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SOPHOCLES IN LONDON 133<br />

the latest subtleties has led her to misunderstand<br />

completely the passage (580-95 in the<br />

acting edition) in which she supposes the<br />

queen to be justifying<br />

herself to a reluctant<br />

chorus, whereas, in fact, she is justifying<br />

herself to the Universe, and giving the<br />

audience a hint. The meek chorus is only<br />

too willing to agree.<br />

Poor is the triumph of Fate over a timid<br />

woman. Heracles is a more splendid but not<br />

less helpless victim. Mr. G. Edwards understands<br />

the part well. Very fine was the<br />

passionate indignation, surging up through<br />

physical agony, in the first great speech ;<br />

and this mood is made to preva 1 until in the<br />

name " NeWoy " the hero recognizes the finger<br />

of God. From that point, though violent and<br />

dictatorial still to his son and the respectful<br />

mortals about him, the tyrant submits sullenly<br />

to those he can neither vanquish nor appease.<br />

Mr. Garrod, who played the part of Hyllus,<br />

spoke his lines exceedingly well. Perhaps the<br />

chorus was a little too classical that is to say,<br />

too stiff and lackadaisical ; but the phrasing<br />

was always pretty and sometimes unexpected,<br />

and the lovely strophe beginning,<br />

d *<br />

ov aio\a vv eva<br />

seemed to gain a new enchantment from the<br />

delicately concerted voices.

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