Page:Sophocles - Seven Plays, 1900.djvu/52

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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.

. No Theban sees the matter with thine eye.

. They see, but curb their voices to thy sway.

. And art thou not ashamed, acting alone?

. A sister’s piety hath no touch of shame.

. Was not Eteocles thy brother too?

. My own true brother from both parents’ blood.

. This duty was impiety to him.

. He that is dead will not confirm that word.

. If you impart his honours to the vile.

. It was his brother, not a slave, who fell.

. But laying waste the land for which he fought.

. Death knows no difference, but demands his due.

. Yet not equality ’twixt good and bad.

. Both may be equal yonder; who can tell?

. An enemy is hated even in death.

. Love, and not hatred, is the part for me.

. Down then to death! and, if you must, there love

The dead. No woman rules me while I live.

. Now comes Ismenè 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!

. And thou, that like a serpent coiled i’ the house

Hast secretly been draining my 1ife-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?

. If her voice go therewith, I did the deed,

And bear my part and burden of the blame.