save us, and reconcile my sons! For you, if you are really wise, must not allow the same mortal to be forever wretched. Exit Jocasta.Old servantFrom the roof.Antigone, famous child in your father’s house, although your mother allowed you at your entreaty to leave your maiden chamberfor the topmost story of the house, to see the Argive army, wait, so that I may first investigate the path, whether there be any of the citizens visible on the road, and reproach, a slight matter to a slave like me, should cometo you, my royal mistress; and when I have examined everything, I will tell you what I saw and heard from the Argives, when I carried the terms of the truce from here to Polyneices and back from him again.After a slight pause.No, there is no citizen near the house,so mount the ancient cedar steps, and view the plains; beside Ismenus’ streams and the fountain of Dirce see the great army of the enemy.

AntigoneStretch out your hand to me from the stairs now, stretch it out, the hand of age to youth,helping me to rise.Old servantThere! clasp it, maiden; you have come at the right time; for Pelasgia’s army is just upon the move, and they are separating the companies.AntigoneO Lady Hecate,child of Leto! The plain is one lightning-flash of bronze.Old servantAh! this is no ordinary home-coming of Polyneices, with the clash of many horses, many arms.AntigoneAre the gates barred, and the brazen boltsfitted into Amphion’s walls of stone?Old servantNever fear! All is safe within the town. But see the first one, if you want to know him.AntigoneWho is that one with the white crest,who marches before the army, lightly bearing on his arm a shield all of bronze?Old servantA captain, mistress.AntigoneWho is he? Who is his family? Tell me his name, old man.Old servantHe claims to be Mycenaean; by Lerna’s streams he dwells, the lord Hippomedon.