Jocasta Antigone, my daughter, come out of the house; this heaven-sent crisis is no time for dances or girlish pursuits. But you and your mother must prevent two brave men, your own brothers, from plunging into death and falling by each other’s hand.
Antigone Mother, what new terror are you proclaiming to your friends before the palace?
Jocasta Daughter, your brothers’ lives are going to ruin.
Antigone What do you mean?
Jocasta They have resolved on single combat.
Antigone Oh no! what do you have to say, mother?
Jocasta No welcome news; follow me.
Antigone Where, away from my maiden’s chamber?
Jocasta To the army.
Antigone I cannot face the crowd.
Jocasta Coyness is not for you now.
Antigone But what shall I do?
Jocasta You will put an end to your brothers’ strife.
Antigone How so, mother?
Jocasta By falling at their knees with me.
Antigone Lead on till we are between the armies; we must not delay.
Jocasta Haste, my daughter, haste! For, if I can forestall the onset of my sons, I may yet live; but if they are dead, I will lie down in death with them.
Chorus
Alas, alas! My mind is trembling with fear, trembling; and through my flesh goes a throb of pity, of pity for the hapless mother. Which of her two sons will stain the other with blood— ah, for the suffering! O Zeus, O earth, alas!—a brother’s throat, a brother’s life, through his shield, through his blood? Ah me! ah me! which of them will I lament as dead?
Chorus
Ah, the earth! Ah, the earth! Twin savage beasts, two murderous souls with brandished spears will soon be draining the fallen, fallen enemy’s blood. Unhappy, that they ever thought of single combat! In foreign voice I will chant a dirge of tears and wailing, in mourning for the dead. Close to murder stands their fortune; the coming day will decide it. Fatal this slaughter, fatal, because of the Furies.
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