Antigone: One boon, O Polyneices, let me crave.
Polyneices: What would’st thou, sweet Antigone? Say on.
Antigone: Turn back thy host to Argos with all speed, And ruin not thyself and Thebes as well.
Polyneices: That cannot be. How could I lead again An army that had seen their leader quail?
Antigone: But, brother, why shouldst thou be wroth again? What profit from thy country’s ruin comes?
Polyneices: ’Tis shame to live in exile, and shall I The elder bear a younger brother’s flouts?
Antigone: Wilt thou then bring to pass his prophecies Who threatens mutual slaughter to you both?
Polyneices: Aye, so he wishes:—but I must not yield.
Antigone: O woe is me! but say, will any dare, Hearing his prophecy, to follow thee?
Polyneices: I shall not tell it; a good general Reports successes and conceals mishaps.
Antigone: Misguided youth, thy purpose then stands fast!
Polyneices: ’Tis so, and stay me not. The road I choose, Dogged by my sire and his avenging spirit, Leads me to ruin; but for you may Zeus Make your path bright if ye fulfill my hest When dead; in life ye cannot serve me more. Now let me go, farewell, a long farewell! Ye ne’er shall see my living face again.
Antigone: Ah me!
Polyneices: Bewail me not.
Antigone: Who would not mourn Thee, brother, hurrying to an open pit!
Polyneices: If I must die, I must.
Antigone: Nay, hear me plead.
Polyneices: It may not be; forbear.
Antigone: Then woe is me, If I must lose thee.
Polyneices: Nay, that rests with fate, Whether I live or die; but for you both I pray to heaven ye may escape all ill; For ye are blameless in the eyes of all. Exit Polyneices.
Chorus: Strophe 1
Ills on ills! no pause or rest! Come they from our sightless guest? Or haply now we see fulfilled What fate long time hath willed? For ne’er have I proved vain Aught that the heavenly powers ordain. Time with never sleeping eye Watches what is writ on high, Overthrowing now the great, Raising now from low estate. Hark! How the thunder rumbles! Zeus defend us!
Oedipus: Children, my children! will no messenger Go summon hither Theseus my best friend?
Antigone: And wherefore, father, dost thou summon him?
Oedipus: This winged thunder of the god must bear me Anon to Hades. Send and tarry not.