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158 158 SOPHOCLES

Antigone. The dead below will not repeat thy words. Creon. Yes, if thou give like honor to the godless. Antigone. It was his brother, not his slave that died. Creon. Wasting this land, while he died fighting

for it. Antigone. Yet Hades still craves equal rites for all. Creon. The good craves not the portion of the

bad. 561

Antigone. Who knows if this be holy deemed below ? Creon. Not eΛ"en when he dies can foe be friend. Antigone. My nature leads to sharing love, not hate. Creon. Go then below ; and if thou must have

love, 565

Love them. While I live, women shall not rule.

Enter Ismene, led in by Attendants.

Chorus. And, lo I Ismene at the gate Comes shedding tears of sisterly regard, And o'er her brow a gathering cloud

Mars the deep roseate blush, sto

Bedewing her fair cheek. Creon. [To Ismene.] And thou who, creeping as a aper creeps. Didst drain my life in secret, and I knew not That I was rearing two accursed ones, Subverters of my throne, — come, tell me, then, 575 AVilt thou confess thou took'st thy part in this, Or wilt thou swear thou didst not know of it ?

Ismene. I did the deed, if she did, go with her. Yea, share the guilt, and bear an equal blame.

Antigone. Nay, justice will not suffer this, for thou Didst not consent, nor did I let thee join. sei

Ismene. Nay, in thy troubles, I am not ashamed In the same boat with thee to share thy fate.