ANTIGONE.
O waste no fears on me; look to thyself.
ISMENE.
At least let no man know of thine intent,
But keep it close and secret, as will I.
ANTIGONE.
O tell it, sister; I shall hate thee more
If thou proclaim it not to all the town.
ISMENE.
Thou hast a fiery soul for numbing work.
ANTIGONE.
I pleasure those whom I would liefest please.
ISMENE.
If thou succeed; but thou art doomed to fail.
ANTIGONE.
When strength shall fail me, yes, but not before.
ISMENE.
But, if the venture’s hopeless, why essay?
ANTIGONE.
Sister, forbear, or I shall hate thee soon,
And the dead man will hate thee too, with cause.
Say I am mad and give my madness rein
To wreck itself; the worst that can befall
Is but to die an honorable death.
ISMENE.
Have thine own way then; ’tis a mad endeavor,
Yet to thy lovers thou art dear as ever.
[Exeunt]