I will take her where the path is deserted, unvisited by men, and entomb
her alive in a rocky vault, setting out a ration of food, but only as much as piety requires so
that all the city may escape defilement. And praying there to Hades, the
only god she worships, perhaps she will obtain immunity from death, or
else will learn, at last, even this late, that it is fruitless labor to revere the
dead.Exit Creon.
ChorusLove, the unconquered in battle, Love, you who descend
upon riches, and watch the night through on a girl’s soft cheek, you roam over
the sea and among the homes of men in the wilds. Neither can any
immortal escape you, nor any man
whose life lasts for a day. He who has known you is driven to
madness.
ChorusYou seize the minds of just men
and drag them to injustice, to their ruin. You it is who have incited
this conflict of men whose flesh and blood are one. But victory belongs to radiant Desire swelling
from the eyes of the sweet-bedded bride. Desire sits enthroned in power
beside the mighty laws. For in all
this divine Aphrodite plays her irresistible game.
Enter Antigone under guard from the palace.ChorusBut now, witnessing this, I too am
carried beyond the bounds of loyalty. The power fails me to keep back my
streaming tears any longer, when I see Antigone making her way to the
chamber where all are laid to rest, now her bridal chamber.
AntigoneCitizens of my fatherland, see me
setting out on my last journey, looking at my last sunlight,and never again. No, Hades who lays all to rest leads me
living to Acheron’s shore,
though I have not had my due portion of the chant that brings the
bride, nor has any hymn been minefor the crowning of marriage. Instead
the lord of Acheron will be my
groom. ChorusThen in glory and with praise you
depart to that deep place of the dead, neither struck by wasting
sickness, nor having won the
wages of the sword. No, guided by your own laws and still alive, unlike
any mortal before, you will descend to Hades.
AntigoneI have heard with my own ears how
our Phrygian guest, the daughter of Tantalus, perished