hocles_ in Green's 'Classical Writers.' Macmillan & Co.

5 Oed. Tyr., 1881.

6 Antigone, 1882.

7 Ajax, Nov. 1882.

8 Antigone, 1845.

9 The performance of Greek plays (as of the Agamemnon at Oxford in
1880) is not altogether a new thing in England. The author of Ion,
Mr. Serjeant Talfourd, in his Notice prefixed to that drama in
1836, mentions, amongst other reasons for having intended to
dedicate it to Dr. Valpy, 'the exquisite representations of Greek
Tragedy, which he superintended,' and which 'made his images
vital.' At a still earlier time, 'the great Dr. Parr' had
encouraged his pupils at Stanmore to recite the dialogue of Greek
tragedies before an audience and in costume. It would be
ungrateful to omit all reference here to some performances of the
Trachiniae in English in Edinburgh and St. Andrews in 1877, which,
though not of a public nature, are still remembered with delight
by those who were present at them, and were really the first of a
series.

* * * * *

ANTIGONE

THE PERSONS

ANTIGONE,} _Daughters of Oedipus and Sisters of Polynices_
ISMENE, } _and Eteocles._
CHORUS _of Theban Elders._
CREON, _King of Thebes._
_A Watchman._
HAEMON, _Son of Creon, betrothed to Antigone._
TIRESIAS, _the blind Prophet._
_A Messenger._
EURYDICE, _the Wife of Creon._
_Another Messenger._

SCENE. Before the Cadmean Palace at Thebes.

_Note._ The town of Thebes is often personified as Thebe.

Polynices, son and heir to the unfortunate Oedipus, having been
supplanted by his younger brother Eteocles, brought an army of Argives
against his native city, Thebes. The army was defeated, and the two
brothers slew each other in single combat. On this Creon, the brother-
in-law of Oedipus, succeeding to the chief power, forbade the burial
of Polynices. But Antigone, sister of the dead, placing the dues of
affection and piety before her obligation to the magistrate, disobeyed
the edict at the sacrifice of her life. Creon carried out his will,
but lost his son Haemon and his wife Eurydice, and received their
curses on his head. His other son, Megareus, had previously been
devoted as a victim to the good of the state.

ANTIGONE

ANTIGONE. ISMENE.

ANTIGONE. Own sister of my blood, on