duty--that her poor sister Ismene could not see, even when it was
shown her. And, at that moment, as they both stood there on the
threshold of the palace, the same voices spoke to them; Antigone
listening only to the voice from above, wherefore she died; Ismene
unconscious of any save that which came from below--and she lived.
But instil into Antigone's soul something of the weakness that
paralysed Ophelia and Margaret, would destiny then have thought it
of service to beckon to death as the daughter of Oedipus issued from
the doorway of Creon's palace? It was, therefore, solely because of
the strength of her soul that destiny was able to triumph. And,
indeed, it is this that consoles the wise and the just--the heroes;
destiny can vanquish them only by the good she compels them to do.
Other men are like cities with hundred gates, that she finds
unguarded and open; but the upright man is a fortified city, with
the one gate only--of light; and this gate remains closed till love
be induced to knock, and to crave admission. Other men she compels
to obey her; and destiny, doing her will, wills nothing but evil;
but would she subdue the upright, she needs must desire noble acts.
Darkness then will no longer enwrap her approach. The upright man is
secure in the light that enfolds him; and only by a light more
radiant still can she hope to prevail. Destiny then will become more
beautiful still than her victim. Ordinary men she will place between
personal sorrow and the misfortune of others; but to master the hero
or saint, she must cause him to choose between the happiness of
others and the grief that shall fall on himself. Ordinary men she
lays siege to with the aid of all that is ugly; against the others
she perforce must enlist whatever is noblest on earth. Against the
first she has thousands of weapons, the very stones in the road
becoming engines of mischief; but the others she can only attack
with one irresistible sword, the gleaming sword of duty and truth.