Page:Tragedies of Sophocles (Plumptre 1878).djvu/230

132 Loved I shall be with him whom I have loved,

Guilty of holiest crime. More time is mine

In which to share the favour of the dead,

Than that of those who live; for I shall rest

For ever there. But thou, if thus thou please,

Count as dishonoured what the Gods approve.

Ism. I do them no dishonoqr, but I find

Myself too weak to war against the State.

Antig. Make what excuse thou wilt, I go to rear

A grave above the brother whom I love.

Ism. Ah, wretched me! how much I fear for thee!

Antig. Fear not for me. Thine own fate raise to safety.

Ism. At any rate, disclose this deed to none;

Keep it close hidden: I will hide it too.

Antig. Speak out! I bid thee. Silent, thou wilt be

More hateful to me, if thou fail to tell

My deed to all men.

Ism. Fiery is thy mood,

Although thy deeds the very blood might chill.

Antig. I know I please the souls I ought to please.

Ism. Yes, if thou canst; thou seek'st the impossible.

Antig. When strength shall fail me, then I [sic]'ll cease to strive.

Ism. We should not hunt the impossible at all.

Antig. If thou speak thus, my hatred wilt thou gain,

And rightly wilt be hated of the dead.

Leave me and my ill counsel to endure

This dreadful doom. I shall not suffer aught

So evil as a death dishonourable.

Ism. Go, then, if so thou wilt. Of this be sure,

Wild as thou art, thy friends must love thee still.

[Exeunt.