Thou wouldst not wisely judge my intention. 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 (as she is throwing herself). ’Tis all one; thou shalt never catch me in thy grasp. Lo! I cast me down, no joy to thee, but to myself and to my husband blazing on the pyre with me. Chorus O lady, what a fearful deed! Iphis Ah me! I am undone, ye dames of Argos ! Chorus chanting Alack, alack! a cruel blow is this to thee, but thou must yet witness, poor wretch, the full horror of this deed. Iphis A more unhappy wretch than me ye could not find. Chorus Woe for thee, unhappy man! Thou, old sir, hast been made partaker in the fortune of Oedipus, thou and my poor city too. Iphis Ah, why are mortal men denied this boon, to live their youth twice o’er, and twice in turn to reach old age? If aught goes wrong within our homes, we set it right by judgment more maturely formed, but our life we may not so correct. Now if we had a second spell of youth and age, this double term of life would let us then correct each previous slip. I, for instance, seeing others blest with children, longed to have them too, and found my ruin in that wish. Whereas if I had had my present experience,