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after Sophocles\' OEDIPUS AT COLONUS -- way afterwords and music by Robert Montgomery
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Slash of music: Something NeverSeen Before.
Out of the dark:
OEDIPUS I hate being blind!!
(lights up on ANTIGONE tending to OEDIPUS,eyeless and old, who has fallen.)
ANTIGONEOedipus!
OEDIPUSAntigone – I’m losing all my strength except the loveyou give me.
ANTIGONEAthens is near.
OEDIPUSTell me something I don’t know!
ANTIGONEI will. The land we've been walking is parched, butthis place blooms as if a river ran underneath.
OEDIPUSIs there some welcoming seat nearby?
ANTIGONEHow did you know? A nature-made throne.
(SHE guides HIM to it.)
OEDIPUSYou're very good at helping those not always pleasant.
ANTIGONEYears of practice.
OEDIPUS(seated at last; sighs) May this moment rest in mealways.
ANTIGONEMay it rest in ev'ryone.
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OEDIPUSSuddenly I feel I could cry til I drown. But – no eyes.
ANTIGONEToday was hard, too hard.
OEDIPUSI'll die here, as sure as I live.
(silence)
ANTIGONEI've never heard you lie.
OEDIPUSI'm not afraid.
ANTIGONEThat's a lie.
OEDIPUSWhen I put out my eyes –
ANTIGONEAges ago.
OEDIPUSAt first the darkness was quiet which gave me somecomfort. But then a kind of lightning came and painfulwords: You won’t die. Not until you’re king of a landwhere the sky will not weep! I have that same feelingnow.
ANTIGONEI hate your pain.
OEDIPUSIt's like a star in my forehead ready to burst. (SHEputs her hand on his forehead.) And my heart muscles –deeply aching for their first-ever rest. (Her otherhand over his heart, she sings:)
ANTIGONESPIRIT OF THIS PLACE AND ALL BREATH!SWEET UNITY,SWALLOWER OF ALL DEATH!
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OEDIPUSDEAR YOU-IN-ME,AS YOU ARE LIKE WHAT STAYED WITH MEWHEN SHAME AND FEAR TORE THE REST FROM ME,CONVINCING ME THENWITH A WHISPER OF THUNDERTHAT ONE DAY IN A BARREN LANDI WOULD RULE ON A THRONE WHERE MY PAIN WOULD ENDAND MY UNSHED TEARS WOULD TURN TO BLESSED RAIN.
NOW YOUR THUNDER WHISPERS AGAIN…(distant thunder)
AND I KNOW YOU INTEND TO BLESS WITH LIFETHE PLACE WHERE YOU BLESS ME WITH DEATH.I FEEL A STORM OF LIGHTGATHERING OUTSIDE THE WALLS OF MY DARKNESS.LOVING UNKNOWN, END MY UNHAPPINESS SOON.TAKE THIS SHADOW HOME.
(Enter the MINISTERS, singing:)
MINISTERS MUSIC TO THE GOD WHO MADE THE EAR TO HEAR OUR MUSIC TO THE GOD WHO MADE THE EAR TO HEAR OUR MUSIC TO THE GOD WHO MADE THE EAR TO HEAR OURMUSIC!
MOTHERWe are the minist’ring fam’ly here.
FATHER & SONYou are sitting on our holiest place!
OEDIPUSAll places on earth are holy – but not all places arecomfortable.
DAUGHTERRemove yourself from God our Rock!
FATHERNow, daughter – if God is a rock, we have pebbles forbrains.
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MOTHERWho knows what our God is any more? Such knowledge hasdried up worse than our land!
OEDIPUSWhat name do you invoke?
SONThe Unity.
ANTIGONEThen your God is one with ours.
OEDIPUSThe You-In-Me.
DAUGHTERThe U-ni-ty.
FATHERSame thing.
DAUGHTERExtremely debatable, father!
SONSame thing!
DAUGHTERIs not!
MOTHERBreathe!
(All do.) We worship a spirit that breathes with us, but is alwaysmore than what we know.
ANTIGONEAs hard to explain as this garden.
MOTHERYes! How does it grow in a drought? We don’t know, butwhen we inhale, we can smell rain.
OEDIPUSYour God sounds believable. By what miracle did that
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happen?
FATHER & SONColonus, our founder –
(FATHER gestures for SON to continue.)
SON– long ago, sat on that very rock and all at once sawev'rything as energy pulsing with breath, fullyunderstanding him.
DAUGHTERAnd no one but him has ever been worthy to sit on thatholy throne!
OEDIPUSIs there any authority besides the power of breath youpeople have elected to follow?
MOTHEROur king is the king of Athens, Theseus.
DAUGHTERWho sat on that rock a year ago and ever since: drought!
OEDIPUSI want to see this king!
FATHERMany do.
OEDIPUSI see us laughing.
SONWhat a blind man sees –
OEDIPUSThen tell him I'm the drought and I am dying!
(distant rumble of thunder astoundsMINISTERS.)
FATHERCalling you a good man ... I think understates things.
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MOTHERThough your life, I think, has not been good.
SON & DAUGHTERStill –
OEDIPUSI must remain on this throne – for the good of us all!
MOTHER... Colonus gave that throne a secret name.
FATHEROnly one who understands its riddle is worthy to sitthere.
MINISTERSWhere do you come from and all things go?Where does the lover feel love and the knower know?
OEDIPUSREST YOURSELF EASY AS I AM SITTING HERE ...IN ATTENTION’S HOME.
DAUGHTERHE NAMED THE THRONE!
MINISTERS“ATTENTION’S HOME!”
OEDIPUSWHERE YOU COME FROMAND EV'RYTHING GOES.
ALL ATTENTION'S HOME!
OEDIPUSWHERE THE LOVER FEELS LOVEAND THE KNOWER KNOWS.
MINISTERSATTENTION’S HOME!
OEDIPUSWHERE WE TAKE IN
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AND GIVE OUT OUR GRACES
MOTHER & FATHERTHIS MAN HAS PLOWED THE RICHEST OASIS!
MINISTERSHE'S MADE WHAT TO DO NOW AN ALL NEW THING,HE’S BROUGHT US AGAIN TO THE BREATHING
GOD OF GODS! FOREVER ALIVEIN EV’RYONE AND EV’RYTHINGAND EV’RYTHING ELSE!
WE TURN TO SILENCE SO YOU MAY FILL US WITH THE SONG OF YOUR WILL FOR US .... THIS IS WHAT YOU SING: ...
MINISTERSASK HIM HIS NAMEAND WHERE HE IS FROMTHEN HE MUST TELL YOUWHAT HE HAS DONE.
OEDIPUSMY NAME IS SOMEONE.I COME FROM NO MATTER.AND WHAT I HAVE DONE ... IS GET HERE.
FATHER & MOTHERHOW CAN YOU REQUEST OUR HARBORIF YOUR PAST MAY BRING US DANGER?
FATHERYOU AND I, WE BOTH ARE FATHERS –
FATHER & SONWOULD YOU TRUST HER FUTURE TO A STRANGERWHO GIVES YOUR HONEST QUESTIONS
FATHER, SON & MOTHERHOLY BLATHER?
DAUGHTER
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WISDOM IS OUR MOTHER.
MOTHER & SONCAN SHE CALL YOU SON?
DAUGHTERFASTER FLIES SHE TRUTHWARD
FATHER & MOTHERTHAN AN EAGLE
MOTHER, DAUGHTER & SONTO HER YOUNG.
OEDIPUS(spoken) Wisdom was a crow when I was born!
(A crow is heard cawing as it flies away,astonishing the MINISTERS as OEDIPUS conferswith ANTIGONE:)
ANTIGONE Tell them your story.
FATHER & SON Its title, your name!
DAUGHTEROr we will hound you until you beg to leave!
OEDIPUSDo you know the one about the traveling youth who killeda king who attacked him?
MOTHERYes! ... But names fly from me these days as if theyfind me hideous!
ANTIGONEHe was the son of that king he killed, though neitherknew this ill-fated truth.
FATHER & SONOh! That story!
FATHER(trying to remember) Aaa – names for you, stories for me
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–
DAUGHTER & SONOedipus!
MOTHERThat's the name!
FATHERYou did something not so good.
MOTHERYes! And brought a plague to Thebes!
DAUGHTER & SONFor the love of our God, fly from here before you infectour holy lives!
ANTIGONE I'm confused. You serve a God you call "Unity," right,not "Separation"?
FATHER & SONWe serve Colonus!
MOTHEROur fears and flaws help us understand only those whoare local.
ANTIGONE(goes to DAUGHTER) What fear? What flaw?
DAUGHTERMy flaw of wasting attention on terror I have suffered.
ANTIGONE(to DAUGHTER) Memory of being raped freezes me and Iwait. Whatever thaws me out I worship. Don't you feelthat spirit moving here?
MOTHER... I feel it in the helpless grief of both your fathersover each of your traumas.
ANTIGONEI feel it in your love! (to MOTHER) Woman! Mother I
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never had! We come to you as all of us come to God:needing kindness, knowing we die. (embraces MOTHER)
DAUGHTERScriptures says: "Whoever carries evil to you, stealsthe One who gives you birth!"
ANTIGONE(to DAUGHTER) Does the One your writings praise, whogives bodies such attraction to touch, who creates lifein explosions of ecstacy, prefer a cold love of judgment– or a judgment of love?
(eye to eye) I see myself in your eyes. Look plainlywith them now into my soul. ... We really are onethere. There is here. ... Yes, my loneliness is yours. And don’t we share a love for our fathers? Of courseyou see yourself as a daughter in me. And how right itis to be here with father as he dies with the leastpain.
MOTHER I have no spine, no steel! Ev'ry problem endlesslyunfolds with opposites – my judgment is like mash youfeed the pigs!
FATHER & SONOur breathing God tells us the air now has turned ...
FATHER – fearful –
SON– fearful!
FATHER– exhaling you away.
OEDIPUSThen inhaling us back.
WHAT IS BREATHING HERE? WHAT WE DON'T KNOW.MINISTERS & ANTIGONE: WHAT WE DON'T KNOW.OEDIPUS & ANTIGONE: WHAT DO WE TEND TO FEAR? MINISTERS: OH! (with OED & ANT:) WHAT WE DON'T KNOW.OEDIPUS: LIKE NOW. AND NOW: WHAT DOES WISDOM LIKE? ALL: WHEN WE DON'T KNOW!OEDIPUS: Why?
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ALL: THAT'S WHEN WE NEED HER LIGHT --MOTHER AND FATHER: RIGHT?ALL: WHEN WE DON'T KNOW.OEDIPUS: SHE'S THE PRANKSTER!MOTHER: WISDOM?OEDIPUS & ANTIGONE: BECAUSE SHE ALWAYS WANTS TO
PLAY.MINISTERS: AH-HAH.OEDIPUS: WHY'S SHE HIDE AND SAY COME LOOK FOR HER?ALL: BECAUSE SHE ALWAYS WANTS TO PLAY.MINISTERS: WISDOM LIVES TO PLAY.OEDIPUS & ANTIGONE: SO WE'RE LOOKING FOR HER NOW –MINISTERS: YES, WE'RE LOOKING FOR HER NOW –OEDIPUS & ANTIGONE: WHICH IS ALWAYS WISE OF US.MINISTERS: WISE OF ANYONE.OEDIPUS & ANTIGONE: (echoed by MINISTERS:) AFTER ALL: SHE IS WITH HE WHO ISALL: FOREVER! – SO IT'S ALWAYS WISE OF US.OEDIPUS & ANTIGONE: LIKE A BLIND MAN (MINISTERS:
OOO) LEAVING THE SHADE,MINISTERS: LEAVING THE SHADE.OEDIPUS & ANTIGONE: FEEL THE SUN (MINISTERS: AHH!)
TOUCH YOUR HEAD.MINISTERS: TOUCH YOUR HEAD!OEDIPUS & ANTIGONE: WITHOUT FEAR – MINISTERS: WITHOUT FEAR OEDIPUS & ANTIGONE: HER GAME IS PLAYED – MINISTERS: HER GAME IS PLAYED.ALL: FEEL THE SUN TOUCH YOUR HEAD.OEDIPUS & ANTIGONE: HOW CAN HER LOVE – MINISTERS: HOW CAN HER LOVE –OEDIPUS & ANTIGONE: (echoed by MINISTERS:)
PLEASURIZE YOUR PATIENCEPLEASURIZE YOUR PATIENCEHOW CAN HER LOVE PLEASURIZE YOUR PATIENCEIF YOUR FEAR
OEDIPUS & ANTIGONE: OVERSHADOWS YOUR MIND?MINISTERS: WE BELIEVE IN THE COURAGE THAT YOU FIND IN
FEAR! ALL: LET THE COURAGE THAT YOU FIND IN FEAR,
LET IT PLEASURIZE OUR PATIENCEMINISTERS: AND WE'LL FIND?OEDIPUS & ANTIGONE: AND YOU WILL FIND – MINISTERS: WE'LL FIND?OEDIPUS: THE ANSWER –
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MINISTERS: THE ANSWER –OEDIPUS: YOU'RE LONG - ING TO HEAR.ANTIGONE: YOU'RE LONGING TO HEAR.MINISTERS: WE'RE LONGING TO HEAR.
OEDIPUSMy fear of seeing what was unknown in me exiled thecomfort of color from my life. What will your fear do? Lose the blessing my death in the God of this placewould plant here forever?
FATHER(conferring with MOTHER & DAUGHTER:) He knows themeaning of words. That alone makes him mystic.
MOTHERI don't know.
ANTIGONEMore than theology, father, plain emotion proves thetruth.
OEDIPUS(to MOTHER) The monster you see before you is loose oftooth, and blind!
MOTHER(to FATHER & DAUGHTER) He sits there like the heart inmy chest. (DAUGHTER is still skeptical.)
ANTIGONE (to DAUGHTER) We pray your kindness bravely holds, as the clear lackof danger here builds.
OEDIPUSThe more settled we get in this calm, the more clearlywe can counteract real threats.
DAUGHTER... Welcome, new citizens. Our land is yours.
OEDIPUSBless you!
(sound of hoofbeats)
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ANTIGONEGod – my heart leaps! A woman on a horse, thrilling mebut I don't know why. This is like being in a gooddream!
MINISTERSALL THAT WE'VE LOST,
ANTIGONEWaving –
MINISTERSALL THOSE WHO'VE LEFT
ANTIGONE – smiling –
MINISTERSTOUCH US LIKE THE SUN –
ANTIGONESister! Ismene!
MINISTERSWHEN A LOVED ONE RETURNS.
ISMENE (off) Father!
OEDIPUSIsmene!
ISMENE(entering)
And Antigone!
ANTIGONEA full family embrace – the three of us!
(THEY embrace.)
OEDIPUSFlesh of my flesh of my flesh!
ISMENEI missed you.
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OEDIPUSYou did?
ISMENEYes.
OEDIPUSAh.
MINISTERSBUT RARE IS THE ONEWHO IS PARADISE FOR LONG.
ISMENEI love you as dear as Poseidon, god of the water now inmy eyes, that seeking you grew dry as Aeoleus’s breathin Aphrodite's ear.
ANTIGONEWhy are you oversalting your speech with gods?
ISMENEGood news! I've become a reborn polytheist, and canhelp you all be the same!
OEDIPUSOh God.
ISMENEGodzzz! (to MINISTERS) Athens so near, you priestsmust read entrails for the flashing-eyed Athena here!
DAUGHTERWell, entrails are not really –
ISMENEBlessed be Athena, goddess of hand-crafted headwear,such as this small totem. (indicating her headwear) AsI wove it, I prayed, "Athena, weave my mind the same asthese colors!"
ANTIGONEApparently she heard you.
OEDIPUSWhat other news? Your two brothers?
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ISMENEOh Nemesis! I of course must first ask Mnemosyne –[nee-mah'-zih-nee]
ANTIGONEIsmene!
ISMENE– who, if you remember, is memory – to help you rememberthat when Melpomene [mel-pom'-inny], the muse of tragedy–
OEDIPUSMore matter, less myth!
ISMENE– first spun your tragic fate – and you were exiled? Your sons acted like your crown had lice! "Uncle Creon,you be king! We'll just live in the palace eatingev’rything." But! Their take on things didn't take inAlecto –
OEDIPUSAlecto?
ISMENE– the most famous and furious fury, who gnawed at themtil they too furiously craved the fame of being king. So! Polynices butchered his way to the throne –
ANTIGONENo!
ISMENE– so of course his dear little brother –
OEDIPUSEteocles!
ISMENE– blood-bonded with Creon and spurted Poly from the openwound of our festering country!
OEDIPUSAnd now?
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ISMENEThe god Rumor says it is more than a rumor that Poly has gathered armies from Argos.
MINISTERSMeaning?
ANTIGONEHe’s planning to be a hero of heroes –
OEDIPUS– in a war of wars –
ISMENE– against our land of lands! Sing with me, dear family– our country’s anthem!
ISMENE, ANTIGONE & OEDIPUSGLITTERING THEBES OF HARP AND SMILE!OLYMPUS IN A LOCKET ON THE NECK OF THE NILE.
ISMENEWell, now it’s: defecating Ares, the stinking god of war– squatting over our land as our noble brothers cuptheir hands below. Aidos!
MINISTERSAIDOS?
ISMENEGODDESS THAT THE GOOD FOLK WITH GOOD LUCK FEEL FOR THE POOR FOLK FACING BAD –
MINISTERSAIDOS!
ISMENETHANK YOU FOR BEARING GOOD NEWS OF MY FATHER TO THE PRIESTS OF APOLLO THAT BEARS ON THIS WAR!
(MUSIC continues as:)
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DTR & ANTWho? What? Good news ofour/yourfather? From thepriests ofApollo
FATHER &SONWhat goodnews fromthe priestsof Apollo
MTHR & OEDWho? Goodnews (ofOedipus/about me)?From thepriests ofApollo
ISMENEThank youfor bearinggood news ofmy father tothe priestsof Apollo
ALLthat bears on this war?/!
(MUSIC ends)
FATHERYour words and your gods breed incestuously, child!
SONWhat news do you have? Speak plainly!
ISMENEThe famous Delphi oracle, plainly not known for itsplainspeaking ways –
ANTIGONEIsmene! How much wine did you have on your horse?
ISMENEThe journey was endless.
ANTIGONEOur patience is not!
ISMENEThe oracle said – I was just going to tell you – theoracle said – you're always so rude – it said: "Whoevertakes in Oedipus, just as he is, will survive ev'rywar."
MINISTERS“IF YOU TAKE IN ALL OF OEDIPUSYOU’LL SURVIVE EV’RY WAR.”
ANTIGONE(to OEDIPUS) To survive his war with Poly, Creon’llcome to get you. How will he find you? (turns toISMENE) By following babbling brook here.
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ISMENEFather, she's calling me things I am not!
OEDIPUS(to the MINISTERS) Creon – this now is a real threat.
ISMENEPolynices is too! He knows the prophecy!
OEDIPUSHow?
ISMENEFrom his allies. They call themselves "Soldiers of theOracle."
OEDIPUSWhy “Soldiers”?
ISMENEThey use Delphi scriptures to avoid the problems logicgives them in justifying slaughter.
ANTIGONESo here comes Poly again, with his clouded eyes and scarof a smile.
ISMENE(to OEDIPUS) Creon or Polynices – who will you choose?
OEDIPUSNeither, Ismene. The Oracle promises a blessing tothose who take me in. Everyone here has extended peaceto me. My gratitude extends that blessing beyond meinto this place.
ISMENEThen Thebes will be cursed.
OEDIPUSThe war will eat the same raw meal, no matter how mybones would dish out the portions. My sons and Creonare worms on hooks and we are fish! This ocean hasbetter things to taste.
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FATHERStill, Oedipus, you have not made full peace withyourself.
SONThat remaining conflict is our most imminent threat.
MOTHERWe have a cleansing ritual for you that –
OEDIPUSI am defiled, not cleansed if I do what I don't need orwant! What mud do you people see clogging my spirit?
FATHER & SONA slough of resistance.
DAUGHTERHurry down the hill to the spring, take fleece from thelambs, wrap it on a cup, fill it with water and sage,then put three drops on each leaf of nine olive sprigs!
OEDIPUSHow in the name of what clayheaded god do you think ablind man who barely has strength to sit can race down ahill, chase after sheep, and aim drops of water atfoliage!?
ANTIGONEIn ritual–doing, Ismene far exceeds us in rankness.
ISMENEIt’s true. Much as I shy from bringing attention tomyself. I did win third prize in last year’s VestalVirgin Contest (doing a Nubian prostration) with thishumble Nubian prostration.
FATHERHumility one can be proud of!
DAUGHTERFather! She's a polytheist!
OEDIPUSBut sincere as sunlight!
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ISMENEHill, spring, fleece, cup, water, sage, olive – then?
DAUGHTERSing: "GOD OF GODS."
ISMENEGOD OF GODS? ZEUS, YOU MEAN? THOUGH SOME SAY THE FATES RULE THE EMPYREAN.DIONYSUS! NO! DEMETER! OH! YOU MEAN HEAVEN AND EARTH WHO GAVE BIRTH TO THE GODS!
FATHER & SONOUR GOD IS HOW YOU ARE HONEST.
ISMENE HONESTLY? I LIKE THIS! WHAT NAME?
MOTHERA MILLION NAMES.
ISMENENAME ONE.
FATHER & SONATTENTION-GIVER.
ISMENEATTENTION TO ME? OR ATTENTION I GIVE?
MINISTERSATTENTION I GET OR ATTENTION I GIVE ...
DAUGHTERASK THE ATTENTIVE ATTENDANT BY THE RIVER.
ISMENEHOW YOU TALK! HOW YOU SING!FATHER! SISTER! I'LL BE BY THE SPRING! (running off:)I'll miss you!
OEDIPUSStronger than ritual – bring your King here with hisbody-guarding force!
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FATHERThe majesty you seek and usurpers you fear all liewithin you.
OEDIPUS(with mounting fury) Now is no time to play out-is-in! One day, maybe, we'll open meekly enough to fill withthe Almighty and fear no more those who live by might. But since that time has not yet come–
MOTHER & SONIf it doesn't come now, it never will.
DAUGHTERWhere does your great anger snake its roots!?
OEDIPUSIn your blind stupidity!
MINISTERS (spoken)WHY DID YOU STUPIDLY BLIND YOURSELF?
OEDIPUSWho doesn't!!
(pause)
ANTIGONEFather! Your fury must die before you do or who knowswhat beast will haunt any dream skills you have thatsurvive.
MOTHER(to OEDIPUS) Kill clutter. Distill your story.
OEDIPUSMy song is a dirge, sung by a clown, an absurd plague ofcoincidence!
I came to Thebes as a cold young man, and met a womanwith a smile so warm, such a way with words, I wanted totell her ev'rything. No wine was better than how wetalked. So often would one of us say what the other wasthinking, there was no chance of hiding our love.
She was a tent that smelled of incense. Her philosophy:truth is a fruit picked when it's ripe. My only desire
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was to treat her more royally each day. We were kingand queen of Thebes – and then came the plague.
Rosy sores on lily skin. Children piled like logs inthe street. Wailing parents, dead-eyed lovers, andhelpless king and queen, trying to reason why theirworld had ripened so far beyond reason. Then wediscovered my wife was my mother. She kills herself, Ipoke out my eyes with her brooch, and the plague ends. Time stopped being time, and swallowed me.
Next thing I knew: a cool hand here (his forehead):Antigone. Then pain-shot lightning: insights. Myplunge into darkness, and Jocasta's, wasn't what endedthe plague. Ending our infection of the natural law –that's what stopped its reflection in our realm. Mytragic fault was blinding myself, bequeathing darknessto my nation. There lies the guilt I have to purgehere, not in my blindness to who my parents were.
SONYou killed your father and married your mother!
OEDIPUSAs my sweet-talking mother, I mean wife once said: "It'sonly something ev'ry boy dreams of."
FATHERSo Antigone and Ismene are your daughters, and also –
OEDIPUSAll people are always more than any people say they are!
FATHER & SONAlso your sisters!
MOTHERThis reeks – this blood-tie! Family life – it’sdomestic! This wildness –
DAUGHTERMy father as my brother – I can't – it's too –
ANTIGONEHe’s my world!
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DAUGHTERThey save me from the world.
ANTIGONE & DAUGHTER: FAMILY!THE REST (OED, FR-SON-MTHR:)WHERE WE’RE FROM.WOMEN: RARE UNDERSTANDINGALL: BUT A TOO COMMON TONGUEMEN: PEOPLE YOU'D DIE FORALL: WHO MAKE YOU CRYWOMEN: PEOPLE YOU TIRE OFALL: WHO DRIVE YOU MAD!ANTIGONE: WHO KNOW YOU TOO WELLDAUGHTER: BUT DON'T KNOW YOU AT ALL.REST: TOO MUCH LIKE YOU:ALL: WHY DON'T THEY IMPROVE?
FAMILY!THE HEART OF ME.THE STALEST, PALEST PART OF ME.
REST: MORE THAN FRIENDSANTIGONE & DAUGHTER: LESS THAN FRIENDSALL: TINIEST COSMOS OF WONDER AND PAIN
HUNGER AND GAIN, LOVE AND THE INANE.(a capella) FAMILY. YOU AND ME. HUMANITY.STEALING, SHARING, KILLING, CARING: FAM'LY!
MOTHER & FATHER: STARTED BY TWO, UNRELATEDUSUALLY,
DTR. & SON: (to OEDIPUS & ANTIGONE) BUT NOT YOUMINISTERS: AND YOUR FAMILY. FAMILY. FAMILYFAMILYFAMILY
FAM'LY FAM'LY FAM'LY FAM'LY FAM'LY FAM'LYFAM'LYOUR FAM'LY VALUES
OEDIPUS & ANTIGONE: LOYALTY, HONESTY?MINISTERS: OUR FOULLY VAMUES –
OEDIPUS & ANTIGONE: ACCEPTANCE, ASSISTANCE?
MINISTERSOUR FUMELY VALLEES ARENOT YOURS!FAMILYFAMILYFAMILY!
OEDIPUS & ANTIGONEOUR FAMILY VALUES ARE YOURS!FAMILY VALUES! FAMILYVALUES!
FATHER & SONThe law is clear.
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MOTHER & DAUGHTERYou have to go.
OEDIPUSIf I have to go, who can stay?! In everyone's pastthere are stories harder than a blade in the chest toforgive. God of breath! (Inhales deeply) I smell akingly air!
(THESEUS enters.)Theseus! It’s about time! We need a ruler here, not aslew of laws!
THESEUSOedipus. I say your name and my heart starts pounding. There’s a spell your story casts. Somehow it makes mefeel I’ve just escaped an odious family function. Idon’t know why. Just me I suppose.
I too was the death of my father. Told him, “I’ll comehome with a white sail if I’m alive.” Came home withthe black, forgot to change it – dreaming of my mother,I swear, handing me a new-washed robe. Making my fatherAegeus, high on his lookout hill, fly like a woundedgull into the sea below that now bears his name.
OEDIPUSThe good Aegean.
THESEUSA sea of sorrow. God, the grief we carry. And I'm alsoa king whose people are plagued by a wrong I did withoutknowing.
OEDIPUSPeace to your heart, good King. Who knows why your landwent dry? Maybe just so some long-suff'ring fool cancome here and get rained on some more.
THESEUSMay that seed be planted in our most fertile nature.
OEDIPUSTheseus – I'd embrace you, but – waves of revulsion atover-ripe actions this body remembers –
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THESEUSI welcome you here.
(THESEUS embraces OEDIPUS. Then opens his arms toward ANTIGONE)
And you, Antigone.
ANTIGONEThe waves that make me hesitate are diff'rent from his.
THESEUSI embrace you, then, invisibly. (silence)
OEDIPUSShe thanks you, I’m sure, silently.
THESEUS(to ANTIGONE) It is our belief that what most makes uswho we are is what we pay attention to. Your face makesthat view most welcome.
OEDIPUSFully welcome at last! Forgiven sufficiently! Theseus,my monstrous sons and brother-in-law are coming! Theywill tie me to a board as a talisman for troops. Andworse! Worse!
ANTIGONEMurder in this holy place, splattering war on Athens!
THESEUSThebes won't fight us – we’re their biggest market. Troops won’t attack their paysource! That’s (HOW THINGSARE)
OEDIPUSHOW THINGS AREAND HOW THEY HAVE BEEN ARE NOT HOW THEY WILL BE!
THESEUSYES, THEY WILL IN HEALTHY TRADE!
OEDIPUSEVEN THE BEST HEALTH ONE DAY VEERS SHARPLY TO DEATH.
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THESEUSBETWEEN OUR COUNTRIES, THE CLIMATE'S CONSTANT.
OEDIPUSRAIN DOESN'T ALWAYS COME, DOES IT, AS OFTEN
THESEUSMAYBE RAIN DOESN’T –
OEDIPUSAS ALWAYS.
THESEUSBUT GOOD NEIGHBORS DO.
OEDIPUSFRIENDS COMMONLY STOP –
THESEUS & FATHER... COMMONLY STOP?
OEDIPUSTALKING TO YOU.
DAUGHTER & SONTHEY DO?
FATHER & MOTHERTHEY DO. EVEN GOOD FRIENDS, TOO.
MINISTERS & OEDIPUS & ANTIGONE (to DAUGHTER) ONE DAY THEY STOP TALKING TO YOU.
OEDIPUSAND A ONCE-FRIENDLY CITY PREPARES TO ATTACK.
(spoken as music continues:) You think now the sky between Athens and Thebes has nocloud the color of shield and sword?
(Distant thunder. All look up and see whatmight be darkening clouds on the horizon.)
Antigone! Lead me away! I infect even the place offorgiveness!
THESEUSRemain!
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(OEDIPUS screams in agony.)
ANTIGONEFather!
(OEDIPUS screams again in long agony, and isreseated.)
THESEUSFRIEND, CAN YOU SPEAK?
OEDIPUSIF I SAY NO – ?
THESEUSI THINK I'D HAVE A PROBLEM BELIEVING YOU.
OEDIPUS & THESEUSTHIS FRIENDSHIP HAS A CHANCE TO LAST TILL DEATH DO US PART. MAYBE EVEN LONGER AS A SMILE IN MY HEART.
OEDIPUSFriend, the source of all movement commands me: "Gonowhere!” I must try with all my might to obey.
THESEUSI see my people in you: a good man in distress. Allpower I have to help you is yours, God help me.
OEDIPUSAll I can do to help you is die.
(Murmurs of dissent from MINISTERS, silencedby a rumble of thunder.)
THESEUSWe do need rain.
MOTHER & SONIt will or will not rain no matter where he dies.
FATHER & DAUGHTERBut war is something we still can prevent.
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THESEUSAND ALL THAT WE DO SHOULD HAVE THAT INTENT, A NEAR-MAD RESPONSIVENESS THAT SPARKS MORE INT'REST THAN CONFLICT. MILITANT MEN WILL CONFRONT YOU. CATCH FIRE FROM THE SPARKS IN THEIR FLINTY EYES. YOUR REFLECTIVE SURPRISE IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO SURVIVE!THAT'S WHERE WAR IS REWORDEDAND IF WAR IS NOT REWORDED, WAR IS NOT AVERTED. EQUALIZE THE SAME WAY YOU WINTHE CONSTANT WAR YOU FIND WITHIN.
MINISTERSEQUALIZE BY HOW WE WINTHE CONSTANT WAR WE FIND WITHIN.
THESEUSTHESE WARRIORS THAT COME NOWI SWEAR TO YOU WITH ALL THEIR FIERCENESS: NONE HAS MORE POWER TO TAKE YOUR LIFETHAN SOME SERPENTINE DISPIRITER SNARLED IN YOUR CONSCIOUSNESS.SPY THAT VIPER, MILK ITS VENOM, PAINT YOUR ARROW TIPS AND STAND LIKE ARCHERS AROUND THIS MAN. (meaningOEDIPUS) HE'S THE KING OF THIS DREAM. (MIN: WHY?)DYING IS SACRED. (MIN: WHY?) IT ASKS THE WARRIOR QUESTION: (MIN: WHICH IS?)WHAT ARE WE LIVING FOR? (MIN: WHAT ARE WE LIVING FOR? continuing:)WE'RE ALL IN THE MIDDLE OF A WITHERING ASSAULT ON THE PASSION WE KNOW WE WERE BORN TO PURSUE – ALL THE WHILE SEARCHING FOR WHICH WAY TO FACE SO THE RAY THAT GIVES LIFE KEEPS LIGHTING OUR EYES THROUGH DEATH.
WE NEED HIS BLESSING. IT'S OUR OWN LIFE WE'RE SAVING BY HELPING HIM SLING HIMSELF INTO A JOURNEY THAT'S FASTER THAN LIGHT!
MINISTERSUNTIL THEN?
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THESEUSUNTIL THEN, WE MOVE WITH GRAVITY. EACH OF YOU TO SET FREETHE TRUTH OF YOUR WRATH; AND I TO MY DEMOCRACYFOR THE FREE VOTE OF ALL ATHENSTO GRANT THIS MAN (gestures to OEDIPUS) SANCTUARYAND TO MAKE A LAW TO HOLD AS SACRED THE INDIVIDUAL PATH. (with MINISTERS:) TO GUARD WITH OUR LIFEAND HOLD AS SACRED THE INDIVIDUAL PATH!
(THESEUS exits)
MINISTERS (spoken in unison to the audience:)
Like Oedipus each of youcame here from a world of troubles to the center seat in the Theater of Where You Are.You rest there in harmless pausea state we might wish on the world. You've decided to stay and have blessing to do so.
So then ...what now?
(sung:)SECURE IN THE CENTER OF LIFE AS WE KNOW ITWE'VE READIED OUR NATURE TO TAKE IN WHAT SHOWS UP.ROUGHLY PREPARED FOR WHAT CAN'T BE PREPARED FOR,NOT REALLY SCARED THOUGH WE'RE TOLD THAT BEFORE LONGSOME TERROR WILL RAM US HEAD ON. HERE COMES THE WORLDHERE COMES THE WORLDHERE COMES THE SUFF'RING THEY SAYIS THE PRICE THAT YOU PAY FOR THE WISDOM YOU GAIN IN TIME,HERE COMES THE OCCASION I'M MEANT TO RISE TO;HERE COMES THE ACCIDENT, THE INCIDENT, THE SAD EVENT;THE VIOLENT PAIN; THE SOLDIERS, THE DOCTORS –HERE COMES THE WORLD!HERE COMES THE WORLD!WE'RE IN OUR OWN WORLD.WE STRUGGLE HARDLEARNING TO STOP THE WHIRLING WAR INSIDE
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SO WE CAN BE CLEAR:HERE COMES THE WORLD.HERE COMES THE FEAR.HERE COMES THE MIRROR.HERE COMES WHAT'S HERE.
(CREON and his GUARD have arrived.)
CREONNo love between us.
OEDIPUSYou’re part of me. My heart has a numb spot where youreign.
CREONI interest you.
OEDIPUSI make you smile.
CREONBrother-in-law, or nephew-in-law, whatever law or un-lawyou are –
OEDIPUSYou're more tired than I am.
CREONI do more than sit.
OEDIPUSI do less than oppress.
CREONI need your guidance! Thebes has turned into a sinkholewithout us! Like it or not, the time of Oedipus comesround again. Ride back with me and we can hack out howto get another gold age going.
OEDIPUSWhy ask advice from someone you threw out like brokenpottery?
CREONEveryone knows you’ve grown, wisdom-wise. Songs aboutyou ev'rywhere.
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OEDIPUSThey must be awful.
CREONActually – I mean, I'm no musician, but – this one tunekeeps going through my head when I wash:
POOR WAND'RING MAN SOMETHING SOMETHING WISE. HE ONCE WAS KING BUT NOW HE HAS NO EYES. HE ONCE WAS KING BUT NOW HE HAS NO EYES,
POOR WAND'RING WISE MAN SOMETHING SOMETHING ... something –
(waves the wine sack under Oedipus's nose) Thirsty?
OEDIPUSI never drink on the throne.
CREONSee, that’s wise! I remember getting really drunk once,trampling guards with my horse. A lot of people withmoney though, thought it made me more human. (takes along quaff) God, being king. Such a stupid job. Wearing fifty masks a day, breaking your brain trying tofigure out out how to phrase things so throngs’ll coughup all they can to friends of mine who only like me forthe cough-ups. (drinks another long quaff)
OEDIPUSYou call that ruling? Backclapping the few, at theexpense of the many?
CREONIn the real light of day, my friend, something you’vemaybe forgotten, that’s how the strongest kingdom getsthe strength it needs to help the most!
FATHERIn the real light of day, that's how a kingdom dines onits own heart!
CREON... (to OEDIPUS) Is this what you want? Sitting aroundwith hypocrites who live by a stream in a land ofdrought? Who mistake their airy criticism for howthings are on earth?
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ANTIGONEWe were walking this earth on foot while you were on ahorse trampling guards!
CREONNiece! You speak!
ANTIGONEAnd Delphi spoke to me.
CREONOf what?
ANTIGONEYour son.
CREONHow much I love him?
ANTIGONEHow he and I will marry.
CREONHow I give him a sword to kill you with?
ANTIGONESo goes the prophecy.
CREONIt does?
ANTIGONEPure silver, the color of his soul–
CREONI wasn’t serious.
ANTIGONE– which pierces and chases me into the moonlit forest.
CREONWait! (HE can't break from her trembling clutch)
ANTIGONEHe runs himself through to run after me.
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CREONYou’re making this up!
ANTIGONEBefore your widening eyes his life bleeds from yoursinto mine, and trembling as we are here you remember myface now as truth. (Staring pause. CREON breaks away. Silence.)
OEDIPUSI hear twitching. Your slug antennae?
CREONLet’s be honest. Delphi is idiocy. Double talk. Butpeople like believing more than thinking so we have touse it. I swear on the grave of your mother, we’ll useDelphi to help our people despite themselves. Already Ihave men in place at the oracle to heat up the rhetoric. Fiery Godtalk! To scare fat Thebes off its pillows! Enough of “Peace. Dignity.” Frenzy with Dionysus! Fountains of holy blood! Get ‘em addicted to dictionlike that and they’ll fight wherever you point!
OEDIPUSYou have the imagination of a hyena. The god youworship is the smell of blood.
CREONSee the light, man! Never a war without god!
OEDIPUSOr a lie without language.
CREONEnough. Delphi's the language today, and you are itsmost recent war cry.
OEDIPUSGrab me, Creon, you grab Theseus.
CREONHap'ly there are more pleasurable things around to grab.
OEDIPUSIsmene!
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CREONAnd – (gestures for GUARD to take ANTIGONE)
ANTIGONE
Father!
OEDIPUSWhat is happening?
ANTIGONEHe's dragging me away!
(GUARD and ANTIGONE are gone.)
OEDIPUSAntigone!!
CREONSave your voice.
OEDIPUSWhat do I have left but my voice? If I don't speak, I'mdead already!
CREONWhat would kill you is never seeing your daughtersagain. Come to Thebes with us.
OEDIPUSI would die on the way, Creon. Look at me. I'm hardlyhere any more. Bring back my daughters, and I promise –my corpse will be very quiet!
DAUGHTEROur king will be here soon!
CREONNot soon. He has so many votes to get first from peoplewhose opinions don’t matter. (gasps) Apollo theCompassionate in my ear: "Cripple this man and drag himwith you as if you were me!" Yes, Lord!
(HE raises his staff and goes for OEDIPUS. THE MINISTERS get between them.)
MINISTERS: GOD –
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CREON (drunkenly amused): Yes?MINISTERS: HELP!CREON: How?MINISTERS: HELP US FEEL YOU WILL HELP!CREON: I promise! MINISTERS: HELP US FEEL THAT SO STRONGLY
THAT WE WILL ACT AS IF YOU'VE HELPED US ALREADY.
CREON: That'll help how?MINISTERS: THE STRENGTH OF OUR ACTING YOUR PROMISE
INSPIRESCREON: "Strength"! HA!MINISTERS: WILL PROMPT YOU TO GIVE US A HAND – CREON: I'll give you a hand!MINISTERS: WHICH IS ALL THAT ANYONE ACTING FOR YOU
DESIRES.CREON: (mock applauding) – for your delusion!MINISTERS: (kneeling, praying)
THANK YOU, GOD – YOU SAVED US IN TIME! CREON: NOW WHAT'RE YOU DOING?MINISTERS: WHAT A RELIEF! CREON: YOU'RE ACTING ON THE BLIND BELIEF
THAT THE MORE YOU ACT AS IF YOUR WISH IS FACTTHE MORE YOU HELP IT COME TO THAT?!
MINISTERS: WHEW! I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER! CREON: (laughing, raising his staff)
HAH, TELL THAT TO YOUR BONESETTER!MINISTERS: I WAS REALLY SCARED.CREON: (to FATHER) YOU ALMOST AMUSE ME TOO MUCH TO
BREAK YOUR LEG – MINISTERS: AHH! THANK YOU, GOD! CREON: BUT I THINK I CAN STILL TAKE A WHACK AT IT!
(readies to strike FATHER; THESEUS enters.)THESEUS: PEACE!CREON: (turning toward THESEUS) Peace?
(FATHER grabs CREON's staff away, tosses itto THESEUS)
MINISTERS, OEDIPUS & THESEUSPEACE!
CREONWho's this merchant?
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THESEUSWhere is Antigone?
OEDIPUSHis soldiers have taken my daughters!
THESEUS(to DAUGHTER & SON)
My guards in the temple – post them to the river!(DAUGHTER & SON exit.)
OEDIPUSThank you, Theseus.
CREONTheseus! Of course! The democracy man! King of "Letthem do it!" Nice robes. (drinking) Nice war, too,you're starting. Legend'ry. You've made my life.
THESEUSThe only war I see from here is your struggle to staycalm. I'm on your side for that.
CREONMake no mistake, Athens: the price of those peahens isone monstrous butcher called Thebes.
THESEUSAs if you’re Thebes. The real king of Thebes – we allknow this – is its market. I love my meals with yourmerchants. I report your actions to them, and yoursoldiers – just like that (claps hands) – will be broke.
CREON Your small talk with merchants has small effect. It’sthe big stories bankers hear that (claps hands) changegeography. You haven’t heard the news? Two Delphiprophets, just this morning – dismissed. The charge? Basically, favoring ashes over fire. Two of my bastardstake their place, making a quorum of Creon concerns. Woooo – I see the future! The oracle speaks: "Theseusand Athens are thugs against Thebes, befouled by incestand patricide!"
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OEDIPUSNo patricide! A stranger attacks you with sword drawn,do you raise your hand and shout, "Wait! First – areyou my father"?!
CREONFight a man, your souls rut. Kill him, and you’repregnant with his ghost. You knew your father all theway, brother. As you also knew your mother – don'ttell me her taste was not familiar!
OEDIPUSI did not know she was my mother! She did not know Iwas her son! Hissing about your sister like that:"Incessst! Incessst!"
CREONThat strange excitement when she smoothed your robeagainst your thigh the first time? Mmm, feelsforbidden, makes you want it more! Being a bad boy’s sogood, right? Means you don’t have to be a man!
OEDIPUSYour reverie only betrays a hunger for your mother kinto mine.
CREONBut I didn't make my daughters into sisters, did I?
OEDIPUSWhere are they?!
CREONOn their way to serve their country, as you taught themto do from birth! Whatever our differences, Oedipus,our honor is bound up with Thebes! There are realpeople there who need our help, who will give back twicewhat we give them. Unlike these human clouds(indicating MINISTERS & THESEUS) with nothing for theirland!
THESEUSYou cockroach. You're like so many so-called leadersthese days – you open your mouth and out come theflowers and flies. Words are meant to help, not fool! Problems get uglier the prettier you paint them!
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DAUGHTER(entering with SON) We've stopped his troops by theriver.
(as THESEUS and CREON exit:)
THESEUS(to OEDIPUS) We'll get your daughters.
CREON(to OEDIPUS) Never! I'll be back for your bones!
OEDIPUSFRIENDS!WE KNOW WE NOW ARE SAFE THESE VERY FEW SECONDS HERE SURROUNDED BY A VIOLENT AGONIZED WORLD WHERE ALL OUR FAMILY SUFFERS OUTSIDE OF OUR REACH.WHAT CAN WE DO IF WE TRULY ARE ONE –
MINISTERSWE TRULY ARE ONE.
OEDIPUSTO SEND THEM –
MINISTERSSEND THEM?
OEDIPUSOUR SAFETY
OEDIPUS & MINISTERSRIGHT NOW?
(OEDIPUS silently prays with all his heart,as the MINISTERS sing:)
MINISTERSRISE, GOD – YOUR PART OF US CRYING: "JUSTICE BE DONE!" MURDER IN USWHATEVER DESPAIRS OF A FAIR SHARE FOR EV'RYONE!
MOTHERCALM EVERY
FATHER & SONTURN DOWN EV'RYSTATE OF
DAUGHTER CALM EV'RY
NATION DOWN HATE TO CREATION'S SOUND
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MINISTERSAROUND YOU.INSPIRE US WITH OPTIONS TO WAR ALL APPROVE!AND MAY THERE BE AN ENDING TO WAR! PANIC IN OUR STREETS NO MORE!
(as ANTIGONE & ISMENE reunite with OEDIPUS:)
HAPPY THE NATION FOR WHOM THIS IS TRUE.HAPPY THE NATION WHOSE GOD IS REALLY YOU,TURN EV’RY BURNING HATE INTO FIRE FOR WHAT’S FOUND AROUND YOUREALLY YOU.
(THESEUS enters, all wet.)
THESEUSI fell off my horse as we crossed the river. There wasthis huge bug – unbelievably persistent! And so elusive– I believe it was a god. I swatted and flailed and –(gesture) into the drink. Creon’s troops thought thiswas funny. But when I climbed back up my royal steedand fell off the other side – they were mine. Writhingon the ground, howling. I could still hear theirhelpless moans and dying gasps as I traded Creon forIsmene, who was sober but smelled of wine; and you (toANTIGONE), drunk only on gratitude, tasting of grapesand salt.
ANTIGONEI'll thank you again.
OEDIPUSNo! Don't slacken your hold on me yet, neither of you! Spirit of union and reunion! This is the best time todie! Inhale me now! Ah, God ....
ISMENE(afraid HE's dead) Father!
ANTIGONE(knowing HE's alive) Oedipus.
OEDIPUS... Still here? Heaven, stay with us then.
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MINISTERS & THESEUSTHE WIND IS STRONGTHE SEASONS FLYSOMETHING WRONG ALWAYS NEARBY.
NOW IS THE TIME,IT'S ALL NOW.STAY HERE, STAY – OR LEARN HOW.GOOD FOR NOWHOW LONG CAN IT LAST?DON'T TRUST THE FUTURE,WATCH OUT FOR THE PAST.
ANTIGONEPolynices has come.
OEDIPUSPolynices! That name is like ice in my ear!
ANTIGONEI haven't seen him for as long as you haven't seen!
ISMENEWhat do you think you’ve missed?!
OEDIPUSI cannot speak with him!
THESEUSHis voice is not a sword – it can pass through youwithout spilling blood.
ANTIGONEAgree with agreeable Theseus, father. Perhaps he's cometo repent.
OEDIPUS & ISMENEPolynices has not come to repent!
THESEUSHe was kneeling in the temple, humbly requestingaudience with you.
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DAUGHTERWhat is he like?
ISMENEA statue! Pus!
OEDIPUSHe stabbed the heart of my life! I will not let himkill my death!
THESEUSOedipus, hate makes the hated too much with us. Will hebe your dying thought? Anger will not stop him hauntingyou.
OEDIPUSI know that!
MOTHERIt's rare to find a father and son at ease with eachother.
FATHEREven more rarely is this the fault of the son.
ANTIGONEFather, you are my day, but Poly is my night. When Ishut my eyes to sleep, it's his face that rises in myblindness, smiling to see me. There’s a curl on hisforehead, down on his lip, gold flecks in his iris!
ISMENESister, your dreams are homesick. He's nothing now, hiseyes are cold, dead!
ANTIGONEMy tears for him are warm! When he looks on someone wholoves him his eyes will find life! Hear him, father –brother! If for no other reason than he's my brother,too! I have to see him. And so do you.
(OEDIPUS finally nods in consent.)
THESEUSI will send him here. (exits)
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MINISTERSOUR FRIENDS AND OUR FAMILY END LIKE A DREAM.WE WAKE ON OUR DEATHBED, CRYING,WHERE WE MOST LIVE:WHO THAT WE LOVE HAVE WE HARMED?WHO ARE WE DYING TO FORGIVE?
(Enter POLYNICES.)
ANTIGONEPoly!
(He gives Oedipus the onceover.)
POLYNICES(aside to ANTIGONE) Sad. Age is no friend. Life is notmeant for the old. My own problems compound ev'rysecond, but at least I have muscled youth, dark hair –eyes. And some comfort from food and clothes thataren't repellant. But him – besides hope of losing hismemory – what else does that sickening body have?
ANTIGONEExtra-acute hearing.
POLYNICES... Father? I apologize – from alpha to omega – for notprotesting more when they exiled you. What can I say –the blindness of youth! But who understands that betterthan you? I know now how you care for me – always have,always will. To know you forgive me makes me so happy! Thank you! ... Could anything be more wonderful, father,than being together again?
(Silence.)Has he gouged out his tongue as well?
ANTIGONEWill you be staying long?
POLYNICESFor what – silence?
ANTIGONE(furious) How long since he's heard from you?! ...Sorry, I must be hungry. You mentioned food?
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POLYNICESWith my men.
ISMENEI'll get it. Dionysus at an orgy couldn't be gladderthan I am to leave your pseudo-presence. (exits)
ANTIGONEYou see? Already you've heard Ismene's voice, and shehates the very air you breathe. Maybe in time yourfather will heal enough to speak from the heart you ranthe spear of exile through.
POLYNICESI do not have time to flatter and pet him! Let him be aman and honor the man I've become!
ANTIGONEYou're still so handsome.
POLYNICESAt least I know you'll be fair to me.
ANTIGONEGive you what you deserve? I'd never do that. To you Ican only be kind.
POLYNICESYou are the best in our family.
ANTIGONEHierarchies change every moment. You're right, you'reno longer a boy. So tell him as a man why you're here.
POLYNICESFather – I work hard. Command battalions, visit thewounded. There's need for me in the eyes of my men,which I'm told doesn't leave when I do. That need isThebes. Thebes beloved as it was under you! And waswhen the crown fell to me off your head.
Something happened, father, when I put that crown on. Ifelt my bones turn to gold. I can't say it anydiff'rently. Apollo or whatever gives meaning to stuffsent down this obvious sign that I'm the true king.
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Theseus told me you both share a faith in somethingcalled "the Unity." I did feel a unity with you when mybrother stole my crown and exiled me! I cried! Men cancry for their fathers, I believe, and also when watchingthe Olympics.
Praise Delphi for prophesying our union! It’s inspiredsix of the holiest Soldiers of the Oracle to ally withme, each with invincible scripture on his shield. Thefamous orator, Flapadopolous, whose speech on dying foryour country would work in any land! His shield reads:“Spill my word upon the world like blood from the tenderyoung sacrifice.”
And Stygios the Dark, Head of Enforcement – his shield:“Make yourselves poor that our temples may prosper.” Atruth that commands respect, no? His soldiers give himhalf their loot within an hour of rape and pillage.
High Priest Makino – his shield reads, “No one wantsyour death – except the God we serve!” A real moralebooster. He does this harlot dance with a severed head –you can’t help but laugh.
Who else. Tyrocles, our strategist. Big letters on hisshield: “Obey your leaders lest you stray unto thebeast!” No mutiny with him around – damn well knows howto siphon hope from any protest group.
And our money men. Prespis – richer than Croesus butnever acts above us. His shield: “Seek not what isnot.” So down to earth, he sleeps with a new slaveevery night. And Kacocian, the “King of Ships”! A truevisionary! His shield: “All people shall worship me.” His vision: our Theban way of life spread so far acrossthe earth, never again will it be confusing to be in aforeign country!
And who leads the leaders? Their Olympic torch! Polynices, Son of Oedipus! On my shield: “One with theFather!”
Do you see? The light you lost you can find againshining for us! Return with me now to these thrillingchampions! Be one with we seven against Thebes! Forthe glory of Delphi, the health of our homeland and,
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most of all, new life for our father-son unity!
ANTIGONE... Echoing his silence would have served you better.
FATHERYou have nothing to fear, Oedipus, not even your ownvoice.
OEDIPUSIf I speak to him, who would hear? The soldier shrunk inhis horror, or the child he is maiming? For he is both,and both are beyond the reach of utterance. Look at him! Only posed as a listener, is he not? Hearing no more nowthan he did from my silence, so anxious is he to get backto his severed-head frenzy, and the great cause ofshattering jaws, hacking flesh to the bone, unimaginablegore, imagination itself whoring in hell – all to put ourThebes in the hands of a nervous, two-legged mask, whoseempty eyes don't even notice his own father dying beforehim.
Son! Do you want me to be your father again? Stay thenwith the family here in this place, and hold my hand as Idie.... But I do not think you will. You've joined thathideous family of those who claim family only when theywant help. You're buried already in your grand plan tofather your childish idea of yourself into a pantheonbust. Spectacularly hollow spectacle, a cold hole in theair. You lost the last of your majesty to the greedyrich men who made you their slave-king. King of the anthill! Oldest son of the latest ideas! I am your father,Polynices!! The first time you walked, it was toward me! I held out my arms, and you staggered over and fell intomy hands. You let them drive your father, blind andlost, into torturous hardship and wilderness! How couldyou do that and still call yourself human? Polynices! Polynices: his name will never cross my lips again. Hebroke my heart, condemned my ev’ry bone, but now I ampulling free of him at last. He is an abortion thatrefused to die! May God save the world from him and thefiends he calls friends – for I surely cannot.
POLYNICES... (to ANTIGONE) Two years planning this campaign! (ToOEDIPUS) You’re letting ancient history hold back a
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dawning age! (silence) Silence again. Criticism orsilence – the two horns of the father! Damn thisjourney! What will I tell them? We're all going to die!
ANTIGONELive, Poly. Stay and watch this man find out what lightis again. That’s your new dawn. It’s Antigone! Yourtruth teller!
POLYNICESTruth from the narrow world of caretakers. But in thewide world, sister, where history's made, truth ispolitical health; and wavering, the main disease. Whatyou decide – fair, unfair; stay, go – doesn't matter. Deciding is what gives you power. I can't change my mindnow.
ANTIGONEYou want power– (points to OEDIPUS) he's where it'sgathering! Your problem's not where you find yourself,but where you aim your eyes.
(Rumbling thunder)
OEDIPUSHelp!
MOTHERWhat do you need?
OEDIPUSMore time!
ANTIGONEYou have it.
OEDIPUSLess pride!
FATHER & SONThat takes more time.
OEDIPUS(sings:)
YOU DIE WITH EVERY MOMENT. (MINISTERS echo)YOU DIE WHEN YOU FIND HUMILITY. (MINISTERS echo)
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OEDIPUS & ANTIGONEAND YOU DIE WHEN YOU SAY GOOD-BYE
OEDIPUS & MINISTERSTO YOUR BODY.
POLYNICESAND I WILL DIE ON A BATTLEFIELD LIT BY THE MOON – I SEE IT CLEAR AS DAY.THAT'S NOT THE WIND HOWLING – IT'S ME.FATHER!I’M HEARING THE SOUND ALREADYOF THE LAST SONG I SING!I’M SCREAMING WITH BARELY A VOICE LEFTIN THE SAME PAIN I’M NOW FEELINGWONDERING WHAT I WAS BORN TO DOAND WHY I WAS BORN OF YOUMY BLOOD POURS OUT LIKE THESE UNHEARD WORDSAND ALL MY BROTHERS-IN-ARMS TURNBUT THE ONLY ONE WHO SEES MEHAS A SPEAR IN HIS EYEAND I DIE.
THIS IS SOON, FATHER.SO LET US MEET SOONIN THE RED FAM’LY ROOM IN THE AFTERPLACE.THERE INTRODUCE ME TOYOUR FATHER WHOYOU WERE FAR MEANER TOTHAN I EVER WAS TO YOU.THEN IF WE BLOODSTAIN EACH OTHERIN A GLORIOUS THREE-WAY EMBRACE.WILL WE FIND PEACE THERE, FATHER?OR STILL THE WAROF WHAT WE WEREWITH WHO WE ARE?
ANTIGONEOne more hour!
POLYNICESFate, Antigone. All of us have it.
(starts to leave; ANTIGONE tackles him.)
ANTIGONEFate's what comes at you, not something rushing your
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will to death! Right now I’m your fate! Poly! Youhaven't even kissed me. Ev'ry night you would, mother'dmake you, you'd say No! she'd say, "Yes!" and you'd hateit. Until that one night –
POLYNICESThat was once!
ANTIGONEIt was just a kiss. Not so wrong, just like this –
(kisses him)
POLYNICESWhat has he taught you? You are obscene!
ANTIGONEYou're obscene!
POLYNICESYou are!
ANTIGONEYou are! Gored flesh! Spilled blood! You love thatmore than your own flesh and blood!
POLYNICESWhen you hear of my death – say my name out loud. If Ican listen –
ANTIGONEYour death is my death!
(ISMENE returns with food.)
ISMENERushing off again, I see! May the red eyes of theFuries fill your brain, and may you and your idiotbrother stick swords in each other at the same exacttime.
(POLYNICES exits.)
(SUDDEN, TRULY STARTLING THUNDERCLAP)
OEDIPUSThat sound – in me? Or around?! (hand over heart)
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(EVEN LOUDER THUNDERCLAP!)PLEASE WASH THE DUST FROM MY FACE AND MY FEET AND MY HANDS.
(ANTIGONE & ISMENE set about washing OEDIPUS.Lightning and thunder.)
ANTIGONEIF THIS THUNDER MEANS NOTHING
NO SOUND MAKES SENSE. (thunder)BUT IF ALL THE MEN I KNOW ARE LEAVING –
WHAT SENSE IS PRESENCE?
OEDIPUSMY CHILDREN, I WILL BE DEAD
BEFORE YOU HEAR THE FIRST DROP OF RAIN LAND ON THIS HOLY GROUND.
ANTIGONE & ISMENE HOW CAN YOU KNOW THAT?
OEDIPUSMY LIFE HAS SERVED
TO TEACH ME ONE THING FOREVER: HOW TO RECOGNIZE
THE TRUTH WHEN IT APPEARS.I'M SHAKING INSIDE TO KNOW THIS,BUT I KNOW THIS SURE AS MUSIC.
(loud marching volley of thunder;enter the SPHINX:)
SPHINX
YOU CANNOT COME INTO THE KINGDOMBECAUSE YOU NEVER ROSE ABOVE THINGDOMIN YOUR DARK STUMBLINGS AS A HUMAN,IN YOUR DARK STUMBLING TO BE A TRUE MAN.
SPHINX & OFFSTAGE CHORUSYOU CANNOT COME INTO THE KINGDOMNO NO NO NOBECAUSE YOU NEVER ROSE ABOVE THINGDOMUNH-UH!IN YOUR DARK STUMBLINGS AS A HUMAN,NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVERIN YOUR DARK STUMBLING TO BE A TRUE MAN.
(repeated, whisper-sung under:)
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OEDIPUS(on all fours, like a baby:) Help! Please! Mama! Mama(still crawling, “sees” father:) Father! King! Mother– what is he – ?! (standing) Leave her alone!! ... Yes,I killed him. Bastard deserved it. Now who’s king! Have you ever seen such majesty as youth? (weakening,getting a cane) Time – time – time... “Wake up,” saysTime. The king is dead.
SPHINX(mortally threatening) No kingdom for you.
OEDIPUSBut I know a king!
SPHINXNo kingdom of light.
OEDIPUSI know a king in darkness!
(Thunder and sudden darkness.)
OEDIPUS’s VOICETheseus!
(Lightning reveals in a flash THESEUSentering, somewhat electrified.)
THESEUSOedipus!
(Darkness and rumbling thunder. The cover ofdarkness in this scene will give the audiencea sense of the dark waking life of OEDIPUS.
OEDIPUS is in a dream state, not on the rock,but the others address his body still there.)
OEDIPUSAre we sleeping?
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THESEUS(lit by intermittent lightning flashes) I was, just now. The length of this day conspired with the length of mylife, and I closed my eyes under a tree, and saw as youdo: bright sounds in the dark. Then –
(lightning and thunder) – lightning split the tree. My hair stood up like afield of little arms beseeching the sky.
ANTIGONEIt's not all down yet! (lightning reveals her smoothinghis hair down)
OEDIPUSWho gives you orders!? (silence) Who gives the kingorders!!?
THESEUSAll I have is the power of reason given me at birth.
OEDIPUSWho gave it to you?! Where is that vaunted giver! Ineed him now!!
(LOUDEST THUNDER YET, THE SPHINX POUNDING AHUGE DRUM CRAZILY. STILL DARKNESS LIT BYLIGHTNING.)
MINISTERSTOO MUCH THUNDER!THE CRACKING HEAVENS WILL BREAK THE EARTHWE WILL DIE!WE WILL ALL DIE!THE END IS HERE, THE END OF THE WORLD! THE END IS HERE, THE END OF THE WORLD!
SPHINX(seen only by OEDIPUS:) My riddle has evolved! Solve itor be swallowed!
(LOUDEST THUNDER YET)
OEDIPUS(back on the rock)
Why is there still so much shit all around me!?
ISMENE
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He's not himself any more!
OEDIPUSWhat sphincter is trying to expel me from life!?
(DREAMLIGHT dawns again. The caretakers mimeactions of those on a deathwatch when thedying person drifts into sleep. They sharewater, massage, look at him sleeping.
OEDIPUS is in two worlds, the visible andinvisible – it’s hard to tell which iswhich.)
SPHINXWHAT IS BIGGER THAN A COUNTRY, HAS MORE TERROR THAN WAR AND CAN'T BE PRECISELY LOCATED?
OEDIPUSBIGGER THAN A COUNTRY,MORE TERROR THAN WARAND CAN'T BE PRECISELY LOCATED....
SPHINXYou have three counts. Morning!
OEDIPUSPlease, Reason! Where have you gone?
THESEUSWhere have you gone, King Oedipus?
SPHINXNoon!
(LOUDEST THUNDER YET)
MINISTERS (comfort for OEDIPUS)Peace, Oedipus – How can inspiration leave the daywhich God makes up as we go along?
SPHINXNnnn–
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OEDIPUS(screams) NOOO!
ANTIGONEFather!
(SHE puts her hand on his forehead. HE wakesand takes her hand reverently.)
OEDIPUSAll my treasure here is in this hand.
ISMENEMy hand too!
OEDIPUSIsmene!
ISMENEThis is too hard! (moves away)
OEDIPUSOh Antigone! I gave you too hard a road!
ANTIGONEI loved our road.
OEDIPUSONLY YOUR LOVE MADE MY COMPANY GOOD. YOUR BEAUTIFUL EYES (drifts off) ...
SPHINXI smell dessert!
ANTIGONE(waking him up)
MY BEAUTIFUL EYES?
OEDIPUS– FILLED ME WITH TRUTH. YOUR COURAGE, BEYOND ANY SOLDIER'S.
IF GOD ACCEPTS MY PRAYER – MINISTERS: MAY GOD ACCEPT YOUR PRAYER.OEDIPUS: IF GOD ACCEPTS MY PRAYER
YOU'LL FEEL FOR SOMEONE, TOO,
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THE GREATNESS OF HOW MUCH I CARE FOR YOU!ANTIGONE: FATHER!OEDIPUS: DAUGHTER! SWEET LOVE!ANTIGONE: LEAVING ALREADY?OEDIPUS: I'VE LEARNED WHAT I CAME FOR:
TO ACCESS YOUR PRESENCE. ANTIGONE & OEDIPUS: I'VE LEARNED WHAT I CAME FOR:
TO ACCESS YOUR PRESENCE.
ANTIGONEI WILL MISS YOU MORE THAN YOU MISS LIGHT!WHO WILL UNDERSTAND ME AS CLEARLY, AS TRULY?WHO WILL TURN MY TALKING ENJOYABLE?WHO WILL COMFORT MEWHEN THE ONLY ONE WHO COMFORTS ME IS GONE?
ANTIGONE & OEDIPUSOUR TWO HEARTS, BREAKING INTO ONE:EMPTYING YOURS, FILLING MINE.CALL IT AWFUL, CALL IT AWESOME, HUMAN, DIVINE –ALL IT IS IS LOVE FOR YOU CRASHING NOW INTO TIME.TIME – OUR TIME.
OEDIPUS: SWEET SHORES!ANTIGONE: DEADLY SHOALS!
ANTIGONE & OEDIPUSYOU ARE MY EV'RYONE – NEVER BEEN ANYONELIKE YOU AND NEVER WILL BE.
(OEDIPUS begins breathing as if he’s inlabor.)
DAUGHTEROedipus!
ANTIGONEHis lungs are in labor.
MOTHERHe’s giving birth to a new self.
(OEDIPUS groans in labor pain.ANTIGONE calms him; HE sleeps on, moaningoccasionally. Comforting embraces andgestures among his caretakers, as:)
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F: BETTER NOT TO’VE BEEN BORN,S: OR BETTER TO’VE DIED AS A CHILDF&S: THAN TO SUFFER AS MUCH AS MOST PEOPLE DO. D: ARE YOU THESE DAYS ONE OF THE LUCKY FEW
WHOSE DAYS DO NOT GO HAND IN HAND WITHSORROW?
M: YOU DON'T LOSE HEART AT HOW MUCH WORK THERE SEEMS TO BEFOR SUCH LITTLE REWARD?
F&S: STILL, YOU KNOW, WE'RE JUST A STONE'S THROWFROM POVERTY OR AGONY OR WAR.AND WHO'S SURE OF A FAR-OFF OR EASY DEATH?YOUNG OR OLD, WE'LL LOSE CONTROL OVER BODY AND BREATH – WHAT WILL WE HAVE
LEFT?F, S &D: NO MORE WAR, AT LEAST.M: NO MORE BEING POOR,MINISTERS: AND NO MORE WISHING YOU HAD NEVER BEEN BORN.
AND SUDDENLY THOSE YOU LOVE DISAPPEARS: AND YOU ARE HERE WITHOUT THEM.
MINISTERS: OEDIPUS IS IN THE BONES OF ALL OF US.HE CALLS TO US:
OED: (revelation:) I TOO AM AN ISLAND FORMING IN THE OCEAN,CARVED ON ALL SIDES BY ENDLESS COMMOTIONOF WAVE AND WIND AND NUMBING ISOLATION!
MINISTERS: BE WARM WITH YOUR FRIENDSAS LONG AS YOU CAN,
F&S: AND IN TIMES OF DARKNESS, TELL YOURSELFLIGHTLY:THESE DAYS OF PAIN AND COMPLAININGAND STRUGGLE AND BARRENNESSMAY END UP ONE DAY THE HAPPIEST YOU CAN REMEMBER.
MINISTERS: FROM ONE END OF LIFE TO THE OTHER:
MINISTERS & SPHINXMORNING, NOON, AND – NNN–
MIN & SPH: NIGHT – OEDIPUS: NO! I KNOW THE ANSWER!
MINISTERS & SPHINXDEATH!
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OEDIPUSNO! DEATH IS NOT THE ANSWER!THOUGH IT IS BIGGER THAN ANY COUNTRYAND HAS MORE TERROR THAN WAR,DEATH CAN BE LOCATED DEEP IN THE ANSWER.
OEDIPUS & MINISTERS WHAT THEN IS MORE VAST THAN EV'RY LAST COUNTRY,WHAT HAS MORE TERROR AND HORROR THAN WAR,AND CANNOT BE PRECISELY MAPPED OR MEASURED?
OEDIPUSTHE INDIVIDUAL!EACH AND EV'RY SOUL,EACH PERSON, EV'RY HUMAN.
WHO ELSE CAN SUFFER MORE ALONEOR BE ENDLESSLY GRATEFUL FOR LOVE?
SPHINXYou are the luckiest man in the world.
OEDIPUSIf I am, who isn't?
MINISTERS: FROM ONE END OF LIFE TO THE OTHER:
MINISTERS & SPHINX (SPHINX fading away) MORNING, NOON, AND NIGHT!
F&S: DEATH IS OUR SISTER AND BROTHER!MINISTERS: DO YOU WANT MORE LIFE – F: OR LESS?MINISTERS: WHAT IS THIS YOU WANT MORE OR LESS OF?S: OR IS YOUR AMEN CONTINUOUS?
DO YOU FINALLY WANT ONLY WHAT IS COMING TOYOU?
(It starts to rain, whichcrescendos with the following:)
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OEDIPUS: (rising, dancing) I see!MINISTERS: AMEN! OEDIPUS: – through eyes that see in dreams!MINISTERS: AMEN! OEDIPUS: The stars! Our senses!MINISTERS: AMEN! OEDIPUS: Stop trembling, little lights!MINISTERS: AMEN! OEDIPUS: My spine branches to eternity!MINISTERS: AMEN! OEDIPUS: Drowning now!MINISTERS: AMEN! OEDIPUS: Ocean of light!MINISTERS: A – A – OEDIPUS: (sings:) RADIANT MOTHER!MINISTERS: – MEN!
(Blinding lightning.
BLACKOUT.
The sound of rain, fading to silence.)
END
