd? Ye kept silence? _The Chorus_ In fear, O loved mistress! in fear, Dreading thine over-wrought mood, What I knew, I conceal'd. _Merope_ Swear by the Gods henceforth to obey me! _The Chorus_ Unhappy one, what deed Purposes thy despair? I promise; but I fear. _Merope_ From the altar, the unavenged tomb, Fetch me the sacrifice-axe!---- [THE CHORUS _goes towards the tomb of_ CRESPHONTES, _and their leader brings back the axe._ O Husband, O clothed With the grave's everlasting, All-covering darkness! O King, Well-mourn'd, but ill-avenged! Approv'st thou thy wife now?---- The axe!--who brings it? _The Chorus_ 'Tis here! But thy gesture, thy look, Appals me, shakes me with awe. _Merope_ Thrust back now the bolt of that door! _The Chorus_ Alas! alas!-- Behold the fastenings withdrawn Of the guest-chamber door!-- Ah! I beseech thee--with tears---- _Merope_ Throw the door open! _The Chorus_ 'Tis done!... [_The door of the house is thrown open: the interior of the guest-chamber is discovered, with_ AEPYTUS _asleep on a couch._ _Merope_