Antigone. That's the way I feel. And another thing. Iwanted you to know that I should have been very proudto be your wife-the woman whose shoulder you would·p~t your hand on as you sat down to table, absent-·mmdedly, as upon a thing that belonged to you. [After amoment, draws away from him. Her tone changes.] There!Now I have two things more to tell you. And when I havetold them to you, you must go away instantly, withoutasking any questions. However strange they may seem to·you. However much they may hurt you. Swear that youwill!

But when Eteocles, the elder son, had reigned a fullyear, and time had come for him to step down, he refusedto yield up the throne to his you~ger b~other._Tuer~ wascivil war. Polynices brought up alhes-sr_x forer_gnprmces;and in the course of the war he and his foreigners weredefeated each in front of one of the seven gates of thecity. Th~ two brothers fought, and they killed one an-

ANTIGONE,her hands clasped round her knees, sits on thetop step. The THREE GuARDSsit on the steps, in a smallgroup, playing cards. The Cm.us stands on the top step.EuRYDICEsits on the top step, ;ust left of center, knitting.The NuRsE sits on the second step, left of EURYDICE.lsMENEstands in front of arch, left, facing HAEMON,whostand,s left of her. CREONsits in the chair at right end ofthe t'able, his arm over the shoulder of his PAGE,who sitson the stool beside his chair. The MESSENGERis leaningagainst the downstage portal of the right arch.The curtain rises slowly; then the CHORUS turns andmoves downstage.