University of Virginia Library

SCENE THE FIRST.

Creon, Antigone, Guards.
Cre.
Hast chosen?

Ant.
I have chosen.

Cre.
Hæmon?

Ant.
Death.

Cre.
Death thou shalt have.—But take especial heed,
That when the axe is lifted o'er thy head
Thou dost not flinch: the time for penitence
Will then be past. Ill, perhaps, thou wilt sustain
The aspect fierce of death when it approaches;
Ill, if thou love her, perhaps, thou wilt sustain
Argia's tears; she, by thy side, is doomed
To breathe her last; and thou art cause alone
Of her untimely end. Ah! think of it;
Thou still hast time ... I yet exhort thee to it.
Now, what is thy reply? ... Thou speakest not?
Intrepidly and steadily thou lookest? ...
Yes, haughty virgin, thou shalt have from me
That which thy contumelious silence asks.
I now regret that I allow'd thee choice
Betwixt my own dishonour and thy death.

Ant.
Why dost thou now delay? Act and be silent.

Cre.
Make a parade of courage at thy will:
We soon shall see how far that courage goes.
Although the appointed moment of thy death
Be not arrived, to gratify thy wish
It shall be hastened. Go, Eurymedon;
Quickly conduct her to the ready scaffold.