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
