Page:Masterpieces of Greek Literature (1902).djvu/199

169 ANTIGONE 169

For Aphrodite, she whom none subdues,

Sports in her might and majesty divine. 855

I, even I, am borne Beyond the appointed laws ; I look on this, and cannot stay The fountain of my tears.

For, lo ! I see her, see Antigone seo

Wend her sad, lonely way To that bride-chamber where we all must lie.

Enter AntiCtONE. Antigone. Behold, Ο men of this my fatherland, I wend my last lone way. Seeing the last sunbeam, now and nevermore ; ses

He leads me yet alive. Hades that welcomes all. To Acheron's dark shore. With neither part nor lot

In marriage festival, 87o

Nor hath the marriage hymn Been sung for me as bride. But I shall be the bride of Acheron.

Chorus. And hast thou not all honor, worthiest praise, Who goest to the home that hides the dead, 875

Not smitten by the sickness that decays.

Nor by the sharp sword's meed, But of thine own free will, in fullest life. Alone of mortals, thus

To Hades tak'st thy way ? sso

Antigone. I heard of old her pitiable end,i

^ " The thoughts of Antigone go back to the story of one of her own race, whose fate was in some measure like her own. Niobe,