THE SUPPLIANTS [13]
my tears will ever drench the folds of my robe upon my bosom. Ah! there I see the sepulchre ready e'en now for Capaneus, his consecrated tomb, and the votive offerings Theseus gives unto the dead outside the shrine, and nigh yon lightning-smitten chief I see his noble bride, Evadne, daughter of King Iphis. Wherefore stands she on the towering rock, which o'ertops this temple, advancing along yon path?
(EVADNE is seen on a rock which overhangs the burning pyre. She is dressed as though for a festival.)
EVADNE (chanting) What light, what radiancy did the sun-god's car dart forth, and the moon athwart the firmament, while round her in the gloom swift stars careered, in the day that the city of Argos raised the stately chant of joy at my wedding, in honour of my marriage with mail-clad Capaneus? Now from my home in frantic haste with frenzied mind rush to join thee, seeking to share with thee the fire's bright flame and the self-same tomb, to rid me of my weary life in Hades' halls, and of the pains of life; yea, for 'tis the sweetest end to share the death of those we love, if only fate will sanction it. LEADER OF THE CHORUS Behold yon pyre, which thou art overlooking, nigh thereto, set apart for Zeus! There is thy husband's body, vanquished by the blazing bolt. EVADNE (chanting) Life's goal I now behold from my station here; may fortune aid me in my headlong leap from this rock in honour's cause, down into the fire below. to mix my ashes in the ruddy blaze with my husband's, to lay me side by side with him, there in the couch of Persephone; for ne'er will to save my life, prove untrue to thee where thou liest in thy grave. Away with life and marriage too! Oh! may my children live to see the dawn of a fairer, happier wedding-day in Argos! May loyalty inspire the husband's heart, his nature fusing with his wife's! LEADER Lo! the aged Iphis, thy father, draweth nigh to hear thy startling speech, which yet he knows not and will grieve to learn. (IPHIS enters.) IPHIS Unhappy child! lo! I am come, a poor old man, with twofold sorrow in my house to mourn, that I may carry to his native land the corpse of my son Eteoclus, slain by the Theban spear, and further in quest of my daughter who rushed headlong from the house, for she was the wife of Capaneus and longed with him to die. Ere this she was well guarded in my house, but, when I took the watch away in the present troubles, she escaped. But I feel sure that she is here; tell me if ye have seen her. EVADNE Why question them? Lo, here upon the rock, father, o'er the pyre of Capaneus, like some bird I hover lightly, in my wretchedness. IPHIS What wind hath blown thee hither, child? Whither thy journey? Why didst thou pass the threshold of my house and seek this land? EVADNE It would but anger thee to hear what I intend, and so I fain would keep thee ignorant, my father. IPHIS What hath not thy own father a right to know? EVADNE Thou wouldst not wisely judge my purpose. IPHIS Why dost thou deck thyself in that apparel? EVADNE A purport strange this robe conveys, father. IPHIS Thou hast no look of mourning for thy lord. EVADNE No, the reason why I thus am decked is strange, maybe. IPHIS Dost thou in such garb appear before a funeral-pyre? EVADNE Yea, for hither it is I come to take the meed of victory. IPHIS "Victory!" What victory? This would I learn of thee. EVADNE A victory o'er all women on whom the sun looks down. IPHIS In Athena's handiwork or in prudent counsel? EVADNE In bravery; for I will lay me down and die with my lord. IPHIS What dost thou say? What is this silly riddle thou propoundest? EVADNE To yonder pyre where lies dead Capaneus, I will leap down. IPHIS My daughter, speak not thus before the multitude! EVADNE The very thing I wish, that every Argive should learn it. IPHIS Nay, I will ne'er consent to let thee do this deed. EVADNE 'Tis
(EVADNE is seen on a rock which overhangs the burning pyre. She is dressed as though for a festival.)
EVADNE (chanting) What light, what radiancy did the sun-god's car dart forth, and the moon athwart the firmament, while round her in the gloom swift stars careered, in the day that the city of Argos raised the stately chant of joy at my wedding, in honour of my marriage with mail-clad Capaneus? Now from my home in frantic haste with frenzied mind rush to join thee, seeking to share with thee the fire's bright flame and the self-same tomb, to rid me of my weary life in Hades' halls, and of the pains of life; yea, for 'tis the sweetest end to share the death of those we love, if only fate will sanction it. LEADER OF THE CHORUS Behold yon pyre, which thou art overlooking, nigh thereto, set apart for Zeus! There is thy husband's body, vanquished by the blazing bolt. EVADNE (chanting) Life's goal I now behold from my station here; may fortune aid me in my headlong leap from this rock in honour's cause, down into the fire below. to mix my ashes in the ruddy blaze with my husband's, to lay me side by side with him, there in the couch of Persephone; for ne'er will to save my life, prove untrue to thee where thou liest in thy grave. Away with life and marriage too! Oh! may my children live to see the dawn of a fairer, happier wedding-day in Argos! May loyalty inspire the husband's heart, his nature fusing with his wife's! LEADER Lo! the aged Iphis, thy father, draweth nigh to hear thy startling speech, which yet he knows not and will grieve to learn. (IPHIS enters.) IPHIS Unhappy child! lo! I am come, a poor old man, with twofold sorrow in my house to mourn, that I may carry to his native land the corpse of my son Eteoclus, slain by the Theban spear, and further in quest of my daughter who rushed headlong from the house, for she was the wife of Capaneus and longed with him to die. Ere this she was well guarded in my house, but, when I took the watch away in the present troubles, she escaped. But I feel sure that she is here; tell me if ye have seen her. EVADNE Why question them? Lo, here upon the rock, father, o'er the pyre of Capaneus, like some bird I hover lightly, in my wretchedness. IPHIS What wind hath blown thee hither, child? Whither thy journey? Why didst thou pass the threshold of my house and seek this land? EVADNE It would but anger thee to hear what I intend, and so I fain would keep thee ignorant, my father. IPHIS What hath not thy own father a right to know? EVADNE Thou wouldst not wisely judge my purpose. IPHIS Why dost thou deck thyself in that apparel? EVADNE A purport strange this robe conveys, father. IPHIS Thou hast no look of mourning for thy lord. EVADNE No, the reason why I thus am decked is strange, maybe. IPHIS Dost thou in such garb appear before a funeral-pyre? EVADNE Yea, for hither it is I come to take the meed of victory. IPHIS "Victory!" What victory? This would I learn of thee. EVADNE A victory o'er all women on whom the sun looks down. IPHIS In Athena's handiwork or in prudent counsel? EVADNE In bravery; for I will lay me down and die with my lord. IPHIS What dost thou say? What is this silly riddle thou propoundest? EVADNE To yonder pyre where lies dead Capaneus, I will leap down. IPHIS My daughter, speak not thus before the multitude! EVADNE The very thing I wish, that every Argive should learn it. IPHIS Nay, I will ne'er consent to let thee do this deed. EVADNE 'Tis