Creon Do you not know that dirges and wailing before death would never be given up, if it were allowed to make them freely? Take her away—now! And when you have enshrouded her, as I proclaimed, in her covered tomb, leave her alone, deserted—let her decide whether she wishes to die or to live entombed in such a home. It makes no difference, since our hands are clean so far as regards this girl. But no matter what, she will be stripped of her home here above.
Antigone Tomb, bridal-chamber, deep-dug eternal prison where I go to find my own, whom in the greatest numbers destruction has seized and Persephone has welcomed among the dead! Last of them all and in by far the most shameful circumstances, I will descend, even before the fated term of my life is spent. But I cherish strong hopes that I will arrive welcome to my father, and pleasant to you, Mother, and welcome, dear brother, to you. For, when each of you died, with my own hands I washed and dressed you and poured drink-offerings at your graves. But now, Polyneices, it is for tending your corpse that I win such reward as this. What law of the gods have I transgressed? Why should I look to the gods anymore? What ally should I call out to, when by my reverence I have earned a name for irreverence? Well, then, if these events please the gods, once I have suffered my doom I will come to know my guilt. But if the guilt lies with my judges, I could wish for them no greater evils than they inflict unjustly on me.
Chorus Still the same tempest of the soul grips this girl with the same fierce gusts.
Creon Then because of this her guards will have reason to lament their slowness.
Antigone Ah, no! That command verges close on death.
Creon I cannot console you with any hope that your doom is not to be fulfilled in that way.
Antigone O city of my fathers, land of Thebes, and you gods, our ancestors! I am led away now; there is no more delay! Look at me, you who are Thebes’ lords—look at the only remaining daughter of the house of your kings. See what I suffer, and at whose hands, because I revered reverence!
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