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,
