Thou wouldst not wisely judge my intention.IphisWhy dost thou deck thyself in that apparel?EvadneA purport strange this robe conveys, father.IphisThou hast no look of mourning for thy lord.EvadneNo, the reason why I thus am decked is strange, maybe.IphisDost thou in such garb appear before a funeral-pyre?EvadneYea, for hither it is I come to take the meed of victory.IphisVictory! what victory? This would I learn of thee.EvadneA victory o’er all women on whom the sun looks down.IphisIn Athena’s handiwork or in prudent counsel?EvadneIn bravery; for I will lay me down and die with my lord.IphisWhat dost thou say? What is this silly riddle thou propoundest? EvadneTo yonder pyre where lies dead Capaneus, I will leap down.IphisMy daughter, speak not thus before the multitude!EvadneThe very thing I wish, that every Argive should learn it.IphisNay, 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.

ChorusO lady, what a fearful deed!IphisAh me! I am undone, ye dames of Argos!

ChoruschantingAlack, alack! a cruel blow is this to thee, but thou must yet witness, poor wretch, the full horror of this deed.IphisA more unhappy wretch than me ye could not find.

ChorusWoe for thee, unhappy man! Thou, old sir, hast been made partaker in the fortune of Oedipus, thou and my poor city too.IphisAh, 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,