The Lantern

Oedipus at Colonus26

SE

Antigone: More must I hear?

Ismene: Tombless he died, none near.

Antigone: Lead me thither; slay me there.

Ismene: How shall I unhappy fare, Friendless, helpless, how drag on A life of misery alone?

Chorus: Antistrophe 2

Fear not, maids⁠—

Antigone: Ah, whither flee?

Chorus: Refuge hath been found.

Antigone: For me?

Chorus: Where thou shalt be safe from harm.

Antigone: I know it.

Chorus: Why then this alarm?

Antigone: How again to get us home I know not.

Chorus: Why then roam?

Antigone: Troubles whelm us⁠—

Chorus: As of yore.

Antigone: Worse than what was worse before.

Chorus: Sure ye are driven on the breakers’ surge.

Antigone: Alas! we are.

Chorus: Alas! ’tis so.

Antigone: Ah whither turn, O Zeus? No ray Of hope to cheer the way Whereon the fates our desperate voyage urge.

Enter Theseus.

Theseus: Dry your tears; when grace is shed On the quick and on the dead By dark Powers beneficent, Over-grief they would resent.

Antigone: Aegeus’ child, to thee we pray.

Theseus: What the boon, my children, say.