Enter Ismene, led in by Attendants.
Chor. And, lo! Ismene at the gate
Comes shedding tears of sisterly regard,
And o'er her brow a gathering cloud
Mars the deep roseate blush,
Bedewing her fair cheek.530
Creon. [To Ismene.] And thou who, creeping as a viper creeps,
Did'st drain my life in secret, and I knew not
That I was rearing two accursèd ones,
Subverters of my throne,—come, tell me, then,
Wilt thou confess thou took'st thy part in this,
Or wilt thou swear thou did'st not know of it?
*Ism. I did the deed, if she did, go with her,
Yea, share the guilt, and bear an equal blame.
Antig. Nay, justice will not suffer this, for thou
Did'st not consent, nor did I let thee join.
Ism. Nay, in thy troubles, I am not ashamed
In the same boat with thee to share thy fate.540
Antig. Who did it. Hades knows, and those below:
I do not love a friend who loves in words.
Ism. 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.
Antig. Share not my death, nor make thine own this deed
Thou had'st no hand in. My death shall suffice.
Ism. What life to me is sweet, bereaved of thee?
Antig. Ask Creon there, since thou o'er him dost watch.
Ism. Why vex me so, in nothing bettered by it?550
Antig. 'Tis pain indeed, to laugh my laugh at thee.
Ism. But now, at least, how may I profit thee?
Antig. Save thou thyself. I grudge not thy escape.
Ism. Ah, woe is me! and must I miss thy fate?
