CH. My lord, he is parted swiftly in deep wrath!
The youthful spirit offended makes wild work.
CR. Ay, let him do his worst. Let him give scope
To pride beyond the compass of a man!
He shall not free these maidens from their doom.
CH. Is death thy destination for them both?
CR. Only for her who acted. Thou art right.
CH. And what hast thou determined for her death?
CH. Where human footstep shuns the desert ground,
I’ll hide her living in a cave like vault,
With so much provender as may prevent
Pollution from o’ertaking the whole city
And there, perchance, she may obtain of Death,
Her only deity, to spare her soul,
Or else in that last moment she will learn
’Tis labour lost to worship powers unseen.[Exit CREON
CHORUS.
Love, never foiled in fight!1
Warrior Love, that on Wealth workest havoc!
Love, who in ambush of young maid’s soft cheek
All night keep’st watch!—Thou roamest over seas.
In lonely forest homes thou harbourest.
Who may avoid thee? None!
Mortal, Immortal,
All are o’erthrown by thee, all feel thy frenzy.
Lightly thou draw’st awry2 Righteous minds into wrong to their ruin
Thou this unkindly quarrel hast inflamed
’Tween kindred men—Triumphantly prevails
[page 26][796-833] The heart-compelling eye of winsome bride,
Compeer of mighty Law
Thronèd, commanding.
Madly thou mockest men, dread Aphrodite.
LEADER OF CHORUS.