ὄλωλε τῆσδε, πάντ᾽ ἀριστεύσας δορί,
Antigone. Sophocles. Leipzig. 1884.
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Funding provided by Tufts University.
Table of Contents
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Current edition Experimental
Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) (Greek) (Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884))
Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.
Editions (11)
Greek (L. Benloew, 1858) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (L. Benloew, 1858)) — 191 focus
καὶ νῦν ἀδελφὰ τῶνδε κηρύξας ἔχω
Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806)) — 191 focus
ἀστοῖσι, παίδων τῶν ἀπ᾽ Οἰδίπου πέρι·
Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 191 focus
τοιοῖσδ᾽ ἐγὼ νόμοισι τήνδ' αὔξω πόλιν·
Greek (A. Colonna, 1978) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Colonna, 1978)) — 191 focus
τοιοῖσδ᾽ ἐγὼ νόμοισι τήνδ᾽ αὔξω πόλιν.
Greek (A. Dain, 1955) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Dain, 1955)) — 191.mvp-line-191 focus
τοιοῖσδ’ ἐγὼ νόμοισι τήνδ’ αὔξω πόλιν.
Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979)) — 191 focus
τοιοῖσδ᾽ ἐγὼ νόμοισι τήνδ᾽ αὔξω πόλιν.
Greek (G. Hermann, 1830) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (G. Hermann, 1830)) — 191 focus
τοιοῖσδ᾽ ἐγὼ νόμοισι τήνδ᾽ αὔξω πόλιν.
Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906)) — 191 focus
τοιοῖσδ᾽ ἐγὼ νόμοισι τήνδ᾽ αὔξω πόλιν·
Greek (A. C. Pearson, 1924) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. C. Pearson, 1924)) — 191.mvp-line-191 focus
τοιοῖσδ᾽ ἐγὼ νόμοισι τήνδ᾽ αὔξω πόλιν.
Antigone (OCR draft) Experimental (Antigone) — 191 focus
τοιοῖσδʼ ἐγὼ νόμοισι τήνδʼ αὔξω πόλιν,
Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949)) — 191 focus
τοιοῖσδ᾽ ἐγὼ νόμοισι τήνδ᾽ αὔξω πόλιν,
Translations (10)
German (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (A. Boeckh, 1884)) — 191 focus
CHOR.
Ruhmvoll denn gehst und mit Lobe geschmückt
dorthin du jetzt in der Todten Gemach;
nicht raffte dich weg langzehrende Sucht,
nicht lohnte der Feind dir mit mordendem Schwert;
ja die einzige du von den Sterblichen wallst
790
selbständig und lebend zum Hades.
Ruhmvoll denn gehst und mit Lobe geschmückt
dorthin du jetzt in der Todten Gemach;
nicht raffte dich weg langzehrende Sucht,
nicht lohnte der Feind dir mit mordendem Schwert;
ja die einzige du von den Sterblichen wallst
790
selbständig und lebend zum Hades.
Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921)) — 191 focus
ANTIGONA
¡Oh tumba, oh tálamo nupcial, oh subterránea mansión que me has de tener encerrada para siempre! Ahí voy hacia los míos, a gran número de los cuales, difuntos ya, ha recibido Proserpina entre los muertos. De ellos, la última yo y de modo desdichadisimo, soy la que bajo antes de llegar al término fijado de mi vida. Pero en bajando, abrigo la firme esperanza de que he de llegar muy agradable a mi padre, y muy querida de ti, ¡oh madre!, y también de ti, hermano mío. Porque al morir vosotros, yo con mis propias manos os lavé y adorné, y sobre vuestra tumba
ofreci
ofrecí libaciones. Y ahora, ¡oh Polinices!, por haber sepultado tu cadáver, tal premio alcanzo. Y ciertamente que con razón te hice los honores, según los hombres sensatos; [porque nunca jamás, ni por mis hijos, si hubiera llegado a ser madre; ni por mi marido, si su cadáver se hubiese estado pudriendo, habría emprendido tal trabajo en contra de las leyes de la ciudad. ¿Y por qué razón digo esto? Marido, en verdad, si el mío
moria
moría, otro podría tener; y también hijos de otro varón, si me privaba del que tuviera. Pero encerrados ya en el infierno mi madre y mi padre, no es posible que pueda nacerme un hermano]. Y sin embargo, porque teniendo esto en cuenta te honré por encima de todo, pareció a Creonte que había
caido
caído en falta, y que mi atrevimiento mere-
cia
cía terrible castigo, ¡oh querido hermano! Y ahora me llevan entre manos, así presa, virgen, sin himeneo, sin llegar a alcanzar las dulzuras del matrimonio ni de la maternidad; sino que, abandonada de los amigos y desdichada, me llevan viva a las cóncavas mansiones de los muertos. ¿Qué transgresión he cometido contra ninguna ley divina? ¿Qué necesidad tengo, en mi desdicha, de elevar mi mirada hacia los dioses? ¿Para qué llamarlos en mi ayuda, si por haber obrado piadosamente me acusan de impiedad? Porque si esto merece la aprobación de los dioses, reconoceré que sufro por haber pecado; pero si son ellos los que pecan, no deseo que sufran otros males que los que me hacen sufrir injustamente.
¡Oh tumba, oh tálamo nupcial, oh subterránea mansión que me has de tener encerrada para siempre! Ahí voy hacia los míos, a gran número de los cuales, difuntos ya, ha recibido Proserpina entre los muertos. De ellos, la última yo y de modo desdichadisimo, soy la que bajo antes de llegar al término fijado de mi vida. Pero en bajando, abrigo la firme esperanza de que he de llegar muy agradable a mi padre, y muy querida de ti, ¡oh madre!, y también de ti, hermano mío. Porque al morir vosotros, yo con mis propias manos os lavé y adorné, y sobre vuestra tumba
ofreci
ofrecí libaciones. Y ahora, ¡oh Polinices!, por haber sepultado tu cadáver, tal premio alcanzo. Y ciertamente que con razón te hice los honores, según los hombres sensatos; [porque nunca jamás, ni por mis hijos, si hubiera llegado a ser madre; ni por mi marido, si su cadáver se hubiese estado pudriendo, habría emprendido tal trabajo en contra de las leyes de la ciudad. ¿Y por qué razón digo esto? Marido, en verdad, si el mío
moria
moría, otro podría tener; y también hijos de otro varón, si me privaba del que tuviera. Pero encerrados ya en el infierno mi madre y mi padre, no es posible que pueda nacerme un hermano]. Y sin embargo, porque teniendo esto en cuenta te honré por encima de todo, pareció a Creonte que había
caido
caído en falta, y que mi atrevimiento mere-
cia
cía terrible castigo, ¡oh querido hermano! Y ahora me llevan entre manos, así presa, virgen, sin himeneo, sin llegar a alcanzar las dulzuras del matrimonio ni de la maternidad; sino que, abandonada de los amigos y desdichada, me llevan viva a las cóncavas mansiones de los muertos. ¿Qué transgresión he cometido contra ninguna ley divina? ¿Qué necesidad tengo, en mi desdicha, de elevar mi mirada hacia los dioses? ¿Para qué llamarlos en mi ayuda, si por haber obrado piadosamente me acusan de impiedad? Porque si esto merece la aprobación de los dioses, reconoceré que sufro por haber pecado; pero si son ellos los que pecan, no deseo que sufran otros males que los que me hacen sufrir injustamente.
Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) Experimental (Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806)) — 191 focus
Antigone
O sepulcrum, o genialis thalamus, o defossae domus aeterna custodia, quo tendo ad meos, quorum leto absumtorum maximum numerum inter mortuos cepit Proserpina;
quorumque ego novissima, multoque sane pessimo exitio, intereo, ante fatalem diem.
Illuc igitur profecta, hanc maxime spem foveo, gratam me venturam patri, gratamque tibi, mater, et tibi gratam, o germanum caput;
quandoquidem mortuos vos ego manibus meis lavi et ornavi, inferiasque ad sepulerum tuli:
nunc autem, Polynices, quia cadaver tuum humo contexi, hanc fero mercedem.
Atqui hunc honorem tibi recte a me tributum fuisse, sapiens quivis iudicet.
Haud enim umquam, si peperissem liberos, nec, si mihi coniux mortuus iacuisset insepultus , contra civitatis legem hunc suscepissem laborem.
Ac forte quaeras, quanam ratione inducta haec dicam.
Nempe mortuo marito , alius esset cui nuberem;
filiumque si amisissem , alium ex alio viro suscipere poteram;
at, patre et matre in Orco conditis, non est ut mihi frater possit umquam exoriri.
At tamen quum propter hanc opinionem, ceteris omnibus posthabitis, honore te adfecerim, o germanum caput, Creonti peccasse visa sum , facinusque atrox admisisse.
Et nunc vi correptam ita me abducit, tori iugalis, hymenaei festorum carminum expertem , nulla coniugii sortitam praemia, nec liberorum gavisam prole;
sed ab amicis deserta, misera, sic viva deducor in mortuorum specum, at quaenam, obsecro, transgressa Deorum iura?
Quid vero amplius mihi miserae prodest, deorum opem poscere?
quem iuvabit auxilio vocasse?
siquidem iam impietatis poenas pie agendo nacta sum.
Verum si haec quidem diis frobantur, aequo animo meritas luamus poenas, cum deliquerimus;
sin hi commeruerunt culpam, ne plura mala patiantur precor, quam mihi iniuste inferunt.
O sepulcrum, o genialis thalamus, o defossae domus aeterna custodia, quo tendo ad meos, quorum leto absumtorum maximum numerum inter mortuos cepit Proserpina;
quorumque ego novissima, multoque sane pessimo exitio, intereo, ante fatalem diem.
Illuc igitur profecta, hanc maxime spem foveo, gratam me venturam patri, gratamque tibi, mater, et tibi gratam, o germanum caput;
quandoquidem mortuos vos ego manibus meis lavi et ornavi, inferiasque ad sepulerum tuli:
nunc autem, Polynices, quia cadaver tuum humo contexi, hanc fero mercedem.
Atqui hunc honorem tibi recte a me tributum fuisse, sapiens quivis iudicet.
Haud enim umquam, si peperissem liberos, nec, si mihi coniux mortuus iacuisset insepultus , contra civitatis legem hunc suscepissem laborem.
Ac forte quaeras, quanam ratione inducta haec dicam.
Nempe mortuo marito , alius esset cui nuberem;
filiumque si amisissem , alium ex alio viro suscipere poteram;
at, patre et matre in Orco conditis, non est ut mihi frater possit umquam exoriri.
At tamen quum propter hanc opinionem, ceteris omnibus posthabitis, honore te adfecerim, o germanum caput, Creonti peccasse visa sum , facinusque atrox admisisse.
Et nunc vi correptam ita me abducit, tori iugalis, hymenaei festorum carminum expertem , nulla coniugii sortitam praemia, nec liberorum gavisam prole;
sed ab amicis deserta, misera, sic viva deducor in mortuorum specum, at quaenam, obsecro, transgressa Deorum iura?
Quid vero amplius mihi miserae prodest, deorum opem poscere?
quem iuvabit auxilio vocasse?
siquidem iam impietatis poenas pie agendo nacta sum.
Verum si haec quidem diis frobantur, aequo animo meritas luamus poenas, cum deliquerimus;
sin hi commeruerunt culpam, ne plura mala patiantur precor, quam mihi iniuste inferunt.
English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 191 focus
ANT
Alas! I hear Death’s footfall in that sound.
Alas! I hear Death’s footfall in that sound.
German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 211 focus
Dir, Sohn Menökeus', Kreon, ist es so genehm
Mit dieses Landes Gegner und mit seinem Freund.
Denn jede Sazung anzuordnen steht dir frei,
So für die Todten, wie für uns, die Lebenden.
Dir, Sohn Menökeus', Kreon, ist es so genehm
Mit dieses Landes Gegner und mit seinem Freund.
Denn jede Sazung anzuordnen steht dir frei,
So für die Todten, wie für uns, die Lebenden.
Kreon.
Seid ihr die Hüter dessen nun, was ich gebot!
215
Seid ihr die Hüter dessen nun, was ich gebot!
215
Der Chor.
Der Jüngern Einem lege dies zu tragen auf.
Der Jüngern Einem lege dies zu tragen auf.
Kreon.
Die, so den Leichnam hüten, steh'n ja schon bereit.
Die, so den Leichnam hüten, steh'n ja schon bereit.
Der Chor.
Warum denn einem Andern noch gebeutst du dies?
Warum denn einem Andern noch gebeutst du dies?
Kreon.
Daß Keinem Nachsicht werde, der dawider thut.
Daß Keinem Nachsicht werde, der dawider thut.
Der Chor.
Wer ist so thöricht, daß er sich zu sterben sehnt?
220
Wer ist so thöricht, daß er sich zu sterben sehnt?
220
Kreon.
Und dieses wäre, traun, der Lohn; doch Vielen ja
Hat schon die Hoffnung auf Gewinn den Tod gebracht.
Ein Wächter. Die Voriger.
Und dieses wäre, traun, der Lohn; doch Vielen ja
Hat schon die Hoffnung auf Gewinn den Tod gebracht.
Der Wächter.
Herr, ich will nicht sagen, daß ich athemlos
Vor Eile komme mit behend erhob'nem Fuß;
Denn viel Bedenken schus mir manchen Aufenthalt,
225
Und oft zur Rückkehr wandt' ich unterwegs mich um.
Denn meine Seele sprach zu mir und warnte viel:
„Was willst du dorthin, Armer, wo dir Strafe droht?
Elender, säumst du? Doch erfährt es Kreon dann
Von einem Andern, würde dir's nicht schlimm ergeh'n?"
230
In solchem Grübeln ging ich langsam schnell voran,
Und also streckt sich lange hin der kurze Weg.
Doch siegt' am Ende der Entschluß, hieher zu geh'n,
Zu dir; und sag' ich dir auch Nichts, ich sag' es doch.
Denn an die Hoffnung klammr' ich unverrückt mich an,
235
Nichts könne sonst mich treffen, als bestimmtes Loos.
Herr, ich will nicht sagen, daß ich athemlos
Vor Eile komme mit behend erhob'nem Fuß;
Denn viel Bedenken schus mir manchen Aufenthalt,
225
Und oft zur Rückkehr wandt' ich unterwegs mich um.
Denn meine Seele sprach zu mir und warnte viel:
„Was willst du dorthin, Armer, wo dir Strafe droht?
Elender, säumst du? Doch erfährt es Kreon dann
Von einem Andern, würde dir's nicht schlimm ergeh'n?"
230
In solchem Grübeln ging ich langsam schnell voran,
Und also streckt sich lange hin der kurze Weg.
Doch siegt' am Ende der Entschluß, hieher zu geh'n,
Zu dir; und sag' ich dir auch Nichts, ich sag' es doch.
Denn an die Hoffnung klammr' ich unverrückt mich an,
235
Nichts könne sonst mich treffen, als bestimmtes Loos.
Kreon.
English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 191 focus
Chorus
929
The storm continues, and her angry soul
Still pours its sorrows forth.
930
The storm continues, and her angry soul
Still pours its sorrows forth.
930
Spanish (A. G. Garbin, 1889) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (A. G. Garbin, 1889)) — 191 focus
ANTÍGONA
806
¡Ciudadanos de Thebas, mi patria! miradmo colocada en el sendero fatal, y por última vez contemplando la claridad del Sol: ya nunca más lo verél... El dios del Averno, que todo lo aletarga, me conduce viva á las márgenes del Aqueronte, sin haber gozado del tálamo nupcial, antes de haber resonado para mi los cantos del himeneo; mi esposo será el Aqueronte.
806
¡Ciudadanos de Thebas, mi patria! miradmo colocada en el sendero fatal, y por última vez contemplando la claridad del Sol: ya nunca más lo verél... El dios del Averno, que todo lo aletarga, me conduce viva á las márgenes del Aqueronte, sin haber gozado del tálamo nupcial, antes de haber resonado para mi los cantos del himeneo; mi esposo será el Aqueronte.
German (F. Hölderlin, 1804) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (F. Hölderlin, 1804)) — 191 focus
ANTIGONAE
O mir! grad vor dem Tode
970
Ist diess das Wort.
O mir! grad vor dem Tode
970
Ist diess das Wort.
English (Sir Richard Jebb1, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb1, 1904)) — 191 focus
Chorus
Still the same tempest of the soul vexes this
930
maiden with the same fierce gusts.
Still the same tempest of the soul vexes this
930
maiden with the same fierce gusts.
English (Sir Richard Jebb2, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb2, 1904)) — 162-330 focus
Enter Creon, with two attendants.
211
Enter Guard.
237
278
315
Creon
My fellow citizens! First, the gods, after tossing the fate of our city on wild waves, have once more righted it. Second, I have ordered you through my messengers to come here
apart from all the rest, because I knew, first of all, how constant was your reverence for the power of the throne of Laius; how, again, you were reverent, when Oedipus was guiding our city; and lastly, how, when he was dead, you still maintained loyal thoughts towards his children.
165
Since, then, these latter have fallen in one day by a twofold doom—each striking, each struck, both with the stain of a brother’s murder—I now possess all the power and the throne according to my kinship with the dead.
170
Now, it is impossible to know fully any man’s character, will, or judgment, until he has been proved by the test of rule and law-giving. For if anyone who directs the entire city does not cling to the best and wisest plans,
175
but because of some fear keeps his lips locked, then, in my judgment, he is and has long been the most cowardly traitor. And if any man thinks a friend more important than his fatherland, that man, I say, is of no account. Zeus, god who sees all things always, be my witness—
180
I would not be silent if I saw ruin, instead of safety, marching upon the citizens. Nor would I ever make a man who is hostile to my country a friend to myself, because I know this, that our country is the ship that bears us safe, and that only when
185
we sail her on a straight course can we make true friends. Such are the rules by which I strengthen this city. Akin to these is the edict which I have now published to the citizenry concerning the sons of Oedipus: Eteocles, who fell fighting
190
in behalf of our city and who excelled all in battle, they shall entomb and heap up every sacred offering that descends to the noblest of the dead below. But as for his brother, Polyneices, I mean, who on his return from exile wanted to burn to the ground
195
the city of his fathers and his race’s gods, and wanted to feed on kindred blood and lead the remnant into slavery—it has been proclaimed to the city that no one shall give him funeral honors or lamentation,
200
but all must leave him unburied and a sight of shame, with his body there for birds and dogs to eat. This is my will, and never will I allow the traitor to stand in honor before the just. But whoever has good will to
Thebes
,
205
he shall be honored by me in death as in life.
210
211
My fellow citizens! First, the gods, after tossing the fate of our city on wild waves, have once more righted it. Second, I have ordered you through my messengers to come here
apart from all the rest, because I knew, first of all, how constant was your reverence for the power of the throne of Laius; how, again, you were reverent, when Oedipus was guiding our city; and lastly, how, when he was dead, you still maintained loyal thoughts towards his children.
165
Since, then, these latter have fallen in one day by a twofold doom—each striking, each struck, both with the stain of a brother’s murder—I now possess all the power and the throne according to my kinship with the dead.
170
Now, it is impossible to know fully any man’s character, will, or judgment, until he has been proved by the test of rule and law-giving. For if anyone who directs the entire city does not cling to the best and wisest plans,
175
but because of some fear keeps his lips locked, then, in my judgment, he is and has long been the most cowardly traitor. And if any man thinks a friend more important than his fatherland, that man, I say, is of no account. Zeus, god who sees all things always, be my witness—
180
I would not be silent if I saw ruin, instead of safety, marching upon the citizens. Nor would I ever make a man who is hostile to my country a friend to myself, because I know this, that our country is the ship that bears us safe, and that only when
185
we sail her on a straight course can we make true friends. Such are the rules by which I strengthen this city. Akin to these is the edict which I have now published to the citizenry concerning the sons of Oedipus: Eteocles, who fell fighting
190
in behalf of our city and who excelled all in battle, they shall entomb and heap up every sacred offering that descends to the noblest of the dead below. But as for his brother, Polyneices, I mean, who on his return from exile wanted to burn to the ground
195
the city of his fathers and his race’s gods, and wanted to feed on kindred blood and lead the remnant into slavery—it has been proclaimed to the city that no one shall give him funeral honors or lamentation,
200
but all must leave him unburied and a sight of shame, with his body there for birds and dogs to eat. This is my will, and never will I allow the traitor to stand in honor before the just. But whoever has good will to
Thebes
,
205
he shall be honored by me in death as in life.
210
Chorus
That is your will, Creon, towards this city’s enemy and its friend. And the power is yours, I believe, to make use of every law whatsoever, both concerning the dead and all us who live.
That is your will, Creon, towards this city’s enemy and its friend. And the power is yours, I believe, to make use of every law whatsoever, both concerning the dead and all us who live.
Creon
See, then, that you be guardians of my commands.
215
See, then, that you be guardians of my commands.
215
Chorus
Lay the weight of this task on some younger man.
Lay the weight of this task on some younger man.
Creon
That is not what I meant—the guards for the corpse are already in place.
That is not what I meant—the guards for the corpse are already in place.
Chorus
Then what is this other command that you would give?
Then what is this other command that you would give?
Creon
That you not give way to the breakers of my commands.
That you not give way to the breakers of my commands.
Chorus
There is no one so foolish as to crave death.
220
There is no one so foolish as to crave death.
220
Creon
I assure you, that is the wage for disobedience. Yet by just the hope of it, money has many times corrupted men.
Enter Guard.
I assure you, that is the wage for disobedience. Yet by just the hope of it, money has many times corrupted men.
Guard
My king, I will not say that I arrive breathless because of speed, or from the action of a swift foot.
For often I brought myself to a stop because of my thoughts, and wheeled round in my path to return. My mind was telling me many things:
Fool, why do you go to where your arrival will mean your punishment?
Idiot, are you dallying again? If Creon learns it from another, must you not suffer for it?
225
So debating, I made my way unhurriedly, slow, and thus a short road was made long. At last, however, the view prevailed that I should come here—to you. Even if my report brings no good, still will I tell you,
230
since I come with a good grip on one hope, that I can suffer nothing except what is my fate.
235
237
My king, I will not say that I arrive breathless because of speed, or from the action of a swift foot.
For often I brought myself to a stop because of my thoughts, and wheeled round in my path to return. My mind was telling me many things:
Fool, why do you go to where your arrival will mean your punishment?
Idiot, are you dallying again? If Creon learns it from another, must you not suffer for it?
225
So debating, I made my way unhurriedly, slow, and thus a short road was made long. At last, however, the view prevailed that I should come here—to you. Even if my report brings no good, still will I tell you,
230
since I come with a good grip on one hope, that I can suffer nothing except what is my fate.
235
Creon
And what is it that so disheartens you?
And what is it that so disheartens you?
Guard
I want to tell you first about myself—I did not do the deed, nor did I see the doer,
so it would be wrong that I should come to any harm.
240
I want to tell you first about myself—I did not do the deed, nor did I see the doer,
so it would be wrong that I should come to any harm.
240
Creon
Like a bowman you aim well at your target from a distance, and all around you hedge yourself off well from the deed. It is clear that you have some unheard-of thing to tell.
Like a bowman you aim well at your target from a distance, and all around you hedge yourself off well from the deed. It is clear that you have some unheard-of thing to tell.
Guard
That I do, for terrible news imposes great hesitation.
That I do, for terrible news imposes great hesitation.
Creon
Then tell it, will you, and so unburdened go away?
Then tell it, will you, and so unburdened go away?
Guard
Well, here it is. The corpse—some one has just given it burial and disappeared after sprinkling thirsty dust on the flesh and performing the other rites that piety demands.
245
Well, here it is. The corpse—some one has just given it burial and disappeared after sprinkling thirsty dust on the flesh and performing the other rites that piety demands.
245
Creon
What are you saying? What man dared do this?
What are you saying? What man dared do this?
Guard
I do not know. For there was no scar of a pickax to be seen there,
no earth thrown up by a mattock. The ground was hard and dry, unbroken, not rolled over by wheels. The doer was someone who left no trace. When the first day-watchman showed it to us, a discomforting amazement fell on us all.
250
The dead man was veiled from us—not shut within a tomb, but a light cover of dust was on him, as if put there by the hand of one who shunned a curse. And no sign was visible that any beast of prey or any dog had approached or torn him. Then evil words flew thick and loud among us,
255
guard accusing guard. It would even have come to blows in the end, nor was there anyone there to prevent it: every man was the culprit, and no one was plainly guilty, while all disclaimed knowledge of the act. We were ready to take red-hot iron in our hands,
260
to walk through fire and to swear oaths by the gods that we had neither done the deed, nor shared knowledge of the planning or the doing. At last, when our investigating got us nowhere, someone spoke up and made us all bend our faces
265
in fear towards the earth. For we did not know how we could argue with him, nor yet prosper, if we did what he said. His argument was that the deed must be reported to you and not hidden. This view prevailed, and so it was that
270
the lot doomed miserable me to win this prize. So here I stand, as unwelcome to you as I am unwilling, I well know. For no man delights in the bearer of bad news.
275
278
I do not know. For there was no scar of a pickax to be seen there,
no earth thrown up by a mattock. The ground was hard and dry, unbroken, not rolled over by wheels. The doer was someone who left no trace. When the first day-watchman showed it to us, a discomforting amazement fell on us all.
250
The dead man was veiled from us—not shut within a tomb, but a light cover of dust was on him, as if put there by the hand of one who shunned a curse. And no sign was visible that any beast of prey or any dog had approached or torn him. Then evil words flew thick and loud among us,
255
guard accusing guard. It would even have come to blows in the end, nor was there anyone there to prevent it: every man was the culprit, and no one was plainly guilty, while all disclaimed knowledge of the act. We were ready to take red-hot iron in our hands,
260
to walk through fire and to swear oaths by the gods that we had neither done the deed, nor shared knowledge of the planning or the doing. At last, when our investigating got us nowhere, someone spoke up and made us all bend our faces
265
in fear towards the earth. For we did not know how we could argue with him, nor yet prosper, if we did what he said. His argument was that the deed must be reported to you and not hidden. This view prevailed, and so it was that
270
the lot doomed miserable me to win this prize. So here I stand, as unwelcome to you as I am unwilling, I well know. For no man delights in the bearer of bad news.
275
Chorus
My king, my thoughts have long been deliberating whether this deed is somehow the work of gods?
My king, my thoughts have long been deliberating whether this deed is somehow the work of gods?
Creon
Quiet, before your words truly fill me with rage, so that you not be found at the same time foolish as well as old. You say what is intolerable when you claim that the gods have concern for that corpse. Was it in high esteem for his benefactions
280
that they sought to hide him, when he had come to burn their columned shrines, their sacred treasures and their land, and scatter its laws to the winds? Or do you see the gods honoring the wicked? It cannot be. No! From the very first
285
certain men of the city were chafing at this edict and muttering against me, tossing their heads in secret, and they did not keep their necks duly under the yoke in submission to me. By those men, I am certain, they were led astray and bribed to do this deed.
290
Nothing so evil as money ever grew to be current among men. This destroys cities, this drives men from their homes, this trains and warps honest minds to set themselves to works of shame,
295
this teaches people to practise villainies, and to know every act of unholiness. But all the men who did this job for hire have made sure that, sooner or later, they shall suffer the punishment. Now, as Zeus still has my reverence, know this well—
300
I tell you on my oath. If you do not find the very hand that made this burial, and reveal him before my eyes, mere death shall not suffice for you, not before, hung up alive, you have made this outrage plain,
305
so that hereafter you may thieve with better knowledge of where your money should be received from, and learn that it is best not to be fond of money-making from any and every source. For you will find that ill-gotten gains bring more men to ruin than to safety.
310
315
Quiet, before your words truly fill me with rage, so that you not be found at the same time foolish as well as old. You say what is intolerable when you claim that the gods have concern for that corpse. Was it in high esteem for his benefactions
280
that they sought to hide him, when he had come to burn their columned shrines, their sacred treasures and their land, and scatter its laws to the winds? Or do you see the gods honoring the wicked? It cannot be. No! From the very first
285
certain men of the city were chafing at this edict and muttering against me, tossing their heads in secret, and they did not keep their necks duly under the yoke in submission to me. By those men, I am certain, they were led astray and bribed to do this deed.
290
Nothing so evil as money ever grew to be current among men. This destroys cities, this drives men from their homes, this trains and warps honest minds to set themselves to works of shame,
295
this teaches people to practise villainies, and to know every act of unholiness. But all the men who did this job for hire have made sure that, sooner or later, they shall suffer the punishment. Now, as Zeus still has my reverence, know this well—
300
I tell you on my oath. If you do not find the very hand that made this burial, and reveal him before my eyes, mere death shall not suffice for you, not before, hung up alive, you have made this outrage plain,
305
so that hereafter you may thieve with better knowledge of where your money should be received from, and learn that it is best not to be fond of money-making from any and every source. For you will find that ill-gotten gains bring more men to ruin than to safety.
310
Guard
Will you allow me to speak? Or shall I just turn and go?
315
Will you allow me to speak? Or shall I just turn and go?
315
Creon
Do you not know even now how much your voice sickens me?
Do you not know even now how much your voice sickens me?
Guard
Is the pain in your ears, or in your soul?
Is the pain in your ears, or in your soul?
Creon
And why would you define the seat of my pain?
And why would you define the seat of my pain?
Guard
He who did it hurts your heart, but I, your ears.
He who did it hurts your heart, but I, your ears.
Creon
God! How plain it is that you are a born babbler.
320
God! How plain it is that you are a born babbler.
320
Guard
Perhaps, but never the author of this action.
Perhaps, but never the author of this action.
Creon
Yes, and what is more, you sold your life for silver.
Yes, and what is more, you sold your life for silver.
Guard
Ah! It is truly sad when the judge judges wrong .
Ah! It is truly sad when the judge judges wrong .
Creon
Expound on
judgment as you will. But, if you fail to
show me the perpetrators of these crimes, you will avow that money basely earned wreaks sorrows.
Exit Creon.
325
Expound on
judgment as you will. But, if you fail to
show me the perpetrators of these crimes, you will avow that money basely earned wreaks sorrows.
Exit Creon.
325
Guard
Well, may the man be found! That would be best. But, whether he be caught or not—for fortune must decide that—I assure you that you will not see me come here again.
Saved just now beyond hope and belief, I owe the gods great thanks.
Exit the Guard.
330
Well, may the man be found! That would be best. But, whether he be caught or not—for fortune must decide that—I assure you that you will not see me come here again.
Saved just now beyond hope and belief, I owe the gods great thanks.
Exit the Guard.
330
Commentary
Commentary (R. C. Jebb) (OCR draft) (Commentary (R. C. Jebb))
Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) focus
191. mvp-comment-118-1 τοιοίσδε νόμοισι By such principles as these. Cp. infr. 908, τίνος νόμου δὴ ταῦτα πρὸς χάριν λέγω;