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138 138 SOPHOCLES

ANTIGONE

PERSONS OF THE DRAMA

Creon, King of Thebes. Eukydice, wife of Creon.

Haemon, son of Creon. Antigone, ), , . , „

rri -r ( daughters of Oedipus.

Teiresias, a seer. Ismene, )

Guard. (Antigone is the betrothed of Haemon)

Messenger. Chorus of Theban Elders.

Scene. — Ύίβί&9, in front of the Palace. Early morning. Hills in the distance on the left ; on the right the city.

Enter Antigone and Ismene.

Antigone. Ismene, mine own sister, darling one ! Is there, of ills that sprang from Oedipus, One left that Zeus will fail to bring on us, The two who yet remain ? Nought is there sad, Nought full of sorrow, steeped in sin or shame, 5

But I have seen it in thy woes and mine. And now, what new decree is this they tell. Our captain has enjoined on all the State ? Know'st thou ? Hast heard ? Or are they hid from

thee, The ills that come from foes upon our friends ? 10

Ismene. No tidings of our friends, Antigone, Pleasant or painful, since that hour have come. When we, two sisters, lost our brothers twain, In one day dying by a twofold blow. And since in this last night the Argive host 15

Has left the field, I nothing further know, Nor brightening fortune, nor increasing gloom.

Antigone. That knew I well, and therefore sent for thee Beyond the gates, that thou mayst hear alone.

Ismene. What meanest thou ? It is but all too clear Thou broodest darkly o'er some tale of woe. 21