ANTIGONE

Oh Isy, don’t you think, dear sis’, we’ve had enough

grief from the curse on dad? We’ve had it rough alright.

As if that were not tough enough, then what about

the latest guff that’s spewed from Creon’s mouth?

ISMENE

I haven’t heard a thing; not since us two

lost both our brothers in that double blow

in just one hour before the army fled

back to Argive, with Poly and Eteo dead.

ANTIGONE

I thought you hadn’t a clue, that’s why I came with you

to speak outside; you see — there’s something we must do.

ISMENE

Antigone … you’re sounding really weird —

ANTIGONE

Okay, listen Ismene. Creon gave Eteocles

a decent burial, full state honours, as he should.

But Polyneices fought as hard, was just as good

in battle, but he still lies in the mud, for flies

and worms and vultures to eat up, because — they say —

that Creon has vowed this: No one shall dig his tomb,

no one shall mourn, no crowd shall praise his name — no way!

Now Creon’s coming here to spell it out. No room

for doubt, the penalty is stoning in the square.

There! You can’t be untold — it’s time to show you care:

be true to me your sister, or betray your family there.

ISMENE

Antigone, you’re mad! What can I do?

ANTIGONE

What can I do? you ask? Surely you must know.

It’s simple: With me or not? Are you in? Yes or no?

ISMENE

I don’t know what you mean, ‘Tig. In with what?

ANTIGONE

I’m going to bury him, Isy, of course! Will you come?

ISMENE

You’re crazy! I don’t want pelting with stones.

ANTIGONE

He - is - my brother! And yours. We must bury his bones.

ISMENE

Think of the risk. Think what the king will do.

ANTIGONE

Creon can’t stop me doing this —

ISMENE

                                                Antigone!

Our dad, Oedipus, died hated by all

for the horrors he unearthed. He fucked his mum,

our mum, his wife — no wonder that she hung

herself, and he gouged out his eyes, appalled.

Would that not have been enough misery?

You’d think so — but then our two brothers died.

Each by the other’s sword fell, side-by-side.

So now, Antigone, there’s just us two.

Think how much worse, then, our own deaths would be

if we defy the king, and do what he’s

forbidden. We women cannot fight with men.

We’ve also got to give the law its due.

And think of our lost loved ones looking on;

I beg their pardon, but I can’t rebel

with you. Not only that, but I must tell

you that you’re playing with fire by meddling in

affairs beyond you.

ANTIGONE

                        If that’s the way you’re thinking, then

I wouldn’t want you with me even if you begged!

You’ve made your bed, so now that’s where you’ve got to lie.

But I will bury our brother. If that means I must die?  —

Well, good for me! At least I won’t be always wracked

with guilt. Instead I’ll lie with him, and he with me

in death’s embrace - outlasting any human love.

The dead command our faith, ‘cos when push comes to shove,

we die for ever.

                        You, Ismene, do as you please.

It seems you never care for eternal laws like these.

ISMENE

I do care — but I don’t think that I could

break earthly laws, made for the public good.

ANTIGONE

Oh, nice excuse, sister. May it make you feel well.

But I’ll bury my love, our brother, for heaven’s sake — or for hell.

ISMENE

Oh sister, I’m afraid…

ANTIGONE

                                Well, sis’ you needn’t be;

You’ve looked after yourself by not sticking with me.

ISMENE

At least I’ll back you up by keeping quiet.

No one must know…

ANTIGONE

                                Ach! Spit it out. Tell everyone.

Think how they’ll all despise you when the truth comes out

and they learn you knew the plan, when I am dead and gone.

ISMENE

So feisty, sister. I’d be bricking it.

ANTIGONE

And you’d be right. But I am doing what I must.

ISMENE

But, ‘Tig, I’m not sure that you’re up to it.

ANTIGONE

You think? Ok, I’ll promise this: that when I’m dust

I’ll pack it in right there. Does that sound fair?

ISMENE

If you can’t win, you shouldn’t play the game.

ANTIGONE

Fuck off, Ismene, please, before I kill you first.

You’ll make me hate you soon, along with all the dead.

Your words are spiteful. Leave me to my foolish plan.

I’m not afraid of death, you see; in fact I thirst

for death; at least this way I’ll have honour on my head.

ISMENE

You go then, if you must, to meet your fate:

even death. You’ll always be my flame,

you stupid, loyal, loving, mad, best mate.

[Exit into the Palace, ANTIGONE goes off. Enter the CHORUS

CHORUS

And so the sun lifts up its sharpened ray

to skewer the night, to tap the coming day

upon its shoulders like a king making a knight.

This day will shape Thebes’ future, for wrong, or for right.