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CORNELL 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 LIBRARY 
 
 FROM 
 G.V. Fowler 
 
THE 
 
 ANTIGONE 
 
 OF 
 
 SOPHOCLES. 
 
 l^ASSAR College, 1893. 
 
 THE GREEK DEPARTMENT. 
 
G 
 
 
 / ■ 
 
 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 
 The translation is that of Professor 
 
 R. C. Jebb, 
 
 published by the Cambridge University 
 
 Press, and is 
 
 printed here by his kind permission. It will be found 
 
 to differ 
 
 slightly from the text in verses 
 
 no, 130,351, 
 
 614, 836 
 
 837, 969, 1 28 1, and 1344. 
 
 
 We are indebted for the use of the plates of the Greek 
 
 Text to 
 
 the courtesy of Messrs. Ginn 
 
 & Company, 
 
 Boston. 
 
 
 
THE ARGUMENT. 
 
 When Polyneices had died in single combat with his 
 brother,^reon the king issued a stern decree that no one 
 should bury the body on penalty of death. His sister 
 Antigone evades the guards and performs funeral rites for 
 her brother. Creon threatens the guards with death, if 
 they do not discover the culprit. They scrape off the dust 
 from the body and keep a careful watch. Antigone comes 
 and when she sees the body laid bare, utters a cry of grief 
 that convicts her. 
 
 The guards lead her to Creon, and he orders her to be 
 immured alive in a rocky tomb. Antigone hangs herself 
 in the tomb and Haemon, Creon's son and her betrothed, 
 in indignant grief, slays himself by her side, as the seer 
 Teiresias had predicted. Whereupon Eurydice, Creon's 
 wife, slays herself, and so at the end Creon is left mourning 
 the death of son and wife. 
 
THE 
 
 ANTIGONE OF SOPHOCLES. 
 
 TEXT AND TRANSLATION. 
 
ATiTTirONH. 
 
 To, TOW SpdiJiaTO<; irpocroiTra. 
 
 'AvTiyovrj. ^vXa^ ayyeXos. 
 
 'Icr/JLT^vrj. 'AyyeXos. 
 
 X.opos ®77j8aio)v yepovTwv. 'EvpvBiKr). 
 Kpeuiv. Mutes : 
 
 Ai/i,<ov. Two Servants of Creon. 
 
 Tetpctrtas. An Attendant of Tiresias. 
 
 Two Maids of Eurydice. 
 
 First Scene. Antigone and Ismene. 
 UpoXoyo?. 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 'fl Koivov avT(iSe\(f)oi' 'It/at^vt^s Koipa, 
 ap otcrc' OTL Zi€v? tojv an Ololttov KaKOiv 
 OTTOiov ov'^L vutv Iti ^wTtttv TeXei ; 
 ovSev yap out' dXyeivov our' arijcrLjxov 
 5 out' al(T)(poy ovr aTip.ov eaO', ottolov ov 
 Tcov crSiv re Kafjioy ovk ottcott iyco KaKav. 
 /cat vvv TL TovT av (f>acrL TravBTJjxat TrdXet 
 KTjpvyiMa Oeivai tov crTparrjyov dpTiaJS ; 
 Ixeis Tt K£l(r7]K0V(Ta? ; rj ere \av9d.ve.i 
 10 77/305 Tous ^iXous (TT€l)(oyTa TMv i^dpwv /ca/cd ; 
 
 I2MHNH. 
 
 e/u,oi jLiev ouSets p-vdo<;, 'Avnyovr], (jiCkwv 
 oup Tjous OUT aA.yeti'os i/ceT , ef otou 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 PERSONS REPRESENTED. 
 
 Antigone, ■> Sisters of Haemon, son of Creon. 
 
 ISMENE, > Polyneices. Teiresias, a blind seer. 
 
 Chorus of Theban old men. Messenger. 
 
 Creon, King of Thebes. Eurydice, wife of Creon. 
 
 Guard of body of Polyneices. Messenger from within Palace. 
 Mutes ; Boy, attendant on Teiresias ; two attendants on Creon 
 and Eurydice each. 
 
 Scene. — Before the Royal Palace in Boeotian Thebes. 
 
 First Scene. Antigone and Ismene. 
 
 Antigone. 
 Ismene, my sister, mine own dear sister, knowest 
 thou what ill there is, of all bequeathed by Oedipus, 
 that Zeus fulfils not for us twain while we live ? 
 Nothing painful is there, nothing fraught with ruin, 
 no shame, no dishonor, that I have not seen in 
 thy woes and mine. 
 
 And now what new edict is this of which they 
 tell, that our Captain hath just published to all 
 Thebes ? Knowest thou aught ? Hast thou heard ? 
 Or is it hidden from thee that our friends are threat- 
 ened with the doom of our foes ? 
 
 3 
 
SO*OKAEOYS 
 
 Svolv dSek(j)OLV icrTepijdr}fJi,eu ovo, 
 fiLa OavovTOiv rjfjiepa. oittXtj X^P'' ' 
 15 €7761 Se ^povB6<; icTTiv 'ApyeiOiV. (TTpaTO'i 
 iv vvktI tt] vvv, ovSkv oTo' vTripTepov, 
 ovT €VTV)(ovcra fLoXXov ovT a/TOifievq. 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 rjhrj KokSx;, /cai cr e/CTOs avkeioiv ttvXoji/ 
 toGS' ovveK efeTre/ATTOv, a»s ^Jiovrj kXvol'S. 
 
 I2MHNH. 
 
 20 tC B' ecTTL ; SijXois yd.p tl /caX^aivoucr' en"09. 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 ov yap Toiipov v^v ro) KacrLyvTjTO) Kpecov 
 Tov [xev 7r/30Ticras, rov 8' aTt/tacras e)(ei- ; 
 'Ereo/fXea ju.ei', ai? Xeyoucrt, criiv Blkt) 
 XpyjcrOei'; Sixata /cal v6p.(a, Kara ^^ovo5 
 
 25 eKpxj^e rois euepdev ivTifiov veKpot^ • 
 TOV S' aOXL(ji<i davovTa UoXwcCkov^ vckvv 
 aa-ToZat (fyacTLV iKKeKrjpvxOoLi to prj 
 rdcfxp KaXinfjUL /AiySe KOiKvcraC rti'a, 
 eav 8' dTa<pov, aKKavTOV, olcovoL'S yXvKvv 
 
 30 6y](Tavpov eicropcocrL npo'; X'^pvv ^opas. 
 TOMVTa (pacTL TOV dyadov Kpeovra crol 
 Ka/Aoi — Xeyoj yap Kap^e — Kripv^avT ^e.iv, 
 Kol Sevpo vaa-dat raura roicrt /u'jj etSdcrii/ 
 a-a(f)rj vpoKrjpv^ovTa, Ka\ to vpdyix' dyeiv 
 
 35 ovx ws TTttya* QvBiv, dXX' os ai/ tovtcov ti 8^a 
 <f>6vov TTpoK^Xa-dai SrjpoXevcrTov iv TroXet. 
 oiiTws ej^ei crot Tawa, koI Sei^ets ra^a 
 etr" euyei'ijs ire^u/fa? cit' icrdXwu KaK-q. 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 ISMENE. 
 
 No word of friends, Antigone, gladsome or pain- 
 ful, hath come to me, since we two sisters were be- 
 reft of brothers twain, killed in one day by a twofold 
 blow ; and since in this last night the Argive host 
 hath fled, I know no more, whether my fortune be 
 brighter, or more grievous. 
 
 An. I knew it well, and therefore sought to bring 
 thee beyond the gates of the court, that thou might- 
 est hear alone. 
 
 Is. What is it } 'Tis plain that thou art brooding 
 on some dark tidings. 
 
 An. What, hath not Creon destined our brothers, 
 the one to honoured burial, the other to unburied 
 shame ? Eteocles, they say, with due observance 
 of right and custom, he hath laid in the earth, for 
 his honour among the dead below. But the hap- 
 less corpse of Polyneices — as rumour saith, it hath 
 been published to the town that none shall entomb 
 him or mourn, but leave unwept, unsepulchred, a 
 welcome store for the birds, as they espy him, to 
 feast on at will. 
 
 Such, 'tis said, is the edict that the good Creon 
 hath set forth for thee and for me, — yes, for me, — 
 
ANTirONH. 
 
 I2MHNH. 
 
 TL 8', & Tokcu^pov, d raS' iv tovtois, iyo) 
 40 \.vov(T av ■^ '(}>dTTTOvcra TTpo(r0€L[i7]v Trkiov ; 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 et ^fji.TTovri(Te.i<i koX ^wepydcreL cr/coirei. 
 
 . I2MHNH. 
 
 TTo26v TL KivSvvevp.a ; ttoi yvoip-rfi ttot ei ; 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 ei Tov veKpov fuf T^Se /cou^ieis X^P'- 
 
 I2MHNH. 
 
 ^ yap voeis dduTeLV (r<j> , diropprjTOV ttoXcl ; 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 45 TOV yovv ipLov koI tov crov, rjv cru jut) OeXrj?, 
 dSekcpov • ov yap St] Trpooovcr dXwcro/iai. 
 
 I2MHNH. 
 
 (5 (r)(erkia, KpeovTO'^ dvTeiprjKOTO'i ; 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 dXX' ouSa/ aurw tw ' ip-Sty pH elpyetv /leVa. 
 
 I2MHNH. 
 
 o'pof <j)p6vr](rov, d) KacriyvrjT-q, vaTrjp 
 50 ft»s vwi/ a-rre^^dy]^ 8va"«Xei^s t' dTrtuXero, 
 TT/Oos avTO(f)(opa)V dptrkaKrjpdTOiv SiTrXcts 
 or//ets dpa^aq auTOS avTovpyw X^P^' 
 eireiTa p-rjT'r)p koI yvvij, BiirXovv eiro<;, 
 TtXeKTai'j-iu dpTdvaicn, XwjSarat /8iov • 
 55 TpiTov S' dSeXc^o) Svo jLiiav Ka^' rjpepav 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 and is coming hither to proclaim it clearly to those 
 who know it not ; nor counts the matter light, but, 
 who so disobeys in aught, his doom is death by 
 stoning before all the folk. Thou knowest it now ; 
 and thou wilt soon show whether thou art nobly 
 bred, or the base daughter of a noble line. 
 
 Is. Poor sister, — and if things stand thus, what 
 could I help to do or undo ? 
 
 An. Consider if thou wilt share the toil and the 
 deed. 
 
 Is. In what venture ? What can be thy meaning.? 
 
 An. Wilt thou aid this hand to lift the dead ? 
 
 Is. Thou wouldest bury him, — when 'tis for- 
 bidden to Thebes .? 
 
 An. I will do my part, — and thine, if thou wilt 
 not, — to a brother. False to him will I never be 
 found. 
 
 Is. Ah, over-bold ! when Creon hath forbidden } 
 
 An. Nay, he hath no right to keep me from 
 mine own. 
 
 Is. Ah me! think, sister, how our father 
 perished, amid hate and scorn, when sins bared 
 by his own search had moved him to strike both 
 eyes with self-blinding hand ; then the mother wife. 
 
204>OKAEOYS 
 
 avTOKTovovvTe, tS» TaXaLTTCopo), ftopov 
 KOLVov KaTeipydaavT iir aXkijXoLv ^epouv. 
 vvu 8' av [Jioua S17 vo) XeXetjU.jnei'a crKOTret 
 
 OCTO) KOLKiCTT oX-OU/AC^', Ct VOjJiOV ^to, 
 
 80 rprjcfiov Tvpdvvoiv r) Kparrj vape^cfiev. 
 dXk' evvoeiv XPV ''''^^'''o p-^v yvvca-^ otl 
 e(f)vpeu, o); Trpos d.v8pa? ov p.a)(ovp.iva • 
 eireura S' ovuck dp^6pea-9' Ik KpeKTcrovaiv, 
 KoX TavT aKoveiv Kan TStvh' aXyiova. 
 
 65 eyw pev ovv alrovcra rous vtto ')(dovo<i 
 ^vyyvoiav icr)(€w, tus ^idtppai raSe, 
 TOL'; if re'Xei /8e/8ci>o"i TreCcropaL' to yap 
 TrepLp-crd vpdcrcreiv ovk e^ei vovv ovSei/a. 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 ovt' av Kekevcraip' ovt' av, ei deXoL<; ert 
 70 vpdcra-eLv, ipov y av i^Seius Bpiorj? pera. 
 ak\ icru OTTOLa croi ooKet* Kelvov S' iyoi 
 ddxpcD. KaXov poL rovTo TroLovcrr) OaveiT 
 (^1X17 per avTov Kzia-opai, <j}iXov pira, 
 ocrta TTavovpyrjcraa- . CTret ttXclcov ')(p6vo'; 
 75 oi' Set p' dpicTKeLv Tot9 /caroj tcov evOdSe • 
 eKei yap alel Kelcropai,. croi 8' et 80/cet, 
 TO. Twi' deciv euTtp' aTLpdcrair' eve. 
 
 I2MHNH. 
 
 iyo) pev ovk dnpa vovovpat, to Se 
 pia 7ToXltci)v opdv e<f)vv dpyj-vavo?. 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 80 cru /Aei- raS' av Trpov-^^oi ■ iyot 8e 8^ Td<f)ov 
 ^(iio-QVcr doeXna ^iXTdTOi TropevcropaL. 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 two names in one, with twisted noose did despite 
 unto her life; and last, our two brothers in one 
 day, — each shedding, hapless one, a kinsman's 
 blood, — wrought out with mutual hands their com- 
 mon doom. And now we in turn — we two left all 
 alone — think how we shall perish, more miserably 
 than all the rest, if, in defiance of the law, we brave 
 a king's decree or his powers. Nay, we must 
 remember, first, that we were born women, as who 
 should not strive with men ; next, that we are ruled 
 of the stronger, so that we must obey in these 
 things, and in things yet sorer. I, therefore, ask- 
 ing the Spirits Infernal to pardon, seeing that force 
 is put on me herein, will hearken to our rulers ; for 
 'tis witless to be over-busy. 
 
 An. I will not urge thee, — no, nor, if thou yet 
 shouldst have the mind, wouldst thou be welcome 
 as a worker with me. Nay, be what thou wilt ; but 
 I will bury him : well for me to die in doing that. 
 I shall rest, a loved one with him whom I have 
 loved, sinless in my crime; for I owe a longer 
 allegiance to the dead than to the living : in that 
 world I shall abide forever. But if thou wilt, be 
 guilty of dishonoring laws which the gods have 
 stablished in honor. 
 
ANTirONH. 
 
 rSMHNH. 
 
 otfJbOL Ta\atVT]<s, ws vnepSeSoLKoi (Tov. 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 JLITJ jUOU 77/Dora/3y8et ■ TOV (TOV e$6pd0V TTOTflOV. 
 
 I2MHNH. 
 
 dW ovv Trpo[jir)vva-ri<; ye tovto ju.Tjoei't 
 85 Tovpyov, Kpv<fiy Be KevOe, crvv S' avTco<; iycj. 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 otjLioi, KaravBa. ttoXXov e^^diwv ecret 
 criyojcr', eat' ju,"^ Tracri Krjpv^rj'S rdoe. 
 
 I2MHNH. 
 
 Oepp^rjv inl xjiv^oIctl KapBCav e)(eL'S. 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 aXX.' oIS* dpea-Kovcr oh p^dXicrd' dBelv jxe XPV' 
 
 I2MHNH. 
 
 90 66 Koi Bvv7](rei. y • dW dfjLTj-^dvcov ipas- 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 ovKovv, OTav Brj p.rj <x6evcii, TrcTravcro/jiat. 
 
 I2MHNH. 
 
 dp-)(rjv Be drjpav ov TrpeVet rd/xi^^ava. 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 ei TavTa Aefets, e^uapei p,ev eg ep,ov, 
 
 ej^^po, 8e T&J davovTL vpocTKeLaeL BCkt]. 
 
 95 dXX' la /AC Kot rrjv ef e/xov Sucr^SovXiai' 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 Is. I do them no dishonor; but to defy the 
 State, — I have no strength for that. 
 
 An. Such be thy plea: — I, then, will go to 
 heap the earth above the brother whom I love. 
 
 Is. Alas, unhappy one ! How I fear for thee ! 
 
 An. Fear not for me : guide thine own fate 
 aright. 
 
 Is. At least, then, disclose this plan to none, 
 but hide it closely, — and so, too, will I. 
 
 An. Oh, denounce it ! Thou wilt be far more 
 hateful for thy silence, if thou proclaim not these 
 things to all. 
 
 Is. Thou hast a hot heart for chilling deeds. 
 
 An. I know that I please where I am most 
 bound to please. 
 
 Is. Aye, if thou canst ; but thou wouldst what 
 thou canst not. 
 
 An. Why, then, when my strength fails, I shall 
 have done. 
 
 Is. A hopeless quest should not be made at all. 
 
 An. If thus thou speakest, thou wilt have 
 hatred from me, and wilt justly be subject to the 
 lasting hatred of the dead. But leave me, and the 
 folly that is mine alone, to suffer this dread thing ; 
 
20$OKAEOYS 
 
 TraOeiv to Beivov tovto • TreLcro/xaL yap ov 
 TocrovTov ovSev, wcrre firj ov /caXcjs daveiv. 
 
 I2MHNH. 
 
 dXX' el So/cet crot, o-tclx'^. tovto 8' icrd , on 
 avov^ fiev ep')(ei, Tol<s ^tXots o' 6p6c!)<s (jtCXrj. 
 
 Second Scene. Chords. Aftekwaeds Ckeon with two 
 Heralds. 
 
 IlapoSos. 
 
 X0P02. 
 STpo4>i] a. 
 
 100 a/crts aekiov, to KaXkicrTov ewTaTrvXco ^avev ®7j;Sa 
 
 tZv TTpoTepayv (f)do<;, 
 i(j)(iv9r)'; ttot, w ^uo-ea? a.fj.epa'i fiXe<f)apov, AipKaCwy 
 105 vnep peedpcov jjioXovcra, 
 
 Tov \evKaa-mv ' KpyoQev [Ik] (f>CL)Ta /3dvTa Travcra-yCa, 
 (fivyd^a TTpoSpofiov o^vTepca Ktvijcracra ^aXtvw • 
 
 110 ov e<^' TjfjieTepa yrj IloXwet/oys, 
 
 apdeh veLKecov ef dpt^iXoyoiV, 
 
 * * * o^ea KXd^cov 
 
 aieros £5 yrjv ws vvepeiTTr}, 
 
 XevKTjs X''0'''os Trripvyi o-reyavos, 
 115 TToXXSiy jjieO' ottXojv 
 
 ^w ^ lTnTOK6p.oi<; Kopvdecra-LV. 
 
 'AvTi(rTpoi|>i) a. 
 o-ra? S vnep fieXadpcoy (j)ovcjjaL(riv dp.^i)(avei):^ 
 kvkXo) Xoy^at? iirTaTrvXov cTTopia., 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 for I shall not suffer aught so dreadful as an ig- 
 noble death. 
 
 Is. Go, then, if thou must ; and of this be sure, 
 — that, though thine errand is foolish, to thy dear 
 ones thou art truly dear. 
 
 Exit Antigone on the spectators' left. Ismene retires into the 
 palace by one of the two side-doors. 
 
 Second Scene. Chorus. Afterwards Creon with two 
 Heralds. 
 
 Chorus. 
 
 Beam of the sun, fairest light that ever dawned 
 on Thebe of the seven gates, thou hast shone forth 
 at last, eye of golden day, arisen above Dirce's 
 streams ! The warrior of the white shield, who 
 came from Argos in his panoply, hath been stirred 
 by thee to headlong flight, in swifter career ; who 
 set forth against our land by reason of the vexed 
 claims of Polyneices ; and, like shrill-screaming 
 eagle, he flew over into our land, in snow-white 
 pinion sheathed, with an armed throng, and with 
 plumage of helms. 
 
 He paused above our dwellings ; he ravened 
 
 around our sevenfold portals with spears athirst 
 
 13 
 
ANTirONH. 
 
 120 e/Sa, vpiv TToff afjierepcov aliioLTcov yevvcnv TrX-qaOrjvai 
 
 re Koi crT€(f)aiv(oiJia irvpyoiv 
 TTevKaevff' "R^aiCTTOv eXelv. Totos d/i^t vcot hdOrj 
 125 TT-arayos "Apeos, avTiTToXm SvcrxeCpcofj-a opaKovri. 
 
 Zeus ya.p jxeydkif]'; yXwcrcri^s koixttov; 
 vTTepe)(daipet, /cat cr(j)a^ icriocov 
 TToXXo) pevfJiaTL TTpo(TVLcrcroiiivov<; 
 130 ^vcrov Kava^Tjs virepoTTTa, 
 
 TraXrw pnrT^i irvpX /3a\fiCSo}v 
 
 eiT aKpoiv rjOT) 
 
 viK'qv opixcovT aXakd^ai. 
 
 STpO<|>1] p'. 
 
 avrtruTTos S' eiri ya ireVe ravraXtoOek, 
 135 7rvp(f>6po<; OS Tore fjuauvofLeva ^vv opfJLO, 
 
 ySa/c^euo)!' iTTeTTvei /^^7^a^s i'^^OCcTTcov dvefimv. 
 et)(€ 8' aXXa ra /leV, 
 140 aXXa 8' ejr' aXXois iTrevcofia crTv^e\it,o}v fiiya^" Kpy^<; 
 8eftocrei/3os. 
 
 CTTTO. Xo^ayoi yap ec^ CTrra TTuXais 
 Ta^Oevre? Lcrot irpo's Icrovs eXLirov 
 ZrjVL TpoTTaioi iray^aX/ca TeXr), 
 ir\i)v Toiv (TTvyepolv, a Trarpos h/o<s 
 145 fifjTpo? re juias <f>vvTe KaO' avroZv 
 
 Si/fparets Xoyj^as (TTT](ravT e^erov 
 Koivov davdrov juepos dfjL(f)<o. 
 
 'AvTlOTpOcj}!] P'. 
 
 dXXa yd/3 d jueyaXajvv/AOS •^X^e Ntfca 
 Ta TToXvapixaTC) dvTuxap^icra ©17)80,, 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 for blood; but he went hence, or ever his jaws 
 were glutted with our gore, or the Fire-god's pine- 
 fed flame had seized our crown of towers. So fierce 
 was the noise of battle raised behind him, a thing 
 too hard for him to conquer, as he wrestled with 
 his dragon foe. 
 
 For Zeus utterly abhors the boasts of a proud 
 tongue ; and when he beheld them coming on in a 
 great stream, in the haughty pride of clanging gold, 
 he smote with brandished fire one who was now 
 hastening to shout victory at his goal upon our 
 ramparts. 
 
 Swung down, he fell on the earth with a crash, 
 torch in hand, he who so lately, in the frenzy of the 
 mad onset, was raging against us with the blasts of 
 his tempestuous hate. But those threats fared not 
 as he hoped ; and to other foes the mighty War-god 
 dispensed their several dooms, dealing havoc around, 
 a mighty helper at our need. 
 
 For seven captains at seven gates, matched 
 against seven, left the tribute of their panoplies to 
 Zeus who turns the battle ; save those two of cruel 
 fate, who, born of one sire and one mother, set 
 against each other their twain conquering spears, 
 and are sharers in a common death. 
 
 But since Victory of glorious name hath come to 
 
 us, with joy responsive to the joy of Thebe whose 
 
 15 
 
^20*0KAE0YS 
 
 150 iK fiev S17 TToXe/Awv rwv vvv dicrOe XTjcrfJiocrvyay, 
 decov Se vaous x^po''' 
 
 'n-avvv)(ioi'i ircivTa? eTreXdcoiJiev, 6 ©r^/Sas S' iXe\t)(6oiy 
 BaK^LO's apxot. 
 
 155 dXX' o8e yotp S17 ySacrtXevs X(apa9, 
 
 Kpeav 6 MevoLKeco?, veo-)(fW<i [rayos], 
 
 veapaicTL dewv inl crwrv^tat? 
 
 ■^copel, Tiva Sr) fjiTJTLV ' ipecrcroiv, 
 
 oTi arvyKXrjTov rijvSe yepovrcov 
 160 TTpovOeTO \ea~)(riv 
 
 Koivu KTfpvyfxaTi TTefjL\j/as ; 
 
 'FiTreLcroScov d. 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 dvhpe<;, to. fiev Sr) iroXeos dcr^aXols ^eot 
 TToXXo) crdXw creicravTes wpdcjcrav ttoXiv • 
 UjLta? 8' eyo) tto/attoictiv e/c wolvtcov Si^a 
 165 ecrretX' LKecrdaL, tovto p.ku ra Aaiov 
 creySoiras etS&)5 eS Opovcov ael Kpa/rrj, 
 
 TOVT av9i<i, rjVLK OtStTTOVS btpOoV TToklV, 
 
 KttTrei oicijXer', d/A<^t rou? Keivcov en 
 
 TTttiSas ixevovTa<; e/tTreSois (j)pov7][iacriv. 
 170 ot' ouv e/feivot tt/jos SittXtjs fioCpa^ /xi'av 
 
 /ca^ rifiepav cjXovto, Tratcravre's re /cal 
 
 vXrjyevTe's avTo^eipi avv p.ida-p,aTi, 
 
 iyw KpaTT) Srj iravra koX 9p6vov<i ej^oj 
 
 yevovg Kar dy^LaTela twu oXmXotcdv. 
 175 dfji-^^avov 8e Travxos di'Spos iKixadelu 
 
 ^XW '^^ '^^'' <l>p6v7]iJia Koi yvwjJiTjv, irpXv av 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 chariots are many, let us enjoy forgetfulness after 
 the late wars, and visit all the temples of the gods 
 with night-long dance and song ; and may Bacchus 
 be our leader, whose dancing shakes the land of 
 Thebe. 
 
 But lo, the. king of the land comes yonder, 
 Creon, son of Monoeceus, our new ruler by the 
 new fortunes that the gods have given ; what coun- 
 sel is he pondering, that he hath proposed this 
 special conference of elders, summoned by his 
 general mandate ? 
 
 Enter Creon, from the central doors of the palace, in the garb of 
 king; with two attendants. 
 
 Cr. Sirs, the vessel of our State, after being 
 tossed on wild waves, hath once more been safely 
 steadied by the gods ; and ye, out of all the folk, 
 have been called apart by my summons, because I 
 knew, first of all, how true and constant was your 
 reverence for the royal power of Laius ; how, again, 
 when Oedipus was ruler of our land, and when he 
 had perished, your steadfast loyalty still upheld 
 their children. Since, then, his sons have fallen 
 in one day by a twofold doom, — each smitten by 
 the other, each stained with a brother's blood, — 
 I now possess the throne and all its powers, by 
 nearness of kinship to the dead. 
 
 No man can be fully known, in soul and spirit 
 
 and mind, until he hath been seen versed in rule 
 
 17 
 
ANTirONH. 
 
 dp^j^ats re kol vofjuoLCTLV ivrpL^rj? <f>avrj, 
 iijLol yo.p 6(TTL<; iracra.v evOvucjv TToikiv 
 fir} Tcov dpCcTTMV ttTTTerai ^ovXevfjcaroiy, 
 
 180 d\X' iK (j)6fiov Tov 'y\a)acrav iyKXyara'; e'xet, 
 KaKicTTO^ etvai vvv re koX irakai oo/cet. 
 Koi fjiei^ov ocrris olvtI ttjs avrov TraTpa's 
 (j)i\ov vofjiit,ei, TOVTOV ovBajJiov Xeyco. 
 eyci) yap, icrToi Levi o navu opcov act, 
 
 185 ovT OLV cruaTrrjcraifxi Trjy arrjv opSiv 
 
 (TT€l)(OV<Ta.V dcTTOL? dvTL TTJS (TO}Trjpia<;, 
 
 OVT av (f>LXov iror dvSpa SvcrfJievrj '^dovb? 
 OeifirjV ifjuavrS, tovto yiyv(ii(jKcov on 
 178' icTTiv 7) cratflvcra, koX ravrr}? eiri 
 
 190 TrXeovTe? 6p0rj<; tous (^iXons 7roLov[ji.eda. 
 TOLolcrB' iyo) v6p.0Lcri TrjvS' av^co ttoXlv. 
 Kal vvv doeX^a Twvoe Krjpvgas e)(a} 
 dcrTOLTL TTtttSwi' Twv (xtt' OioiTTOv irepL • 
 Ereo/cXea p.kv, 05 TrdXews VTrep/^a^wv 
 
 195 oXwXe T^crSe, ttovt dpuTTevo-a^ SopC, 
 Ta(f)Ci) re KpvipaL Kat rd iravT i(f>ayvi(raL 
 a rot? dpL(TTOL<; ep^erai Karoi veKpol';- 
 TOV 8' av ^vvaifjiov T0v8e, HoXvveLKTjv \eyoi, 
 OS yrjv iraTpcfav kol 9eov? tous eyyei'ct? 
 
 200 (f)vyd<; KaTekOdiv rjOehrjcre fikv irvpl 
 Trprja-ai. Kard/cpas, -^OeXyjcre 8' at/Aaros 
 KOLVov TrdcracrOai, tov? Se SouXwcras dyetv 
 
 TOVTOV TToXet T^S' iKK€.KrjpVKTai Tadxo 
 
 jxrjTe KTepi^eiv /xr^re KcoKvcraC Tiva, 
 205 eav 8' adaiTTov koX tt/jo? olcovcov Sefxa'S 
 Kai 7r/)os KVi>a)v eScTTOv at/ctcr^ev t' tSetv. 
 roidt-S' l^u.oj' (f)p6vr)[xa, kovttot iK y efxov 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 and law-giving. For if any, being supreme guide 
 of the State, cleaves not to the best counsels, but 
 through some fear, keeps his lips locked, I hold, and 
 have ever held, him most base ; and if any makes a 
 friend of more account than his fatherland, that 
 man hath no place in my regard. For I — be Zeus 
 my witness, who sees all things always — would not 
 be silent if I saw ruin, instead of safety, coming to 
 the citizens ; nor would I ever deem the country's 
 foe a friend to myself ; remembering this, that our 
 country is the ship that bears us safe, and that only 
 while she prospers in our voyage can we make true 
 friends. 
 
 Such are the rules by which I guard this city's 
 greatness. And in accord with them is the edict 
 which I have now published to the folk touching 
 the sons of Oedipus ; — that Eteocles, who hath 
 fallen fighting for our city, in all renown of arms, 
 shall be entombed, and crowned with every rite 
 that follows the noblest dead to their rest. But for 
 his brother, Polyneices, — who came back from 
 exile, and sought to consume utterly with fire the 
 city of his fathers and the shrines of his fathers' 
 gods, — sought to taste of kindred blood, and to 
 lead the remnant into slavery; — touching this man 
 it hath been proclaimed to our people that none 
 shall grace him with sepulture or lament, but leave 
 
 19 
 
20$0KAE0YS 
 
 TL{j.rjv TTpoe^ovcT ol KaKol r<x)v kvhiKOiv. 
 dXX,' o(TTL<i evvovi rfjhe rfj noXei, davcbv 
 210 Kol i^mv ofJbOLCOi k^ ifjiov Tt/ATjcrerai. 
 
 X0P02. 
 
 crol TavT ap€(TK€i, TTcti MeuoLKe(o<; Kpioiv, 
 Tov TTjSe Svcruovv kol tov evixevrj TToXei. 
 vojjLcp Se -xpyjcrdaL iravTU -rrov y ivecTTL croi 
 KoX tS)v OavovTUiv ^(WTrocroL Ifip^ev Tripi, 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 215 w; av cTKOTToi wv 'QTe Tcov elprjp.evcoi', 
 
 X0P02. 
 
 vecoTepo) ro) tovto ySacrra^etv Trp69e<i. 
 
 KPEflN. 
 
 ak\ ever Itoljxoi tov veKpov y €TTicrK0iT0i. 
 
 X0P02. 
 
 Ti SrJT av dXXo tovt eTrevriXXoL'; ert ; 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 TO fj.r) Vi^^wpety roi? d-marTova-LV raSe. 
 
 X0P02. 
 
 220 ovK ecTTiv ovTO) jU,wpo5, OS davdv kpd. 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 Krai p^rjv 6 p^LcrOos y oSros- dXk' vtt kXTriScov 
 dvSpa's TO /ce^Sos TroXXa/cts StajXecrei/. 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 him unburied, a corpse for birds and dogs to eat, a 
 ghastly sight of shame. 
 
 Such the spirit of my deaUng; and never, by 
 deed of mine, shall the wicked stand in honor be- 
 fore the just ; but whoso hath good will to Thebes, 
 he shall be honored of me, in his life and in his 
 death. 
 
 Ch. Such is thy pleasure, Creon, son of Menoe- 
 ceus, touching this city's foe, and its friend ; and 
 thou hast power, I ween, to take what order thou 
 wilt, both for the dead, and for all us who live. 
 
 Cr. See, then, that ye be guardians of the 
 mandate. 
 
 Ch. Lay the burden of this task on some 
 younger man. 
 
 Cr. Nay, watchers of the corpse have been 
 found. 
 
 Ch. What, then, is this further charge that thou 
 wouldst give.? 
 
 Cr. That ye side not with the breakers of these 
 commands. 
 
 Ch. No man is so foolish that he is enamored 
 of death. 
 
 Cr. In sooth, that is the meed ; yet lucre hath 
 oft ruined men through their hopes. 
 
ANTirONH. 
 Third Scene. Ceeon. Guard. 
 
 *TAAH. 
 
 ava^, kpS) fxev ovx ottoj? Td\ov<; vtto 
 8vcnTV0v<; iKavo), Kov<f)ov ifctpa? vooa. 
 
 225 iroXXas yap icr)(ov ({)pouTiScoy eTTicrracret?, 
 oSois kvkXcjv ifjiavTov ets avacrTpo(^-rjv. 
 xpvXV y^P '>7^Sa TToXXa ju-ot p/vdovp,evrj • 
 raXas, Tt -^copei^ ot ^jloXcov Swcrets 8lk7]v ; 
 rXyjiJbcov, jjiivet? av ; Kel raS' etcrerat K.picov 
 
 230 aXXow 77ay3' dvSpo?, ttw? cru Sijr' ovk dXyvveL; 
 Toiavff ekL(TCT(jiy ■^vvtov ctttovStJ ySyaaSvs, 
 ^ouTws 68os Ppa^eLa yuyveTai, jxaKpoi. 
 reXos ye fiivTOL Sevp' IviKiqcrev fioXeiv 
 aoL Kci TO [irjSkv k^epco, (fypdcrco S' o/jbOiS' 
 
 235 T'jjs cXttiSos yap ep^op-ai, SeSpayfjiiuo'S, 
 TO jU,Tj Tradeiv av aXko TTXrjv to p,6pcripjOV. 
 
 KPEON. 
 
 Tt o ecrriv ai't; ou ttji'O e^ets auvpnav ; 
 
 *TAAH. 
 
 <f>pd(TaL diXco croL irptoTa TajxavTov • to yap 
 TTpayi/ ovT iSpacr ovt ^hov oaTLS ■^v 6 Spcov, 
 240 ouS' av Si/caiws Is KaKov iricroLixC tl. 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 eS ye crTO-^dt^eL Kavoc^pdyvva-ai kvkXo) 
 
 TO TTpaypa. SrjXol? 8' ols rt cnqp^avoiv veov. 
 
 *TAAH. 
 
 TO, Seifo, ydp rot npoa-TCdrja-' okvov ttoXvv. 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 Third Scene. Creon. Guard. 
 Enter GuARD. 
 
 My liege, I will not say that I come breathless 
 from speed, or that I have plied a nimble foot ; for 
 often did my thoughts make me pause, and wheel 
 around in my path, to return. My mind was hold- 
 ing large discourse with me ; ' Fool, why goest thou 
 to thy certain doom.?' 'Wretch, tarrying again.? 
 And if Creon hears this from another, must not 
 thou smart for it.?' So debating, I went on my 
 way with lagging steps, and thus a short road was 
 made long. At last, however, it carried the day 
 that I should come hither — to thee; and, though 
 my tale be nought, yet will I tell it; for I come 
 with a good grip on one hope, — that I can suffer 
 nothing but what is my fate. 
 
 Cr. And what is it that disquiets thee thus .? 
 
 Gu. I wish to tell thee first about myself — I 
 did not do the deed — I did not see the doer — it 
 were not right that I should come to any harm. 
 
 Cr. Thou hast a shrewd eye for thy mark ; well 
 dost thou fence thyself round against the blame : — 
 clearly thou hast some strange thing to tell. 
 
 Gu. Aye, truly; dread news makes one pause 
 
 long. 
 
 23 
 
20*0KAE0YS 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 ovKovv epet? ttot, etr avaWa^Oel'S airei; 
 
 *TAAH. 
 
 245 /cai 8^ Xeyo) croi. toi' veKpov Tis dpTLCO<; 
 9d\pa? fiejSrjKe kolttl ^(ptoTt StxpCav 
 Koviv TTakvva'; Kd<j>ayLcrTevaa^ a XPV- 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 Ti <^2?5 ; Tts dvSpcov rjv 6 ToXjjLtjcra's rdoe; 
 
 *TAAH. 
 
 ou/c oTS'" Ifcei yap oure ttou yev^Sos rjv 
 250 ■jrX'/jy/i', ou St/ceX.X7^s eKJSoXTj • crTv<fko^ Se yij 
 Kol ^epcT05, dppoi^ ovS' eTTr]ixa^evfi€vr) 
 Tpo-^OLj-by, dXk' acrrjiios ovpydrrjs rt? ^v. 
 
 077&J5 S' 6 7Tp(t)T0<; r^pXv rjfJLepOCTKOTTO'S 
 
 SeiKinjj-L, ttScti Oavfjua Sucryepe? vaprjv. 
 255 6 /xej' yap rj(j)dvL(TTO, TVfjbprjpy]!; p,h> ov, 
 
 Xenrri 8', ayo? (^evyoi'ro? w?, Itt^v /covig. 
 
 (TrjjJieLa 8' oure 9r)po'i ovre tov kvvcHv 
 
 eXdovTo^, ov cnrda-avTO?, €^e<f)aiveTo. 
 
 Xoyoi 8' ev dWijXoLa-LV IppoOovv KaKoi, 
 260 <j)vXa^ IXiy-^cay (f)vXaKa • kolv eyiyveTo 
 
 irXriyrj reXevTwa-', ovS" 6 KcoXvcrcov Traprjv 
 
 ets yap ri? ^v iKa(rTo<; ov^e.Lpya(Tp,evo<;, 
 * K0t58d? evapyrj<;, dXX' e<j)evye fjurj etSevai' 
 
 ■^fxev o' eroiyxot kol p,u8pov5 aupeiv -^epoZv 
 265 Kai TTup OiipTTCLV KOL 0eov<; OpKOJLLOTeiy 
 
 TO /A'Jjre 8pacrai, /xTjre ro) ^i'et8ei'at 
 
 TO 7rpayp,a /BovXevcravTi fjuf^r eipyacrp,evft). 
 
 TeXos 8', or' oi58ei' -^v kpevvcoa-L nXiov, 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 Cr. Then tell it, wilt thou, and so get thee gone ? 
 
 Gu. Well, this is M- — The corpse — some one 
 hath just given it burial, and gone away, — after 
 sprinkling thirsty dust on the flesh, with such other 
 rites as piety enjoins. 
 
 Cr. What sayest thou ? What living man hath 
 dared this deed ? 
 
 Gu. I know not ; no stroke of pickaxe was seen 
 there, no earth thrown up by mattock ; the ground 
 was hard and dry, unbroken, without track of 
 wheels ; the doer was one who had left no trace; 
 And when the first day-watchman showed it to us, 
 sore wonder fell on all. The dead man was veiled 
 from us ; not shut within a tomb, but lightly Strewn 
 with dust, as by the hand of one who shunned a 
 curse. And no sign met thff eye as though any 
 beast of prey or any dog had come nigh to him, or 
 torn him. 
 
 Then evil words flew fast and loud among us, 
 guard accusing guard ; and it would e'en have come 
 to blows at last, nor was there any to hinder. 
 Every man was the culprit, and no one was con- 
 victed, but all disclaimed knowledge of the deed. 
 And we v^^ere ready to take red-hot iron in our 
 hands ; — to walk through fire ; — to make oath by 
 the gods that we had not done the deed, — that we 
 
 were not privy to the planning or the doing. 
 
 25 
 
ANTirONH. 
 
 Xeyet ns eh, os Travra? h ireSov Kapa 
 270vevcrai <f)6^a) TrpovTp&pev- ov yap ecxofieu 
 
 ovT dvTi<f)Oiveiv, ovff ottws S/Jwvres /caXw? 
 
 irpd^aifieu. rjv S' 6 jliO^os ws ai'oicrTeov 
 
 croi Tovpyov ett) tovto kovxl Kpyirrkov. 
 
 KoX ravT IvLKa, /cdju-e top hvcroaipova 
 275 7raXo5 Kadaipei tovto Tayadbv Xa/SeLV. 
 
 Trdpeijju. 8' aKcov ov^ Ikovctlv, old' otl' 
 
 (TTepyei yap ouSeis dyyekov KaKcov tircov. 
 
 XOP02. 
 
 dva^, ep.oi rot, p/q tl Kal OeqXarov 
 Tovpyov. ToS', rj ^vvoia, ySovXeuet vaXai. 
 
 KPEHN. 
 
 280 TTavcrai Trplv opyrj? KaC pe pecTTcocrat Xeycov, 
 prj '(f)evpe0rj^ dvovi re Kal yipcov dpa. 
 Xeyets yap ov/c dveKTa, SaCpova^ Xeyav 
 npovoLav lctx^lv Tovoe tov veKpov irkpi. 
 TTOTepov vwepTipQ)VTe<s CO? evepyeTrjv 
 
 285 eKpvTTTOv avTov, ocrrts dp<f>LKLOva<; 
 vaov<; 7rvp(0(T(ov rjXOe KdvaOrjpaTa 
 Kai yrjv eKeivoiv, Kal vopov? 8ia(XKe8cav 
 7] TOV? /cttKov? TtjLKuvra? etcropas 0eov<; ; 
 ovK ecTTw. aXXa TavTa Kal irdXai irdXetu? 
 
 290 dvSpe? /xoXis (j)ipovTe'; kppodovv Ipoi, 
 Kpv(j}frj Kdpa cretovres, ouS' viro ^uyw 
 X6(j)ov St/caiw; etxov, w? orTtpyeiv ipi. 
 eK TwvSe TOVTov? k^eTTicTTapai KaXws 
 naprjypevov? pucrOolcTLV etpyda-dat, raSe. 
 
 295 ovoep yap dvOpcoiroicnv olov dpyvpo<i 
 
 KaKov vopLo-p e/SXacTTe. tovto Kal TToXets 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 At last, when all our searching was fruitless, one 
 spake, who made us all bend our faces on the earth 
 in fear; for we saw not how we could gainsay 
 him, or escape mischance if we obeyed. His coun- 
 sel was that this deed must be reported to thee, 
 and not hidden. And this seemed best ; and the 
 lot doomed my hapless self to win this prize. So 
 here I stand, — as unwelcome as unwilling, well I 
 wot ; for no man delights in the bearer of bad 
 news. 
 
 Ch. O King, my thoughts have long been whis- 
 pering, can this deed, perchance, be e'en the work 
 of gods ? 
 
 Cr. Cease, ere thy words fill me utterly with 
 wrath, lest thou be found at once an old man and 
 foolish. For thou sayest what is not to be borne, 
 in saying that the gods have care for this corpse. 
 Was it for high reward of trusty service that they 
 soucrht to hide his nakedness, who came to burn 
 their pillared shrines and sacred treasures, to burn 
 their land, and scatter its laws to the winds ? Or 
 dost thou behold the gods honoring the wicked.? 
 It cannot be. No ! From the first there were cer- 
 tain in the town that muttered against me, chafing 
 at this edict, wagging their heads in secret; and 
 kept not their necks duly under the yoke, like men 
 
 contented with my sway. 
 
 27 
 
SO$OKAEOYS 
 
 irop0£L, ToB' avSpa'; e^aviO'TTja-Ly So/Jicoy, 
 
 ToB' e/cSiSacTKet koI TrapaXXaTcrcc (f)p4ya? 
 
 ypTyoras Trpos ala')(pa Trpdyixad' i~raTdaL /BpoTwy 
 
 300 TTavovpyia'i S' eBet^ey dydparroL'S e)(CLV 
 Koi TravTos epyov Bvcrcre/SeiCLy elBivai. 
 63-01 B\ jLttcr^api/ouvre? ■r^vvrav rdBe, 
 -)(p6y(p TtOT €^£Trpa^av ois Sovi'at BCktjv. 
 akK eiTT^p icr^et Zzvs er eg ep-ov crepa^, 
 
 305 eS Tovr' kTri(TTa(r , opKLO<; Be ctol keyci), 
 el prj Tov avTo-^eupa TovBe tov tox^ov 
 evpovTes CKcjiaveiT Is 6(f)9aXpov'S Ipov?, 
 oi5^ vplv 'AioTy? povvo<; apKecrei, irpiv av 
 ^iSi'Tes Kpepa:Trol TijvSe ByjXcocrrjff' v^piv, 
 
 310 Iv etSores to KepBo'i evOev olcrTeov, 
 TO XouTTOv dpTra[,7)T€ Kai pdOrjd' otl 
 ovK If avravro? Bel to KzpBaiyecv (fnXeiv. 
 e/c Tcoy yap aiT^pcjy XrfppaTOiy tous TrXeiovcvs 
 aTcopevov? iSois ay ^ crecrcjcrpevov^. 
 
 *TAAH. 
 
 315 eLTTiiy TL 0(U3-eis, ^ crTpa(f}€l<; ourws uu ; 
 
 KPEHN. 
 
 ou/c olcrda /cai vuv ws dvtapws Xeyets ; 
 
 *TAAH. 
 KPEnN. 
 
 Ti Sai ; pvdp.it,eL<i Trjv efirjv Xvirqv ottov ; 
 
 *TAAa. 
 
 6 S/)<Si; a dj/ia ras (j>peva<s, to. B' a>r' lyw. 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 'Tis by them, well I know, that these have been 
 beguiled and bribed to do this deed. Nothing so 
 evil as money ever grew to be current among men. 
 This lays cities low, this drives men from their 
 homes, this trains and warps honest souls till they 
 set themselves to works of shame ; this still teaches 
 folk to practise villanies, and to know every god- 
 less deed. 
 
 But all the men who wrought this thing for hire 
 have made it sure that, soon or late, they shall pay 
 the price. Now, as Zeus still hath my reverence, 
 know this — I tell it thee on my oath : — If. ye find 
 not the very author of this burial, and produce him 
 before mine eyes, death alone shall, not be enough 
 for you, till first, hung up alive, ye have revealed 
 this outrage, — that henceforth ye may thieve with 
 better knowledge whence lucre should be won, and 
 learn that it is not well to love gain from every 
 source. For thou wilt find that ill-gotten pelf 
 brings more men to ruin than to weal. 
 
 Gu. May I speak.? Or shall I just turn and 
 
 go? 
 
 Cr. Knowest thou not that even now thy voice 
 
 offends ? 
 
 Gu. Is thy smart in the ears, or in the soul ? 
 
 Cr. And why wouldst thou define the seat of 
 
 my pain ? 
 
 29 
 
ANTirONH. 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 330 oijji &)S aXrjfia SrjXov £K7re(f)VK0<; el. 
 
 *TAAH. 
 
 ovKOVv TO y epyov tovto TTour](Ta<; irore. 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 KoX TavT k-n dpyvpo) ye ttjv xjnJXV^ rr/JoSou?. 
 
 *TAAH. 
 
 (ftev- 
 
 rj Seti/oi' w SoKet ye Kal xjjevSrj ookcIz'. 
 
 KPEHN. 
 
 KOfjiypeve vvv Trjv B6$av el oe ravra /xt^ 
 325 (jiavelre ju,oi tous Spaivra?, e^epelff otl 
 Ta SeiXa KepBrj Trr]fjiova<s epyd^eraL. 
 
 *TAAH. 
 
 aXk' evpeOeirj fjuev jjioXicTT' • edv oe rot 
 \rj(j)6y re koI [jlt], tovto yap TV-)(rf KpiveZ, 
 ovK ecrff OTTWS ot|/e(. cru hevp' ekdovra. pie. 
 330 KoX vvv yap Iktos IXttiSos yvuprj'; t epyj? 
 crcodels b^eiKoi rots ^eots ttoXX^v )(api,v. 
 
 %TdcrLixov a. 
 
 X0P02. 
 Srpoc))'!] a. 
 
 TToXXa TO, oeiva, KovSev dvOpavov heivorepov neXev 
 335 TOVTO Kal ttoXlov nepav ttovtov ^eijuejOio) votcj 
 
 X'^P^^' Trepi^pvxi'Oiariv 
 irepSiv vtr olBixacnv, 
 6eu)v Te Tov vvepTdTav, Vdv 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 Gu. The doer vexes thy mind, but I, thine ears. 
 
 Cr. Ah, thou art a born babbler, 'tis well seen. 
 
 Gu. May be, but never the doer of this deed. 
 
 Cr. Yea, and more, — the seller of thy life for 
 silver. 
 
 Gu. Alas ! 'Tis sad, truly, that he who judges 
 should misjudge. 
 
 Cr. Let thy fancy play with 'judgment' as it 
 will; — but, if ye show me not the doers of these 
 things, ye shall avow that dastardly gains work 
 sorrows. \Exit. 
 
 Gu. Well, may he be found ! so 'twere best. 
 But, be he caught, or be he not — fortune must 
 settle that — truly thou wilt not see me here again. 
 Saved, even now, beyond hope and thought, I owe 
 the gods great thanks. \_Exit. 
 
 Chorus. 
 
 Wonders are many, and none is more wonderful 
 
 than man; the power that crosses the white sea, 
 
 driven by the stormy south-wind, making a path 
 
 under surges that threaten to engulf him;- and 
 
 Earth, the eldest of the gods, the immortal, the 
 
 unwearied, doth he wear, turning the soil with the 
 
 offspring of horses, as the ploughs go to and fro 
 
 from year to year. 
 
 31 
 
SO'I'OKAEO'iS 
 
 dt^diTov, aKafiOLTav airoTpverai, 
 340 iK\oixiv(ov apoTpoiv €.to^ eis eros, 
 iTTireiw yivei voXevcov. 
 
 'AvTlOTpO<i)11 cL 
 
 Kov(f>ov6mv re ^GXoi' opyidcav dp,<}>t,fiaXct)v ayei 
 345 KOI Orjpcov aypidiv e6vr) ttovtov t elvaXtav <^va-iv 
 cnreipaLcn St/cTuo/cA-wcrTots 
 vepi^paSrj^ dvrjp • 
 Kparel Se fir)xoivaL<; dypavXov 
 350 0r)po? opsa-a-i^aTa, Xa(riav)(evd $* 
 Ittttov vTrd^erat dp,<^iXo<^ov t^vyov 
 ovpeiov T d/CjU,T]Ta lavpov. 
 
 KoX (jiOeyixa koI dvep.6ei> 
 355 (ftpovrjjxa Kal dcrTwop-ov? opyas eoiSaguTO Kol ovcravXcov 
 Trdyoiv vTvaiOptia koX S'ucrop^pa <f>evyeLV ^iXrj, 
 vavTOTTOpo^ • diropo'i irr ovBev ep)(€TaL 
 361 TO fieXXov 'AtSa p^ovov (ftev^a/ ovk iird^erai' 
 vocrctiv 8' dprj-^dvcov <f)vyd<s fuyxTrec^pacrrat, 
 
 *AvTLO"TpOl{»'q P'. 
 
 335 a-o(f)6v Ti TO p7])(av6€v 
 
 T£)(ya<s vvkp eXTTtS' €)(oiv Tore pku KaKov, dXXoT in 
 
 icrOXov ipirei- 
 i^o/xous napeCpcov )(0ovo<; 0eav t evopKov BCKav, 
 370 vx^lttoXl<; • a7roXt9, ot&> to fir) KaXov 
 
 ^vvecTTL ToXjaa? ^dpiv. fx.'tjr ijiol TrapecrTios 
 375 ydvoLTo jLiTjr' icrov ^povoiv os TaS' epSei. 
 
 es haipuoviov ripa<s dp^ivow 
 Tooe ■ TTcSs eiSws avTiXoyijo-w 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 * 
 
 And the light-hearted race of birds, and the 
 tribes of savage beasts, and the sea-brood of the 
 deep, he snares in the meshes of his woven toils, 
 he leads captive, man excellent in wit. And he 
 masters by his arts the beast whose lair is in the 
 wilds, who roams the hills ; he tames the horse of 
 shaggy mane, he puts the yoke upon its neck, he 
 tames the tireless mountain bull. 
 
 And speech, and wind-swift thought, and all the 
 moods that mould a state, hath he taught himself ; 
 and how to flee the arrows of the frost, when 'tis 
 hard lodging under the clear sky, and the arrows 
 of the rushing rain ; yea, he hath resource for all ; 
 without resource he meets nothing that must come ; 
 only against Death shall he call for aid in vain ; 
 but from baffling maladies he hath devised escapes. 
 
 Cunning beyond fancy's dream is the fertile skill 
 which brings him, now to evil, now to good. When 
 he honors the laws of the land, and that justice 
 which he hath sworn by the gods to uphold, proudly 
 stands his city : no city hath he who, for his rash- 
 ness, dwells with sin. Never may he share my 
 hearth, never think my thoughts, who doth these 
 things ! 
 
 Enter the Guard, on the spectators' left, leading in 
 
 Antigone. 
 
 What portent from the gods is this .? — my soul 
 is amazed. I know her — how can I deny that yon 
 maiden is Antigone.? 
 
 33 
 
ANTirONH. 
 
 ttJvB' ovk elvai TraiS' 'AvTiyovqv ; 
 S) SvcTTrjvo^ Kol SvaTTJvov 
 380 TTarpb? OtStTToSa, tC ttot; ov Stj ttov 
 
 ere y aincrTovcrav tois )8ao"t\etots 
 aTToryovcTi I'Oju.ots 
 KoX iv d(f)pocrvvr) KadeXovTe? ; 
 
 Fourth Scene. Guard. Antigone. Afterwards Creon 
 WITH TWO Attendants. 
 
 'EiretcroSlOP' j3'. 
 
 *TAAE. 
 
 170' e(TT eKeCvrj Tovpyov r) ^ ^€ipya<TjJL€i'-q • 
 385 TrjvS' elXo^ev ddiTTOvcrav. dXXa, ttov Kpeav ; 
 
 XOP02. 
 o3' eK SojXQiv dxjjoppo? ets Seov Trepd, 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 Ti S' ecTTL ; TTOia fu/x/Aerpo? npov^rjv Tv^rj ; 
 
 *TAAH. 
 
 at'af, ^poTOij-LV ouSei' icrr aTTWfjLorov 
 xjjevSeL yap rj 'iTLvoLa rrjv yvcLixrfv • iiru 
 
 390 ct^oXt? tto9' Tj^av Sevp' av i^r)v^ovu eyat 
 rats crats aTj-etXat?, aij e^eiyxao-^yyv Tore • 
 aXX , 7) yap e/cros kol nap" e\77iSas X"^/'^ 
 eoiKzi> aXXyj [xtJko? ov8h> riSovrj, 
 rjKO), St' opKCDv KaCvep wv dva>jjiOTO<;, 
 
 395 Koprjv dycjv TrjvB', rj Kadevpedrj rd^ov 
 Koa-fiovara. KXrjpos iuOdS' ovk iirdXXeTO, 
 aXX lor' i/xov dovpfiaiov, ovk dXXov, roSe. 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 O hapless, and child of hapless sire, — of Oedi- 
 pus ! What means this? Thou brought a 
 prisoner? — thou, disloyal to the King's laws, and 
 taken in folly? 
 
 Fourth Scene. Guard. Antigone. Afterwards Creon 
 WITH TWO Attendants. 
 
 Guard. 
 
 Here she is, the doer of the deed: — we caught 
 this girl burying him : — but where is Creon? 
 
 Ch. Lo, he comes forth again from the house, 
 at our need. 
 
 Cr. What is it? What hath chanced, that 
 makes my coming timely? 
 
 Gu. O King, against nothing should men 
 pledge their word ; for the after-thought belies the 
 first intent. I could have vowed that I should not 
 soon be here again, — scared by thy threats, with 
 which I had just been lashed: but, — since the joy 
 that surprises and transcends our hopes is like in 
 fulness to no other pleasure, — I have come, though 
 'tis in breach of my sworn oath, bringing this maid ; 
 who was taken showing grace to the dead. This 
 time there was no casting of lots; no, this luck 
 hath fallen to me, and to none else. And now, 
 
 35 
 
SO^OKAEOVS 
 
 Kol vvv, dva^, Tiji'S' auTos, ws OeXec?, Xa^oii' 
 KOI Kplve Koi^eXeyx ■ eyoi 8' iXevdepo^ 
 400 St/caids eljJiL twvB' avrjXXoixO.o.i' KaKcov. 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 ayeis Se rr^i'Se tw rpovo) iroOev Xa^cop ; 
 avTT] Tov afBp' edaiTTe • ttolvt iTTicrTacraL. 
 
 KPEnN. 
 *TAAH. 
 
 TavTTjv y tSwv ddTrrovcrav ov crw toi/ veKpov 
 405 dTreiTras. a/>' ivBrjXa kol <ra(ji-^ Xeyca ; 
 
 KPEflN. 
 
 /cal TTws opoLTai KamX-rj-n-TO? VP^^V > 
 
 *TAAH. 
 
 Totouroz' ■^i' TO TTpayp.'. ottws yap iqKop.ei', 
 77/305 (ToO TO, Seiv' eKeiv' eTrr/TreiX.Tjju.e'oi, 
 Tracrai' koviv crijpavTes 17 /caTe?)(e tov 
 
 410 veKvv, iJivBcov re (ra)p.a yvfLvcixravTe^ ev, 
 KaOyjixeO' aKprnv e/c Trdycjv VTn]V€[ioi, 
 oj-fjirii' air avrov p-ri /SdXrj Tre^ewyoTes, 
 iyeprl klvcov dvBp' dvr)p iTTLpp66oL<; 
 KaKolcTLV, el Tt? TOuS' dKTqSijcroi ttovou. 
 
 415 Xpo^'O" ''■<*8' ■^v TocrovTov, ecTT iv aWipi 
 fjiecrci) Kwrearq Xa/xTT/Dos rjXlov kvkXo<; 
 Kai KOLvp.' edaXTTe- kol tot efat^i/ijs v^ovbs 
 Tv<j>o)'i aetyaas cncrfTTTov, ovpdviov a^os, 
 TripTiXrjcri ne^iov, vacrav aud^cov cfto^Tjv 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 Sire, take her thyself, question her, examine her, as 
 thou wilt ; but I have a right to free and final quit- 
 tance of this trouble. 
 
 Cr. And thy prisoner here — how and whence 
 hast thou taken her ? 
 
 Gu. She was burying the man ; thou knowest 
 all. 
 
 Cr. Dost thou mean what thou sayest.? Dost 
 thou speak aright.? 
 
 Gu. I saw her burying the corpse that thou 
 hadst forbidden to bury. Is that plain and clear ? 
 
 Cr. And how was she seen 1 how taken in the 
 act? 
 
 Gu. It befell on this wise. When we had come 
 to the place, — with those dread menaces of thine 
 upon us, — we swept away all the dust that covered 
 the corpse, and bared the dank body well ; and 
 then sat us down on the brow of the hill, to wind- 
 ward, heedful that the smell from him should not 
 strike us ; every man was wide awake, and kept his 
 neighbor alert with torrents of threats, if any one 
 should be careless of this task. 
 
 So went it, until the sun's bright orb stood in 
 mid heaven, and the heat began to burn : and then 
 suddenly a whirlwind lifted from the earth a storm 
 of dust, a trouble in the sky, and filled the plain, 
 marring all the leafage of its woods • and the wide 
 
 37 
 
ANTirONH. 
 
 420 vXrj's TreStctSo?, ii^ 8' iiJ,ecrT(o07j /teyas 
 aWrjp ' jaucraire? 8' ei^oyiai OeCav voaov. 
 KoX TouS' airak\ayivTO<; iv -^ova fjiaKpS, 
 rj Trats oparai, KavaKUiKvei iriKpa'i 
 6pvL6o<; o^vv cf>d6yyov, o)? orav Kevrj^ 
 
 425 €vurj<; veocrcrcov 6p(l)avoi' fikexjirj Xe^os* 
 OVTOJ Se -^avTT], xpcXbv w? opa vckw, 
 yooLCTLV i^cofiio^ev, €k S' d.pa<; KaKa<s 
 rjpaTo TolcTLv Tovpyov i^eLpyacrjxei'OL?. 
 Kal ■yepcrlv €v6v<; 8i\^iav ^ipei koviv, 
 
 430 e/c T evKpoTTjTOV ^aXfceas aphiqv irpo-^ov 
 '^ooLiTL TpLcnrovBoiTL Tov veKvv crTe<l)ei. 
 '^rifiel'; tSdvres lefjiecrOa, crvv Se viv 
 uTjpwfjied' evOvs ovoev eKTreTrXrjyfievrjV. 
 KaL TO.'? re Tj-pocrOey ras re vvv rjXey^o/xev 
 
 435 TT/sa^ets" anap-'o? S' ouSevos KadicrTaTO, 
 aXX' rjoeco? efioLye KaXy€ivu)<; ap,a. 
 TO jxeu yap avTov Ik KaKwv Tre^evyivai 
 TjOiCTTOv, es KaKov Se rovs (j>iXov<; dyeiv 
 dXyetvov. dXXa iravra ravO' yjcrcroi XaySetv 
 
 440 e'yLtoi '!Te<f)VKeu Trj'S ip,yj? crojrijpta?. 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 o-e 8i], (re ttjv vevovcrav ets Tre'Sov Kapa, 
 (f)rj? 7j Karapvei jjirj SeSpaKevac raSe ; 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 /cat (^ij/At Spda-at kovk dirapvoviLai to p.rj. 
 
 KPEHN. 
 
 crv /xet^ KofiC^ouq av creavTov rj 6eXeL<s, 
 445 i^Q) /Jaysetas atrtas iXevdepov • 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 air was choked therewith : we closed our eyes, and 
 bore the plague from the gods. 
 
 And when, after a long while, this storm had 
 passed, the maid was seen ; and she cried aloud 
 with the sharp cry of a bird in its bitterness, — 
 even as when, within the empty nest, it sees the 
 bed stripped of its nestlings. So she also, when 
 she saw the corpse bare, lifted up a voice of wailing, 
 and called down curses on the doers of that' deed. 
 And straightway she brought thirsty dust in her 
 hands ; and from a shapely ewer of bronze, held 
 high, with thrice-poured drink-offering she crowned 
 the dead. 
 
 We rushed forward when we saw it, and at once 
 closed upon our quarry, who was in no wise dis- 
 mayed. Then we taxed her with her past and 
 present doings ; and she stood not on denial of 
 aught, — at once to my joy and to my pain. To 
 have escaped from ills one's self is a great joy ; but 
 'tis painful to bring friends to ill. Howbeit, all 
 such things are of less account to me than mine 
 own safety. 
 
 Cr. Thou — thou whose face is bent to earth — 
 dost thou avow, or disavow, this deed ? 
 
 An. I avow it; I make no denial. 
 
 Cr. (To Guard.) Thou canst betake thee whither 
 thou wilt, free and clear of a grave charge. \_Exit 
 
 Guard. 
 
 39 
 
SOOOKAEOYS 
 
 cru S' eiTTC [loi [irj jxy^KO';, dXXa avvToixo)?. 
 yjSfja-Oa KTJpv^devTa jxr] TT/aacrcretv raoe ; 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 KPEnN. 
 
 /cal S-fjr eroX/ittS TovcrS' vTrep/3aCveLV vofiovs ; 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 450 ou yap Tt /xot Zeus ■^v 6 Krjpv^ai; TtiSe, 
 ovh' Tj ^■vyoiKO<; r5>-J kolto} 9ewv ACkt] 
 ToiovcrS' iv av9 puinoicriv copicrev vofjiovs' 
 ouSe <T0eyeLV to^ovtov (oofirjv ra era 
 K-qpvyixaiff wrr' a-ypairTa KOLcr^ak-q 9eSiv 
 
 455 vofxifia BvvacrdaL Ovtjtov ovff vTrepopafjieiv. 
 ov ydp TL vvv ye Kd')(Oe^, aXX' deC irore 
 ^y ravTa, /couSsis oXheu i^ orov '<f>dvr]. 
 TOTjTOiv iyo) ovK ifjieXX-ov, duBpo? ovBevos 
 (f)p6v7)iJLa oeicracr', iv Oeolcrt rrjv hiKrjv 
 
 460 Swcreiv. davovixefr} ydp i^rjSrj' tC 8' ov ; 
 Kel fjLTj cri) TrpovK7Jpv^a<;. ei Se roG )(p6vov 
 7rp6cr0e.y Oavovfxai, /ce^Sos a,vT iyo) Xiyot. 
 ocTTis ya.p ev ttoWoIctiv <us iyat Ka/cois 
 t,fi, 7r5s oS' ou;5(t KarOavbiv KepSo<; ^epei ; 
 
 465 ouroj? efJiOLye rovSe toG p.6pov TV)(elv 
 
 nap' ovBlu aXyos" aXX' ai^, et rov t^ c/xtJs 
 fjLTjTpo? Oavoyr dra(f>ov dvccr^op.'qv veKvy, 
 KCivot? ay T7Xyouv roia-Se S' ou/c dXyuf oju,ai. 
 crot o ei ooKOJ j'Gj' fiatpa Zpotya Tvyvdveiv, 
 
 470 cr^j^eodi' rt jxcopcp [jicopCav o^XtcrKdvoi. 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 (7"^ Antigone.) Now, tell me thou — not in many 
 words, but briefly — knewest t)iou that an edict had 
 forbidden this ? 
 
 An. I knew it : could I help it ? It was public. 
 
 Cr. And thou didst indeed dare to transgress 
 that law ? 
 
 An. Yes ; for it was not Zeus that had published 
 me that edict; not such are the laws set among 
 men by the Justice who dwells with the gods below ; 
 nor deemed I that thy decrees were of such force, 
 that a mortal could override the unwritten and un- 
 failing statutes of heaven. For their life is not of 
 to-day or yesterday, but from all time, and no man 
 knows when they were first put forth. 
 
 Not through dread of any human pride could I 
 answer to the gods for breaking ^Aese. Die I must, 
 — I knew that well (how should I not ?) — even 
 without thy edicts. But if I am to die before my 
 time, I count that a gain : for when any one lives, 
 as I do, compassed about with evils, can such an 
 one find aught but gain in death ? 
 
 So for me to meet this doom is trifling grief ; but 
 if I had suffered my mother's son to lie in death an 
 unburied corpse, tha:t would have grieved me ; for 
 this, I am not grieved. And if my present deeds 
 are foolish in thy sight, it may be that a foolish 
 
 judge arraigns my folly. 
 
 41 
 
ANTirONH. 
 
 X0P02. 
 
 SijXot TO yivvrjfi miiov i^ ojfiov TraTpo? 
 T1J9 TraiSos" eLK€iv B' ovk eVtcrraTat /ca/cot?. 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 dXX' la-di TOL TO. (TKhrjp ayav (fypovajfiara 
 TTLTTTeiv ixaXiCTTa, Kol Tov iyKpareaTarov 
 
 475 (TlZyjpOV OTTTOV Ik TTUpo? TTCpLO'KeXrj 
 
 dpavcrdevra kol payevra TrkelcTT av elcrCSoiiS' 
 crp,iKpm y^oKivw S' oTSa rous dvfjiovfjievov^ 
 LTTTTOvi KaLTapTvOivTw;. ov yap e/CTreXet 
 (fipoyelv jjiiy ocrrt? SouXo? ecrrt t&v TreXa?. 
 
 480 aVTT] S' v/3pCi,eLV fX,€V TOT i$7]TTL<TTaT0, 
 
 vofiovs VTTepjBaivovcra. tov? TrpoKeLjxkvovi' 
 vppL? o , ejret oeopaKev, T]oe oevTepa., 
 TOVTOt,? eTrav^^eii' koI BeSpaKvUav yeXav. 
 rj vvv iyw fxeu ovk avrjp, avTT) S' dvrjp, 
 
 485 el TavT dvaTL TrjSe KeicreTai Kpa.Tr]. 
 aXX eiT doeX(f>rj's eiff 6ju,aijU,oveo"re/3a 
 TOV TTO.vTO'i y]\}ly Zyjvb's ipKeiov Kvpei, 
 avT-q re -)(7} fuj^ai/ios ovk dXv^eTov 
 fiopov KaKiCTTOV • Kai yap ovv KeCvrjv icrov 
 
 490 eTratriw/xat rouSe J3ovXevcraL Ta^ov. 
 Kai VLV KoXeiT ■ ecrco yap etSov dprtws 
 Xvcra-axrav avrrjv ouS' i7Ty]/3oXov ^pevwv. 
 (pbXeL o 6 6vp,o<i TTpocxdev '^prjcrdat /cXoTreus 
 T<3v fj.rjoei' opdws iv cr/corw re^voj/xeytoi'. 
 
 495 ^tcrcj ye p.hTOL -^oiTay iy KaKolcri tl? 
 dXoii? cTretra tovto KaXXwew diXr). 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 ^eXets Tt fiei^ov ^ KaTaKTciyaC jx kXdiv ; 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 Ch. The maid shows herself passionate child of 
 passionate sire, and knows not how to bend before 
 troubles. 
 
 Cr. Yet I would have thee know that o'er-stub- 
 born spirits are most often humbled; 'tis the 
 stiffest iron, baked to hardness in the fire, that 
 thou shalt oftenest see snapped and shivered ; and 
 I have known horses that show temper brought to 
 order by a little curb ; there is no room for pride, 
 when thou art thy neighbor's slave. — This girl 
 was already versed in insolence when she trans- 
 gressed the laws that had been set forth ; and, that 
 done, lo, a second insult, — to vaunt of this, and 
 exult in her deed. 
 
 Now verily I am no man, she is the man, if this 
 victory shall rest with her, and bring no penalty. 
 No ! be she sister's child, or nearer to me in blood 
 than any that worships Zeus at the altar of our 
 house, — she and her kinsfolk shall not avoid a 
 doom most dire; for indeed I charge that other 
 with a like share in the plotting of this burial. 
 
 And summon her — for I saw her e'en now with- 
 in, — raving, and not mistress of her wits. So oft, 
 before the deed, the mind stands self-convicted in 
 its treason, when folks are plotting mischief in the 
 dark. But verily this, too, is hateful, — when one 
 who hath been caught in wickedness then seeks to 
 make the crime a glory. 
 
 43 
 
S0*0KAE0Y2 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 eyct) fxev ovhev tovt ix^^ airavT exfa. 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 Ti S-^ra jueXXets ; o)? Iju-oi twi' crwi' Xoytui/ 
 
 500 apecTTOv ovSev, firjB' apecOeiq ttotc, 
 ouTii) oe Kttt croi raju, a<pavoavovT ecpv. 
 KaCroi TToOev kMos y' av evKXeecrrepov 
 KaTecr^pv 7] tov avrdSeXcjiOV ev ra^w 
 TL0eiaa ; TovToi<; tovto -rracriv avhdveiv 
 
 505 \eyoiT dv, el firj ykuKTcrav iyKkrjoi (j)6^0'S. 
 [dW Tj Tvpavi>l<; iroWd r aXX' euSat/AOZ/et, 
 Ka^eaTLv avrrj 8pdv \iyeiv S' a /SouXerai.J 
 
 KPEHN. 
 
 (TV TOVTO fjioviMf) TcivSe K.o.Bp.eLojv 6pd<;. 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 opcocrt, xpvTov, crol 8' vttl\Xov(tlv CTTOfia. 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 510 crii 8' ovK IrraiSei, rojvSe )(Oipl<s el (^poveis ; 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 ovBev yap ala-xpov tous o/AocTTrXay^vous a-ejBeiv, 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 ou/fow o/xaiju,os X'^ KaravTlov davotv; 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 oixatjxoi eK /i,tas re Kai rauroG Trarpos. 
 
 KPEilN. 
 
 TTws 8197' eKeCvo) Bvcrcrefirj TLpa? X'^P'-^ > 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 An. Wouldst thou do more than take and slay 
 me? 
 
 Cr. No more, indeed; having that, I have all. 
 
 An. Why then dost thou delay? In thy dis- 
 course there is nought that pleases me, — never 
 may there be ! — and so my words must needs be 
 unpleasing to thee. And yet, for glory — whence 
 could I have won a nobler, than by giving burial 
 to mine own brother? All here would own that 
 they thought it well, were not their lips sealed by 
 fear. But royalty, blest in so much besides, hath 
 the power to do and say what it will. 
 
 Cr. Thou differest from all these Thebans in 
 that view. 
 
 An. These also share it; but they curb their 
 tongues for thee. 
 
 Cr. And art thou not ashamed to act apart 
 from them? 
 
 An. No ; there is nothing shameful in piety to 
 a brother. 
 
 Cr. Was it not a brother, too, that died in the 
 opposite cause ? 
 
 An. Brother by the same mother and the same 
 
 sire. 
 
 Cr. Why, then, dost thou render a grace that 
 is impious in his sight? 
 
 45 
 
ANTirONH. 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 315 ov fiapTvprjcrei ravd' 6 KarOavwv veKV<;. 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 ei Toi a-(f)€ TLfia'i l^ ta-ov Tea Zvcrcrefiel. 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 OV yap Ti 80OX.OS, aX.X' doeX.^os oiXero. 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 iropd<av 8e tt^vSc yy)v 6 8' dvTio-Tols UTre/o. 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 o/ici)5" o y' "AiSt^s tous vop-ovi icrov<; irodeZ. 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 520 dXX' oux 6 XP'?0'T05 Tw Ka/cw Xwxelv icros. 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 Ti's oTSei/ ei KOLTCDOev euay^ rctSe; 
 
 KPEflN. 
 
 ouTot TTO^' ov-)(9p6'S, ovh' OTav ddvYj, <J)l\o<;, 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 ovToi crvve^deiv, aXka avyi^iKeiv e<f)vv. 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 Karco vvv iXdovcr , el (fnXyjTeov, (f>t\ei, 
 525 KCtvovs" kfiov Se ^(ui'Tos ovK dp^ei. yvvq. 
 
 Fifth Scene. Creon. Antigone. Ismene. Two Attendants. 
 
 XOP02. 
 
 Kot jJLrjV 77/30 TTVKCJV TjB' 'icTjUTJI^, 
 
 ^tX.d8eX<^a Kara) BaKpv XeilSo^ivr)' 
 ve(j)eXrf 8' 6(f>pvQ)v vwep aiji-aToev 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 An. The dead man will not say that he so 
 deems it. 
 
 Cr. Yea, if thou makest him but equal in 
 honor with the wicked. 
 
 An. It was his brother, not his slave, that 
 perished. 
 
 Cr. Wasting this land; while he fell as its 
 champion. 
 
 An. Nevertheless, Hades desires these rites. 
 
 Cr. But the good desires not a like portion with 
 the evil. 
 
 An. Who knows but this seems blameless in 
 the world below.? 
 
 Cr. a foe is never a friend — not even in death. 
 
 An. 'Tis not my nature to join in hating, but in 
 loving. 
 
 Cr. Pass, then, to the world of the dead, and, 
 if thou must needs love, love them. While I live 
 no woman shall rule me. 
 
 Fifth Scene. Creon. Antigone. Ismene. Two Attend- 
 ants. 
 
 Enter ISMENE from the house, led in by two attendants. 
 
 Ch. Lo, yonder Ismene comes forth, shedding 
 such tears as fond sisters weep ; a cloud upon her 
 
 47 
 
SO*OKAEOYS 
 530 Tiyyova evoiira Trapeiav, 
 
 KPEXIN. 
 
 (TV 8', 7) Kar oi/cous ws e^iSv' v(f>eLfiivT], 
 XrjOovcrd /x' efeirtve?, ouS' ifidvOavov 
 Tpi(^(ov 8u' ara KaTravacrrdcrei,? upovoiv, 
 <^eo', eiTTC S17 ^oi, /cat crii ToOSe tou to-^ov 
 535 (^r^creis fieracrxelv, rj '^oixei to [irj elSepau ; 
 
 I2MHNH. 
 
 SeSyDtt/ca Tovpyov, eLirep -^8' 6fji,oppo0el, 
 Koi ^iJLiJi,erLcr)(co koll (fiepco t'^s airtas. 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 aAA. ovK eacret tovto y rj oukt] cr , etrei 
 ovt' rjOeXrjcra'S, ovr iyo) Koivoitrap/qv. 
 
 I2MHNH. 
 
 540 dX.X' iv KaKois xoi? o'dictiv ovk alcr')(yvofjiai 
 ^ufJiTrXovv ifJuavTrjv tov irdOov; ttoiovjucj^. 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 Siv Tovpyov, "AtSiys ^o' xdro) ^vvCcTTope'S ' 
 XoyoLS o iyo) (jitXovcrav ov crTepyco (piXyjv. 
 
 I2MHNH. 
 
 fjLtJTOi, Kaa-iyvrJTy], fi dTiiJuda-Q^ to /a-^ ou 
 545 OaveLV re crui' o"oi tov davovTa ff dyuicraL. 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 p,y] fLOL ddvy? cri) Koivd, jui^S' a /atj '^lyes 
 TTotou creavTTjs • apKecra) OvrjCTKova-' eycu. 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 brow casts its shadow over her darkly-flushing face, 
 and breaks in rain on her fair cheek. 
 
 Cr. And thou, who, lurking like a viper in my 
 house, wast secretly draining my life-blood, while I 
 knew not that I was nurturing two pests, to rise 
 against my throne — come, tell me now, wilt thou 
 also confess thy part in this burial, or wilt thou 
 forswear all knowledge of it? 
 
 Is. I have done the deed, — if she allows my 
 claim, — and share the burden of the charge. 
 
 An. Nay, justice will not suffer thee to do that : 
 thou didst not consent to the deed, nor did I give^ 
 thee part in it. 
 
 Is. But, now that ills beset thee, I arfi not 
 ashamed to sail the sea of trouble at thy side. 
 
 An. Whose was the deed, Hades and the dead 
 are witnesses : a friend in words is not the friend 
 that I love. 
 
 Is. Nay, sister, reject me not, but let me die 
 with thee, and duly honor the dead. 
 
 An. Share not thou my death, nor claim deeds 
 to which thou hast not put thy hand: my death 
 will sufKce. 
 
 Is. And what life is dear to me, bereft of thee ? 
 
 49 
 
ANTirONH. 
 
 I2MHNH. 
 
 Kol tU /3tos ju,ot crov XekeLfiiievri i^iXos; 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 KpeovT ipcora- TovSe yap crv /cT^Seju.wi'. 
 
 I2MHNH. 
 
 550 Tt TOJvT dvia? fi ovhev Q)(j)e\ovjj.ev7] ; 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 aXyovcra jxkv hrJT, ei yeXwr' iv croi yeXco, 
 
 I2MHNH. 
 
 tC Srjr av dXXa vvv </ er ai^eXot/*' iyoi ; 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 crtucrov creavTTji' • ov <f>0oi'a) cr VTreKtjivyeiv. 
 
 I2MHNH. 
 
 oijaoi rdXabva, KapLtrXaKOi tov <tov p^opov; 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 555 cru pkv yap elXov i,7]v, iyco Se KardaveZv. 
 
 I2MHNH. 
 
 dXX' ou/f iiT dppiJTOL's ye rots ipoi's Xoyois. 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 /caXcijs cru )u,ev croC, rois 8' eycu 'Sd/coui' ^poveiv, 
 
 I2MHNH. 
 
 KOI pj)v icrr] vuv icmv rj '^ap,apTLa. 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 ddpa-ei • (ri) pev t,fi<;, rj 8' ip-f] ^VXV 'rdXat 
 560 TeOurjKev, axTTe rois Oavovcriv dxjjeXeiv. 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 An. Ask Creon ; all thy care is for him. 
 
 Is. Why vex me thus, when it avails thee 
 nought ? 
 
 An. Indeed, if I mock, 'tis with pain that I 
 mock thee. 
 
 Is. Tell me, — how can I serve thee, even now ? 
 
 An. Save thyself : I grudge not thy escape. 
 
 Is. Ah, woe is me ! And shall I have no share 
 in thy fate .? 
 
 An. Thy choice was to live ; mine, to die. 
 
 Is. At least thy choice was not made without 
 my protest. 
 
 An. One world approved thy wisdom ; another, 
 mine.. 
 
 Is. Howbeit, the offence is the same for both 
 
 of us. 
 
 An. Be of good cheer ; thou livest ; but my life 
 hath long been given to death, that so I might serve 
 
 the dead. 
 
 Cr. Lo, one of these maidens hath newly shown 
 herself foolish, as the other hath been since her life 
 began. 
 
SO*OKAEOYS 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 TO) iratSe (f>7)ixi rciSe Tr}v [lev dpTLW? 
 
 avow Tre<f>dv0oi,L, ttjv S' d<f>' ov to, TrpwT e<f)V, 
 
 I2MHNH. 
 
 ou ya.p TTOT , wvag-, ovo os ctv pKacrrrj jjievei 
 vov<; Tois KaKftis irpdcraovariv, dX\' eftcrrarai. 
 
 KPEXIN. 
 
 565 croi youv, o^' etXou o'i'i' /caKots irpdcrcreiv KaKd. 
 
 I2MHNH. 
 
 Ti yct^ f^'^^V /"-oi TT^crS' arep fiiaxTi/JiOv ; 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 aAA T^oe peuTOL fir) Key • ov yap €crT ert. 
 
 I2MHNH. 
 
 aXXa Krevets vvpL^eZa tov crayTov TeKvov ; 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 apcaa-LfjiOL yap ^aTipoyv eicrXv yvai. 
 
 I2MHNH. ,, I 
 
 570 oux <2s y' e'/ceiVw ttJSc r i^v yipp,o(Tp.kva, 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 Ka/cas eyo) yvvat/cas vtecri a-Tvyco. 
 
 I2MHNH. 
 
 ft) <f>C\Tad' Alfxav, w; cr' drt/Aa^et irar-qp. 
 
 KPEnN. < 
 
 ayai' ye \inrets /cai cru (cal to croi' Xexo?. 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 , •^ yd/3 (TTe/JTjcreis T'^crSe rov o-auro^ yo'z^oi/ ; 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 Is. Yea, O King, such reason as nature may 
 have given abides not with the unfortunate, but 
 goes astray. 
 
 Cr. Thine did, when thou chosest vile deeds 
 with the vile. 
 
 Is. What life could I endure, without her 
 presence ? 
 
 Cr. Nay, speak not of her ' presence ' ; she lives 
 no more. 
 
 Is. But wilt thou slay the betrothed of thine 
 own son ? 
 
 Cr. Nay, there are other fields for him to plough. 
 
 Is. But there can never be such love as bound 
 him to her. 
 
 Cr. I like not an evil wife for my son. 
 
 An. Haemon, beloved ! How thy father wrongs 
 thee! 
 
 Cr. Enough, enough of thee and of thy mar- 
 riage ! 
 
 Ch. Wilt thou indeed rob thy son of this 
 maiden ? 
 
 Cr. 'Tis Death that shall stay these bridals for 
 
 me. 
 
 Ch. 'Tis determined, it seems, that she shall 
 
 die. 
 
 S3 
 
ANTirONH. 
 
 KPECN. 
 
 bts'AiStjs 6 TTava-cov TovcrBe tous ydfiov? ifioL 
 
 X0P02. 
 
 SeSoyjLieV. ws eotKe, ttjvSc KaTdaveZv. 
 
 KPEilN. 
 
 /cai (Toi ye »cdju,ot. /ai) rpt^a? er , dWa vti^ 
 KoiiiieT dcroi, Sju-wes • £« Se rouSe XP^ 
 ywaiKas elvat rdcrSe /a^8' dvet/i.ei'a?. 
 580 (^evyoucri ydp rot ^oi Opao'ei'?, orav TreXas 
 -^St^ tov "AiBrjv ei(Top(o<TL tov jSiov. 
 
 %Ta(TLlX.OV )8 . 
 X0P02. 
 
 ZTpO(t>1] OU 
 
 evSat/xoves olcri KaKav ayevcrros atcov. 
 ots ydp ai' creicrdfj Oeodev oofJLO';, aras 
 585 ouSev IXXetTTei yei/eds lirt ttXtjOo? ipvov • 
 . ouoLov ^crre TrovTiais oiofxa ov<nrvooi<; orav 
 @pya-cravcn,v epe/So^ v(f>a\ov eTn8pd[ji,y vvoa2<;, 
 590 KvXCvBei ^vcrcrodev Kekaivav Olva, /cat 
 
 Svcrdvepopii cttovo) ^pip-ova-L S' avrtTrXTjyes aKTaC. 
 
 'AvTio-rpo(()ii a. 
 
 dp^aia TO, AaySSa/fiSav olkmv 6pa>paL 
 595 Tnjpara <J)Olt(i)i> IttI TnjpacTL ttltttovt , 
 
 ovB' diraXkacrcrei yevedv yevos, dXX' kpeCireL 
 deatv Tts, ovS' ej^et Xucrtv. vuv ydp Icr^dra? VTrep 
 600 plt,a<; ereraTO ^do<; kv OIZittov SojU,ots, 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 Cr. Determined, yes, for thee and for me. — {To 
 the two Attendants.) No more delay — servants, take 
 them within ! Henceforth they must be women, 
 and not range at large; for verily even the bold 
 seek to fly when they see Death now closing on 
 their life. 
 
 Exeunt Attendants, guarding Antigone and Ismene. — Creon 
 
 remains. 
 
 Ch. Blest are they whose days have not tasted 
 of evil. For when a house hath once been shaken 
 from heaven, there the curse fails nevermore, pass- 
 ing from life to life of the race ; even as, when the 
 surge is driven over the darkness of the deep by 
 the fierce breath of Thracian sea-winds, it rolls up 
 the black sand from the depths, and there is a 
 sullen roar from wind-vexed headlands that front 
 the blows of the storm. 
 
 I see that from olden time the sorrows in the 
 house of the Labdacidae are heaped upon the sor- 
 rows of the dead ; and generation is not freed by 
 generation, but some god strikes them down, and 
 the race hath no deliverance. 
 
 For now that hope of which the light had been 
 
 spread above the last root of the house of Oedipus, 
 
 55 
 
204>OKAEOYS 
 
 /car' av viv <f>OLVLa ffecjv twv veprepcov 
 ajxa, kottIs Xoyov t avoLa kcll (j>peva)v ipLvv<;- 
 
 Srpoctiii P'. 
 
 605 Tedv, Zev, Swacrtv Tts avSpwv vvepfiacrLa Kardcrxoi, 
 Tav .OV0' vnvo'i alpel nod' 6 TravTaypev? ovt 
 aKdp,aTOL OeovTes firjve?, dyTJpo)'; 8e ^ovco 
 610 Swacrras Karej^eis 'OX^jlittou fj^apfjuapoecxcrav auyXav • 
 TO r eneiTa /cat to jxeXXov 
 KoL TO nplv kirapKicrei 
 vofio? oo ■ ovoev epnei 
 6var5>v yStoTw TrX'qp,p,eXe<; Ikto<; ara?. 
 
 'AvTi(rTpo(t>ii p'. 
 
 615 a yap Brj TroXvirXayKTo^ IXttis ttoXXoi? /j.ei' 6vrj(Ti<i 
 
 dvBpcov, 
 77oXXot? S' drraTa Kov<f)ov6coy epcoTcov • 
 
 eiooTt o ovoev epveu, irpiv nvpt uepfico wooa ns 
 620 Trpotravcrrj. <TO(f>Ca yap ck tov KXeuvov cttos Tre^airai ■ 
 TO KaKov BoKelv TTOT ecrdXov 
 TWO e/AjLiev oTw (ppeva<; 
 6eos dyei tt/dos drav. 
 625 TTpdacrei S' oXCyiaTov ^ovov efCTOj ctTas. 
 
 ooe jiA'^j' Ai/xwv, TTaCScov tS)v crcov 
 veaTov yivv-qp.' ■ ap' d-)(yvp.€vo^ 
 Trjq p.eXXoydp.ov raXiSos i^/cei 
 p,6pov 'AvTiyovT)';, 
 630 aTTttTas Xe)(ea>i' virepaXy^v ; 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 — that hope in turn is brought low — by the blood- 
 stained dust due to the gods infernal, and by folly 
 in speech, and frenzy at the heart. 
 
 Thy power, O Zeus, what human trespass can 
 limit? That power which neither Sleep, the all- 
 ensnaring, nor the untiring months of the gods 
 can master ; but thou, a ruler to whom time brings 
 not old age, dwellest in the dazzling splendor of 
 Olympus, 
 
 And through the future, near and far, as through 
 the past, shall this law hold good : Nothing that is 
 vast enters into the life of mortals without a curse. 
 
 For that hope whose wanderings are so wide is 
 to many men a comfort, but to many a false lure of 
 giddy desires ; and the disappointment comes on 
 one who knoweth not till he burn his foot against 
 the hot fire. 
 
 For with wisdom hath some one given forth the 
 famous saying, that evil seems good, soon or late, 
 to him whose mind the god draws to mischief ; and 
 but for the briefest space doth he fare free of woe. 
 
 But lo, Haemon, the last of thy sons ; — comes 
 he grieving for the doom of his promised bride, 
 Antigone, and bitter for the baffled hope of his 
 
 marriage ? 
 
 57 
 
ANTirONH. 
 
 Sixth Scene. Creon. Two Servants. Haemon. 
 'EireLcroSiov y. 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 rax' ela-oixecrOa ii.dvTe.oiv {nripTepov. 
 w TTOi, TeXeiav \jjyj<f}ov oipa fjirj k\vo)v 
 rrj^ LL€WovuiJi<f>ov iraTpl 6vp,aiv(t)v Trapei ; 
 ^ crol p.ev rjfiel? -rravTax^ S/acovTes ^'ikoi ; 
 
 AIMflN. 
 
 635 iraTep, cros et/Ai, koX av [lov yvajxa? I^wv 
 ■^rjCTTa^ aTropdoL-;, a?s eyory £(f)€xjjop-aL. 
 efjLol yap ovSei? dfiw? ecrrat yajjiO's 
 fjLeC^ciiv ^kpecrOai (tov Kokco'i Tjyovfjiei'ov. 
 
 KPEIIN. 
 
 ovrci) yoLp, u> TTOL, ■)(pr) 8ta. crTepvcov €)(ei.v, 
 640 yvcoiiTj? Trarpcoa^ tto.vt OTTLcrdev iardvaL. 
 TovTov. yap ovveK dv8pe<; ev^ovTai yova,<; 
 KaTyjKoov; c^ucravre? iv Sd/Aots €)(eiv, 
 w? Kal TOV i^dpov dvTafjLVvcovTat /caKois, 
 
 Kol TOV <f>L\oV TLfJiOXTiV i^ ICTOV VaTpL 
 
 645 ocrTi.5 S' dv(i>({)e\7]Ta (^iruei TeKva, 
 
 tL tovo av eiTTOts ak\o TrXrjv avro) vovov^ 
 (f)V(Tai, TToXiiv Se Tolcriv i)(9po2cra' yiXoyv ; 
 fj.7j vvv TTOT , S) TTOI, rcts <^piva<i y v<^ r^hovr)'; 
 ywaLKo<; ovv€k eKySaXij?, etSws on 
 
 650 xpv^pov TrapayKaKiarp.a tovto yiyvexai, 
 yvvrj KaKrj ^vvevvo<s iv Sd/Aot?. ri yap 
 yevoLT av eX/cos ixeZiC,ov rf ^C\o<; Kra/cds; 
 aWa TTTucras wcrei re Zvcrpevrj p.iOe's 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 Sixth Scene. Creon. Two Servants. Haemon. 
 Enter HaEMON. 
 
 Cr. We shall know soon, better than seers 
 could tell us. — My son, hearing the fixed doom of 
 thy betrothed, art thou come in rage against thy 
 father } Or have I thy good will, act how I may ? 
 
 Hae. Father, I am thine ; and thou, in thy 
 wisdom, tracest for me rules which I shall follow. 
 No marriage shall be deemed by me a greater gain 
 than thy good guidance, 
 
 Cr. Yea, this, my son, should be thy heart's 
 fixed law, — in all things to obey thy father's will. 
 'Tis for this that men pray to see dutiful children 
 grow up around them in their homes, — that such 
 may requite their father's foe with evil, and honor, 
 as their father doth, his friend. But he who begets 
 unprofitable children — what shall we say that he 
 hath sown, but troubles for himself, and much 
 triumph for his foes ? Then do not thou, my son, 
 at pleasure's beck, dethrone thy reason for a woman's 
 sake ; knowing that this is a joy that soon grows 
 cold in clasping arms, — an evil woman to share 
 thy bed and thy home. For what wound could 
 strike deeper than a false friend ? Nay, with loath- 
 ing, and as if she were thine enemy, let this girl go 
 to find a husband in the house of Hades. For 
 since I have taken her, alone of all the city, in open 
 
 59 
 
SO*OKAEOYS 
 
 Trjv TToiS' iv "AiSou ri^i^Se vvix.<l>e.veiv tlvC. 
 
 655 eTrei yap avrrjv elXov ifK^ava? iyca 
 iroXe&JS aina-TTijcracrav ck iraa-r]'? ixovrjv, 
 rj/evByj y ifjiavrov ov KaTacrrrjcrci) TToXet, 
 aXKa KTCvco. Trpo? TavT e^v/At-etrco Ata 
 ^vvaufLov • el yap Brj rd y iyyevrj (f)va-et, 
 
 660 OLKocrpLa ffpexjtQ), Kapra tov? i^co yevov? • 
 iv Tois yap oiKeioicTLV oa"Ti5 ecrr dvrjp 
 ■)(pr)a-T6<;, (jtaveiTai kolv TToXet St/caios ^v. 
 ocrrts S' vTTep^d<; ^ vop-ovi ^ta^erat 
 Tj TovTriToicrcreiv rois KpaTvvovcrLv voev, 
 
 665 ovK ea-T iTTaCvov tovtov i^ ip.ov Tv-)(e'iv. 
 ahX ov TToXts cmjcreie, rovSe )(pr) kXvclv 
 Koi cTfiLKpd Kal StKrata /cat TavavTia. 
 KoX TOVTov av Tov dvSpa dapcroiyjv iyo) 
 /caXw5 ftev dp-^eiv, ev 8' av dp-)(eadaL 64\eiv, 
 
 670 Soyoos 7"' ai' es' ^ei/iwpt TTpocrTerayixevov 
 fjievew SiKaLov Kayadov irapaa-Tonqv. 
 dvap'j)(La<; Se jxeL^flv ovk eaTiv KaKov • 
 avTTj TToXei? r' oWvctlv, tjo' dvacrraTovs 
 otKous rCdrjcTLV, ■^Se (Tviifjid)(ov Soyaos 
 
 675 Tpovd'S KarapprjyvvcTi. rS>v S' opdovfiivcov 
 crcolfil, ra ttoXXo, crcapjaff rj ireiOap-^ia. 
 ovTO}<s ajjLVVTe' ecrrt tois Koaii,ovfxkvoi<i, 
 KovTOL yvvaiKO^ ovSap.co'; rjcrcrrjTea. 
 Kpeicrcrov yap, euTrep Set, 77/305 dvSpo? iKirea-elv, 
 
 680 Kou/f ai' yvvaiKcov TJa-crove^ KaXoCp.ed' dv. 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 T^^tv pev, ei ;u,ij T&j XP°^V KEKkippeOa, 
 Xeyetv <f)povovvroi% S)v Xeyets So/cets Trept. 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 disobedience, I will not make myself a liar to my 
 people — I will slay her. 
 
 So let her appeal as she, will to the majesty of 
 kindred blood. If I am to nurture mine own 
 kindred in naughtiness, needs must I bear with it 
 in aliens. He who does his duty in his own house- 
 hold will be found righteous in the State also. But 
 if any one transgresses, and does violence to the 
 laws, or thinks to dictate to his rulers, such an one 
 can win no praise from me. No, whomsoever the 
 city may appoint, that man must be obeyed, in 
 little things and great, in just things and unjust ; 
 and I should feel sure that one who thus obeys 
 would be a good ruler no less than a good subject, 
 and in the storm of spears would stand his ground 
 where he was set, loyal and dauntless at his com- 
 rade's side. 
 
 But disobedience is the worst of evils. This it 
 is that ruins cities ; this makes homes desolate ; by 
 this, the ranks of allies are broken into headlong 
 rout: but, of the lives whose course is fair, the 
 greater part owes safety to obedience. Therefore 
 we must support the cause of order, and in no wise 
 suffer a woman to worst us. Better to fall from 
 power, if we must, by a man's hand; then we 
 should not be called weaker than a woman. . 
 
 6i 
 
ANTirONH. 
 
 AIMnN. 
 
 irdrep, Oeol (Jjvovctlv avOpcJiroL's (jypeva?, 
 TravTOiv 0(7 ecrn KTrj^droiv vTrepraTov. 
 
 685 eyct) 8' OTTw? o"u fir) Xeyeis opOcHi; rdSe 
 ovT av hvvalp/qv fjLtJT kTncrTa.ip/qv \ey€iv • 
 yivoLTO fieuTOLv ^dre^w /caXoIs ^ov. 
 crol 8' ovv n£(j)VKa iravTa irpocrKOTTeiv ocra 
 Xeyet ris rj TrpdacreL tl<; ^ xpiyeiv ejj^et. 
 
 S90 70 yap crov ofifta oeivov avopl hrjp^oTrj 
 Xdyois Totourot?, ois cru pLT] Teprfjei kXvwv • 
 e/AOi o aKoveiv etru viro ctkotov Taoe, 
 Trjv TratSa TavTTjv oV oBvperai t7o\is, 
 TTacrcov yvvaiKcov ws dva^uoTdTT] 
 
 695 KaKLcrr dv epycov eu/fXeecrraTwv (ftOivei, 
 17TIS rbv aur'^s avTdoe\(f)ov kv (^ovais 
 TrerrTutT auaiTTOV p-rjO' vu WfirjcrToiv kxjvwv 
 etacr' oXecr^at ju.7j^' utt' oIcjvwv two's • 
 ov)(^ y]8e •)(pvcrT)<s d^ia TLfirj<; Xa^eii'; 
 
 700 Totct8' ep£[x,vri crZy eTrep^eraL (j>dTi<;. 
 
 e/Aot Se croO vpdcrcrovTO'; evTV^cjs, irdrep, 
 ovK ecTTiv ovBev Krrjp^a TijaKureoov. 
 Ti yap 7rarpo5 ^aXXoiros eu/cXeias rcKi/ois 
 aya\[j,a /x.ei^ov, ^ rt 77/305 77aiScov Trarpi ; 
 
 705 jLAT^ vvj' Iv -^^o? fiovvov ev cravTw <^opet, 
 0)5 (^>75 cru, KovSei^ aXXo, tout' 6pdo}<i eveuv. 
 00-715 yap av705 iy (f>poveLv p,6vo<i So/cei, 
 ^ yXwcrcrai', -^i/ ouk aXXo5, 17 ^Xl^ ^^t-v, 
 ovToi BiaTTTV^^devTe^ ^(ftdyjcrav Kevoi. 
 
 710 dXX' dvBpa, Ke* rts 17 cro<j>6<s, to p.av9dv€iv 
 770XX ala-)(pov ovhev /cat to ju,-^ Teiveiv dyav. 
 6pa5 77apd pddpoKTi ^j^ei/Acijoyaots ocra 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 Ch. To us, unless our years have stolen our wit 
 thou seemest to say wisely what thou sayest. 
 
 Hae. Father, the gods implant reason in men, 
 the highest of all things that we call our own. 
 Not mine the skill — far from me be the quest! — 
 to say wherein thou speakest not aright ; and yet 
 another man, too, might have some useful thought. 
 At least, it is my natural office to watch, on thy 
 behalf, all that men say, or do, or find to blame. 
 For the dread of thy frown forbids the citizen to 
 speak such words as would offend thine ear ; but I 
 can hear these murmurs in the dark, these moan- 
 ings of the city for this maiden ; ' no woman,' they 
 say, 'ever merited her doom less, — none ever was 
 to die so shamefully for deeds so glorious as hers ; 
 who, when her own brother had fallen in bloody 
 strife, would not leave him unburied, to be de- 
 voured by carrion dogs, or by any bird: — deserves 
 not she the meed of golden honor ? ' 
 
 Such is the darkling rumor that spreads in secret. 
 For me, my father, no treasure is so precious as thy 
 welfare. What, indeed, is a nobler ornament for 
 children than a prospering sire's fair fame, or for 
 sire than son's ? Wear not, then, one mood only 
 in thyself ; think not that thy word, and thine alone, 
 must be right. For if any man thinks that he 
 alone is wise, — that in speech, or in mind, he hath 
 no peer, — such a soul, when laid open, is ever 
 
 found empty. 
 
 63 
 
SO*OKAEOYS 
 SepSpcov viTUKei, *cXa!vas &>s e/ccrw^eTat • 
 
 TO. S' aVTLT€LVOVT aVTOTTpeiLV aTToXXuTttl. 
 
 715 aureus Se vao^ octtl'S eyKparrj TroSa 
 retvas UTrei/cet fiyj^ev, UTrrtot? Karw 
 crrpei|»as to Xoittov creKp-acriv vavTiWerai. 
 dX\' et/ce dvjjbov kol jxeToicrTacriv SiSov. 
 yvu>ixrj yap ei rts K^air e/AOU vecjTepov 
 
 720 TTpocrecTTi., (f>rjiJL eycoye Tvpecr^eveLv ttoKv, 
 ^vvai Tov dvSpa irdvT' ImcrTTJfjir]? nXecov • 
 el 8' oSv, ^tXei yap tovto jxtj Tavrrj peireiv, 
 /cai Tcju keyovTCDV eS KraA.oi' to jjiavOdveLV. 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 avag, o"e r' ei/fos, ei ri Kaipiov XeyeL, 
 725 iiaOeiv, ere t' au TouS'* eS yap etprjTaL SlttXtJ. 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 ot TT^XtKotSe Kal hiha^ofxecrOa hrj 
 ^poveiv VTT duSpb<; rrjXiKOvSe rrjv <f)V(TLv; 
 
 AIMnN. 
 
 fir}0€v TO fjLrj BiKaLOV • ei 8' eycj veos, 
 
 ou TOZ' )(p6vov )(pr) fjidXXov 7} rdpya (TKOTrelv. 
 
 KPEHN. 
 
 730 epyoi' yap ecTTi tous a.Koa-p.ovvTa'i a-e/3eLV ; 
 
 AIMnN. 
 
 ouS' dv KeXeva-atp.' eva-e/Selv eis tous KaKov<;. 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 ou^ i^Se yap toiolS' iTreiXyjiTTai v6cra> ; 
 
 AIMnN. 
 
 ou ^Tjo-i @r;^T;s T^o-S' o/xoTTToXts Xews. 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 No, though a man be wise, 'tis no shame for him 
 to Jearn many things, and to bend in season. 
 Seest thou, beside the wintry torrent's course, how 
 the trees that yield to it save every twig, while the 
 stiff-necked perish root and branch ? And even 
 thus he who keeps the sheet of his sail taut, and 
 never slackens it, upsets his boat and finishes his 
 voyage with keel uppermost. 
 
 Nay, forego thy wrath ; permit thyself to change. 
 For if I, a younger man, may offer my thought, it 
 were far best, I ween, that men should be all-wise 
 by nature ; but, otherwise — and oft the scale in- 
 clines not so — 'tis good also to learn from those 
 who speak aright. 
 
 Ch. Sire, 'tis meet that thou shouldest profit by 
 his words, if he speaks aught in season, and thou, 
 Haemon, by thy father's ; for on both parts there 
 hath been wise speech. 
 
 Cr. Men of my age — are we indeed to be 
 schooled, then, by men of his .? 
 
 Hae. In nothing that is not right ; but if I am 
 young, thou shouldest look to my merits not to my 
 
 years. 
 
 Cr. Is it a merit to honor the unruly.? 
 
 6s 
 
ANTirONH. 
 
 KPEHN. 
 
 iToXis ya.p rjfiLV afie ■)(pr) Toicrcreiv epei, ; 
 
 AIMnN. 
 
 735 opas ToS' 0)5 €ip-qKa<i 0)5 ayav veos ; 
 
 KPEHN. 
 
 dXXft) yap ■^ '/iol ■)(prj fie rrjaS' dp^euv ^0ov6? ; 
 
 I AimnN. 
 
 TToAw ya/D ouK ecrcf ■^rw avopos ecru ei/os. 
 
 ; KPEnN. 
 
 ou ToO /cpaTouiTos '17 7roXt5 vop.it,eTai ; 
 
 AIMnN. 
 
 /caXc(J5 epyjiMT)? y av crii yrj^ a.p)(oi<; ynovos. 
 
 KPEHN. 
 
 740 oS', ws €OLK€, Ty yvvaLKi (TU/AjLia^j^ei. 
 
 AIMnN. 
 
 CLTrep yvjnj crv- crov yap ovv TTpoKrjhop,ai. 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 o) TrayKaKLCTTe, Sta Sikt^s iwi' TrarpC. 
 
 ! AIMnN. 
 
 01; yap 8i/caia or' e^ap.apTdvovO' opw. 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 djuapTavo) ydp rds Ip,d5 dp^ds cri^oiv ; 
 
 AIMnN. 
 
 745 ou ydp o-eySet5, rtjU,ds ye rd5 ^ewj^ iraToiv. 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 , Hae. I could wish no one to show respect for 
 evil-doers. 
 
 Cr. Then is not she tainted with that malady ? 
 
 Hae. Our Theban folk, with one voice, denies it. 
 
 Cr. Shall Thebes prescribe to me how I must 
 rule ? 
 
 Hae. See, there thou hast spoken like a youth 
 indeed. 
 
 Cr. Am I to rule this land by other judgment 
 than mine own ? 
 
 Hae. That is no city, which belongs to one man. 
 
 Cr. Is not the city held to be the ruler's ? 
 
 Hae. Thou wouldst make a good monarch of 
 a desert. 
 
 Cr. This boy, it seems, is the woman's cham- 
 pion. 
 
 Hae. If thou art a woman ; indeed, my care is 
 
 for thee. 
 
 Cr. Shameless, at open feud with thy father ! 
 
 Hae. Nay, I see thee offending against justice. 
 
 Cr. Do I offend, when I respect mine own pre- 
 rogatives ? 
 
 67 
 
20<I>OKAEOY2 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 u) iiLapov ■^do's Kol yvvaiKo? vcrrepov. 
 
 AIMflN. 
 
 ov Tciv eXo(,5 rjcrcrct) ye tcHv alcrxp^v e/Ae. 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 6 yovv Xoyos croi ttcIs virep Keivq^ oSe. 
 
 AIMnN. 
 
 Kttl (Tov ye Kafiov Koi decov Ttav vepTepcjv. 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 750 TavTTjv V yr* ovk icrd' ois en ^wcrav yajneis. 
 
 AIMnN. 
 
 178' ovv daveuTai Kal Oavovcr oXet TLva, 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 •^ /ca.TraireiXciji' oiS' eirefep^^ei 6pacrv? ; 
 
 AiMnr?. 
 rts o ecTT a,7rel\7j Trpos Keva<i yvotp^a^ Xeyeiv ; 
 
 . KPEnN. 
 
 kXcucov (fypevcjcrei?,- ci>v ^pevmv auros k€v6<s. 
 
 AIMnN. 
 
 757 fiovkei keyeiv ti koX Xeymv pTjBh KXvetv. 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 756 yvvaLKO'i cJv SovXevpa, pr) KWTiXXe pe. 
 
 AIMnN. 
 
 755 el pri vaTrjp ^ad'. elvov av a ovk ev ^poveiv. 
 
ANTIGONE. , 
 
 Hae. Thou dost not respect them, when thou 
 tramplest on the gods' honors. 
 
 ? Cr. O dastard nature, yielding place to a 
 woman ! 
 
 Hae. Thou wilt never find me yield to baseness. 
 
 Cr. All thy words, at least, plead for that girl. 
 
 Hae. And for thee, and for me, and for the 
 gods below. 
 
 Cr. Thou canst never marry her, on this side 
 the grave. 
 
 Hae. Then she must die, and in death de- 
 stroy another. 
 
 Cr. How ! doth thy boldness run to open 
 threats } 
 
 Hae. What threat is it, to combat vain re- 
 solves ."* 
 
 Cr. Thou woman's slave, use not wheedling 
 speech with me. 
 
 Hae. Wert thou not my father, I would have 
 called thee unwise. 
 
 Cr. Thou shalt rue thy witless teaching of 
 
 wisdom. 
 
 69 
 
ANTirONH. 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 dXyjdeg ; dXX' ov tovS' "OXv/jlttov, tcrff" ort, 
 •^alpoiv iirl xj)6yoLcrL Seuvdcrec? ijxe. 
 760 ayaye to fiL(ro<;, tus Kar o/x/iar' avTiKa 
 irapovTi dvijcrKrj Trhqcria tS i>viJL<f>LOj. 
 
 AIMflN. 
 
 OV StJt' efiouye, tovto firj So^s irore, 
 
 V ni V^3 y\ r, ^ / /s aft \ 
 
 ovo rjo oAeirat TrA.rjcri.a, crv r ovoafia 
 TovfjLOv TTpocroxpei, Kpa/r ev 6^6aKfjLoi<; opcov, 
 765 (US rois deXovcTL tS)v (f)i\a)v p,aCvr} ^vucov. 
 
 X0P02. 
 
 vows S' icTTi ttqXlkovtoi; dXy>jo"as /Sajous. 
 
 KPEilN. 
 
 opdro), ^poveiTOi p,eit,ov rj /car' dvhp' latv • 
 ra o' ouf /copa rctS' ovk diraXXd^et popov. 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 770 dpcjxjt) yap avTO, koL KaTaKTeZvai vou<s ; 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 ou Tijv ye prj Oiyova-av • eu yd/3 oSi' Xeyets. 
 
 XOPOS- 
 
 popa Se TToto) /cat cr^e ^ovXevei KTavelv ; 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 dywv eprjpo's euB" av rj /SpoTc^v ari^o^ 
 Kpmjjo) ireTpcoSeL ^wcrav iv KaTcopyxt, 
 775 <l)opfi'r]<s Toa-ovTov ws dyos jnoi'oj' irpodd^. 
 
ANTIGONE- 
 
 f 
 
 Hae. Thou wouldst speak, and then hear no 
 reply ? 
 
 Cr. Sayest thou so ? Now, by the heaven above 
 us — be sure of it — thou shalt smart for taunting 
 me in this opprobrious strain. Bring forth that 
 hated thing, that she may die forthwith in his 
 presence — before his eyes — at her bridegroom's 
 side ! 
 
 Hae. No, not at my side — never think it — 
 shall she perish ; nor shalt thou ever set eyes more 
 upon my face : — rave, then, with such friends as 
 can endure thee. Exit Haemon. 
 
 Ch. The man is gone, O King, in angry haste ; 
 a youthful mind, when stung, is fierce. 
 
 Cr. Let him do, or dream more than man — 
 good speed to him ! — But he shall not save these 
 two girls from their doom. 
 
 Ch. Dost thou, indeed, purpose to slay both ? 
 
 Cr. Not her whose hands are pure : thou say- 
 est well. 
 
 Ch. And by what doom mean'st thou to slay 
 the other.? 
 
 Cr. I will take her where the path is loneliest, 
 and hide her, living, in a rocky vault, with so much 
 
 71 
 
SO*OKAEOYS 
 
 oVgjs /Atacr/Aa iracr' vTr€K(l>vyri ttoXi?. 
 KOLKei Tov "AlStjv, ov fjiovov crenel 6e(t)v, 
 alTovixevr) ttov reuferat to jxr) Oavelv, 
 rj yvdxTerai yovv aXka. TT^viKovd , OTi 
 780 TTOi/os Treptcrcros eart rav "AiSou a-e^eiv. 
 
 ^TacTLixov y . 
 
 X0P02. 
 
 i 
 
 'E/Dws oLviKare yt-d^av, ''Egw£^g? ei' KXTj/xacri mTrreis, 
 OS ei* jxaXaKOi^ Trapeiai<i vea.viho<i o^vu^eueis • 
 
 785 (^oiras S' vTrepTr6vTio<; ev r aypovofjiot? avXats, 
 Kat cr OUT aucLvaTcov (pvqip.o'i ovoeL's 
 
 790 ou^' ajJi€pLCi)V ere y dv0pcoiTCi)v, 6 S' e^wv p.ip.rjV€V. 
 
 'AvTi(rTpo<(>i]. 
 
 o-u Kttt BiKaCav dSt/fou? (j>p€ua<; TTapaairS,'; em Xw/Sa, 
 crii Kai ToSe veuKO'S'avopoJv qvva.Lp.ov e^Y^iS Tapd^a<; • 
 
 795 viKol 8' ivapyrji; /3\.€.(f>dpQ)v Ip.epo'S evXeKrpov 
 vvp(f)a'?, TOiv peyd\.a)v irdpeBpo^ iv dp^ais 
 
 800 OecrpSiv ' dpa)(os ydp ipTrail,€i. 6eo<; 'A(f)poSCTa, 
 
 vvi' o rjorj y<u /cauTO? uecrpcov 
 e^co (jiepopai, rdS' opcjv, lcr)(eLV S' 
 ovKeTL iry]ya.<; Bvvap.aL BaKpvcov, 
 TOV TrayKoirqv off opw 6d\ap,ov 
 805 TyjvS' 'AvTiyovT^v dvvTovaav. 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 food set forth as piety prescribes, that the city may 
 avoid a public stain. And there, praying to Hades, 
 the only god whom she worships, perchance she 
 will obtain release from death ; or ellse will learn, 
 at last, though late, that it is lost labor to revere 
 tne dead. uixa. ^_R£.oN. 
 
 Ch. Love, unconquered in the fight, Love, who 
 makest havoc of wealth, who keepest thy vigil on 
 the soft cheek of a maiden ; thou roamest over the 
 sea, and among the homes of dwellers in the wilds ; 
 no immortal can escape thee, nor any among men 
 whose life is for a day ; and he to whom thou hast 
 come is mad. 
 
 The just themselves have their minds warped 
 by ihee to wrong, for their ruin : 'tis thou that 
 hast stirred up this present strife of kinsmen; 
 victorious is the love-kindling light from the eyes 
 of the fair bride ; it is a power enthroned in sway 
 beside the eternal laws; for there the goddess 
 Aphrodite is working her unconquerable will. 
 
 But now I also am carried beyond the bounds of 
 loyalty, and can no more keep back the streaming 
 tears, when I see Antigone thus passing to the 
 bridal chamber where all are laid to rest. 
 
 73 
 
ANTirONH. 
 
 Seventh Scene. Ceeon. Antigone. Two Servants of 
 
 Ceeon. 
 
 'ETretcroS loj* o. 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 2TpO()n) a. 
 
 opaT ijji, a> ya9 Trar/ata? TroXlrai, rav vedrav oSov 
 o-reiyoucrai', vearov Se (jteyyos XevcrcrovcTav aeXcov, 
 810 KoviroT avOL<; • akXd yi b TrayKoiras "AiSas t^crav ayei 
 Tclv 'A^epovTo<; 
 
 oLKTav, ovff vfJievaCav eyKkrjpov, oir iiri vvfi<j)eLOi'i 
 815 TTM /AC Tts vp.vo^ vfjivrjcrei^, a)OC 'K^ipovTi. vvfitftevcro}. 
 
 X0P02. 
 
 ovKovv KKeLvfj Kai eirawov e^^ovcr 
 es ToS' a.vep-)(et, Kevdo's vckvcov, 
 ovTe ^Oivdcriv TrXyjyeLcra vocroi'S 
 820 ovT€ ^i(f)eci)v iirCx'^Lpa Xa-^ovcr, 
 
 dX.X.' avTOvofiO'S ^axra p-ov-q St) 
 OvrjTcov 'AiSrjv /cara/Sijcrei. 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 *AvTio-rpo<(>ii a. 
 
 T^/coucra 8-^ XvypoTdrav oXiaOai rav ^pvyiav ^ivav 
 825 Tai^raXou iStTruXw tt^os a/cpw, rav /cicrcros ws drei'Tjs . 
 
 veTpaia ^Xdcrra Bdpacrev, Kai viv op^poi raKopivav, 
 
 ojs (^drts dvSpwv, 
 830 xtcov T ouSa/Aa X.et7rei, reyyet S' vtt o^pvcri TrayKkavTo is 
 
 SeipctSas • a ju,e baipcov op-OLOTdrav KaTevvd^eL. 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 Seventh Scene. Creon. Antigone. Two Servants of 
 
 Creon. 
 
 An. See me, citizens of my fatherland, setting 
 forth on my last way, looking my last on the sun- 
 light that is for me no more ; no. Hades who gives 
 sleep to all leads me living to Acheron's shore ; 
 who have had no portion in the chant that brings 
 the bride, nor hath any song been mine for the 
 crowning of bridals ; whom the lord of the Dark 
 Lake shall wed. 
 
 Ch. Glorious, therefore, and with praise, thou 
 departest to that deep place of the dead : wasting 
 sickness hath not smitten thee; thou hast not 
 found the wages of the sword; no, mistress of 
 thine own fate, and still alive, thou shalt pass to 
 Hades, as no other of mortal kind hath passed. 
 
 An. I have heard in other days how dread a 
 doom befell our ^Phrygian guest, the daughter of 
 Tantalus, on the Sipylian heights ; how, like cling- 
 ing ivy, the groAvth of stone subdued her ; and the 
 rains fail not, as men tell, from he? wasting form, 
 nor fails the snow, while beneath her weeping lids 
 the tears bedew her bosom ; and most like to hers 
 is the fate that brings me to my rest. 
 
 Ch. Yet she was a goddess, thou knowest, and 
 born of gods; we are mortals, and of mortal race. 
 
 75 
 
SO<I>OKAEOYS 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 dXXa 6e6? TOL KOL Oeoyevvrj'S, 
 835 ')7)U,ers Se ^poTol koL 6vy]roy€vei<;. 
 
 KOLToi (f)0LiJLev(i) rots icro6eoi<; 
 ijKkiqpa ka^elv jxey' d/covcrat. 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 olfjioi yeXwjLiai. tl fie, tt/dos ^ewv Trarpcocov, 
 840 ou/c olxp^Levav vfipC^ei.?, dXX' i'rri<jiavTov ; 
 Si TToXt?, w 77oXe&)? TroK.VKTrJiiov€<; avhpe'i' 
 10) AipKatai Kp'r]vai 
 845 @7//3as t' evapfLa/rov a\cro5, e)u,7ras ^vfiixoipTvpag vixfi 
 
 eTTi/CTCiJjaai, 
 oia (f)i\ci)v ttJcXauTO?, oiots vopjoi's 
 7T|0os e/Dy/xa tvii^o^oxttov ep^ofxaL racftov iroTawCov • 
 850 iw Sucrravos y', ovr' ey ^porolcnv ovt' iv v€Kpotcn 
 fjieTOLKO?, ov ^cocrw, ov davovcnv. 
 
 X0P02. 
 
 77/)o/3acr' eir' ecrxaTov 6poicrov<s 
 v^rjXov es At/cas fiaOpov 
 855 TTpocreTrecre?, w reKvov, vo\v. 
 Trarpcoov 8' iuTLvei? nv S.6\ov. 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 'AVTIO-Tpoijj'll P', 
 
 e/(aiicras dXyeivordras e/xoi fiGptp.va.<;, 
 860 7rar/30s TpLiroXtcrTov oIktov, tov re npoiravTO'S 
 ajxeripov noTfJiov KXeivots AaySSaKi'Satcrii'. 
 to) ixarpaai XeKxpoiv 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 But 'tis great renown for a woman who hath 
 perished that she should have shared the doom of 
 the godHke, in her Ufe, and afterward in death. 
 
 An. Ah, I am mocked! In the name of our 
 fathers' gods, can ye not wait till I am gone, — 
 must ye taunt me to my face, O my city, and ye, 
 her wealthy sons? Ah, fount of Dirce, and thou 
 holy ground of Thebe whose chariots are many ; 
 ye, at least, will bear me witness, in what sort, 
 unwept of friends, and by what laws I pass to the 
 rock-closed prison of my strange tomb, ah me un- 
 happy ! who have no home on the earth or in the 
 shades, no home with the living or with the dead. 
 
 Ch. Thou hast rushed forward to the utmost 
 verge of daring; and against that throne where 
 Justice sits on high thou hast fallen, my daughter, 
 with a grievous fall. But in this ordeal thou art 
 paying, haply, for thy father's sin. 
 
 An. Thou hast touched on my bitterest thought, 
 — awaking the ever-new lament for .my sire and for 
 all the doom given to us, the famed house of 
 Labdacus. Alas for the horrors of the mother's 
 bed ! alas for the wretched mother's slumber at the 
 side of her own son, — and my sire! From what 
 manner of parents did I take my miserable being ! 
 
 77 
 
■ ANTirONH. 
 
 865 arat KOLfiyjfJiaToi t avToyo'vrjT ifiu Tra/rpX BvcrfMopov 
 
 fjiarpo^, 
 OLcov iyco Trod a TaXai^poiv e(j)vv • 
 Trpos ovs apalo<;, dyajjio?, a8' iyo) jxeToiKO'S ep)(opaL. 
 870 tft) BvcnroTixcov io) yayu.wi' Kaa-iyvrjTe Kvpcra<;, 
 daucov er ovcrav Korrfvapiq /u,e. 
 
 X0P02. 
 'AvTi(rTpo(|)TJ y'. 
 
 cre^eLv p.h> ewcre/Seia ris, 
 
 KpOLTO'; S' OTOi KpOLTOS /AcXci 
 
 Trapa/SaTov ov8ap,rj TreXei, 
 875 ere S' avToyvoiTOS wXecr' opyd. 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 'SircpSos. 
 
 ttfcXavTo?, a^tXo?, dwiiivaiq<; ToKatt^poiv dyofiaL 
 rai^o eroip.av ooov • 
 
 ovKiri fxoL ToSe Xa/ATraSos ipoi/ 
 880 o/Ajua ^e)u,ts opav raXaiva • 
 
 TOV O e/AOI' TTOTpOV aSaKpvTOv 
 ovoels <f>Lkcov crreva^ei. 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 dp icTT , dotSa? KoX yoovs Trpo tov Oavelv, 
 
 (US ovS' av et? Traucratr' av, et XP^*^^ Xeyeiv; 
 885 ow/c d'l^e^' (is rd^LCTTa ; koX Karrfpecftel 
 
 Tvp.^co 77e/) tTTTvf aires, <U5 €ipr)K iyco, 
 
 d(l)€Te fiovTjv, epyjfjiov, etre ^PV ^o-vtlv, 
 
 eiT a/ Toiavrr} ^wcra rvfifiev^Lv crTiy-q. 
 
 rjiJ.eL<; yap dyvol tovttI TijvSe Trjv Kop-qv 
 890 /AETOi/cias S' oSi' TTjs otvo) aTepy](T€Tai. 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 And to them I go thus, accursed, unwed, to share 
 their home. Alas, my brother, ill-starred in thy 
 marriage, in thy death thou hast undone my life ! 
 
 Ch. Reverent action claims a certain praise for 
 reverence ; but an offence against power cannot be 
 brooked by him who hath power in his keeping. 
 Thy self-willed temper hath wrought thy ruin. 
 
 An. Unwept, unfriended, without marriage- 
 song, I am led forth in my sorrow on this journey 
 that can be delayed no more. No longer, hapless 
 one, may I behold yon day-star's sacred eye; but 
 for my fate no tear is shed, no friend makes moan. 
 
 Cr. Know ye not that songs and wailings be- 
 fore death would never cease, if it profited to 
 utter them? Away' with her — away! And when 
 ye have enclosed her, according to my word, in her 
 vaulted grave, leave her alone, forlorn — whether 
 she wishes to die, or to live a buried life in such a 
 home. Our hands are clean as touching this 
 maiden. But this is' certain — she shall be deprived 
 of her sojourn in the light. 
 
 An. Tomb, bridal-chamber, eternal prison in 
 the caverned rock, whither I go to find mine own, 
 those many who have perished, and whom Perse- 
 phone hath received among the dead ! Last of all 
 
SO*OKAEOYS 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 a) Tvix^o'S, 3) vvii^elov, w KaTaa-Ka(j)rj? 
 oiKfjcTL? aeL(f)povpo';, ol Tropevofjuai 
 Trpo<i Tov<; ipavTrj'?, 0)v apidp-ov iv V€Kpoi,<; 
 vXeiaTov SeSe/crai ^€p<Ti<^aaa okoikoTOiv • 
 
 895 a)v XoicrOia ^ya) Koi KaKLcrTa orj paKp(p 
 Kareip-i, irpiv poi polpav i^yjKeLV /Stou. 
 iXOovcra pivToi Kapr iv ikmcnv rpi^oi 
 ^Ckiq pev rj^€iv iraTpi, Trpocr<f>ikrj'; 8e croL, 
 prJTep, (^LXiq Se'croi, KacrLyvrjTov Kapa- 
 
 900 irrel davovra? avTo^eip vix-os iycb 
 eXovcra KaKocrprjaa- KaTriTvp^Lov^ 
 XooL'i eSwKa • vvv 8e, IloXvveiKe?, to crou 
 Sepa<; TrepLcrTeXkovcra rotaS' apinjpai. 
 KavToi <T iyo) Tiprjcra rols (f)povovcrLv eu* 
 
 905 ov yap TTOT ovT av el tekvcov prjrrjp e(f)vv, 
 ovT ei TTOcrts poL KardavMV iriJKeTO, 
 fiCa voXiTcoi' Tovo' av rjpoprjv ttovov. 
 tCvos vopov S'^ TavTa Trpo? 'Xapiv Xeyoj ; 
 TTocrts pev av poi KarOavovTO'i aXXo? -qv, 
 
 910 Ka\ Trat? arr' aXXov (fxoTO';, el touS' yjpnXaKov ■ 
 IJLrjTpo<; 8' iv ''At8ov Kal Trarpos KeKevOoToiv 
 ovK ecTT aoeX(f)o<; ocrrt? av /SXdcrTOL woTe. 
 TOLoioe pevToi <j eKirpoTipyjcracr' eyu 
 vopo), KpeovTi ravT eSo^' apaprdveLv 
 
 915 KOL oeiva ToXpav, a> KacriryvrjTov Kcipa. 
 Kai vvv dyei pe 8 to, -^epojv ovrca XaySwv 
 aXeKTpov, avvpevaiov, ovre tov ydpov 
 pepo? Xa^ovcrav ovre iraiSeLov Tpo(fyrj'; • 
 dXX' 0)8' eprjpo<i 7rpo9 (fttXcov rj Bvcrpopo<; 
 
 920 ^wcr' ets davovTcov ep^opat (caracr/ca^as. 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 shall I pass thither, and far most miserably of all, 
 before the term of my life is spent.- But I cherish 
 good hope that my coming will be welcome to my 
 father, and pleasant to thee, my mother, and wel- 
 come, brother, to thee; for, when ye. died, with 
 mine own hands I washed and dressed you, and 
 poured drink-offerings at your graves ; and now, 
 Polyneices, 'tis for tending thy corpse that I win 
 such recompense at this. 
 
 [And yet I honored thee, as the wise will deem, 
 rightly. Never, had I been a mother of children, 
 or if a husband had been mouldering in death, 
 would I have taken this task upon me in the city's 
 despite. What law, ye ask, is my warrant for that 
 word ? The huslpand lost, another might have been 
 found, and child from another, to replace the first- 
 born ; but, father and mother hidden with Hades, 
 no brother's life could ever bloom for me again. 
 Such was the law whereby I held thee first in 
 honor; but Creon deemed me guilty of error 
 therein, and of outrage, ah brother mine! And 
 now he leads me thus, a captive in his hands ; no 
 bridal bed, no bridal song hath been mine, no joy 
 of marriage, no portion in the nurture of children ; 
 but thus, forlorn of friends, unhappy one, I go 
 living to the vaults of death.] 
 
ANTirONH. 
 
 TTOiav Trape^ekOovcra SaifjLovcov BCktjv ; 
 TL ■^(jp'q fie T^v hva-Trjvov i<s Oeoii? en 
 /3XeTr€Lv, tLv auSai' fu/xju.a^wi', inei ye ot) 
 TTjv SucrcreySeiav evo-ejSovcr eKTrjcraynqv ; 
 925 dXX' el [lev ovv raS' ia-rlv iu deoZ<; koKo., 
 Tra66vTe<; av, ^vyyvoLixeu T^/iiaysri^/coTes * 
 el S' olS' ajjiapTdvovarL, fir] irkeuo KaKoL 
 irddoiei' rj Koi SpaicTLV eKSiKws epe. 
 
 X0P02. 
 
 5 / 
 
 en Tcjv avrcov avepoiv avrat 
 930 ^^XV'' /O'TJ'ttt TTjvSe y e^ovcnv. 
 
 KPEHN. 
 
 TOiyap TovTOiv toIctlv dyovcn, 
 KKavpaff virdp^eL ^paSDTrJTO<; virep. 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 oipoi, uavdrov tovt eyyvTd!Tci) 
 
 TOUTTO? aiJHKTai, 
 
 X0P02. 
 
 935 dapcrelv ovSev TrapapvOovpai, 
 
 prj ov TctSe TavTr) KaTaKvpovcrdau 
 
 ANTirONH. 
 
 &) y^s ^rj^rfi dcTTv Trarp^ov 
 Koi Oeoi T7poyevel<;, 
 dyofiai Brj KovKeTi peXku). 
 940 Xeva-aefe, ©tj/Stj? oi KoipaviSaL, 
 
 TTjv fiacTiXeiSajv povinjv \onrrjv, 
 ola. TT/oos o'iwv duBpoiv irdcrvo), 
 T7)v evcre^Lav o-eyStVacra. 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 And what law of heaven have I transgressed? 
 Why, hapless one, should I look to the gods any 
 more, — what ally should I invoke, — when by piety 
 I have earned the name of impious? Nay, then, 
 if these things are pleasing to the gods, when I 
 have suffered my doom, I shall come to know my 
 sin ; but if the sin is with my judges, I could wish 
 them no fuller measure of evil than they, on their 
 part, mete wrongfully to me. 
 
 Ch. Still the same tempest of the soul vexes 
 this maiden with the same fierce gusts. 
 
 Cr. Then for this shall her guards have cause 
 to rue their slowness. 
 
 An. Ah me ! that word hath come very near to 
 death. 
 
 Cr. I can cheer thee with no hope that this 
 doom is not thus to be fulfilled. 
 
 An. O city of my fathers in the land of Thebe ! 
 O ye gods, eldest of our race! — they lead me 
 hence — now, now — they tarry not! Behold me, 
 princes of Thebes, the last daughter of the house 
 of your kings, — see what I suffer, and from whom, 
 because I feared to cast away the fear of Heaven ! 
 
 Antigone is led away by the guards. 
 83 
 
SO<E>OKAEOYS 
 
 %Tai<rit,fiov 8'. 
 . xppos. 
 
 eVXa /cat Aavaas ovpaviov ^ws 
 945 aXXd^ai Se/i,as iv ;)(aXKoSeTots avXat? • 
 
 KpyTTTQixeva S' iv Tvix/3y]peL daXoLficp KaTe[,ev^07] • 
 Kairoi KoX yevea Tip-io's, o) ttoI, ttol, 
 950 Kol Zy]i'o<; TafjuevecTKe yova.^ ^vcropvTov;. 
 aW a /xotptSta rt? Swacris Seivd • 
 
 ovT av viv oX^o'i ovT ApyjS, ov TTvpyo<;, ou^ oKlktvitoi. 
 KeKaivai mes eK^uyotei'. 
 
 *AvTi.crTpo(|>'q d. 
 
 955 t,€v-)(9r) S' 6^v)(o\os Trais 6 Apvairo?, 
 'HScofctJt' jSacn-XeiJ?, KepTOjjLiOL'; opyat?, 
 
 €«: Atovucroi) TrerpwSet KaToiipapKTO? iv Becrfico. 
 ovTCi) To.^ p,avta<; SeLvov dirocrrct^et 
 960 dvdrfpov re fjuevos • fcetvo? iTreyvco p-aviais 
 xpavov Tov 6eov iv Keprop.ioi'i yXwcrcrais. 
 
 TravecTKe p.€v ydp ivdeov? yvyoLKas evLOv re irvp, 
 965 (fyikavXov? T rjpiOttfi Movcras. 
 
 Trapd Se Kuat'eav cnrCKaZciiv StSu/xas a.X.os 
 ttKrai BocTTTO/Jiai tS' 6 ©prjKuv afevos 
 970 SaX/AuST^crcro?, lif' dy^iTroXts 'Apijs 
 Stcrcrorcri ^ii'eiSais 
 elSet' dpaTov eX«os 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 Ch. Even thus endured Danae in her beauty to 
 change the light of day for brass-bound walls ; and 
 in that chamber, secret as the grave, she was held 
 close prisoner ; yet was she of a proud lineage, O 
 my daughter, and charged with the keeping of the 
 seed of Zeus, that fell in the golden rain. 
 
 But dreadful is the mysterious power of fate ; 
 there is no deliverance from it by wealth or by war, 
 by fenced city, or dark, sea-beaten ships. 
 
 And bonds tamed the son of Dryas, swift to 
 wrath, that king of the Edonians ; so paid he for 
 his frenzied taunts, when, by the will of Dionysus, 
 he was pent in a rocky prison. There the fierce 
 exuberance of his madness slowly passed away. 
 That man learned to know the god, whom in his 
 frenzy he had provoked with mockeries ; for he 
 sought to quell the god-possessed women, and the 
 Bacchanalian fire ; and he angered the Muses that 
 love the flute. 
 
 And by the waters of the Dark Rocks, the 
 waters of the twofold sea, are the shores of Bos- 
 porus, and Thracian Salmydessus; where Ares, 
 neighbor to the city, saw the accurst, blinding 
 
 8s 
 
ANTirONH. 
 
 TV(f)XQ)0£v ef aypia<; Bd/xapro? 
 dXaov dXacrropoLcnv op.^d,TCiiv kukXois 
 975 dpa-^divTOiv v(j) aiyLarrjpat<; 
 
 ^etyoecrcri koX KepKiBcou aKpLOicrLV. 
 
 'AVTl,(rTpO<|)T] P'. 
 
 Kara 8e TaKoyievoi )u.eX.eoi fieXeav Trddav 
 K\a2ov jxarpo?, £)(0VTe? dvvix(f>evTov yovdv • 
 980 d Se cnrepfjia fxef dp-^aioyovoiv 
 avTacr 'Eipe)(0et8av, 
 TrjXenopot? 8' iv dvTpob<; 
 
 Tpd(f)7j dveXkaLCTLV iv Trarpwats 
 985 Bopeas dfJLLTnro? opOoTroSo'; inrep irdyov 
 decov vrais • dXkd koju iKeiva 
 yioZpai fiaKpaicoves ecr)(ov, aj ttoa,. 
 
 « 
 Eighth Scene. Creon. Tirestas. 
 
 'ETreKroSioz/ e. 
 
 TEIPE2IA5. 
 
 ©tq/Stj^ duaKT€<;, TJKop-ev kolvyjv oSov 
 8v ef ii'o<; /SXe-rrovTe • rois rucpXolcrL yap 
 990 avTy] KeXeu^os e/c ij-poyjyrjTov TreXet. 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 TL 8' ia-Tiv, S) yepaue T^ipecria, viov ; 
 
 TEIPE2IA2. 
 
 iyo) SiSafcD, /cat cri) tw p,dvT£i ttlOov. 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 wound dealt to the two sons of Phineus by his 
 fierce wife, — the wound that brought darkness to 
 those vengeance-craving orbs, smitten with her 
 bloody hands, smitten with her shuttle for a dagger. 
 Pining in their misery, they bewailed their cruel 
 doom, those sons of a mother hapless in her 
 marriage; but she traced her descent from the 
 ancient line of the Erechtheidae ; and in far-distant 
 caves she was nursed amid her father's storms, 
 that child of Boreas, swift as a steed over the steep 
 hills, a daughter of gods ; yet upon her also the 
 grey Fates bore hard, my daughter. 
 
 Eighth Scene. Creon. Tiresias. 
 Enter Teiresias, led by a boy, on the spectators' right. 
 
 Te. Princes of Thebes, we have come with 
 linked steps, both served by the eyes of one; for 
 thus, by a guide's help, the blind must walk. 
 
 Cr. And what, aged Teiresias, are thy tidings ? 
 
 Te. I will tell thee; and do thou hearken to 
 the seer. 
 
 Cr. Indeed, it has not been my wont to slight 
 thy counsel. 
 
 Te. Therefore didst thou steer our city's course 
 
 aright. 
 
20*0KAE0YS 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 ovKow TTOLpo'i ye a-rjs anea-TaTovv <j)pevo9. 
 
 TEIPE2IAS. 
 
 TOijap 8t' opdij? TTjvSe vavK\y)pei? ttoXii/. 
 
 KPEHN. 
 
 99.5 e)(co ireTTovOo)'; jxapTvpeLv bvrjfrLp-a. 
 
 TEIPE2IA2. 
 
 <j)p6veL ^eySws au vvv inl ^vpov tv^tj?. 
 
 KPEHN. 
 
 Tt 8' icTTLV ; (US iyo) to o"bv ^ptcrcrw crrojaa. 
 
 TEIPE5IA2. 
 
 yvwcrei, Te)(vrj'S cryjixeia ttjs e/Lf^s /cX,va)V. 
 
 ets yoL/D TTokaLov Oolkov opviOocTKOTrov 
 1000 i^wv, tV -^v p.oL TravTOS otwvov \ip.rjv, 
 
 ayvwT OLKovo) (pOoyyov opvWciiv, KaKcp 
 
 fcXa^ovras oicrTpo} Kai ySe/SapySapwju.et'w • 
 
 /cal <nra)VTa<; iv -^rjXaXariv dWrjKov; (f>oval<; 
 
 eyvcov TTTepcov yap potySSos ovk dcr7)p,o'S ^v. 
 lOOSeu^vs Se Setora? ijjivvpcov iyevop/qv 
 
 ^ojpolcn, Trap.(f)\eKTOLcn,v • e/c 8e 9vp,dTwv 
 He^atcTTos ovk eXapirev, dXX.' ctti cr7ro8&j 
 
 p^vococra kt^kis prjp Cojv eVij/ceTO 
 
 KaTV(f)£ KOiveTTTve, Kol perdpa-loL 
 1010 ^oXat SiecTTTeCpovTO, /cat Karappvei'i 
 
 p-qpoX KakvTrTrj<s i^eKCLVTo 'mp.ek.rj';. 
 
 TOLavra TratSos rouS' ipdvdavov vdpa, 
 
 (jiOCvovT da-yjpcov opyCcov pavrevpiara * 
 
 ipot. yap ouTos rjyepoiv, aXXois 8' eyw. 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 Cr. I have felt, and can attest, thy benefits. 
 
 Te. Mark that now, once more, thou standest 
 on fate's fine edsre. 
 
 Cr. What means this ? How I shudder at thy 
 message ! 
 
 Te. Thou wilt learn, when thou hearest the 
 warnings of mine art. As I took my place on 
 mine old seat of augury, where all birds have been 
 wont to gather within my ken, I heard a strange 
 voice among them ; they were screaming with dire, 
 ferverish rage, that drowned their language in a 
 jargon ; and I knew that they were rending each 
 other with their talons, murderously ; the whirr of 
 wings told no doubtful tale. 
 
 Forthwith, in fear, I essayed burnt-sacrifice on a 
 duly kindled altar : but from my offerings the Fire- 
 god showed no flame ; a dank moisture, oozing 
 from the thigh-flesh, trickled forth upon the embers, 
 and smoked, and sputtered ; the gall was scattered 
 to the air ; and the streaming thighs lay bared of 
 the fat that had been wrapped round them. 
 
 Such was the failure of the rites by which I 
 vainly asked a sign, as from this boy I learned ; for 
 he is my guide, as I am guide to others. And 'tis 
 thy counsel that hath brought this sickness on our 
 state.- For the altars of our city and of our hearths 
 have been tainted, one and all, by birds and dogs, 
 
 89 
 
ANTirONH. 
 
 1015 Kal Tavra t^5 crijs eK (f>pevo^ vocrel iroXts. 
 ^oijxoi yap rjixLU io-)(dpat re TravreXets 
 wXtjpeL'; VTT olcovZv re kol kvvcov ^opa<; 
 Tov Svajxopov TreTTTajTOS OlSlttov yovov. 
 KaT 01) Se^ovrai ^ucrraSa? Xiras ert 
 
 1020 0eol nap' r^fxoyv ouSe p,iqpio}V <f>X6ya, 
 ovS" opvLi eva-qpovi dTToppoi/Soel fioa.?, 
 avhpo^Oopov /Se^pwTe? a'Cyiaro'? Xitto?. 
 TavT ovv, TeKvov, (f)p6i>7)crov. avOpatTroKri yap 
 Tois TTOLcrt KOLVov icTTL TOv^afjiapToiveiv • 
 
 1025e7ret 8' apaprrj, Keivo? ovk4t ecrr dvrfp 
 aySouXos ouS' dvo\/3o<;, ocrris es KaKov 
 irecrojv oLKelTaL P'IqS' oi.klp7)tos TreXet. 
 avOa^ia roi crKaioTrjT 6(f)\icrKdveL. 
 dW etKe T&J OavovTL /xt^S' oXoikora 
 
 1030 Kevrei. tls dXKrf rov davovr liriKTaveiv ; 
 ev croi <f>poi'T]cras €v Xeyco • to [x^avddvevv S' 
 rlStcrTov €v X4yovTO<;, el /cepSos Xiyoi. 
 
 KPEflN. 
 
 Si vpea-fiv, Trdvre? wore To^orai ctkottov 
 Togever' avopo? TovSe, KovSe p.avTLKrj<; 
 
 1035 aTTpaKTo<; vfjuv ei/jn • rStv viral yevov? 
 c^r)fji7r6Xr)ixaL KdiMTre(f)6pTt.(riJbai irdXai. 
 KepoaCueT , iiXTroXdre rixTro 'ZdpSecov 
 ■ rjXcKTpov, el fiovXecrde, Kal tov 'IvSlkov 
 y;j3va-6v • rac^oj 8' eKelyov ou^t Kpvxpere. 
 
 1040 ovS' el deXovcr' ol Zrjvos ateroi /3opdv 
 (^ipeiv viv dp-rrdlpvTe'i es Aio? 9p6vov<s, 
 ovo' ws p-iacrpa tovto jirj rpe'cras eyco 
 OdiTTeiv TTapija-o) Keivov. ev yap oT8' on 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 with carrion from the hapless corpse, the son of 
 Oedipus : and therefore the gods no more accept 
 prayer and sacrifice at our hands, or the £ame of 
 meat-offering ; nor doth any bird give a clear sign 
 by its shrill cry, for they have tasted the fatness of 
 a slain man's blood. 
 
 Think, then, on these things, my son. All men 
 are liable to err ; but when an error hath been 
 made, that man is no longer witless or unblest who 
 heals the ill into which he hath fallen, and remains 
 not stubborn. Self-will, we know, incurs the charge 
 of folly. Nay, allow the claim of the dead ; stab 
 not the fallen ; what prowess is it to slay the slain 
 anew ? I have sought thy good, and for thy good 
 I speak : and never is it sweeter to learn from a 
 o-ood counsellor than when he counsels for thine 
 own gain. 
 
 Cr. Old man, ye all shoot your shafts at me, as 
 archers at the butts ; — ye must needs practise on 
 me with seer-craft also ; — aye, the seer-tribe hath 
 lono- trafficked in me, and made me their mer- 
 chandise. Gain>our gains, drive your trade, if ye 
 list, in the silver-gold of Sardis and the gold of 
 India ; but ye shall not hide that man in the grave, 
 
20*OKAEOYS 
 
 Oeoii'S j-LcaLveuv ovtl? a-ydpcoTTcoy crOevei. 
 lOibTrLTTTOvTi S', S) yepaik Tetpecrta, ftporatv 
 
 Xol 77-oX.Xa Setvoi irTwiJiaT aLcr)(p', orav Xoyov^ 
 ai(r)(pov'S /caXciis XeyoJCTL tov Kepoovs ')(a.pLV. 
 
 TEIPE2IA2. 
 
 <pev • 
 
 ap oTSev a.v6p(x)TT0iy ris, a,pa <^pat,eTai, 
 
 KPEflN. 
 
 Ti ')(prjp.a; ttolov tovto irdyKOivov Xeyeis; 
 
 TEIPE2IA2. 
 
 1050 ocro) KpaTLTTOv KT-qiLOLTCiiy ev/SovXCa; 
 
 KPEHN. 
 
 ocrcpTTep, oip.a.1, ju.7j ^poveiv TrXeCcrTr] /SXd^iij. 
 
 TEIPE2IA2. 
 
 TavTfj'S (TV fxivTOi T-^s I'ocrov irkrfprjt; e(f>v?. 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 ou ySovXo/iai Toi' fjidvTii' avTUTreiv Kra/cws. 
 
 TEIPE2IA2. 
 KPEnN. 
 
 105|5to fjbavTLKOv yap nav (piXapyvpou yej/os. 
 
 TEIPE2IA2. 
 
 TO 8' CK rvpdyvwv ala-^OKephuav (j)iXel. 
 
 KPEHN. 
 
 dya' otcrda Tayov'i 6vTa<s av Xeyrj? Xeycov ; 
 
 TEIPE2IA2. 
 
 010 • eg' e/Aou yaio Tiqvo 9(eis crwcras ttoXii/. 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 — no, though the eagles of Zeus should bear the 
 carrion morsels to their Master's throne — no, not 
 for dread of that defilement will I suffer his burial : 
 
 — for well I know that no mortal can defile the 
 gods. — But, aged Teiresias, the wisest fall with a 
 shameful fall, when they clothe shameful thoughts 
 in fair words, for lucre's sake. 
 
 Te. Alas ! Doth any man know, doth any 
 consider .... 
 
 Cr. Whereof? What general truth dost thou 
 announce ? 
 
 Te. How precious, above all wealth, is good 
 counsel. 
 
 Cr. As folly, I think, is the worst mischief. 
 
 Te. Yet thou art tainted with that distemper. 
 
 Cr. I would not answer the seer with a taunt. 
 
 Te. But thou dost, in saying that I prophesy 
 
 falsely. 
 
 Cr. Well, the prophet-tribe was ever fond of 
 
 money. 
 
 Te. And the race bred of tyrants loves base 
 
 gain. 
 " Cr. Knowest thou that thy speech is spoken of 
 
 . thy King.? 
 
 93 
 
ANTirONH. 
 
 KPEHN. 
 
 cro<^os crii fidvTL<;, aXka raSiKeiv <j)L\a>v. 
 
 ■iL'^ TEIPE2IA2. 
 
 I060o/3(jeis /ic TOLKivrfTa Sta (ppevcov t^pacrai. 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 t KLVi.1, fjLovov 8e fir) 'irl Kepoecnv \ey(x)u. 
 
 TEIPE2IA2. 
 
 ovTCD yap -rjSr} koI Sokq) to <tov fiepos. 
 
 KPEHN. 
 
 ws /xt) ' inTokrjCTOiv ladi ttjv ifi-qv ^peva. 
 
 TEIPE2IA2. 
 
 dXX.' €u ye Toi KdricrOi fjur) ttoXXous en 
 1065 r/)o;)^ous aixikA.'rjTrjpa'; rjXCov reXcov, 
 
 iv oTcrt rajv croii' awro? e/f crTrKay^oxv eva 
 veKvv veKpuv djxoL^ov dvTLOoix; ecret, 
 dt"^' wj' evcK ju-ei' toIv aj'ftj jSakcjv kcltco 
 xjjv)(y]v T dnfJiO)^ iv Td(f)(p KaTUKiaas, 
 1070 e^ei? Se tcov Karcodeu ivddS' av dewv 
 dfJLOLpOV, aKTepiCTTov, dvOCTLOV veKvv. 
 wv ovre crol fiirea'Tiy ovre rots dvco 
 deoLcrw, dXk' e/c crou ^idtpvTai rdSe. 
 TovTOiv ere \w/3r)Trjpe^ vcrTepo(^d6poi 
 1075 Xo^wTtv "a tSou Kal 6eu>v 'Fjpivu€<;, 
 
 iv Tolyiv avrol'S TotcrSe \r)<f>9rivai, KaKOL^. 
 KOI TavT d9prj(T0v el KOLTrjpyvpcofiivo^ 
 Xeyw • <^avet yap ov [xaKpov )(p6vov Tptfirj 
 dvSpwv yvvaiKOiV croi? 8op,ois KCiiKvp.ara. 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 Te. I know it ; for through me thou hast saved 
 Thebes. 
 
 Cr. Thou art a wise seer ; but thou lovest evil 
 deeds. 
 
 Te. Thou wilt rouse me to utter the dread 
 secret ia my soul. 
 
 Cr. Out with it ! — Only speak it not for gain. 
 
 Te. Indeed, methinks, I shall not, — as touch- 
 ing thee. 
 
 Cr. Know that thou shalt not trade on my 
 resolve. 
 
 Te. Then know thou — aye, know it well — that 
 
 thou shalt not live through many more courses of 
 
 the sun's swift chariot, ere one begotten of thine 
 
 own loins shall have been given by thee, a corpse 
 
 for corpses ; because thou hast thrust children of 
 
 the sunlight to the shades, and ruthlessly lodged a 
 
 living soul in the grave ; but keepest in this world 
 
 one who belongs to the gods infernal, a corpse un- 
 
 buried, unhonored, all unhallowed. In such thou 
 
 hast no part, nor have the gods above, but this is a 
 
 violence done to them by thee. Therefore the 
 
 avenging destroyers lie in wait for thee, the Furies 
 
 of Hades and of the gods, that thou mayest be 
 
 taken in these same ills. 
 
 95 
 
SO*OKAEOYS 
 
 1080 i^Opal 8e TTacrat axtuTapdcrarovTaL ttoXci?, 
 ocroiv o-TTapdyfiaT rj Kvi>e<; Ka0TJyvL<rav, 
 7] Or] pa, rf ris tttiji'os oloiiv6<;, (])ep<i)v 
 dvocTLOv ocr/f^v ecTTLovxov es ttoXlv • 
 Touavrd crov, \vTTei<; ydp, axxTe to^ottq? 
 
 1085 d<j)rjKa dvp.co Kaphia^ To^evp,aTa 
 
 /8ey8aia, Tum crii ddkno's ou^ VTreKSpafiet. 
 S) TTOL, (TV S' 'f)p.d<s diraye irpo<; Bofiov?, Iva 
 TOT dvfjLov oSros es vecorepovs d^ff 
 /cat yvm Tpe(j)eLV rrfv yXwcrcrav ■fj(TV)((0Tepa.v 
 
 1090 Tov vovv T djjLeivco Tcov (f>pei'cav cjv vvu <j)epeL. 
 
 X0P05. 
 
 dvrjp, dva^, fie^r}Ke Sewd 6eairC(ra<;. 
 iiTLa-Tdixea-Oa 8', ef otov XevKrjv iycj 
 TijvS' e/f p-ekaivr)^ dfJL(f)L/3dKXoixaL TpC)(a, 
 pLTj TTCj TTOT avTov \jjevSo<; e's voXlv Xa/ceiv. 
 
 KPEflN. 
 
 lOdbiyuwKa fcauTOS, koI TapdaaoiJiaL <f)p€va<;. 
 TO T elKaOelv yap Beuvov, dvTLCTTdvTa 8e 
 aril Trard^at dvp,ov 4i> Seivw trdpa. 
 
 XOP02. 
 
 eu^ouXtas Sei, val Mei/ot/cews, Xa^dv. 
 
 KPEHN. 
 
 tC SrJTa XPV Bpdu (f>pdCe, ireLcrofjLai 8' iyat. 
 
 X0P02. 
 
 llOOiX6o}v Koprjv fikv e/c KaTwpv^o'S a-Teyn<i 
 av€<;, ktCctov Be tw irpoKeniivo) Td<^ov. 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 And mark well if I speak these things as a hire- 
 ling. A time not long to be delayed shall awaken 
 the wailing of men and of women in thy house. 
 And a tumult of hatred against thee stirs all the 
 cities whose mangled sons had the burial-rite from 
 dogs, or from wild beasts, or from some winged 
 bird that bore a polluting breath to each city that 
 contains the hearths of the dead. 
 
 Such arrows for thy heart — since thou provok- 
 est me — have I launched at thee, archer-like, in 
 my anger, — sure arrows, of which thou shalt not 
 escape the smart. — Boy, lead me home, that he 
 may spend his rage on younger men, and learn to 
 keep a tongue more temperate, and to bear within 
 his breast a better mind than now he bears. 
 
 Exit Teiresias. 
 
 Ch. The man hath gone, O King, with dread 
 prophecies. And, since the hair on this head, once 
 dark, hath been white, I know that heliath never 
 been a false prophet to our city. 
 
 Cr. I, too, know it well, and am troubled in 
 soul. 'Tis dire to yield; but, by resistance, to 
 smite my pride with ruin — this, too, is a dire 
 choice. 
 
 97 
 
ANTirONH. 
 
 ,, KPEHN. . ;., ■/, . ,,;,,/ 
 
 KoX TCLVT eVaiveis koX So/ceis TrapeiKaueiu ; 
 
 X0P02. .-^ 'a 
 
 ocrov y', avaf, Ta^tcTTa- crvvTefivovcn yap 
 
 ^ ^ecili' TToSw/cets tou5 Katcodipovas BXctiSat. ^ , 
 
 -, ^^_ '■ ' 'f — 
 
 - ;.^^ ' - - ^ ' 
 
 / KPEHN. 
 
 1105 01^06* jLidXis ju-eV, Kap8Ca<; S' i^CcTTaiJiaL '" '^' 
 TO Spai', OLvajKri 8' ovxi. SvcrfiaxrjTeov. 
 
 ,j ,, , X0P02. .-,-' ,1 f ; 
 
 8/30, vw TctS' iHidoiv firjS' i-TT dWoLcn Tpiire, 
 
 f, KPEHN. 
 
 , ' WO &j? %.-)(<a crTei;)(oi/A av. tr tr oTraovei, ) 
 
 01 t' oi'Te? oi t' aTrdyreg, d^ivak ■)^epdiv -t-Jyi:-^ 
 1110 bpyidcrd' eXovrifs ets eVdi/noz/ tottoi'. 
 
 cyia o , eTreLOrf ooga tjjo ^ecrTpa<p-q, j ^ 
 
 auTO§ T €C7)cra fcat irapoiv CKKvcroiJiaL. _ ^ 
 SeSot/ca yap ju,':^| tovs KafiecTTwras _vd^ous ' 
 apicTTOv '§\(r(p^ovTa:i tov ^iov Tekeiv, 
 
 'Tnopx'^P'O'" 
 
 X0P02. 
 
 1115 Tro\vuiwp.e, KaS/Acias vvfi(j)a's ayaXjua > » 
 Kai Atos jBapv^p^yiiTa -^ ■ ' . , 
 
 ^' yeVos, kXutoLi' ,os ducieTrets ^ ^^ ,, /' .l., 
 'iKapiOM, jU,e8ets)Se . , _ 
 
 1120 TayfcotVots 'EXevcrtt'ias 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 Ch. Son of Menoeceus, it behoves thee to take 
 wise counsel. 
 
 Cr. What should I do, then? Speak, and I 
 will obey. 
 
 Ch. Go thou, and free the maiden from her 
 rocky chamber, and make a tomb for the unburied 
 dead. 
 
 Cr. And this is thy counsel ? Thou wouldst 
 have me yield ? 
 
 Ch. Yea, King, and with all speed ; for swift 
 harms from the gods cut short the folly of men. 
 
 Cr. Ah me, 'tis hard, but I resign my cherished 
 resolve, — I obey. We must not wage a vain war 
 with destiny. 
 
 Ch. Go, thou, and do these things ; leave them 
 not to others. 
 
 Cr. Even as I am I'll go : — on, on, my servants, 
 each and all of you, — take axes in your hands, and 
 hasten to the ground that ye see yonder ! Since 
 our judgment hath taken this turn, I will be 
 present to unloose her, as I myself bound her. 
 My heart misgives me, 'tis best to keep the estab- 
 lished laws, even to life's end. 
 
 Ch. O thou of many names, glory of the Cad- 
 meian bride, offspring of loud-thundering Zeus! 
 thou who watchest over famed Italia, and reignest. 
 
 99 
 
^J SO<l>OKAEOYS 
 
 Arjov^ iv KoXn^oi?, BaK)^ev^ BaK^^av ^ -q |,,^-, , i 
 
 ,Jj''a--_", t'aLf.TOiv Trap vypcjv ^j^o-f. .,, sl^n-r-: "I ■"-''■ " '''- 
 
 1125 'IcTjLii^t'ou peidptav, aypiov t irri cmopa SppiKovTO<;, 
 
 3 f '.£.. - I i- '-A-VTlO-TpO<t)T] a. 
 
 ■> :'^ 
 
 ,-f 
 
 (re S' UTrep .SiX.o<^pu TreV/aas (TTepoxj/ orrcoTre - f^u-^ .^ J' 
 C^Xtyvus,! ei'^a KcopvKtai , ' /-.^ Z^:^ 
 
 vvp-cjiai <TTeL)(ov(TL Ba/c^iSes, S^c ^ -i - 
 '. llSOKacrraXias re vap.a ..''r-r.i.y 
 KM cre JNvcraiwi' opecjv 
 ^ ,5 ^^Lcr(rrjp€i% 6^0.1 ■)(Xo)pd t d/cra 
 
 1 , (^'TroKva-Ta<f>yXop Trip.TTei, 1 ^ sa.'.- - '"' _, 
 
 dfi/SpoTCDV iirewv ^ 
 
 1135 evaZpvTcov, 07j/Sa.ias iiriTKOTrovvT dyvui<s' 
 I Ij '■j.'Art,- -J '-'■ '-' ' 
 
 STpO<t>Tl Py ., ^ 
 
 ''.TO.!'' e/c iracrai' rijaas VTrepTaTav^voXecov -y 
 
 {jLaTOL crvv KepavvCa,' -o -/'-^'i i^.^x/ •'■'.'■^/ :;■'' 
 
 '' 1140 Kdt vvvJoy<i /StaiasNej^erat ' '"''"^ /, 
 
 TrdvSaao'i ttoXis eTTi wcrou, ■ ,'! 
 
 \ ya'-' /AoXetj' KaOapcriw ttoBI liapvaaCav vvep '^ltvv V /,^ , ,- 
 1145 •^ (TTovoevra iropu^Lov.^- <^-r,^-i'-^ 
 
 'AvTi<rTpoc|(T) p'. 
 
 iw ^TTup Try^iovroiv 'yopdy' dcxTpoiv, wvLCiiV 
 (^^ey/xdrfov iiria-KOTTe., vjaT 1 '''" - 
 
 TToi A105 yeveOXov, vpo^dvrjd', 
 llSOwi'tt^ era IS a^a TrepiTToXois v-tt;, -7^ 
 
 ©viaicrii', ai ere uatvoaefai TTcti'vuvoi vopeuoucri 
 Tov Taiitav laK-yov. " " ^^ " •; - ,. ' a' ,l 
 
 y 
 
 Tafjitav la/cvi 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 where all guests are welcomed, in the sheltered 
 plain of Eleusinian Deo ! O Bacchus, dweller in 
 Thebe, mother-city of Bacchants, by the softly-glid- 
 ing stream of Ismenus, on the soil where the fierce 
 dragon's teeth were sown ! 
 
 Thou hast been seen where torch flames glare 
 through smoke, above the crests of the twin peaks, 
 where move the Corycian nymphs, thy votaries, 
 hard by Castalia's stream. 
 
 Thou comest from the ivy-mantled slopes of 
 Nysa's hills, and from the shore green with many- 
 clustered vines, while thy name is lifted up on 
 strains of more than mortal power, as thou visitest 
 the ways of Thebe : 
 
 Thebe, of all cities, thou boldest first in honor, 
 thou, and thy mother whom the lightning smote ; 
 ■and now, when all our people is captive to a violent 
 plague, come thou with healing feet over the Par- 
 nassian height, or over the moaning strait ! • 
 ■ O thou with whom the stars rejoice as they__move, 
 the stars whose breath is fire; O master of the 
 voices of the night ; son begotten of Zeus ; appear, 
 O king, with thine attendant Thyiads, who in night- 
 long frenzy dance before thee, the giver of good 
 gifts, lacchus ! 
 
ANTirONH. 
 
 Ninth Scene. Messenger. Afterwards Eurydice and 
 ■ Attendants. 
 
 "EfoSos. 
 
 ArrEAOs. 
 
 1155 KaSjixou irdpoLKoi /cat Sofjuov 'AfxcfyCovo?, 
 ovK ecrU ottolov crravT av avcfpcorrov piov 
 ovT alvifraiyb av oure fiefxrpaifLyjv Trore. / 
 
 T'U'^7] yap opOoi koX rv'^rj/^KaTappeTrei) 'CA'^^fp-^ ''^ 
 Tov evTV)(ovvTa rov re ovcrTvy^ovuT aeC, 
 
 1160 /cat p,a.vTis ouSeis tcov KadeyTotTOiv /SpoToii;. 
 Kpecov yap rjv i^i^yr6§, c!)s ip,oi, iroTe, 
 crcJcras iikv'^e)(d pc^v TijvSe KaSp-eiav -)(^06va \ 
 
 \ O' 3{' i^jL la'' S , ^ , /TfiA-hj 
 
 Kapoiv re ^wysa? TravTeKr) p.ovap'^iav ' ^^ - ( 
 
 ^J_eu^we, OdXkcov evyevel tekvcov a-iropa.' o^^u^^*^ 
 1165 /cat vv!/ d^etrat TrduTa. Ta<s-ydp ijSoms 
 ' orav TTpooaxTiv av0^s^J.o y Tiuigp. eya> 
 ji cjC''?^ roCrobC oXa ijji^ljv^ov Crjj^dv^Tjvejcpov.^ JT re k - 
 ,/,y igS^XouTlE) re yap /car' olkov, el /SovXei, jj-eya, 
 
 /cat 4''? Tvpavvov cr^p. e^cov • eav o aiTr) j^ , ^j^^ 
 1170 Tourojv TO -^aipeiv, toXX' eyoi Ckolttvov cr/oa^ ^i^-fixi'--- 
 OVK av TTpiaip'qv dvSpl ^£0S rrjv 'qSovT^v^ 
 
 "^ X0P02. 
 
 tI 8' au ToS' d^0os /3a<TiXe(ov i7/cets <f>epa)i'; 
 
 ArrEAos. 
 redvacnv ot Se {a);'Tes atrtot dav^v. lu^ Lw-'i'^^f J- 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 Kal Tts (jiouevet, rt's S' d^ /cet/xei'os; Xeye. 
 
 i^ (^^^ 
 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 Ninth Scene. Messenger. Afterwards Eurydice and 
 Attendants. 
 
 Enter MESSENGER, on the spectators' left hand. 
 
 Me. Dwellers by the house of Cadmus and of 
 Amphion, there is no estate of mortal life that I 
 would ever praise or blame as settled. Fortune 
 raises and Fortune humbles the lucky or unlucky 
 from day to day, and no one can prophesy to men 
 concerning those things which are established. 
 For Creon was blest once, as I count bliss ; he had 
 saved this land of Cadmus from its foes ; he was 
 clothed with sole dominion in the land ; he reigned, 
 the glorious sire of princely children. And now all 
 hath been lost. For when a man hath forfeited his 
 pleasures, I count him not as living, — I hold him 
 but a breathing corpse. Heap up riches in thy 
 house, if thou wilt ; live in kingly state ; yet, if there 
 be no gladness therewith, I would not give the 
 shadow of a vapor for all the rest, compared with 
 
 joy. 
 
 Ch. And what is this new grief that thou hast 
 to tell for our princes ? 
 
 Me. Death ; and the living are guilty for the 
 
 dead. 
 
 Ch. And who is the slayer ? Who the stricken .? 
 
 Speak. 
 
 Me. Haemon hath perished; his blood hath 
 
 been shed by no stranger. 
 
 103 
 
SO'I'OKAEOYS 
 
 ArrEA05. 
 1175 Al[ia)v o\cd\£v • avTO-^ap 8' aljjidcra'eTaL, 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 TTOTepa 7raT/)ojas ^ Trpos ot/ceias xepo? ; 
 
 ArrEAos. 
 avTos Trpos auToS, TrarpX p.r]vC(ra<; (}>6vov, 
 
 X0P02. 
 
 &) fiduTi, TOU770S ws otjo' opdov •qvvo'a^. 
 
 ArrEAOS. 
 (u; wS' ixpvTcov rdWa /3ov\eveLV ndpaC'^f re 
 
 ^^^r'.'.i^'J.s -L /-/.J ,- ,.,./■' . ^ XOPOS. 
 
 1180 Kai jLt'^i' opo) TttXaivai' EvpvSiKTqv opov, 
 Sdpapra ttjv KpeovTo<;' iK Be Bcopdrcov 
 7JT0I. jcXuoucra^atSos) rj Tv)(rj irdpa. 
 
 ^ ' ■ ^ ETPTAIKH. ' f 
 
 w TrdvTe<; dcTToi, ratv Xoycov jTrrjcrOoprivy & .- . 
 - ~ TT/DO? i^oBov CTTeL^ovcra, IlaWdBo<; 0ea<s 
 
 ll85o7r&JS LKoipTqviJIyypdroyt/ <ff_poaiQyQpo^- — alii.'c-:. 
 
 -^aXSicra, Kat pe (pdoyyo's ot/cetou KaKov 
 I BdWeu he biTOiv vTTTia he Kkivoiiai <■ ^ ^ ''■\f 
 
 ,.^^7^ oeicracra/ ttoos opoioiai KavoTrXTja-CTOiJiai.. _ „^ v 
 ll90aAA. ocTTis iji' o pvoo'i ttupis eiTTare • 
 KaKUiv ydp pvK otTretpos oScr' a.Kovo'opa.i. 
 
 'J ArrEAOS. / ,^ -f- 
 
 eytu, <j)L\r] SeaiTOLva, koI vapcov ep5>, i ^.A^,_..,^ 
 
 ifni>neii Trnn-nrrrih mc n\v)Hei.nc pttoc. 
 
 , /..I' 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 Ch. By his father's hand, or by his own ? 
 Me. By his own, in wrath with his sire for the 
 murder. 
 
 Ch. O prophet, how true, then, hast thou proved 
 thy word ! 
 
 Me. These things stand thus ; ye must consider 
 of the rest. 
 
 Ch. Lo, I see the hapless Eurydice, Creon's 
 wife, approaching; she comes from the house by 
 chance, haply, — or because she knows the tidings 
 of her son. 
 
 Enter EuRYDICE. 
 
 Eu. People of Thebes, I heard your words as I 
 was going forth, to salute the goddess Pallas with 
 my prayers. Even as I was loosing the fastenings 
 of the gate, to open it, the message of a household 
 woe smote on mine ear : I sank back, terror- 
 stricken, into the arms of my handmaids, and my 
 senses fled. But say again what the tidings were ; 
 I shall hear them as one who is no stranger to 
 sorrow. 
 
 Me. Dear lady, I will witness of what I saw, 
 and will leave no word of the truth untold. Why, 
 indeed, should I soothe thee with words in which I 
 must presently be found false .'' Truth is ever best. 
 — I attended thy lord as his guide to the furthest 
 part of the plain, where the body of Polyneices, 
 
ANTirONH. 
 
 n yap crs. ixakOdcrcroLiM' av S>v es vcrrepou 
 ll95\//euo"rai <pavovfie0'; opOov aXijOeL aei. 
 iyo) Se cr&J 77oSayos kdTTOfiiqv Trocret 
 101^ evT aKpov, eva eKeLTo V7]\ee? 
 KwocnrdpaKTov (r(op.a IloXwei/cous ert • 
 Koi TOP [liu, atTTjcravTes ivoSCav deov 
 l200nXouTa)i'a T 6pyd<s evfiei^ei? KaTacr\e9eLV, 
 KovcrauTe<; dyvbv Xovrpov, Iv veo(nrda-t,v 
 daXXoi? o Sr) 'XeXetTrro o-vyKarydoiJiev, 
 KOi TVfji/3ov opOoKpavov oiKeCas ^dovo'; 
 ^cicravres, aS^is irpos XtOocrTpcoTOv Kopyj^ 
 1205 vvp.(f)etov "AlBov kolXov eicrefiatvofiev. 
 <f)(ourj'; S' d.Trwdei' opdCwv KQiKVfjLaTcov 
 
 /cXvet Tl? OLKTepLCTTOV dp.(j)l TTCtO'TCtSa, 
 
 Kal SecriTOTrj 'KpiovTi ay]pia.ivei fiokav • 
 Tw 8' d^Xias dcnjfJia. Trepi^aivei ySo'^? 
 
 1210 epiTovTi jU.aXXoi' dacrov, olfX(L^a<; S' Itto? 
 iT^crt 8vcrdp7Jv7}Tou • b) raXas eyw,' 
 dp' etyul fjidfTLS ; dpa. Sv(TTU)(ecrTdTr]v 
 KeXevdov epTrco twv napeXdovcrSiv oSwv ; 
 TTtttSo? ^e aaivei (f)66yyo?. dXXd irpocnToXoi, 
 
 1215 IT dcrcrov WKets, Kat Trapacrrdi/res rdcfxij 
 ddprjcraO' , dpfjuov ^Wjaaros Xi^ocnraS'^ 
 Swre? Trpos aurb crTOfJuov, ei tov At/AOfos 
 ij)d6yy6v crvviTjix , rj deolcn Kki'rrrop.ai. 
 rdS" e'f ddvp.ov Sco-ttotou KeXe'ucTjj.acnv 
 
 l220rjdpoviJiev • iv Se Xoicrdioi TVfi^evfiaTi 
 TTjv p.lv KpejjLacTTriv au^eVo? KareiBofjLev, 
 /Spo^ftt pi.T(tiSei crwhovo'i KaOy^fxiiivr^v, 
 TOV o dfjLfjn fxecray vtpnrerrj TrpotjKeip.evov, 
 evvrj<; aTTOip.(sil^ovTaL t'jjs /cdroj <f>9opa.v 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 torn by dogs, still lay unpitied. We prayed the 
 goddess of the roads, and Pluto, in mercy to re- 
 strain their wrath ; we washed the dead with holy 
 washing ; and with freshly-plucked boughs we 
 solemnly burned such relics as there were. We 
 raised a high mound of his native earth ; and then 
 we turned away to enter the maiden's nuptial cham- 
 ber with rocky couch, the caverned mansion of the 
 bride of Death. And, from afar off, one of us 
 heard a voice of loud wailing at that bride's unhal- 
 lowed bower ; and came to tell our master Creon. 
 
 And as the King drew nearer, doubtful sounds 
 of a bitter cry floated around him ; he groaned, 
 and said in accents of anguish, ' Wretched that I 
 am, can my foreboding be true ? Am I going on 
 the wofullest way that ever I went ? My son's 
 voice greets me. — Go, my servants, — haste ye 
 nearer, and when ye have reached the tomb, pass 
 through the gap, where the stones have been 
 wrenched away, to the cell's very mouth, — and 
 look, and see if 'tis Haemon's voice that I know, or 
 if mine ear is cheated by the gods.' 
 
 This search, at our despairing master's word, we 
 went to make ; and in the furthest part of the tomb 
 we descried her hanging by the neck, slung by a 
 threadwrought halter of fine linen; while he was 
 embracing her with arms thrown around her waist, 
 
 bewailing the loss of his bride who is with the 
 
 dead, and his father's deeds, and his own ill-starred 
 
 love. 
 
 107 
 
S04>OKAEOYS 
 
 1225 (cai Trarpo^ ipya koI to SvaTrjuov Xej^o?. 
 6 8' ft)s opoi (r(j)e, (TTvyvov olp,d)^aq ea-cj 
 ■^oipet Trpos avTov KavaKOKv era's KoXei, • 
 5 TkyjjjLov, oiov epyov eipyaaai • rCva 
 'vovv licr^j^es; hf tw a'Vfji(f>opa<s oi,e<f>9apr}i; ; 
 
 I230€^e\6e, TeKvov, iKetrios (re Xicro-o/xat. 
 
 Tov S' dypiots ocrcroLCTL TraTrriji'as o Trat?, 
 TTTucras TrpocTonro} KovSev avTenratv, ^C<f)OV? 
 ikKec SittXovs /o'wSoi'Tas • e/c 8' opfiofievov 
 TTaTpo<; (j)vyaicru> rjfjLTTXaK' eld' 6 Svcrp.opo'; 
 
 1235 aurw )(o\ct)6eCs, wcnrep el^, etrevTadei^ 
 
 yjpeLO-e irkevpoi'; fiecrcrov ey^o<; • es B' vypov 
 ayKow er ep-^poiv iroLpOiuo) TrpocrTTTVcrcreTai, • 
 Kal (f>vcrL(ov o^eiav eK^oiXXei porjv 
 XevKT) TTapeua (J)Olvlov crTaXa.yp.aro'i. 
 
 i240Kerrat he veKpo^ irepX veKpca, ra wp.<^iKa. 
 TeXrj Xixy^ajv SeiXato? ev y "AtSou So/aois, 
 Seifas cV dvdpcoTTOLcn tyjv a^ovkiav, 
 ocrco [i-iyicrTOV dvSpl irpocrKeLTaL kolkov. 
 
 XOP02. 
 
 Tt rovT av ei/cacretas ; rj yvvrf ttoXlv 
 12i5 (fipo'uBr], irplv elTrelv icrOXov rj KaKov Xoyov. 
 
 ArrEAOs. 
 
 KavTO's Te0diJi/3r}K- eXiricnv 8e ySocr/coju,at 
 a^ij reKvov KXvovcrav es voXlv yoous 
 ovK aguocreiv, dXX vtto crTeyr]<; ecrw 
 S/xwais TTpodrjcreiv ireV^os ot/cetov (rriveiv • 
 l25o[yi'w/ATjs yaya ou/c direipo'S, aia-d' dfjiapTdveLv.] 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 But his father, when he saw him, cried aloud 
 with a dread cry, and went in, and called to him 
 with a voice of wailing : — ■- Unhappy, what a deed 
 hast thou done ! What thought hath come to thee ? 
 What manner of mischance hath marred thy 
 reason ? Come forth, my child ! I pray thee ! I 
 implore ! ' But the boy glared at him with fierce 
 eyes, spat in his face, and, without a word of answer, 
 drew his cross-hilted sword: — as his father rushed 
 forth in flight, he missed his aim ; — then, hapless 
 one, wroth with himself, he straightway leaned 
 with all his weight against his sword, and drove it, 
 half its length, into his side ; and, while sense lin- 
 gered, he clasped the maiden to his faint embrace, 
 and, as he gasped, sent forth on her pale cheek the 
 swift stream of the oozing blood. 
 
 Corpse enfolding corpse he lies ; he hath won his 
 nuptial rites, poor youth, not here, yet in the halls 
 of Death ; and he hath witnessed to mankind that, 
 of all curses which cleave to man, ill counsel is the 
 sovereign curse. 
 
 EuRYDlCE retires into the house. 
 
 Ch. What wouldst thou augur from this .? The 
 lady hath turned back, and is gone, without a word 
 good or evil. 
 
 Me. I, too, am startled ; yet I nourish the hope 
 that, at these sore tidings of her son, she cannot 
 deign to give her sorrow public vent, but in the 
 
 privacy of the house will set her handmaids to 
 
 ' 109 
 
ANTirONH. 
 
 XOP02. 
 
 ovK oio • e/AOi o ovv 7] T ojyov (Tiy-q papv 
 SoKet trpocreivai ^^ [iaTTjv ttoWtj /Sorj. 
 
 ArrEAOs. 
 
 dXX' elcTOfiecrda, /atj tl kol KaTdcr)(€Tov 
 Kpv(j)ri KakvTTTeL KapBCa dvjjLovfievrj, 
 1255 Sd/Aous TTapacrTeL^ovTe<;. ev yap ovv Xeyet5° 
 Kol T179 ayav yap icrTL irov cnyrjs /3dpo<;. 
 
 Tenth Scene. Creon and Messenger. 
 XOP02. 
 
 Ktti jjLTjv 00 avag: avTO<; €<pr]Keb 
 pvrjij,' ivio-rjiJiov Sta ^eipos €-)((j}v, 
 el dept.'s elireiv, ovk aXXorpCav 
 1260 aTqv, aXk avros apapTciv. 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 2Tpo4>11 CU 
 
 IdJ, 
 
 <f)pevatv Svcr(f)p6va)v apapTTQpara 
 cTTepea Qavaroevr . 
 (3 Kxavovras re /cai 
 6av6vTa<; /SXeTTOvre? e/xc^nXious. 
 1265 fc)/xot ejU.QJi' avoX/Sa ^ovXevparcav. 
 iai Trai, vio<5 veat ^iiv popai, 
 aial alal. 
 
 edave?, aTreXvdrjS, 
 ip.al'i ovBe craicri Sucr;8ouXtais. 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 mourn the household grief. For she is not un- 
 taught of discretion, that she should err. 
 
 Ch. I know not ; but to me, at least, a strained 
 silence seems to portend peril, no less than vain 
 abundance of lament. 
 
 Me. Well, I will enter the house, and learn 
 
 whether indeed she is not hiding some repressed 
 
 purpose in the depths of a passionate heart. Yea, 
 
 thou sayest well : excess of silence, too, may have 
 
 a perilous meaning. 
 
 Exit Messenger. 
 
 Tenth Scene. Creon and Messenger. 
 
 Enter CrEON on the spectators' left, with attendants, carrying 
 the shrouded body of HaEMON on a bier. 
 
 Ch. Lo, yonder the King himself draws near, 
 bearing that which tells too clear a tale, — the 
 work of no stranger's madness, — if we may say it, 
 — but of his own misdeeds. 
 
 Cr. Woe for the sins of a darkened soul, stub- 
 born sins, fraught with death ! Ah, ye behold us, 
 the sire who hath slain, the son who hath perished ! 
 Woe is me, for the wretched blindness of my coun- 
 
20#0KAE0YS 
 
 XOP02. 
 
 1270 otju-' ais eoiKa? oijte Trjv BtKrjv ISelv. 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 2TpO<|>1] P'. 
 Ol/XOt, 
 
 e;((u fiadcjv SetXaios" o' S' e/A&> Kctyaa 
 6eog TOT apa tote fxeya /3cipo<; fi exo)v 
 ewaLcrev, iv 8' icreicrev aypCaL? oSots, 
 127501/^01, XaKiroLTTqTov dvTpeTrcov ■)(apd.v. 
 
 ^€V (ftev, ftJ TTOVOI, /3pOTa>V BvCTTTOVOL. 
 EHArrEAOS. 
 
 b) Seo-TTO^', &IS ej^wv re koI KeKTrffievo?, 
 TO. fx.ei' irpo ■)(eip(iiv raSe (fyepcov to. 8' iv 8d/i,ots 
 I280eot/<as rjKeiv /cai ra^ oifiecrdai, KaKoi. 
 
 KPEnN. 
 Tl 8' eCTTLV av KOLKLOV, ^ KaKWV eTL ; 
 
 EHArPEAOS. 
 
 yuK^ TedvrjKe Tou8e Trap,p,y)TOip vtKpov, 
 hvcTTrjvo'i, dpTi veoTop-OLcn irXyjyfiaaLV. 
 
 KPEHN. 
 
 'AvTi<rTpo<|>ii a. 
 Icj, 
 
 io) BvCTKoiOapTO^ ''A180U XljU.TJl', 
 
 1285 Tl jLt' a/3a ri ju,' oXe/ceis; 
 w KaKayyeKTo. ju,ot 
 TrpoTTCjui/fas ax''7> ''''»'«■ dpoels \6yov ; 
 alai, oXoiXoT dvBp' im^eipydcro). 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 sels ! Alas, my son, thou hast died in thy youth, 
 by a timeless doom, woe is me ! — thy spirit hath 
 fled, — not by thy folly, but by mine own ! 
 
 Ch. Ah me, how all too late .thou seemest to see 
 the right ! 
 
 Cr. Ah me, I have learned the bitter lesson ! 
 But then, methinks, oh then, some god smote me 
 from above with crushing weight, and hurled me 
 into, ways of cruelty, woe is me, — overthrowing 
 and trampling on my joy ! Woe, woe, for the 
 troublous toils of men ! 
 
 Enter MESSENGER /w»z the house. 
 
 Me. Sire, thou hast come, methinks, as one 
 whose hands are not empty, but who hath store laid 
 up besides ; thou bearest yonder burden with thee ; 
 and thou art soon to look upon the woes within thy 
 house. 
 
 Cr. And what worse ill is yet to follow upon 
 
 ills? 
 
 Me. Thy queen hath died, true mother of yon 
 corpse — ah, hapless lady ! — by blows newly dealt. 
 
 Cr. Oh Hades, all-receiving, whom no sacrifice 
 
 can appease ! Hast thou, then, no mercy for me ? 
 
 113 
 
ANTirONH. 
 
 Ti (jt'jjs, <y TTOi, Tiva Xeyet? yxoi j'eoi', 
 1290 aiat alaZ, 
 
 cr(j)d'yLov in oXedpco 
 yvvacKeiov aficjiiKeLcrOai, fiopov; 
 
 EEArrEA02. 
 
 opav TrapecTTiv ov yap iv /av^^ois en. 
 
 KPEHN. 
 *AvTi{rTpo(|>f P'. 
 
 oijaot, 
 
 1295Ka«:oi' roS' ak\o SevTepov ySXeVw raXas. 
 Tis apa, rts ju.e ttotjjlo'; en TreyDt/ieVet ; 
 e)((W jLiei/ ev ^eCpetrcrbV apTLa)? t4kvov, 
 raXas, tov S' ivavra vpocr/SXeTrco veKpov. 
 
 1300 ^eu ^eu [lOLTep adXCa, <^ev t€kvov. 
 
 EEArrEAOS. 
 
 Xveu Kekaiva ^kecfyapa, KOiKvuacra /Mev 
 rov irpLv Oavovro? Meyapeiws kXcu/ov Xa^05, 
 avdi? Se TovSe, XoCcrdiov Se crot KaKct? 
 1305 7ry3af et9 e^VjuvT^cracra rcu TraiSo/croi'&j. 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 atai a tat, 
 
 aveiTTav <p6^(o. tL p,' ovk avraCav 
 enaicriv rts djj,(f)L0yJKTa) ^l(f>€i; 
 1310 SetXatos eyo) atai, 
 
 SetXaia, Se <TvyK€Kpap,ai Sua. 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 O thou herald of evil, bitter tidings, what word 
 dost thou utter ? Alas, I was already as dead, and 
 thou hast smitten me anew ! What sayest thou, 
 my son ? What is this new message that thou 
 bringest — woe, woe is me ! — of a wife's doom, — 
 of slaughter heaped on slaughter ? 
 
 Ch. Thou canst behold : 'tis no longer hidden 
 within. 
 
 The doors of the jialace are opened, and the corpse of Eurydice 
 
 is disclosed. 
 
 Cr. Ah me, — yonder I behold a new, a second 
 woe ! What destiny, ah what, can yet await me ? 
 I have but now raised my son in my arms, — and 
 there, again, I see a corpse before me ! Alas, alas, 
 unhappy mother ! Alas, my child ! 
 
 Me. There, at the altar, self-stabbed with a keen 
 knife, she suffered her darkening eyes to close, 
 when she had wailed for the noble fate of Megareus 
 who died before, and then for his fate who lies 
 there, — and when, with her last breath, she had 
 invoked evil fortunes upon thee, the slayer of thy 
 
 sons. 
 
 Cr. Woe, woe ! I thrill with dread. Is there 
 none to strike me to the heart with two-edged 
 
 "5 
 
SO$OKAEOYS 
 
 EHArrEAOS. 
 
 ws airiav ye rwvSe KaKelvotv <E.-)(av 
 
 7r/)os T^s 9avov(rr}<; t^ctS' ivecTKTJTTTOv /juopav, 
 
 KPEflN. 
 
 TTOitp Se KaweXucraT' ei/ ^oval<; Tporrm; 
 
 EEArrEAOS. 
 
 1315 Traicracr' v^' ■^Trap avT6')(eip avTijv, ottws 
 TratSos ToS' rjcrder o^vkcokvtov Trddo'i. 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 2TpO(|>T] 8'. 
 
 oiyLOi fioi, TCtS' ovK eTT* a\X.ov ^poTwv 
 I320e/xas apfji6a-€L ttot ii aiTtas. 
 
 eyo) yaya cr' eyoi eicavov, w yueXeos, 
 
 eyw, <^a/i.' ervpov, lu) tTpocnTokoi, 
 I325ayere /a' oti rd^o';, dyere p e/c7roSc5v 
 
 Tov ovK ovTtt paWov y) prjBiva. 
 
 X0P05. 
 
 Kephrf 7rapaivel<;, et tl /cepSos ev /caKois- 
 l3pd^L(rTa yap KpaTicrra rdv irotrXv Ka/ca. 
 
 KPEnN. 
 
 I 
 
 'AvTi.OTpo(|)ij y'. 
 
 tro) tTO), 
 1330 <f>aviJTOi popcov 6 KaWiCTT' ipoiv 
 ipol reppCav dycou dpipav 
 
 OTTWS pT}K€T Tfpap uW eiCTlSo). 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 sword? — O miserable that I am, and steeped in 
 miserable anguish ! 
 
 Me. Yea, both his son's doom, and that other's, 
 were laid to thy charge by her whose corpse thou 
 seest. 
 
 Cr. And what was the manner of the violent 
 deed by which she passed away ? 
 
 Me. Her own hand struck her to the heart, 
 when she had learned her son's sorely lamented 
 fate. 
 
 Cr. Ah me, this guilt can never be fixed on any 
 other of mortal kind, for my acquittal ! I, even I, 
 was thy slayer, wretched that I am — I own the 
 truth. Lead me away, O my servants, lead me 
 hence with all speed, whose life is but as death ! 
 
 Ch. Thy counsels are good, if there can be 
 good with ills ; briefest is best, when trouble is in 
 our path. 
 
 Cr. Oh, let it come, let it appear, that fairest of 
 fates for me, that brings my last day, — aye, best 
 fate of all ! Oh, let it come, that I may never look 
 upon to-morrow's light ! ^ 
 
 Ch. These things are in the future ; present 
 tasks claim our care: the ordering of the future 
 rests where it should rest. 
 
 117 
 
ANTirONH. 
 
 X0P02. 
 
 jjiiWovTa TavTa. tmv TrpoKetfievcDV Tt ^r) 
 1335 irpdcra-eiv. /ne'Xei yap twvS' otoictl )(prj fieXeuv. 
 
 KPEflN. 
 
 dXX.' a)v iput fiev raura crvyKaTr)v^d[Jir)v. 
 
 X0P02. 
 
 jjirj vvv 7rpocreTj)(ov ytiTjSei'* ws Trerrp(i)p,ivrf<s 
 ovK ecrrt OvrjTot^ crv/A^o/)as dTraXXayi^- 
 
 KPEflN. 
 'AvTi(rTpo(j)r 8'. 
 
 dyotr' ctv /idraiov avSp' eKTroScov, 
 1340 05, d) Trat, ere t ou^ e«:&)v KareKavov, 
 
 ere T avTOJv, atfioL fieXeos, ovS' e^o) 
 
 oVa TT/Dos Trorepov lSco, TrdvTa yap 
 l345X€^ta rdv -^epoLv rdS' cttI KparC jxot, 
 
 7t6tiXO<S SvCTKOflLCTTO'; €lcn]XaTO. 
 X0P02. 
 
 TToXXw TO (fypoveiv evSaLjxovLa^ 
 TTpcoTov vTrdp-^ei' -^r) Se rd y ei? Oeoii's 
 1350 jxrjSei' dcreTTTelv p.eyd\oL 8e Xoyoi 
 
 /AcyctXas TrXr^yds rwi' vvepavxcov 
 aTTOTicrai/Tes 
 yi^yaa to <])pov€LU iSiSa^av. 
 
ANTIGONE. 
 
 Cr. All my desires, at least, were summed in 
 that prayer. 
 
 Ch. Pray thou no more ; for mortals have no 
 escape from destined woe. 
 
 Cr. Lead me away, I pray you ; a rash, foolish 
 man ; who have slain thee, ah my son, unwittingly, 
 and thee, too, my wife — unhappy that I am ! I 
 know not which way I should bend my gaze, or 
 where I should seek support ; for all is amiss with 
 that which is in my hands, — and yonder, again, a 
 crushing fate hath leapt upon my head. 
 
 As Creon is being conducted into the house, the Coryphaeus speaks 
 the closing verses. 
 
 Ch. Wisdom is the supreme part of happiness ; 
 
 and reverence towards the gods must be inviolate. 
 
 Great words of prideful men are ever punished with 
 
 great blows, and, in old age, teach the chastened to 
 
 be wise. 
 
 119 
 
CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 3 1924 099 385 175 
 
 
 DATE DUE 
 
 
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 AUG 6 
 
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