The Two Sisters (Prologue and Entry of the Chorus)

Before dawn, outside the palace of Thebes, Antigone, daughter of Oedipus, brought out her sister Ismene to speak with her alone.

"Ismene, my own sister, my dear sister, do you know of any evil, of all the evils that come from Oedipus, which Zeus has not brought to pass for us two while we still live? There is nothing painful, nothing ruinous, nothing shameful or dishonourable, that I have not seen among your sorrows and mine. And now what is this proclamation they say the general has just made to the whole city?"

Ismene had heard nothing since the night their two brothers died by each other's hands. Antigone told her. Creon had decreed that Eteocles, who died defending the city, should be buried with all honour; but Polyneices, who had attacked it, must be left unburied, unwept, a sweet treasure for the birds to feed on. Whoever tried to bury him would be stoned to death in public. "That is the edict of the good Creon, for you and for me — yes, for me too. And soon you will show whether you are noble, or the base child of noble parents."

She would bury their brother; would Ismene help her? Ismene was horrified. "Think, sister, how our father died, hated and disgraced . . . and our mother, his mother and wife, both in one, who ended her life with a twisted noose; and our two brothers, in one day, killing each other . . . And now we two, left alone, think how much the most miserably we will die, if we go against the decree and the power of the king. We must remember that we were born women, not meant to fight with men; and that we are ruled by those who are stronger, and must obey in these things, and in things even more painful."

Antigone would not ask her again. "Be what you choose to be; but I will bury him. It is noble for me to do this, and die. I will lie with him, a loved one with a loved one, having committed a holy crime; for I have longer to please those below than those here; for there I shall lie for ever." Ismene would keep her secret. "Oh, no! Denounce me! You will be far more hateful to me if you keep silent and do not tell everyone." "You have a hot heart for cold deeds." "I know I am pleasing those I most ought to please." "If you can. But you are in love with the impossible." "Then, when my strength is gone, I shall stop." And Antigone went. "You go without sense," said Ismene, "but truly dear to those who love you."

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The Chorus of old men of Thebes came in with the rising sun, singing a hymn of victory: "Ray of the sun, fairest light ever shown to seven-gated Thebes!" They sang of the Argive army that had come against them, like an eagle screaming over the land, with its white shields and plumed helmets; how it had been beaten back from the seven gates; how the two brothers, born of one father and one mother, had met with their spears, and both won a share of common death. Now let them forget the war, and go to all the temples of the gods with dances all night long.