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Before the royal palace of
Thebes
.
103
145
193
Jocasta
O Sun-god, you who cut your path in heaven’s stars, mounted on a chariot inlaid with gold and whirling out your flame with swift horses, what an unfortunate beam you shed on
Thebes
, the day
1
that Cadmus left
Phoenicia
’s realm beside the sea and reached this land! He married at that time Harmonia, the daughter of Cypris, and begot Polydorus from whom they say Labdacus was born, and Laius from him.
5
I am known as the daughter of Menoeceus, and Creon is my brother by the same mother. They call me Jocasta, for so my father named me, and I am married to Laius. Now when he was still childless after being married to me a long time in the palace,
10
he went and questioned Phoebus, and asked for us both to have sons for the house. But the god said:
Lord of Thebes famous for horses, do not sow a furrow of children against the will of the gods; for if you beget a son, that child will kill you,
15
and all your house shall wade through blood. But he, yielding to pleasure in a drunken fit, begot a child on me; and afterwards, conscious of his sin and of the god’s warning, he gave the child to shepherds to expose
20
in Hera’s meadow and the crag of Cithaeron, after piercing his ankles with iron spikes; from which
Hellas
named him Oedipus. But Polybus’ horsemen found him and took him home and laid him in the arms of their mistress.
25
So she suckled the child that I had borne and persuaded her husband she was its mother.
30
32
When my son had become a man, with tawny beard, either because he had guessed or learned it from another, he set out for the shrine of Phoebus, wanting to know for certain who his parents were;
and so did Laius, my husband, seeking to learn if the child he had exposed was dead. And the two of them met at the branching road of
Phocis
. And Laius’ charioteer ordered him:
35
Stranger, make way for the king! But he walked on without a word, in his pride. The horses with their hoofs drew blood from the tendons of his feet. Then—why need I speak of matters outside these evils?—son slew father, and taking his chariot
40
gave it to Polybus, his foster-father. Now when the Sphinx was oppressing and ravaging our city, after my husband’s death, my brother Creon proclaimed my marriage: that he would marry me to anyone who should guess the riddle of the crafty maiden. It happened somehow
45
that my son, Oedipus, guessed the Sphinx’s song;
and so he became king of this land and received the scepter of this land as his prize. He married his mother in ignorance, luckless wretch! nor did his mother know that she was sleeping with her son.
50
I bore my son two sons, Eteocles and the hero Polyneices, and two daughters; the one her father called Ismene; the other, which was the elder, I named Antigone. Now when Oedipus, who endured so much,
55
learned that he was married to his mother, he inflicted a dreadful slaughter upon his eyes, making the pupils bloody with a golden brooch. But when my sons grew to bearded men, they hid their father behind bars, so that his misfortune,
60
needing as it did much skill to hide it, might be forgotten. He is still living in the house. Afflicted by his fate, he makes the most unholy curses against his sons, praying that they may divide this house with a sharp sword.
65
69
So they were afraid
that the gods might fulfil his prayers if they dwell together; and they made an agreement, that Polyneices, the younger, should first leave the land in voluntary exile, while Eteocles should stay and hold the scepter, and then change places yearly. But as soon as Eteocles was seated on the bench of power,
70
he did not leave the throne, but drove Polyneices into exile from this land. So Polyneices went to
Argos
and married into the family of Adrastus, and having collected a numerous force of Argives is leading them here; and he has come against these very walls of seven gates,
75
demanding the scepter of his father and his share of the land. Now I, to end their strife, have persuaded one son to meet the other under truce, before seizing arms; and the messenger I sent tells me that he will come. O Zeus, dwelling in the bright folds of heaven,
80
save us, and reconcile my sons! For you, if you are really wise, must not allow the same mortal to be forever wretched.
Exit Jocasta.
85
O Sun-god, you who cut your path in heaven’s stars, mounted on a chariot inlaid with gold and whirling out your flame with swift horses, what an unfortunate beam you shed on
Thebes
, the day
1
that Cadmus left
Phoenicia
’s realm beside the sea and reached this land! He married at that time Harmonia, the daughter of Cypris, and begot Polydorus from whom they say Labdacus was born, and Laius from him.
5
I am known as the daughter of Menoeceus, and Creon is my brother by the same mother. They call me Jocasta, for so my father named me, and I am married to Laius. Now when he was still childless after being married to me a long time in the palace,
10
he went and questioned Phoebus, and asked for us both to have sons for the house. But the god said:
Lord of Thebes famous for horses, do not sow a furrow of children against the will of the gods; for if you beget a son, that child will kill you,
15
and all your house shall wade through blood. But he, yielding to pleasure in a drunken fit, begot a child on me; and afterwards, conscious of his sin and of the god’s warning, he gave the child to shepherds to expose
20
in Hera’s meadow and the crag of Cithaeron, after piercing his ankles with iron spikes; from which
Hellas
named him Oedipus. But Polybus’ horsemen found him and took him home and laid him in the arms of their mistress.
25
So she suckled the child that I had borne and persuaded her husband she was its mother.
30
When my son had become a man, with tawny beard, either because he had guessed or learned it from another, he set out for the shrine of Phoebus, wanting to know for certain who his parents were;
and so did Laius, my husband, seeking to learn if the child he had exposed was dead. And the two of them met at the branching road of
Phocis
. And Laius’ charioteer ordered him:
35
Stranger, make way for the king! But he walked on without a word, in his pride. The horses with their hoofs drew blood from the tendons of his feet. Then—why need I speak of matters outside these evils?—son slew father, and taking his chariot
40
gave it to Polybus, his foster-father. Now when the Sphinx was oppressing and ravaging our city, after my husband’s death, my brother Creon proclaimed my marriage: that he would marry me to anyone who should guess the riddle of the crafty maiden. It happened somehow
45
that my son, Oedipus, guessed the Sphinx’s song;
and so he became king of this land and received the scepter of this land as his prize. He married his mother in ignorance, luckless wretch! nor did his mother know that she was sleeping with her son.
50
I bore my son two sons, Eteocles and the hero Polyneices, and two daughters; the one her father called Ismene; the other, which was the elder, I named Antigone. Now when Oedipus, who endured so much,
55
learned that he was married to his mother, he inflicted a dreadful slaughter upon his eyes, making the pupils bloody with a golden brooch. But when my sons grew to bearded men, they hid their father behind bars, so that his misfortune,
60
needing as it did much skill to hide it, might be forgotten. He is still living in the house. Afflicted by his fate, he makes the most unholy curses against his sons, praying that they may divide this house with a sharp sword.
65
So they were afraid
that the gods might fulfil his prayers if they dwell together; and they made an agreement, that Polyneices, the younger, should first leave the land in voluntary exile, while Eteocles should stay and hold the scepter, and then change places yearly. But as soon as Eteocles was seated on the bench of power,
70
he did not leave the throne, but drove Polyneices into exile from this land. So Polyneices went to
Argos
and married into the family of Adrastus, and having collected a numerous force of Argives is leading them here; and he has come against these very walls of seven gates,
75
demanding the scepter of his father and his share of the land. Now I, to end their strife, have persuaded one son to meet the other under truce, before seizing arms; and the messenger I sent tells me that he will come. O Zeus, dwelling in the bright folds of heaven,
80
save us, and reconcile my sons! For you, if you are really wise, must not allow the same mortal to be forever wretched.
Exit Jocasta.
85
Old servant
From the roof. Antigone, famous child in your father’s house, although your mother allowed you at your entreaty to leave your maiden chamber
for the topmost story of the house, to see the
Argive
army, wait, so that I may first investigate the path, whether there be any of the citizens visible on the road, and reproach, a slight matter to a slave like me, should come
90
to you, my royal mistress; and when I have examined everything, I will tell you what I saw and heard from the Argives, when I carried the terms of the truce from here to Polyneices and back from him again.
95
After a slight pause.
No, there is no citizen near the house,
so mount the ancient cedar steps, and view the plains; beside Ismenus’ streams and the fountain of Dirce see the great army of the enemy.
100
103
From the roof. Antigone, famous child in your father’s house, although your mother allowed you at your entreaty to leave your maiden chamber
for the topmost story of the house, to see the
Argive
army, wait, so that I may first investigate the path, whether there be any of the citizens visible on the road, and reproach, a slight matter to a slave like me, should come
90
to you, my royal mistress; and when I have examined everything, I will tell you what I saw and heard from the Argives, when I carried the terms of the truce from here to Polyneices and back from him again.
95
No, there is no citizen near the house,
so mount the ancient cedar steps, and view the plains; beside Ismenus’ streams and the fountain of Dirce see the great army of the enemy.
100
Antigone
Stretch out your hand to me from the stairs now, stretch it out, the hand of age to youth,
helping me to rise.
105
Stretch out your hand to me from the stairs now, stretch it out, the hand of age to youth,
helping me to rise.
105
Old servant
There! clasp it, maiden; you have come at the right time; for Pelasgia’s army is just upon the move, and they are separating the companies.
There! clasp it, maiden; you have come at the right time; for Pelasgia’s army is just upon the move, and they are separating the companies.
Antigone
O Lady Hecate,
child of Leto! The plain is one lightning-flash of bronze.
110
O Lady Hecate,
child of Leto! The plain is one lightning-flash of bronze.
110
Old servant
Ah! this is no ordinary home-coming of Polyneices, with the clash of many horses, many arms.
Ah! this is no ordinary home-coming of Polyneices, with the clash of many horses, many arms.
Antigone
Are the gates barred, and the brazen bolts
fitted into Amphion’s walls of stone?
115
Are the gates barred, and the brazen bolts
fitted into Amphion’s walls of stone?
115
Old servant
Never fear! All is safe within the town. But see the first one, if you want to know him.
Never fear! All is safe within the town. But see the first one, if you want to know him.
Antigone
Who is that one with the white crest,
who marches before the army, lightly bearing on his arm a shield all of bronze?
120
Who is that one with the white crest,
who marches before the army, lightly bearing on his arm a shield all of bronze?
120
Old servant
A captain, mistress.
A captain, mistress.
Antigone
Who is he? Who is his family? Tell me his name, old man.
Who is he? Who is his family? Tell me his name, old man.
Old servant
He claims to be Mycenaean; by
Lerna
’s streams he dwells, the lord Hippomedon.
125
He claims to be Mycenaean; by
Lerna
’s streams he dwells, the lord Hippomedon.
125
Antigone
Ah, ah! How proud, how fearful to see, like an earth-born giant, with stars engraved on his shield, not resembling
mortal race.
130
Ah, ah! How proud, how fearful to see, like an earth-born giant, with stars engraved on his shield, not resembling
mortal race.
130
Old servant
Do you see the one crossing Dirce’s stream?
Do you see the one crossing Dirce’s stream?
Antigone
His armor is quite different. Who is that?
His armor is quite different. Who is that?
Old servant
Tydeus, the son of Oeneus, Aetolian battle-spirit in his breast.
Tydeus, the son of Oeneus, Aetolian battle-spirit in his breast.
Antigone
Is this the one, old man, who married a sister of Polyneices’ wife? What a foreign look his armor has, half-barbarian!
135
Is this the one, old man, who married a sister of Polyneices’ wife? What a foreign look his armor has, half-barbarian!
135
Old servant
Yes, my child; all Aetolians carry shields,
and are most unerring marksmen with their darts.
140
Yes, my child; all Aetolians carry shields,
and are most unerring marksmen with their darts.
140
Antigone
How do you know them so clearly, old man?
How do you know them so clearly, old man?
Old servant
I saw and learned the devices on their shields before, when I went with the terms of the truce to your brother, since I looked closely at them, I know the armed men.
145
I saw and learned the devices on their shields before, when I went with the terms of the truce to your brother, since I looked closely at them, I know the armed men.
Antigone
Who is that youth passing by the tomb of Zethus, with long flowing hair, fierce to see? Is he a captain? For an armed crowd follows at his heels.
145
Who is that youth passing by the tomb of Zethus, with long flowing hair, fierce to see? Is he a captain? For an armed crowd follows at his heels.
145
Old servant
That is Parthenopaeus, Atalanta’s son.
150
That is Parthenopaeus, Atalanta’s son.
150
Antigone
May Artemis, who rushes over the hills with his mother, lay him low with an arrow, for coming against my city to sack it!
May Artemis, who rushes over the hills with his mother, lay him low with an arrow, for coming against my city to sack it!
Old servant
May it be so, my child; but they have come here with justice,
and my fear is that the gods will take the rightful view.
155
May it be so, my child; but they have come here with justice,
and my fear is that the gods will take the rightful view.
155
Antigone
Where is the one who was born of the same mother as I was, by a painful destiny? Oh! tell me, old friend, where Polyneices is.
Where is the one who was born of the same mother as I was, by a painful destiny? Oh! tell me, old friend, where Polyneices is.
Old servant
He is standing by Adrastus,
near the tomb of Niobe’s seven unwed daughters. Do you see him?
160
He is standing by Adrastus,
near the tomb of Niobe’s seven unwed daughters. Do you see him?
160
Antigone
I see him, yes! but not clearly; I see the outline of his form, the likeness of his breast. Would I could speed through the sky, swift as a cloud before the wind,
towards my own dear brother, and throw my arms about my darling’s neck, so long, poor boy! an exile. How distinguished he is with his golden weapons, old man, flashing like the morning rays!
165
I see him, yes! but not clearly; I see the outline of his form, the likeness of his breast. Would I could speed through the sky, swift as a cloud before the wind,
towards my own dear brother, and throw my arms about my darling’s neck, so long, poor boy! an exile. How distinguished he is with his golden weapons, old man, flashing like the morning rays!
165
Old servant
He will come to this house, under truce, to fill your heart with joy.
170
He will come to this house, under truce, to fill your heart with joy.
170
Antigone
Who is that, old man, on his chariot, driving white horses?
Who is that, old man, on his chariot, driving white horses?
Old servant
That, lady, is the prophet Amphiaraus; with him are the victims, earth’s bloodthirsty streams.
That, lady, is the prophet Amphiaraus; with him are the victims, earth’s bloodthirsty streams.
Antigone
Daughter of the sun with dazzling zone, O moon, you circle of golden light, how quietly, with what restraint he drives, goading first one horse, then the other! But where is the one who utters those dreadful insults against this city?
175
Daughter of the sun with dazzling zone, O moon, you circle of golden light, how quietly, with what restraint he drives, goading first one horse, then the other! But where is the one who utters those dreadful insults against this city?
175
Old servant
Capaneus? There he is, calculating how he may scale the towers, taking the measure of our walls up and down.
180
Capaneus? There he is, calculating how he may scale the towers, taking the measure of our walls up and down.
180
Antigone
O Nemesis, and roaring thunder-peals of Zeus and blazing lightning-bolts, oh! put to sleep his presumptuous boasting!
This is the man who says he will give the Theban girls as captives of his spear to the women of
Mycenae
, to
Lerna
’s trident, and the waters of Amymone, dear to Poseidon, when he has them enslaved.
185
Never, never, Lady Artemis, golden-haired child of Zeus, may I endure that slavery.
190
O Nemesis, and roaring thunder-peals of Zeus and blazing lightning-bolts, oh! put to sleep his presumptuous boasting!
This is the man who says he will give the Theban girls as captives of his spear to the women of
Mycenae
, to
Lerna
’s trident, and the waters of Amymone, dear to Poseidon, when he has them enslaved.
185
Never, never, Lady Artemis, golden-haired child of Zeus, may I endure that slavery.
190
Old servant
My child, go inside, and stay beneath the shelter of your maiden chamber, now that you have had
your wish and seen all that you wanted; for a crowd of women is coming toward the royal palace, as confusion enters the city. Now women by nature love scandal; and if they get some slight handle for their gossip
195
they exaggerate it, for women seem to have pleasure in saying nothing wholesome about each other.
Exeunt Antigone and the old servant.
200
My child, go inside, and stay beneath the shelter of your maiden chamber, now that you have had
your wish and seen all that you wanted; for a crowd of women is coming toward the royal palace, as confusion enters the city. Now women by nature love scandal; and if they get some slight handle for their gossip
195
they exaggerate it, for women seem to have pleasure in saying nothing wholesome about each other.
Exeunt Antigone and the old servant.
200
The Phoenician Women. Euripides. Edward P. Coleridge (Translator). London. 1891.
Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.
Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.