ANT.  O Heavens!  Nay, tell!  I hate your silence worse;
I had rather you proclaimed it to the world.

ISM.  You are ardent in a chilling enterprise.

ANT.  I know that I please those whom I would please.

ISM.  Yes, if you thrive; but your desire is bootless.

ANT.  Well, when I fail I shall be stopt, I trow!

ISM.  One should not start upon a hopeless quest.

ANT.  Speak in that vein if you would earn my hate
And aye be hated of our lost one.  Peace! 
Leave my unwisdom to endure this peril;
Fate cannot rob me of a noble death.

ISM.  Go, if you must—­Not to be checked in folly,
But sure unparalleled in faithful love! [Exeunt

CHORUS (entering). 
    Beam of the mounting Sun!  I 1
  O brightest, fairest ray
  Seven-gated Thebe yet hath seen! 
  Over the vale where Dirce’s fountains run
  At length thou appearedst, eye of golden Day,
  And with incitement of thy radiance keen
        Spurredst to faster flight
  The man of Argos hurrying from the fight. 
  Armed at all points the warrior came,
  But driven before thy rising flame
  He rode, reverting his pale shield,
  Headlong from yonder battlefield.

  In snow-white panoply, on eagle wing, [Half-Chorus
  He rose, dire ruin on our land to bring,
        Roused by the fierce debate
        Of Polynices’ hate,
  Shrilling sharp menace from his breast,
  Sheathed all in steel from crown to heel,
  With many a plumed crest.

  Then stooped above the domes, I 2
  With lust of carnage fired,
  And opening teeth of serried spears
  Yawned wide around the gates that guard our homes;
  But went, or e’er his hungry jaws had tired
  On Theban flesh,—­or e’er the Fire-god fierce
        Seizing our sacred town
  Besmirched and rent her battlemented crown. 
  Such noise of battle as he fled
  About his back the War-god spread;
  So writhed to hard-fought victory
  The serpent[1] struggling to be free.

  High Zeus beheld their stream that proudly rolled [Half-Chorus
  Idly caparisoned[2] with clanking gold: 
        Zeus hates the boastful tongue: 
        He with hurled fire down flung
  One who in haste had mounted high,
  And that same hour from topmost tower
        Upraised the exulting cry.

  Swung rudely to the hard repellent earth II 1
  Amidst his furious mirth
  He fell, who then with flaring brand
        Held in his fiery hand
  Came breathing madness at the gate
        In eager blasts of hate. 
  And doubtful swayed the varying fight
  Through the turmoil of the night,
  As turning now on these and now on those
  Ares hurtled ’midst our foes,
  Self-harnessed helper[3] on our right.