Page "Oedipus at Colonus" Paragraph 10

A messenger enters and tells the chorus that Oedipus is dead.

He led his children and Theseus away, then bathed himself and poured libations, while his daughters grieved.

He told them that their burden of caring for him was gone, and asked Theseus to swear not to forsake his daughters.

Then he sent his children away, for only Theseus could know the place of his death, and pass it on to his heir.

When the messenger turned back to look at the spot where Oedipus last stood, he says that " We couldn't see the man-he was gone-nowhere!

And the king, alone, shielding his eyes, both hands spread out against his face as if-some terrible wonder flashed before his eyes and he, he could not bear to look.

" Theseus enters with Antigone and Ismene, who are weeping and mourning their father.

Antigone longs to see her father's tomb, even to be buried there with him rather than live without him.

The girls beg Theseus to take them, but he reminds them that the place is a secret, and that no one may go there.

" And he said that if I kept my pledge, I'd keep my country free of harm forever.

" Antigone agrees, and asks for passage back to Thebes, where she hopes to stop the Seven Against Thebes from marching.

Everyone exits toward Athens.