CR. Why, all your speech this day is spent for her. HAEM. For you and me too, and the Gods below. CR. She will not live to be your wife on earth. HAEM. I know, then, whom she will ruin by her death. CR. What, wilt thou threaten, too, thou audacious boy? HAEM. It is no threat to answer empty words. CR. Witless admonisher, thou shalt pay for this! HAEM. Thou art my sire, else would I call thee senseless. CR. Thou woman's minion! mince not terms with me, HAEM. Wouldst thou have all the speaking on thy side? CR. Is 't possible? By yon heaven! thou'lt not escape, For adding contumely to words of blame. Bring out the hated thing, that she may die Immediately, before her lover's face! HAEM. Nay, dream not she shall suffer in my sight Nor shalt thou ever see my face again Let those stay with you that can brook your rage! [_Exit_ CH. My lord, he is parted swiftly in deep wrath! The youthful spirit offended makes wild work. CR. Ay, let him do his worst. Let him give scope To pride beyond the compass of a man! He shall not free these maidens from their doom. CH. Is death thy destination for them both? CR. Only for her who acted. Thou art right. CH. And what hast thou determined for her death? CH. Where human footstep shuns the desert ground, I'll hide her living in a cave like vault, With so much provender as may prevent Pollution from o'ertaking the whole city And there, perchance, she may obtain of Death, Her only deity, to spare her soul, Or else in that last moment she will learn 'Tis labour lost to worship powers unseen. [_Exit_ CREON CHORUS Love, never foiled in fight! 1 Warrior Love, that on Wealth workest havoc! Love, who in ambush of young maid's soft cheek All night keep'st watch!--Thou roamest over seas. In lonely forest homes thou harbourest. Who may avoid thee? None! Mortal, Immortal, All are o'erthrown by thee, all feel thy frenzy. Lightly thou draw'st awry 2 Righteous minds into wrong to their ruin Thou this unkindly quarrel hast inflamed 'Tween kindred men--Triumphantly prevails The heart-compelling eye of winsome bride, Compeer of mighty Law Throned, commanding. Madly thou mockest men, dread Aphrodite. LEADER OF CHORUS. Ah! now myself am carried past the bound Of law, nor can I check the rising tear, When I behold Antigone even here Touching the quiet bourne where all must rest. _Enter_ ANTIGONE _guarded._ ANT. Ye see me on my way, I 1 O burghers of my father's land! With one last look on Helios' ray, Led my last path toward the silent strand. Alive to the wide house of rest I go; No dawn for me may shine, No marriage-blessing e'er be mine, No hymeneal with my praises flow! The Lord of Acheron's unlovely shore Shall be mine only husband evermore.