ANT. Why then delay? No talk of thine can charm me,
Forbid it Heaven! And my discourse no less
Must evermore sound noisome to thine ear.
Yet where could I have found a fairer fame
Than giving burial to my own true brother?
[page 18][504-536] All here would tell thee they approve my deed,
Were they not tongue-tied to authority.
But kingship hath much profit; this in chief,
That it may do and say whate’er it will.
CR. No Theban sees the matter with thine eye.
ANT. They see, but curb their voices to thy sway
CR. And art thou not ashamed, acting alone?
ANT. A sister’s piety hath no touch of shame.
CR. Was not Eteocles thy brother too?
ANT. My own true brother from both parents’ blood.
CR. This duty was impiety to him.
ANT. He that is dead will not confirm that word.
CR. If you impart his honours to the vile.