antigone:
[exit into the palace, antigone goes off, left.]
creon is not strong enough to stand in my way.
ismene: ah sister! oedipus died, everyone hating him for what his own search brought to light, his eyes ripped out by his own hand; and iocaste's dead, his mother and wife
at once: she twisted the cords that strangled her life; and our two brothers died, each killed by the other's sword. and we are left: but oh, antigone, think how much more terrible than these our own death would be if we should go against creon and do what he has forbidden! we are only women, we cannot fight with men, antigone! the law is strong, we must give in to th elaw in this thing, and in worse. i beg the dead to forgive me, but i am helpless: i must yield to those in authority. and i think it is dangerous business to always be meddling.
antigone: if that is what you think, i should not want you, even if you asked to come. you have made your choice, and can be what you want to be. but i will bury him; and if i must die, i say that his crime is holy. i shall lie down with him in death, and i shall be as deat to him as he to me. it is the dead, not th eliving, who make the strongest demands: we die forever... you may do as you like, since apparently the laws of the gods mean nothing to you.
ismene: they mean a great deal to me; but i have no strength to break the laws that were made for the public good.
antigone: that must be your excuse, i suppose. but as for me, i will bury the brother i love.
ismene: i am so afraid for you!
antigone: you need not be: you have yourself to consider after all!
ismene: but no one must hear of this, you must tell no one! i will keep it a secret i promise!
antigone: oh tell it! tell everyone! think of how they'll hate you when it all comes out if they learn that you knew about it all the time!
ismene: so fiery! you should be cold with fear.
antigone: perhaps. but i am only doing what i must.
ismene: but can you do it? i say that you cannot.
antigone: very well. when my strength gives out, i will do no more.
ismene: impossible things should not be tried at all.
antigone: go away, ismene: i shall be hating you soon, and the dead will, too, for your words are hateful. leave me my foolish plan: i am not afraid of the danger; if it means death, it will not be the worst of deaths - death without honor.
ismene: go then, if you feel that you must. you are unwise, but a loyal friend indeed to those who love you.