SCENE 1:

Antigone enters from city path (CP); Ismene enters from skenê.

ANTIGONE

My dear heart, Ismene, more than blood-sister,

is there even one thing from the evils of Oedipus

that Zeus doesn't inflict on the two of us still living?

There is no pain or disaster,

shame or dishonor that I have not seen

among these evils of yours and mine.

Now what is the new proclamation they say

the commander has just made to the whole city?

Did you hear anything? Or didn't you notice

that evils from our enemies advance upon our kin?

ISMENE

No word of our family, sweet or painful,

has come to me, Antigone,

not since the two of us lost our two brothers,

dead in one day by each other's hands.

Since the Argive army left this very night,

I know nothing more,

whether my fortune is brighter or doomed.

ANTIGONE

I thought so. I took you outside

the courtyard gate so you alone could hear.

ISMENE

What is it? You look like you're brooding over some news.

ANTIGONE

Well, hasn't Kreon honored one of our brothers

with proper rites, while refusing the other burial?

They say he buried Eteokles

with true observance of justice and custom,

honored below among the dead.

But the wretched corpse of Polynices?

They say, by proclamation to the citizens,

that no one may bury him or cry aloud,

that he be left unmourned, unburied, a sweet treasure

for birds spying him to eat at their pleasure.