IGO SOPHOCLES
Ismene. How could I live without her presence
here? Creon. Speak not of presence. She is here no
more. eio
Ismene. And wilt thou slay thy son's betrothed
bride ? Creon. Full many a field there is which he may
plough. Ismene. None like that plighted troth 'twixt him
and her. Creon. Wives that are vile I love not for my sons. Ismene. Ah, dearest Haemon, how thy father
shames thee ! eis
Creon. Thou with that marriage dost but vex my
soul. Chorus. And wilt thou rob thy son of her he loved ? Creon. 'T is Death, not I, shall break the marriage
off. Chorus. Her doom is fixed, it seems, then. She
must die. Creon. Fixed, yes, by me and thee. No more
delay, 620
Lead them within, ye slaves. These must be kept Henceforth as women, suffered not to roam ; For even boldest natures shrink in fear When they see Hades overshadowing life.
[Exeunt Guakds with Antigone and Ismene.
Strophe I.
Chorus. Blessed are those whose life no woe doth taste ! 625
For unto those whose house The Gods have shaken, nothing fails of curse Or woe, that creeps to generations far.
