CR. Ay, but the stubborn spirit first doth fall. Oft ye shall see the strongest bar of steel, That fire hath hardened to extremity, Shattered to pieces. A small bit controls The fiery steed. Pride may not be endured In one whose life is subject to command. This maiden hath been conversant with crime Since first she trampled on the public law; And now she adds to crime this insolence, To laugh at her offence, and glory in it. Truly, if she that hath usurped this power Shall rest unpunished, she then is a man, And I am none. Be she my sister's child, Or of yet nearer blood to me than all That take protection from my hearth, the pair Shall not escape the worst of deaths. For know, I count the younger of the twain no less Copartner in this plotted funeral: And now I bid you call her. Late I saw her Within the house, beyond herself, and frantic. --Full oft when one is darkly scheming wrong, The disturbed spirit hath betrayed itself Before the act it hides.--But not less hateful Seems it to me, when one that hath been caught In wickedness would give it a brave show. ANT. Wouldst thou aught more of me than merely death? CR. No more. 'Tis all I claim. Death closes all. ANT. Why then delay? No talk of thine can charm me, Forbid it Heaven! And my discourse no less Must evermore sound noisome to thine ear. Yet where could I have found a fairer fame Than giving burial to my own true brother? 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 Ismene 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 life-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.