Precisely in the way you could most wish for: indeed, in a way in which neither Ares took him, nor the sea,but instead he was snatched away to the fields which no one may see, by some swift, strange doom. Wretched me! For us a night like death has descended on our eyes;how shall we find our hard livelihood, roaming to some far land, or on the waves of the sea?IsmeneI do not know. If only murderous Hades would join me in death to my aged father!Wretched me! I cannot live the life that must be mine.ChorusBest of daughters, you both must bear the will of the gods. Do not be inflamed with too much grief;what you have encountered is not to be blamed.

AntigoneThere is longing even for woes. What was in no way dear was dear, so long as I held him in my embrace.Father, Dear, clothed in the darkness of the underworld forever! Never in your absence will you not be dear to me and to my sister here.ChorusHe fared—AntigoneHe fared as he desired.ChorusIn what way?AntigoneHe died on the foreign ground that he desired; he has his well-shaded bed beneath the ground for ever; and he did not leave behind unwept sorrow. With these weeping eyes, father, I lament you;nor do I know how in my wretchedness I must still my grief for you that is so immense. Alas! You wanted to die in a foreign land, but you died without me near.IsmeneWretched me! What fateawaits you and me, dear, orphaned as we are of our father?ChorusCease from your grief, dear girls, since his end is blessed. No one is beyond the reach of evil.

AntigoneDear, let us hasten back.Ismene.To do what deed?AntigoneA longing fills my soul—