To mooue the King and feare not gratious madam The Princes life a while how ere Exit Dircus Eur. Farewell True faithfull Dircus all the gods assist Thy good entents and blesse thy loyalty Enter Creon Cre. What weeping still Eur. Would I could weepe my selfe Like Niobe to marble and become A wofull tombe to Aemon whom my wombe With fates disastrous brought into the world My vertuous Aemon Cre. Why is Aemon dead Eur. Why doe you aske that meane to murder him Cre. How murder him Eur. Yes in Antigone His most inseparable loue Cre. Must then Th' audacious giglot liue vnpunished To braue a King Eur. Were kings ordain'd to kill Vertues true seruants and controll her lawes Enter Tiresias Chorus senum Tir. Where is the king Cre. Hee 's heere What mischiefe now Com'st thou to vtter neuer from thy tongue Flow'd any good to me Tir. A guilty man Was neuer pleas'd with truth but heare me Creon I come to thee sent from the wrathfull gods To let thee know thy guilt and punishment Great plagues from heauen if Tiresias Truly diuine are threaten'd 'gainst thy house When I for thee vnthankefull man prepar'd A sacrifice within the open'd beast No signes but sad and fatall did afford None but th' infernall gods deign'd to appeare The blood was blacke the burning entrailes gaue No flame at all but darkely did consume Mouldring away to ashes and with blacke Vnsauoury smoake clouded the fearefull ayre Vnto our augury no birds at all But sad and balefull birds of night appear'd Nor to our orizons would th' inuoked gods Vouchsafe an answer but in signes alone Declar'd their wrath The cause of these their threats Against thy house is for thy cruelty To good Antigone and if she dy These plagues will surely fall Eur. Can we auoide them By sparing her Tir. The gods aboue relent At humane penitence and heare their prayers Nor like the fiends are they inexorable Eur. No longer Creon shalt thou now deny me Since heauen is ioyn'd with my petition Tir. You are not constant in persisting thus But obstinate Eur. Now I renew my suite Cho. In which we bend our knees release O king For Thebes for Aemons sake that vertuous maide And to preuent a feirce and cruell warre Vouchsafe to grant our suite and giue vs leaue To bury those dead Graecians in the field Cre. No more of them that last must not be granted For our command is past too farre already And must be iustifi'd not changed now But for the life of that Antigone Although it cannot suite well with our iustice To pardon her rebellious stubbornnesse Yet shee is thine Eurydice to thee Do we referre her wholly take this ring And absolute power to dispose of her Either to pardon or to punishment Eur. The gods reward thee for 't I le goe my selfe And bring her out with speede from that sad place Heauen grant that griefe haue not already kill'd her Nuntius Creon Nun. To armes my Lord if any armes so soone Can rescue Thebes from quicke destruction The mighty Theseus threatens you at hand Creon Why let him come Should I esteeme the name Of Theseus such a buggebeare it should fright Me from my constant resolution Haue our late conquests haue the ouerthrowes Of Argos and Mycenae taught the world Nothing of vs looke on you purple fields With slaughter dy'd and learne what Thebes can doe Where Capanaeus and stout Tydeus Parthenopaeus and Hippomedon Ly weltring in their gores and should we then So tremble at the threates of Theseus No power must daunt me 't is not Kingly now Vpon constraint to change my rough decree Though I relented now though my soft breast Were moou'd with piety yet thought of honour Would conquer that as now it conquers feare The feare of Theseus hand nor haue I left A place for wisedome now it comes too late I must preuent or meete my instant fate Dircus Aemon Dir. Yonder 's the tombe my Lord which though it seeme Too hard and solid for our strength to force I know a place will open presently Aem. Then let vs breake this wealthy Cabinet And take from thence a iewell which the ransome Of all the Kings on earth would be a price To poore to purchase Knew'st thou happy caue Or knew the world what true vnualew'd wealth Thy bare vnpolish'd bosome did containe Thou would'st despise the richest temples rear'd On Marble Columnes and high-roof'd with gold To thee would men with adoration come As to a place more sacred then the caue That nourish'd Cretan Ioue then Bacchus Nisa Or the Oetaean Mount from whence in flames The great Alcides mounted to the sky But I forget my selfe I first must know Whether I liue or no for in that caue Not heere does Aemon breath Antigone Anti. Who calls Antigone is it my Aemon Aem. Dircus I liue heardst thou that heauenly voice Which has inspir'd a happyer life into me Then my creation did Le ts loose no time In this sweete businesse Dir. I le ope the tombe Immediatly my Lord Aem. Sad Thebes adieu I le finde some happyer countrey to conuey My enuy'd treasure to Possest of her I shall be richer then the Theban crowne Can make me speake how fares my fairest loue Shall we be gone Ant. I would my dearest Aemon Begone with thee rather then liue but fate Too cruell fate preuents it Aem. How what fate Can let our iourney if thy loue consent Anti. I loue thee Aemon better then my life And neuer truly wish'd to liue till now But now I cannot liue Aem. Oh doe not mocke My ioyes Antigone or if thou doest not Tell me what sad disaster can befall Anti. That sad disaster is befall'n already Fearing the paines that such a lingring death Might bring vpon me I haue tane already A gentle poison downe which long before 'Gainst some such dire occasion I prepar'd I feele it worke my vitall spirits faile My dearest loue farewell Liue long and happy Let fate hereafter recompence to thee What ere her cruelty 'gainst me has wrought Aem. No fate can make me happy I am lost Beyond her cure Dir. What end of tragedyes Can wofull Thebes for euer hope to see After this sorrow Oh I more then feare The Princes fury Aem. Her white soule is fled What vnsubstantiall bubbles are the best Of humane ioyes how from the top of all My hopes and comforts in one fatall minute Has enuious fortune throwne me downe againe Into the depth of misery and woe Oh fortune how extreme thou art in all Thy fauours and thy frownes Dir. Most noble prince Collect that strength of man which all the world Expects from you and arme your selfe to beare With fitting patience this calamity The passiue fortitude is great and noble As is the actiue Aem. Strike that string no more Doe not in vaine torment a desperate man With thy dull counsell T is as possible Thou should'st perswade a dead man to arise After his soule is fled as me to liue Now shee is dead I doe coniure thee Dircus By all the loue thou bearst me by that faith Which I haue euer found and priz'd in thee To leaue me heere Dir. My Lord I will obey And thus I take my leaue Dyes Aem. Too cruell Dircus Was I not miserable enough before But thou must loade my sufferings with thy death What cause hadd'st thou to dy thou hast not lost A loue why should my losse extend so farre As to the ruine of so braue a friend Thy death has iniur'd faire Antigone And made a strange Diuision in my griefe For all the sorrow which this breast could hold Was due to her before I must encroach Vpon her right in spending teares for thee My breast 's too narrow for so great a griefe And must be quickly open'd Thou pure soule Of my Antigone which still suruiu'st Though this faire palace be demolish'd quite By deaths vngentle hand thou heauenly substance True obiect of a chast and spotlesse loue Thy Aemon comes and from these bonds of nature Flyes forth to meete thee in the other world To wedd thee there to finish there the rites Of long-cross'd loue and tast eternall sweetes Dyes Ianthus Aephytus Eurydice Ian. Oh horrid spectacle see Aephytus The Prince Antigone and Dircus dead Aeph. All dead Eur. Ay me Ian. Looke to the Queene she sownes Aephy. Alas t is more then so cold death has seiz'd her I feare beyond recouery Lett 's in And certifie the King who now may see The dire effects of his rash cruelty Theseus Chorus Thebanorum The. Our warre 's already ended and the death Of sauage Creon whose dire soule is fled To pacifie the Argiues wandring ghosts Hath satisfi'd our iustice heere we sheath Our sword againe and free your towne from feares And now enterre with fitting obsequies The Carcasses of all your slauter'd foes Let cruell Creon too though he at all Deserue it not haue rites of funerall Cre. Those pious rites will we performe with ioy And thankes to mighty Theseus may the Gods Assist thee euer and great Hercules Beholding thy braue actions from the sky Reioyce and not disdaine at all to be Esteem'd thy aequall by posterity The. Send backe Argia to her father's court With faire attendance and t is left to you To place the Theban scepter where t is due Cho. Thebes humbly bowes to mighty Theseus And layes her crowne and scepter at his feete The. No still let Thebes be gouern'd by her owne T' was not our warres intention to enthrall Your land but free it from a tyrants yoake And to preserue the conquer'd not destroy them We drew the sword of iustice not of conquest Ambitiously to spread our Kingdomes bounds But to auenge the lawes of nature broke This act being done Theseus is peace againe Souldiers march on to Athens Thebes adieu Now let mankinde enioy a happy peace Oh let no monsters breede on earth to glut Themselues with human slaughter let no theeues Infest the woods no tyrants staine the cities With blood of innocents but if such monsters Must needes be bred to plague the wretched earth 'Gainst nature and her holy lawes to striue Let them appeare while Theseus is aliue FINIS LONDON Printed by Thomas Harper for Beniamin Fisher and are to be sould at his shop at the signe of the Talbot without Aldersgate 1631
still and made Your vertuous minde the way to your offence As if the Gods themselues had punish'd you For striuing to be innocent when they Had-fore decree'd your guilt take comfort Sir No man offends but where the will consents Oed. How well canst thou Antigone that bear'st A Magazen of vertuous thoughts within thee Speake words of comfort but accursed I Am most vncapable there 's nought in me But horrour greife despaire and misery Shew me some way of death or let me goe Anti. I cannot leaue you Sir nor shew your death But where I meane to beare you company Oed. I neuer should haue had a vertuous childe But to afflict me more nature will worke A miracle to make my sufferings greater The Sunne shall bring blacke night the Euening starre Vsher the day and seas shall meete the sky To make addition to my misery Anti. good Sir goe take some rest doe not destroy That life on which another life depends Oed. There 's none but thou has a commanding power Ore Oedipus if thou command me leape Into Sicilian Aetna's scalding throate I 'll gladly doo 't if thou wilt haue it so I will like Titius with my liuer feede A tiring vultur more I will take rest Nay most of all I le liue at thy request Anti. I see some signes of rest vpon him now Exeunt Scena secunda Aemon Aemon How well this sad and solitary place Suites with my thoughts these vnfrequented woods Where nature voide of artificiall robes Presents her naked and vngarnish'd face In such abodes as these dwelt piety White innocence and spotlesse chastity In that first golden age when Saturne reign'd And still me thinkes within these woods he reignes Though banish'd quite from all the world beside Here liues the soule of vertue here abides The faire Antigone whose matchlesse goodnesse Vpbraides and expiates this ages crimes And quite our-weighs th' impiety of Thebes This place the Gods disdaining other sights Behold with wonder when Antigone With pious hands directs her blinded sire The wofull Oedipus hither the Graces The chaster Nymphs and harmelesse Dryades Leauing their bowers of pleasure all resort To waite on her and beare her company Antigone Aemon Anti. My father is asleepe you powers aboue Send sweete refreshment to his wearyed soule Oh pity him and punish not too farre That crime which fate and you your selues haue made He has already beene himselfe a iudge Too cruell to himselfe to expiate His fatall errours left a crowne and scepter Fled mens society and day it selfe Torne out his innocent vnhappy eyes Now since he wants the comfort of your light Grant him a quiet vndisturbed night Young Aemon heere Aem. Pardon me royall virgin Thinke it not rudenesse in me thus to presse Vpon your priuacyes but call it seruice Or zeale to wait vpon you and behold What I doo most admire Anti. Sir t is no fault That I can apprehend or if it bee T is such a fault as punishes it selfe This is the house of sorrow nought is heere That can inuite or recompense your comming Aem. To visite you so you be pleas'd to grace That visite with a welcome is a blessing No place has power to lessen it would make Hells saddest caue a faire Elysium Anti. You come from Court and speake as that has taught you This place knowes no such language Aem. Aemon neuer Was tax'd of flattery nor will your worth Admit it gentle Lady be but pleas'd To thinke my heart speakes in my tongue to you Oh giue me leaue but to confesse my flame Which neuer can be hid a better fire More chast more true and full of constancy I dare maintaine it warmes no breast on earth No earthly power but sweete Antigone Can sentence me to blisse or endlesse woe Oh saue that creature that depends on you Make me immortall by a faire returne Of grace from you and fauour Anti. Noble Aemen That title though I hated you your worth Would challenge from my truth I loue you better Then so to worke your ruine Loue and wed-locke Haue still beene fatall in our family The balefull owles and croaking rauens sing Our Hymenaean songs and furies light Their brands for torches to our bridall bedds Aem. No wondrous maide you beare a heauen about you A heauen of vertue that is proofe against The furies rage and fortunes vtmost spite You are aboue them all Oh take me to you And by coniunction of your goodnesse make Me higher then the power of fate can reach Anti. These are no times for Hymen when the frowne Of all the gods lyes heauy on our house Oh mooue that suite no more but yet as farre As my chast sorrow can admit of loue Let this suffice you I do loue your soule And if this storme should cleare and I haue power To marry euer Aemon is the man Of all the world I choose Aem. Oh heauenly voyce This promise from diuine Antigone More then fruition of the proudest beauty That ere mortality could boast reuiues me And makes me euer happy all the howers That from my countreys cause and from the warre I can be spar'd I le keepe as holy ones To pay deuotion heere heere I le relate What euer fortune throwes on doubting Thebes But one chast kisse and so farewell Anti. You haue it Yee powers of loue bee all auspicious now Hymen redeeme the wrongs that thou hast done Our house already had I neuer seene Young Aemon's face nere knowne his matchlesse worth No other man or minde had ere had power To warme Antigones cold breast with loue Prosper that flame that you your selues did mooue Dircus Ianthus Dir: T is so Ianthus Aemon is in loue With faire Antigone no other passion Could make so fresh a youth and spirit as his To seeke such sad retreats from that dark groue Which cloaths Cythaerens rough and craggy top Where farre from sight and company of men The wofull Oedipus laments alone His happlesse e errours fault vnseene by any But good Antigone his pious daughter How oft of late braue Aemon has beene mett What but her loue had power to draw him thither Ian. Shee is an obiect worthy of Aemon's loue The mirrour of her sexe a lassting patterne Of piety to all succeeding times Dir. As much true wortha nd manly vertue liues In noble Aemons breast hee 's the true brother Of braue Menaeceus whose deuoted head Sau'd Thebes from ruine Ian. True if Thebes be safe As neuer fairer were her hopes then now Th' Argolian forces are dishearten'd quite And of their seuen proud leaders which of late Beset the gates of Thebes but two are left Onely Adrastus and our banish'd prince If we I say be safe we owe that safety To Creons sonnes to braue Menaeceus death And Aemon's liuing valour one by death Gaue life to thousands t'other noble life Deseru'd an easier way to fame then death Dir. But I haue heard newes from the enemies campe All 's quiet there and t is
THE TRAGEDY OF ANTIGONE The Theban Princesse Written by T. May First Edition LONDON Printed by Thomas Harper for Beniamin Fisher and are to be sould at his shop at the signe of the Talbot without Aldersgate 1631 TO THE MOST WORTHILY HONOVRED ENDYMION PORTER Esquire one of his Maiesties Bedchamber SIR THis Tragedy of Antigone may perchance considering the subiect of it be thought a Poem too sad and balefull to bee read with pleasure or presented with delight vpon any Stage I confesse the saddnesse of it but if it suffer for that it will raise a question more general Why tragedyes haue at any time bin allowed Why the ruines and calamities of some men haue beene represented as a delightsome pastime to other men Why those ancient witts whom Greece in her learned'st times did highly admire haue chosen for their deathlesse Poems almost no other arguments then those calamitous storyes of Thebes Mycenae Troy and most of all this very discourse of the fatall and incestuous family of Oedipus where almost all the passages are so farre a man would thinke from delighting men that they might mooue a suffering euen in the furyes themselues and why the greatest Princes both Graecian and Roman in their highest iollity haue not onely beheld with delight the presentation of them but for their owne excercise as many of them as haue had the itch of writing haue chosen these arguments and made them into Tragedyes VVhy this hath been generally so though the cause neede no Apology at least not mine I will venture some few coniectures All the spectatours are either wretched or fortunate the wretched in sad storyes are in some sort eased by fellowship in woe or delighted with tragicall expressions as being somewhat of kindred with their owne thoughts those that are fortunate are affected in such showes either with delight or wholsome sorrow if they be delighted it is in the tast of their own prosperity which appeares greater set off by an obiect of such contrariety this delight is not out of malice as pleased with the woes of others but acknowledgement to those high powers which made the difference if they be sorrowfull their sorrow is wholsome for as in melancholly diseases merry tales are vsed to assist nature so in too great a ioy wantonnes of the soule such sad representations are as a good allay depressing the leuity of their thoughts to such a meane as is fit to entertaine the best contemplations Moreouer Tragedyes besides the state of them are pleasing in the expression forasmuch as saddnesse doth vsually afford the best straines of writing to omit other instances loue it selfe the vsuall argument of our new Comedy is there best written where it is most distressed and in despairing passion that part of the Comedy seeming best which is nearest tragedy in that straine also goe most or the best of loue-sonnets that now are made But I wander too far in this theame excuse me noble Sir for pressing so much vpon your patience the worke it selfe did it not more trust or your goodnesse then it's owne worth would thinke it selfe too long to be read by you If you accept it it seekes no farther To speake of you as you deserue I dare not since your known modesty would checke my pen but this I dare say there are no arts or armes or any other true abilities that euer had the happinesse to know you but will spread your worth thinke you most worthy to stand as you doe in the presence of a King wishing you long blest in his Maiesties fauour the King blest with moe such seruants as you are God after all grant vnto you his blessed presence and so I rest Euer to be commanded by you Tho: May A short argument of this Tragedy ETeocles and Polynices sonnes to Oedipus by that incestuous marriage with his mother Iocasta hauing slaine each other in a single combate Creon is crowned King of Thebes Creon denyes to the Argiue bodies funerall rites which among the heathen was therefore esteemed a cruell punishment because they thought the soules of them that were vnburied wandered an hundred yeares before they could be transported by Charon into Elysium Aemon the sonne of King Creon falling in loue with Antigone the pious daughter of Oedipus cannot obtaine his fathers consent to mary her Antigone contrary to the Kings command goes by night to bury the body of her brother Polynices and there meetes with Argia the widow of Polynices and daughter to king Adrastus They are surprised Aemon attempting their rescue is wounded and lyes a while conceal'd Antigone by Creon is doomed to death Aemon killeth himselfe Theseus killeth Creon and giueth funerall to the Graecians bodyes THE TRAGEDY OF ANTIGONE The Theban Princesse Actus Primus scena prima Oedipus led by Antigone Oedipus LEt go this wicked hand oh daughter leaue me Leaue me while thou art vertuous before Th' infection of my crimes do blast thy goodnesse Or draw some plague vpon thee this dire head Abhorr'd by heauen and earth liuing in Thebes Brought forth a pestilence which helpe of art Could neuer cure vntill by heauens decree Most hatefull I was banish'd from the City Oh Daughter leaue me Anti. Neuer neuer Sir While you are heere Cythaeron's craggy mount Is my abode and farre preferr'd before Labdacus stately palace or the towers Of wealthy Thebes for which my brothers striue What there I lou'd I am possest of heere My Father's presence doe not banish me Thither againe that place is banishment While you are heere what but impiety And brothers hatred shall I there behold Oed. Thou art too good Antigone thy birth Would make me Ioue my crimes but that all sense Of vertue as of light is dead in me If thou wilt guide me guide me to that high And fatall cliffe from whence vnhappy Ino Pursu'd leap'd downe into the seas and mett The danger which shee fled there let me ly Conceal'd for euer from the eye of heauen Ah could I kill my memory as well That no succeeding ages might relate The name and story of sad Oedipus Anti. Be not vniust vnto your selfe to thinke You haue deserued death the gods call that Mis-hap and errour which your cruell selfe Against your selfe call crime loue would not hold His vengefull thunder if he iudg'd it so The age were good were men as penitent For true and reall faults as you for that Which ignorance hath wrought and was the crime Of fate it selfe not yours you could not thinke That Theban Laius and Iocasta were Your happlesse parents and too great a feare Of beeing guilty made you what you fear'd Remembring what the oracle foretold You left a Kingdomes glory and forsooke Good Polybus and louing Merope Your then supposed parents and betooke Your selfe vnto a willing banishment What more then this could you haue done to keepe Your goodnesse you forsooke a crowne which others Striue to attaine by all impiety Yet cruell fate pursu'd you
to keepe Sad friends from thence no creatures haue accesse To that dire field but beasts and birds of prey His hate is constant sooner hope t' appease Busiris altars or the fiends themselues Then sauage Creon venture not to Thebes Dei What other course is left vs Orn. To performe To their deare names such empty funeralls As fortune will allow or if that that Will not suffice goe speedily to Athens Thither all conquering Theseus is return'd Triumphant now from th' Amazonian warre Whose mighty arme all sauadge tyrants dread Whose high Heroike thoughts were ne're auerse From suppliants and for encouragement To all that come in midd'st of Athens stands A gratious altar where white mercy dwells The poore mans goddesse shaded with a groue Of suppliant Oliues and chast Laurell trees None are deny'd to enter but the rich And fortunate poore wretches night and day Find free accesse and there haue leaue to pay Their cheape deuotion no slaine bullocks blood No Frankincense nor rich Arabian fumes Do feede that altar sighs and floods of teares Are all that goddesse craues no gold adornes Her humble roofes as those proud temples rais'd By happy Monarchs and great conquerers Instead of trophees and triumphall robes Torne haire and widowes mourning garments hang About the temple thither from all coasts Vnhappy soules repaire sad folke subdu'd In warre or banish'd from their natiue soiles Or those whom happlesse errour has made guilty There they implore and there obtaine their peace Arg. Goe you to Athens sister and intreat Great Theseus aide whilest I whose fatall quarrell Was cause of all this dire and mournfull warre Will try what mercy can be found in Thebes Deiph. Do not expose your life to such an hazard Arg. What mischeife can an humble suppliant feare Besides my suite to Creon will in Thebes Be seconded by Polynices friends Goe you with speed to Athens if I faile That your petitions timely may preuaile And all the gods prosper your pious suite Arg. May Thebes prooue gentle when Argia enters Exeunt Manet Argia Menaetes Arg. Now I am free to act what I designe Shall I expect the doubtfull grant of Creon Or Theseus lingringe aide whilest thou deare Lord Art foode for Vulturs whilst thy funerall Decreases daily and thy wandering Ghost Perchance complayning to th' infernall gods Cal'st me vnkinde and cruell I will lose No longer time no danger shall withstand That act which loue and my chast fires command Exit Creon Eurydice Ianthus Aephytus Cre. Mooue me no more in that can Aemon finde No match 'mongst all the noble Theban Maides Nor forreigne Princes but Antigone To mixe the fortune of our house with that Incestuous dire and fatall family Mooue me no more I say Eury. but good my Lord Weigh not alone her haplesse parentage Though that were royall and ally'd to you In neere degrees but her admired vertue In which the generall voyce of people speakes her As much excelling as the worst of all Her wretched race were infamous for vice Cre. What reall vertue euer could proceede From such an impious stock or being borne Could euer prosper Eury. Doe not taxe so farre The iustice of the gods that they should punish In good Antigone her kindreds crimes They haue already with dire punishments Pay'd for their proper guilt and her rare vertues By the same law may challenge as a due The greatest blessings that the gods can grant Cre. No act of hers can recompence the guilt Her birth alone has brought into the world And now we 'll purge the city Aephytus Goe finde out Oedipus and in our name Confine him to Cythaeron speake it death If ere he shew within the walls of Thebes His ominous head Aeph. That banishment my liege Is come too late hee is confin'd already Vnto his latest home griefe for his sonnes Has broke at last his great and stubborne heart Ian. The queene Iocasta hearing that sad newes Beating her breast tearing her hoary haire And vttering sad complaints against the gods And fates seuere decrees at last espy'd That fatall sword by which old Laius dy'd On which she fell and ended her sad life Cre. We haue no teares for her although our sister Let all the plagues that Thebes so long has felt Take end with them None but Antigone Is now remaining of that family Goe thou Ianthus in our name command her To keepe her house in Thebes nor stirre from thence Vntill our farther pleasure shall be knowne Exit Ian. Eury. Be good to her my Lord for Aemons sake What ere mishap befall Antigone Hee 'll deepely share in for I feare his loue Is too too constant ere to be remoou'd Rather then loose him grant his lawfull suite Cre. I le rather grant him death then marriage there Eur. Remember hee 's our sonne our only sonne And vertuous too of whom the Kingdome boasts Blast not their hopes in him the fate of loue Is irresistable Cre. Let Aemon know Wee 'll be his fate No more Eurydice Ianthus Creon Eurydice Ian. Antigone was lately met alone Without the city None of all her seruants Were priuy to her going nor yet know Whither their Lady went Cre. Ha! I suspect What she intends to doe If I guesse right She goes vpon her ruine Aephytus Double the watch and with a carefull eye Ore looke the knaues this night shall be thy charge Performe it well and thou shalt finde reward Beyond thy wishes let no negligence No gifts no fauour nor respect to any How neere soere to vs make thee or them Slacke in your charges as your liues shall answer Our strictest iustice Aeph. Doe not feare me Sir Cre. I le be at hand my selfe to make all sure Exeunt Antigone sola Ant. Poast to the West bright Phaebus and thou night That robb'st mortality of light to lend them A greater blessing rest and sweet ropose Spread thy black mantle ore yon mourning fields Which those dead Grecians strew where too too long My wronged brother Polynices lyes Barr'd by vnnaturall and iniurious Thebes Dead from a tombe as liuing from a Crowne This wrong must I redresse assist me vertue And all yee gods that fauour piety I haue at last escapt the curious eyes Of all that watcht my actions and expect Nought but the safe concealement of the night Were but these rites perform'd not Creons spite Nor racks nor tortures should my soule affright Chorus Thebanorum 1 What could th' Argolian ghosts though once our foes Deserue so much from vs as thus to lose The rites of funerall which all mankinde Iustly expect from greatest foes to finde Why should the land that gaue them death deny Them sepulture pursuing enmity Farther then that why with so black a staine Dost thou pollute the entrance of thy reigne Vnhappy Creon thwarting natures law Vpon thy selfe and fatall Thebes to draw The hate and curse of nations who will make The quarrell theirs Pluto himselfe will take Reuenge for this great losse that must befall His
of Creon Farewell my dearest Aemon whose lou'd presence More then the sight of day afflicts my soule To loose so soone farewell where ere thou art Till in the other world we meete againe Exeunt Aemon Aeem. No newes of comfort or discomfort yet Forgiue me faithfull Dircus if my soule My loue-sicke soule vniustly doe accuse Thy diligent care and thinke thee slacke my heart Till thy returne is stretch'd vpon the wracke A racke of torturing thoughts more painefull farre Then tyranny could wish or foes inuent To punish foes dost thou delay because The newes thou bring'st is ill if my faire loue Be dead or doom'd to death why doo'st thou keepe My soule from her Celestiall company If all be well but oh presumptous soule Checke that too happy thought againe I know My fathers nature is vnmoouable In all resolues and this bound by an oath So deepe so solemne and inuiolable As ere 't be broke will break this heart of mine Enter Dircus See here he comes speake man what newes Ay me Thy very lookes haue blasted me before Thy tongue can be their sad interpreter No newes but black could force a souldiers teares Antigone is dead Dir. Not dead my Lord But liues among the dead Aem. How man Expound This Aenigmatike sorrow Dir. In a tombe Where neuer more she shall behold the day Nor Phoebus splendour by the Kings command Is faire Antigone enclos'd aliue To famish there and dy Aem. Enough enough Shut vp aliue to starue oh horrid doome As if that death alone though nere so gentle Had not beene punishment enough for her For such a cause as that but yet this sentence Giues respite to her death and leaues a way To our preuention I must spend no time In thinking now all action is requir'd Thus it must be be speedy faithfull friend Runne to my mother and with all the vowes And vehement protestations that thou can'st From me assure her if Antigone Be not releast in time it shall not ly In all the power of earth to saue my life Her loue I feare not though my father now Haue cast his frowne vpon me to this place Returne againe with all thy speed whilest I Deuise some other meanes if that should faile Dir. Feare not my care my Lord but let me craue By your owne worth I begge it and that fauour Which you were euer pleased to reflect On my poore seruices till I returne Attempt no other course I will be speedy And if perswasions of the queene doe faile Wee 'll finde a way to saue the princesse life But t is a desperate way and must be vs'd The last of all AEm. Oh comfortable Dircus Do but assure me that and I shall owe More then my life and all my fortunes to thee Vpon mine honour I le not stirre from hence Till thou returne nor stay thee now t' enquire More of the plot Dir. I will out-fly the winde Exit Aem. Clos'd vp aliue within a tombe to starue Oh horrid cruelty I would I could Forget whose crime it were that my free hate Might not be check'd by duty to a father Should I approue his action 't were a sinne So great 'gainst vertue as no time could pardon Should I condemne it I must then abhorre Th' offendor and that piety forbidds Oh why should piety and vertue striue That piety which I so much admir'd In faire Antigone my selfe transgresse In louing her crosse to my fathers will Yet in obeying him I must approoue Her piety or else condemne mine owne What thoughts will reigne in this diuided brest Till Dircus doe returne but courage heart More strong is he that can his doubts deferre Then he that knowne calamities does beare Exit Chorus of old men 1 Oh smooth thy frowne at last great queene of heauen Let not vnhappy Thebes for euer feele The dire effects of thy too mindefull wrath What could the wretched Semeles offence Or poore Alemenas errour more deserue Then they themselues haue suffer'd from thy hand Or if succeeding branches needes must bleede For parents faults before a goddesse wrath Can be appeas'd could not Actaeons wounds Athamas maddnesse Inoes wofull death Nor pitti'd Oedipus his fall suffice 2. Could not the actions of great Hercules Nor Bacchus glorious deedes which all mankinde For euer shall renowne weigh downe the crimes Of their vnhappy mothers and such crimes As only Ioues resistlesse power could force 3. A feircer warre by farre now threatens Thebes Then that which old Adrastus with the aide Of all his rash confederates could make The mighty Theseus whose all-conquering hand No Kingdome yet with safety could withstand Arm'd with a cause in which the prayers and wish Of nations ioyne is marching towards vs 1. In vaine alas did we expect an end Of this dire warre when both the princes dy'd When th' Argiues fled must out owne victory Become our greife and draw vpon vs now A greater ruine then our foile had done 2. 2. It must it must since Creons cruelty Most vnexpected barbarous cruelty Will haue it so oh friend I could belieue Were not the noble Aemon Creons sonne And heire apparent to our Diadem We had beene happyer farre t' haue beene subdu'd Then brought by victory to such obedience 3 True friend there 's all out trust the gods in nought But that braue Princes life haue left vs hope Of any future fauour to redresse The miseries which we so long haue felt But for this imminent nay present danger What were we best to doe 1. Aduise the King Rather to change his purpose then expose His weakened Kingdome to great Theseus fury Though he should prooue neuer so obstinate Better that any one for good aduice Should suffer from his fury then the land In generall should smart 2. You counsell well But who should be the man 3. There 's none so fit As old Tiresias that most holy man Taught from the gods aboue whose words by all Our Theban Princes haue beene long esteem'd As oracles him Creon will obey 1. 1. Then thither let vs and with him aduise How to redresse our present miseries Actus Quintus Euridice Dircus THat was my feare before I thought my sonne Too farre in loue to beare with patience His Ladies death and therefore did entreat The King with teares and sighs that would haue moou'd A rocke of flint but hee more hard then rocks Deafer then Northerne winds with rage repuls'd My oft repeated suite and now ay me What most I fear'd is proou'd my sonne will dy For he has vow'd neuer to pardon her Dir. Must I returne the Prince this killing newes Eur. No gentle Dircus stay a little while T will not be long before the King returne I le mooue him once againe Dir. Your highnesse pardon Not for the world would I delay the time Vpon vncertainties I feare I haue Already stay'd too long My quicke returne Is th' only meanes to keepe the prince aliue Please it your highnesse then when I am gone
Philomel when shee High seated on a poplar tree Sends sweet sad notes through th' aire of night Wailing the husbandman's despite That reau'd her of her dearest nest Our losse cannot be so exprest No nor by actions such as are The rending of disheuel'd haire Or beating of our breasts these all No more then death and funerall Can shew but in our husbands we Receiue a greater iniury Then death had done the common rite Of funerall barr'd in despite Deiph. Cease widowes longer in that straine To waile or 'gainst the fates complaine For funerall rites but vnderstand Great Theseus whose victorious hand In conquests neuer yet has faild Is he with whom we haue preuail'd For aide and thinke what action He vndertakes already done He will reuenge on Creon's head The wrongs that we haue suffered Our deare Lords Ghosts shall righted be Then ioine your voyces all with me And in triumphant songs let vs Renowne the noble Theseus Cho. Theseus is he whose warrelike hand Defends mankinde in euery land No lesse by tyrants fear'd and knowne Then was the faire Alcmenaes sonne T was he whose iust reuenging steele Subdu'd and made dire Schinis feele The selfe-same torture in his death By which he tooke from others breath When trees together bowed were And parted thence againe did teare Poore wretches but by Theseus he Was forc'd to tast that Tragedy Deip. Procrustes that inhuman thiefe Monster of nature past beliefe That made all passengers whom he Surpris'd within the woods to bee By an vnheard of cruell sport Stretch'd longer out or else cut short To fit their stature to his bed By Theseus hand was conquered And doomed then himselfe to dy By the same kinde of cruelty Cho. 'T was he alone that did set free Athens from that sad slauery Which Minos fury for the losse Of his belou'd Androgeos Had brought them to when with clew He scap'd the Labyrinth and slew Fierce Minotaurus that had beene The monstrous issue of the Queene Pasiphae Whom vnnaturall Prodigious lust had made to fall Before a Bull the monster held Both shapes and her foule guilt reueal'd Deiph. Against a farre worse monster now The noble Theseus armes to goe Inhumane Creon that denyes To worthiest soules due obsequyes And what those monsters would not doe Does after death his hate pursue Cho. Oh let that still victorious sword Be now as prosperous and afford To wicked Creon the iust meede That is deseru'd for such a deede But 't is against all holy lawes To doubt successe in such a cause Actus Quartus Aephytus Creon Dircus Antigone Argia Aeph. PRince Polynices body is enterr'd By these two Ladyes whom I apprehende Iust as the deede was done nor did themselues Deny the fact Cre. One I suspected still And I am glad I haue her what 's the other Arg. The wofull widow of that wronged Prince Who stay'd behinde my countreymen to doe Those rites which loue and piety requir'd To my dead Lord if that be iudg'd a crime T is such a crime as I professe and boast Cre. Are you Adrastus daughter then Arg. The same Cre. You are our prisoner now take her Ianthus Into your custody this falls out fittly The ransome of this Princesse will come well To fill our now-exhausted treasury But thou a Theban borne bound to obey Our crowne and lawes what fury moou'd thy breast Disloyall maide to scorne our edict so Anti. No other fury then the loue of vertue And reuerence of the gods moou'd me to this Which wer 't to doe againe not all the power Of hell and tyrants should affright me from it Cre. Has guilt embolden'd thee is this th' excuse Thou mak'st to me Ant. Creon Let impious acts Seeke for excuses I nor can nor will So wronge the cause of heauen and piety As once to pleade a fond excuse for that Which is my merit for that act I say Which by direction from the gods themselues I haue perform'd Cre. Is disobedience merit Or do the gods command subiects to breake The lawes of Princes Ant. Yes their wicked lawes Which thwart the will of heauen the rule of nature And those pure principles which human breasts Did at their first originall deriue From that Celestiall essence Such a law Was this which I haue broke in giuinge rites Of funerall to Polynices hearse My dearest brother this disobedience Thy seruants durst they speake would iustifie But forreine nations and all future times In spite of tirants threatnings shall commend What I haue done and though I dy for this Vniustly now yet the infernall iudges Whose sentence no mortality can scape But must to all eternity sustaine Shall from their iust vnpartiall vrnes bestow Endlesse rewards beyond my sufferings farre Cre. To those infernall iudges shalt thou goe And thanke my charitable doome that sends Thy soule to such great happinesse if thou Esteeme it happinesse and doe not feare What thou wouldst seeme to wish Anti. No tyrant no Death cannot proue a punishment to me Whose life was nought but sorrow free'd from this Vnhappy world in t'other I shall come Most wish'd and welcome to my fathers sight And that deare brother for whose sake I dy Creo. Thou shalt be banish'd from the light of day Nor then shalt thou immediately haue power To see that other world thou so desir'st Ianthus till our farther pleasur 's knowne Guard safe Argiaes person Aephytus See present execution done vpon Antigone without the city walls There is a new digg'd tombe where neuer yet Lay any funerall in that enclose Antigone aliue and barre it fast As thou entend'st to liue there let her pray To those infernall gods shee so adores To keep her there or take her quickly thence Exit Cre. Dir. Oh black accursed doome oh my sad fate That must report this newes to noble Aemon And with that breath destroy the best of men Exit Dir Argi. Furyes haue left their darke abodes to dwell In human shapes on earth there could not else Liue such a monster one so opposite To heauen and goodnesse as curs'd Creon is Ah dearest dearest sister did the fates Differre so long our wisht acquaintance heere To make vs meete so wretchedly at last Anti. Weepe not deare sister your calamity Adds to my sufferings more why were not all The miseries of Cadmus wofull house Confin'd within our selues and bounded here In fatall Thebes why spread they so to make The best of soules partaker happy else And safe for euer had your vertue liu'd Admir'd in wealthy Argos had you nere Nere knowne the sad affinity of Thebes Arg. Why did the tyrant thus diuide our sufferings The tombe where thou art clos'd had beene to me More pleasing then a palace Anti. Heauen forefend May the iust gods hereafter recompence Argiaes vertue with a happyer loue Then Polynices was and happier friends Then Thebes can giue doe not lament for me Not feare the torments of my lingring death I am prouided of a remedy That shall delude the cruelty