And from her own hand's knotting loose the Queen?

ANOTHER
Nay, are there not men there? 'Tis an ill road
In life, to finger at another's load.

VOICE
Let it lie straight! Alas! the cold white thing
That guards his empty castle for the King!

A WOMAN
Ah! "Let it lie straight!" Heard ye what she said?
No need for helpers now; the Queen is dead!
[_The Women, intent upon the voices from the Castle, have not noticed
the approach of_ THESEUS. _He enters from the left; his dress and the
garland on his head show that he has returned from some oracle or
special abode of a God. He stands for a moment perplexed_.]

THESEUS
Ho, Women, and what means this loud acclaim
Within the house? The vassals' outcry came
To smite mine ears far off. It were more meet
To fling out wide the Castle gates, and greet
With a joy held from God's Presence!
[_The confusion and horror of the Women's faces gradually affects him.
A dirge-cry comes from the Castle_.]

How?
Not Pittheus? Hath Time struck that hoary brow?
Old is he, old, I know. But sore it were,