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After a holy deed of sin; the time

Of the world's claims upon me may not mate

With what the grave demands; for there my rest

Will be for everlasting.

Come what will,

It cannot take from me a noble death."

—(Donaldson.)

In her "fiery mood," Antigone disdainfully rejects Ismene's offer to keep her counsel, and so the sisters part,—Antigone going to prepare the body for burial, and Ismene, broken-hearted at the thought of the coming evil, retreating within the palace.

The Chorus of "grave and reverend" Theban elders now enter to the sound of music, and burst into a triumphal hymn in honour of the late victory, as they hail the bright sunlight which streams above the eastern gates. For it is the Sun-god himself that has driven in headlong flight

Then, in the figurative style of lyric verse, which recalls to the reader the songs of Miriam and Deborah, they tell how Polynices had swooped down upon his native land, like an eagle thirsting for slaughter:—

But ere he could lay the city low in blood and fire, "the dragon" (of Thebes) "had proved his match in war."