Old servant
Antigone, famous child in your father’s house, although your mother allowed you at your entreaty to leave your maiden chamber for 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 come to 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. 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.
Antigone Stretch out your hand to me from the stairs now, stretch it out, the hand of age to youth, helping me to rise.
Old servant There! 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.
Antigone O Lady Hecate, child of Leto! The plain is one lightning-flash of bronze.
Old servant Ah! this is no ordinary home-coming of Polyneices, with the clash of many horses, many arms.
Antigone Are the gates barred, and the brazen bolts fitted into Amphion’s walls of stone?
Old servant Never fear! All is safe within the town. But see the first one, if you want to know him.
Antigone Who is that one with the white crest, who marches before the army, lightly bearing on his arm a shield all of bronze?
Old servant A captain, mistress.
Antigone Who is he? Who is his family? Tell me his name, old man.
Old servant He claims to be Mycenaean; by Lerna’s streams he dwells, the lord Hippomedon.
Antigone Ah, ah! How proud, how fearful to see, like an earth-born giant, with stars engraved on his shield, not resembling mortal race.
Old servant Do you see the one crossing Dirce’s stream?
Antigone His armor is quite different. Who is that?
Old servant Tydeus, the son of Oeneus, Aetolian battle-spirit in his breast.
Antigone Is this the one, old man, who married a sister of Polyneices’ wife? What a foreign look his armor has, half-barbarian!
Old servant Yes, my child; all Aetolians carry shields, and are most unerring marksmen with their darts.
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