Enter Theseus. Theseus

Cease your lament, children! Where the favor of the nether night is stored up, there is no room for sorrow; divine retribution would follow.

 Antigone

Son of Aegeus, we supplicate you!

 Theseus

To obtain what desire, my children?

 Antigone

We want look with our own eyes upon our father's tomb.

 Theseus

It is not right to go there.

 Antigone

What do you mean, lord, ruler of Athens?

 Theseus

Children, he told me that no one should draw near that place, or approach with prayer the sacred tomb in which he sleeps. He said that, so long as I saw to this, I would always keep the country free from pain.The divinity heard me say these things, as did the all-seeing Oath of Zeus.

 Antigone

If this is his intention, we must be content with it.Send us to ancient Thebes, in case we may somehow stop the bloodshed that threatens our brothers.

 Theseus

I will do both this and whatever other favorable service I can, for youand for the newly-departed under the earth, according to the gratitude I owe. I am bound to spare no pains.

 Chorus

Cease; raise up the lamentation no further. These things are established firm and fixed.