HERALD. Hear ye my words--my herald's voice declaring What seemed and seems good to the Theban senate. Eteocles, his country's friend, shall find Due burial in its friendly bosom.[n46] He Is free from sin against the gods of Cadmus, And died, the champion of his country's cause, As generous youths should die. Severer doom Falls on his brother Polynices. He Shall lie in the breeze unburied, food for dogs, Most fit bestowal of a traitor's corpse; For, had some god not stept between to save us, And turned the spear aside, Cadméan Thebes Had stood no more. His country's gods demand Such stern atonement of the impious will That led a hireling host against their shrines. On him shall vultures banquet, ravening birds His flesh shall tear; no pious hand shall pile The fresh green mound, no wailing notes for him Be lifted shrill, no tearful friends attend His funeral march. Thus they who rule in Thebes Have strictly ordered. ANTIGONE. Go thou back, and give This message to the rulers.--If none other Will grant the just interment to my brother Myself will bury him. The risk I reck not, Nor blush to call rebellion's self a virtue, Where I rebel, being kind to my own kin. Our common source of life, a mother doomed To matchless woes, nor less the father doomed, Demand no vulgar reverence. I will share Reproach with the reproached, and with my kin Know kindred grief, the living with the dead. For his dear flesh, no hollow-stomach'd wolves Shall tear it--no! myself, though I'm but woman, Will make his tomb, and do the sacred office. Even in this bosom's linen folds, I'll bear Enough of earth to cover him withal. This thing I'll do. I will. For bold resolves Still find bold hands; the purpose makes the plan. {293} HERALD. When Thebes commands, 'tis duty to obey. ANTIGONE. When ears are deaf, 'tis wisdom to be dumb. HERALD. Fierce is a people with young victory flushed. ANTIGONE. Fierce let them be; he shall not go unburied. HERALD. What? wilt thou honour whom the city hates? ANTIGONE. And did the gods not honour whom I honour? HERALD. Once: ere he led the spear against his country. ANTIGONE. Evil entreatment he repaid with evil. HERALD. Should thousands suffer for the fault of one? ANTIGONE. Strife is the last of gods to end her tale; My brother I will bury. Make no more talk. HERALD. Be wilful, if thou wilt. I counsel wisdom.