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159 ANTIGONE 159

Antigone. Who did it, Hades knows, and those below : I do not love a friend who loves in words. sss

Ismene. Do not, my sister, put me to such shame, As not to let me join in death with thee. And so to pay due reverence to the dead.

Antigone. Share not my death, nor make thine

own this deed

Thou hadst no hand in. My death shall suffice. 590

Ismene. What life to me is sweet, bereaved of thee ?

Antigone. Ask Creon there, since thou o'er him dost

watch. Ismejie. Why vex me so, in nothing bettered by it ? Antigone. *T is pain indeed, to laugh my laugh at thee. 594

Ismene. But now, at least, how may I profit thee ? Aiitigone. Save thou thyself. I grudge not thy

escape. Ismene. Ah, woe is me I and must I miss thy fate ? Antigone. Thou mad'st thy choice to live, and I to

die. Ismene. 'T was not because I failed to speak my

thoughts. Antigone. To these didst thou, to those did I seem wise. 600

Ismene. And yet the offence is equal in us both. Antigone. Take courage. Thou dost live. My soid long since Hath died to render service to the dead.

Creon. Of these two girls the one goes mad but now, The other ever since her life besfan. eas

Ismene. E'en so, Ο king ; no mind that ever lived Stands firm in evil days, but goes astray.

Creon. Thine did, when, with the vile, vile deeds thou chosest.