To die with him, my father, in his age!
Henceforth my life is more than I can live.
Chor. Ο children! noblest pair!
Ye ought to bear right well
That which bears God's intent.
Be not thus vexed in mood;
The path ye trod is one ye should not blame.
Antistrophe.
Antig. Even o'er grief long borne
We lingered with regret,
And that which erst we loved not,
Became the thing we loved;
So was it when I had him in my grasp.
My father, dearest one!1700
Ο thou, who now art wrapt
In that eternal darkness of the grave!
For never shall thy name, though thou art dead,
To her and me be anything but dear!
Chor. And did he fare . . . ?
Antig. He fared as he desired.
Chor. And how was that?
Antig. In strange land as he wished
He died, and sleeps beneath,
Where sweet, calm shadows brood for evermore;
Nor did he die unwept;
For still these eyes, my father, shed their tears,1710
Nor know I, in my woe,
How to suppress my grief, my grief for thee.
*Ah me! thou did'st desire
*In this strange land to die;
And yet thou thus hast died,
Alone, apart from me!
Ism. Ah me! ah misery!
What fate of loneliness,
