Adr. Hold thy raised arm; give me a moment's pause.
My father, when he blest me, gave me this:
My son, said he, let this be thy last refuge;
If thou forego'st it, misery attends thee.—
Yet love now charms it from me; which in all
The hazards of my life I never lost.
'Tis thine, my faithful sword; my only trust;
Though my heart tells me that the gift is fatal.[Gives it.
Cre. Fatal! yes, foolish love-sick prince, it shall:
Thy arrogance, thy scorn, my wound's remembrance.
Turn all at once the fatal point upon thee.—
Pyracmon to the palace; dispatch
The king; hang Hæmon up, for he is loyal,
And will oppose me.—Come, sir, are you ready?
Adr. Yes, villain, for whatever thou canst dare.
Eur. Hold, Creon, or through me, through me you wound.
Adr. Off, madam, or we perish both; behold
I'm not unarmed, my poniard's in my hand;
Therefore, away.
Eur. I'll guard your life with mine.
Cre. Die both, then; there is now no time for dallying. [Kills Eurydice.
Eur. Ah, prince, farewell! farewell, my dear Adrastus! [Dies.
219 Adr. Unheard-of monster! eldest-born of hell!
Down, to thy primitive flame.[Stabs Creon.
Cre. Help, soldiers, help;
Revenge me.