τὰ τῶν θεῶν ἔντιμ᾽ ἀτιμάσασ᾽ ἔχε.
Antigone. Sophocles. Berlin. 1806.
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Funding provided by Tufts University.
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Current edition Experimental
Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) (Greek) (Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806))
Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.
Editions (11)
Greek (L. Benloew, 1858) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (L. Benloew, 1858)) — 77 focus
τὰ τῶν θεῶν ἔντιμ᾽ ἀτιμάσασ᾽ ἔχε.
Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884)) — 77 focus
τὰ τῶν θεῶν ἔντιμ᾽ ἀτιμάσασ᾽ ἔχε.
Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 77 focus
τὰ τῶν θεῶν ἔντιμ᾽ ἀτιμάσασ᾽ ἔχε.
Greek (A. Colonna, 1978) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Colonna, 1978)) — 77 focus
τὰ τῶν θεῶν ἔντιμ᾽ ἀτιμάσασ᾽ ἔχε.
Greek (A. Dain, 1955) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Dain, 1955)) — 77.mvp-line-77 focus
τὰ τῶν θεῶν ἔντιμ’ ἀτιμάσασ’ ἔχε.
Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979)) — 77 focus
τὰ τῶν θεῶν ἔντιμ᾽ ἀτιμάσασ᾽ ἔχε.
Greek (G. Hermann, 1830) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (G. Hermann, 1830)) — 77 focus
τὰ τῶν θεῶν ἔντιμ᾽ ἀτιμάσασ᾽ ἔχε.
Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906)) — 77 focus
τὰ τῶν θεῶν ἔντιμ᾽ ἀτιμάσασ᾽ ἔχε.
Greek (A. C. Pearson, 1924) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. C. Pearson, 1924)) — 77.mvp-line-77 focus
τὰ τῶν θεῶν ἔντιμ᾽ ἀτιμάσασ᾽ ἔχε.
Antigone (OCR draft) Experimental (Antigone) — 77 focus
τὰ τῶν θεῶν ἔντιμʼ ἀτιμάσασʼ ἔχε.
Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949)) — 77 focus
τὰ τῶν θεῶν ἔντιμ᾽ ἀτιμάσασ᾽ ἔχε.
Translations (11)
German (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (A. Boeckh, 1884)) — 77 focus
WÄCHTER
und greifen rasch sie; ruhig bleibt sie und gefafst.
420
Und jener frühern und der jetzt vollbrachten That
beziehen wir sie: nichts verläugnend stand sie da.
Das ist mir wahrlich Freude, wenn auch Schmerz zugleich.
Denn selber aus Unglückes Noth entronnen seyn
ist sehr erfreulich; doch in Unglück ziehn den Freund
425
ist schmerzlich: aber minder gilt nach meiner Art
mir dennoch alles dieses als mein eigen Wohl.
und greifen rasch sie; ruhig bleibt sie und gefafst.
420
Und jener frühern und der jetzt vollbrachten That
beziehen wir sie: nichts verläugnend stand sie da.
Das ist mir wahrlich Freude, wenn auch Schmerz zugleich.
Denn selber aus Unglückes Noth entronnen seyn
ist sehr erfreulich; doch in Unglück ziehn den Freund
425
ist schmerzlich: aber minder gilt nach meiner Art
mir dennoch alles dieses als mein eigen Wohl.
Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921)) — 77 focus
ANTIGONA
Como que no era Júpiter quien me las
habia
había promulgado; ni tampoco Justicia, la compañera de los dioses infernales, ha impuesto esas leyes a los hombres; ni creí yo que tus decretos tuvieran fuerza para borrar e invalidar las leyes divinas, de manera que un mortal pudiese quebrantarlas. Pues no son de hoy ni de ayer, sino que siempre han estado en vigor y nadie sabe cuándo aparecieron. Por esto no
debia
debía yo, por temor al castigo de ningún hombre, violarlas para exponerme a sufrir el castigo de los dioses.
Sabia
Sabía que tenía que morir, ¿cómo no?, aunque tú no lo hubieses pregonado. Y si muero antes de tiempo, eso creo yo que gano; pues quien viva, como yo, en medio de tantas desgracias, ¿cómo no lleva ganancia en la muerte? Así que para mi no es pena ninguna el alcanzar muerte violenta; pero lo sería si hubiese tolerado que quedara insepulto el cadáver de mi difunto hermano: eso sí que lo hubiera sentido; esto no me aflige. Y si ahora te parece que soy necia por lo que he hecho, puedo decir que de necia soy acusada por un necio.
Como que no era Júpiter quien me las
habia
había promulgado; ni tampoco Justicia, la compañera de los dioses infernales, ha impuesto esas leyes a los hombres; ni creí yo que tus decretos tuvieran fuerza para borrar e invalidar las leyes divinas, de manera que un mortal pudiese quebrantarlas. Pues no son de hoy ni de ayer, sino que siempre han estado en vigor y nadie sabe cuándo aparecieron. Por esto no
debia
debía yo, por temor al castigo de ningún hombre, violarlas para exponerme a sufrir el castigo de los dioses.
Sabia
Sabía que tenía que morir, ¿cómo no?, aunque tú no lo hubieses pregonado. Y si muero antes de tiempo, eso creo yo que gano; pues quien viva, como yo, en medio de tantas desgracias, ¿cómo no lleva ganancia en la muerte? Así que para mi no es pena ninguna el alcanzar muerte violenta; pero lo sería si hubiese tolerado que quedara insepulto el cadáver de mi difunto hermano: eso sí que lo hubiera sentido; esto no me aflige. Y si ahora te parece que soy necia por lo que he hecho, puedo decir que de necia soy acusada por un necio.
Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) Experimental (Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806)) — 77 focus
Antigone
Non enim eas mihi Iupiter statuerat, nec, quae diis Manibus adsidet, Iustitia, qui hasce mortalibus sanxerunt leges;
nec tantum valere credidi tua edicta, ut non scriptas firmasque deûm leges, mortalis quum sis, queas convellere.
Non enim heri fixae illae sunt aut nudius tertius, sed vigent ab omni aevo, nec quisquam novit, quam dudum prodierint.
Has quod violassem, cuiusvis hominis fastu perterrita, sane non debui diis poenas luere.
Morituram enim me sciebam, quippini?
etiam si tu non indixisses:
quod si ante tempus moriar, id esse in lucro deputo.
Quicumque enim in multis, ut ego, miseriis vitam degit, si mortem oppetat, qui non ille lucrum ferat?
Sic sane mihi fatum hoc nancisci nihil dolet;
at si matris meae filium insepultum sustinuissem, id mihi doleret:
hisce autem quae feci, non doleo;
tibi vero si videor stulte fecisse, propemodum dixerim , stulti iudi- €io stulta sum.
Non enim eas mihi Iupiter statuerat, nec, quae diis Manibus adsidet, Iustitia, qui hasce mortalibus sanxerunt leges;
nec tantum valere credidi tua edicta, ut non scriptas firmasque deûm leges, mortalis quum sis, queas convellere.
Non enim heri fixae illae sunt aut nudius tertius, sed vigent ab omni aevo, nec quisquam novit, quam dudum prodierint.
Has quod violassem, cuiusvis hominis fastu perterrita, sane non debui diis poenas luere.
Morituram enim me sciebam, quippini?
etiam si tu non indixisses:
quod si ante tempus moriar, id esse in lucro deputo.
Quicumque enim in multis, ut ego, miseriis vitam degit, si mortem oppetat, qui non ille lucrum ferat?
Sic sane mihi fatum hoc nancisci nihil dolet;
at si matris meae filium insepultum sustinuissem, id mihi doleret:
hisce autem quae feci, non doleo;
tibi vero si videor stulte fecisse, propemodum dixerim , stulti iudi- €io stulta sum.
English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 77 focus
ANT
I heard it not from Heaven, nor came it forth
450
From Justice, where she reigns with Gods below.
They too have published to mankind a law.
Nor thought I thy commandment of such might
That one who is mortal thus could overbear
The infallible, unwritten laws of Heaven.
455
Not now or yesterday they have their being,
But everlastingly, and none can tell
The hour that saw their birth. I would not, I,
For any terror of a man’s resolve,
Incur the God-inflicted penalty
460
Of doing them wrong. That death would come, I knew
Without thine edict;—if before the time,
I count it gain. Who does not gain by death,
That lives, as I do, amid boundless woe?
Slight is the sorrow of such doom to me.
465
But had I suffered my own mother’s child,
Fallen in blood, to be without a grave,
That were indeed a sorrow. This is none.
And if thou deem’st me foolish for my deed,
I am foolish in the judgement of a fool.
470
I heard it not from Heaven, nor came it forth
450
From Justice, where she reigns with Gods below.
They too have published to mankind a law.
Nor thought I thy commandment of such might
That one who is mortal thus could overbear
The infallible, unwritten laws of Heaven.
455
Not now or yesterday they have their being,
But everlastingly, and none can tell
The hour that saw their birth. I would not, I,
For any terror of a man’s resolve,
Incur the God-inflicted penalty
460
Of doing them wrong. That death would come, I knew
Without thine edict;—if before the time,
I count it gain. Who does not gain by death,
That lives, as I do, amid boundless woe?
Slight is the sorrow of such doom to me.
465
But had I suffered my own mother’s child,
Fallen in blood, to be without a grave,
That were indeed a sorrow. This is none.
And if thou deem’st me foolish for my deed,
I am foolish in the judgement of a fool.
470
German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 69 focus
Nicht mehr verlang' ich's, möchte dich zur Helferin
Nicht mehr, erklärtest du dich auch bereit dazu.
70
Nein, wähle deinem Sinne nach: ihn werd' ich selbst
Bestatten; ruhmvoll ist der Tod für diese That.
Bei ihm, dem Lieben, werd' ich ruh'n, die Liebende,
Die frommen Frevel übte; muß ich länger doch
Den Todten dort gefallen, als den Lebenden.
75
Denn dort ja ruh' ich ewig; du, wenn dir's gefällt,
Entehre, was in Ehre selbst bei Göttern steht.
Ich acht' es auch der Ehre werth; indeß der Stadt
Zum Troz zu handeln, fühl ich mich nicht stark genug.
Nicht mehr verlang' ich's, möchte dich zur Helferin
Nicht mehr, erklärtest du dich auch bereit dazu.
70
Nein, wähle deinem Sinne nach: ihn werd' ich selbst
Bestatten; ruhmvoll ist der Tod für diese That.
Bei ihm, dem Lieben, werd' ich ruh'n, die Liebende,
Die frommen Frevel übte; muß ich länger doch
Den Todten dort gefallen, als den Lebenden.
75
Denn dort ja ruh' ich ewig; du, wenn dir's gefällt,
Entehre, was in Ehre selbst bei Göttern steht.
Ich acht' es auch der Ehre werth; indeß der Stadt
Zum Troz zu handeln, fühl ich mich nicht stark genug.
Antigone.
So wende du das vor; doch ich geh' unverweilt,
80
Und schütt' ein Grab dem heißgeliebten Bruder auf.
So wende du das vor; doch ich geh' unverweilt,
80
Und schütt' ein Grab dem heißgeliebten Bruder auf.
Ismene.
Tollkühne, weh mir! Ha, wie fürcht' ich deinethalb!
Tollkühne, weh mir! Ha, wie fürcht' ich deinethalb!
Antigone.
Sei nicht um mich bang; sich're du nur dein Geschick!
Sei nicht um mich bang; sich're du nur dein Geschick!
Ismene.
Doch offenbare ja zuvor Niemand die That;
Im Dunkel birg' sie; gerne schweig' auch ich davon.
85
Doch offenbare ja zuvor Niemand die That;
Im Dunkel birg' sie; gerne schweig' auch ich davon.
85
Antigone.
Ha, laut verkünd' es! Viel verhaßter wirst du mir
Durch Schweigen, offenbarst du's nicht vor aller Welt.
Ha, laut verkünd' es! Viel verhaßter wirst du mir
Durch Schweigen, offenbarst du's nicht vor aller Welt.
Ismene.
Dir wallt der Busen glühend, wo mich Schauder faßt.
Dir wallt der Busen glühend, wo mich Schauder faßt.
Antigone.
Doch weiß ich hold mir, deren Huld mein Höchstes iſt.
Doch weiß ich hold mir, deren Huld mein Höchstes iſt.
Ismene.
Wenn du's vermöchtest; doch du willst Unmögliches.
90
Nun freilich, wenn ich's nicht vermag, so lass' ich ab.
Auch nicht von Anfang jage nach Unmöglichem.
Wenn du's vermöchtest; doch du willst Unmögliches.
90
Nun freilich, wenn ich's nicht vermag, so lass' ich ab.
Auch nicht von Anfang jage nach Unmöglichem.
Antigone.
Durch solche Reden wirst du billig mir verhaßt,
Und billig hassen wird dich auch der Todte dort.
Nein, laß du mich und meines Sinnes Unverstand
95
Dies Grauenvolle dulden. Was ich Schweres auch
1
Erleiden möge, bleibt mir doch ein schöner Tod.
Durch solche Reden wirst du billig mir verhaßt,
Und billig hassen wird dich auch der Todte dort.
Nein, laß du mich und meines Sinnes Unverstand
95
Dies Grauenvolle dulden. Was ich Schweres auch
1
Erleiden möge, bleibt mir doch ein schöner Tod.
Ismene.
Nun, wenn dir's gut dünkt, ziehe hin: ächt schwesterlich
Als Schwester fühlend gehst du, wenn als Thörin auch.
(Sie gehen nach verschiedenen Seiten ab. Der Chor tritt auf.)
Erste Strophe.
Nun, wenn dir's gut dünkt, ziehe hin: ächt schwesterlich
Als Schwester fühlend gehst du, wenn als Thörin auch.
Der Chor.
English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 77 focus
Creon
471cont2
Sprung from a sire perverse and obstinate,
Like him she cannot bend beneath misfortune ;
But know, the proudest hearts may be subdued ;
475
Hast thou not marked the hardest steel by fire
Made soft and flexible ? Myself have seen
By a slight rein the fiery courser held.
"Ks not for slaves to be so haughty ; yet
This proud offender, not content, it seems,
480
To violate my laws, adds crime to crime,
Smiles at my threats, and glories in her guilt ;
If I should suffer her to 'scape my vengeance,
She were the man, not I ; but though she sprang
485
E'en from my sister, were I bound to her
By ties more dear than is Hercsean Jove,
She should not 'scape. Her sister too I find
Accomplice in the deed — go, call her forth !
She is within, I saw her ra\dng there,
490
Her senses lost, the common fate of those
Who practise dark and deadly wickedness.
I cannot bear to see the guilty stand
Convicted of their crimes, and yet pretend
To gloss them o'er with specious names of virtue.
Sprung from a sire perverse and obstinate,
Like him she cannot bend beneath misfortune ;
But know, the proudest hearts may be subdued ;
475
Hast thou not marked the hardest steel by fire
Made soft and flexible ? Myself have seen
By a slight rein the fiery courser held.
"Ks not for slaves to be so haughty ; yet
This proud offender, not content, it seems,
480
To violate my laws, adds crime to crime,
Smiles at my threats, and glories in her guilt ;
If I should suffer her to 'scape my vengeance,
She were the man, not I ; but though she sprang
485
E'en from my sister, were I bound to her
By ties more dear than is Hercsean Jove,
She should not 'scape. Her sister too I find
Accomplice in the deed — go, call her forth !
She is within, I saw her ra\dng there,
490
Her senses lost, the common fate of those
Who practise dark and deadly wickedness.
I cannot bear to see the guilty stand
Convicted of their crimes, and yet pretend
To gloss them o'er with specious names of virtue.
Spanish (A. G. Garbin, 1889) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (A. G. Garbin, 1889)) — 77 focus
EL CENTINELA
407
El hecho ha ocurrido así. Bajo el terror de tus tremendas conminaciones, llegamos allá y barrimos la tierra que cubría el cadáver. Después que dejamos enteramente descubierto aquel cuerpo ya en corrupción, subimos á sentarnos en lo alto de las colinas, al abrigo del viento, y huyendo de los fétidos miasmas. Excitámonos unos á otros á la vigilancia, conminando á todo el que pudiera descuidar la faena. En tal estado permanecimos hasta el momento en que el disco brillante del Sol llegaba al promedio de su carrera, despidiendo fuego abrasador. Súbitamente un furioso huracán levanta en remolino una polvareda que llegaba hasta las nubes, é invadiendo la llanura, arrancaba las hojas á los árboles, extendiéndose la tormenta por el anchuroso Cielo. Nosotros, con los ojos cerrados, soportábamos aquel divino castigo. Pasado el temporal, al cabo de largas horas, percibimos á esa joven, dando gritos agudos y lamentables, cual pájaro que no encuentra á su tierna cría en el desierto nido. De tal modo, al mirar al difunto despojado de la tierra que le cubriera, prorrumpió en gemidos y lanzaba imprecaciones contra los autores de tamaño ultraje. Seguidamente coge con sus propias manos árida tierra con la que cubre el cadáver, honrándole hasta tres veces con fúnebres libaciones, que vierte del fondo de una preciosa copa de bronce. Tan luego como vimos esto, nos arrojamos sobre ella y la prendimos. Y en verdad, ella permaneció impávida. Interrogámosla sobre sus actos anteriores y por el que acababa de consumar, y nada negó absolutamente: confesión que fué para mí grata y dolorosa á la par; gratísima, porque me libertaba del castigo; dolorosa, porque siempre causa tormento exponer á los amigos. Pero ante todo, es lo natural que miremos cada cual por nuestra salvación.
407
El hecho ha ocurrido así. Bajo el terror de tus tremendas conminaciones, llegamos allá y barrimos la tierra que cubría el cadáver. Después que dejamos enteramente descubierto aquel cuerpo ya en corrupción, subimos á sentarnos en lo alto de las colinas, al abrigo del viento, y huyendo de los fétidos miasmas. Excitámonos unos á otros á la vigilancia, conminando á todo el que pudiera descuidar la faena. En tal estado permanecimos hasta el momento en que el disco brillante del Sol llegaba al promedio de su carrera, despidiendo fuego abrasador. Súbitamente un furioso huracán levanta en remolino una polvareda que llegaba hasta las nubes, é invadiendo la llanura, arrancaba las hojas á los árboles, extendiéndose la tormenta por el anchuroso Cielo. Nosotros, con los ojos cerrados, soportábamos aquel divino castigo. Pasado el temporal, al cabo de largas horas, percibimos á esa joven, dando gritos agudos y lamentables, cual pájaro que no encuentra á su tierna cría en el desierto nido. De tal modo, al mirar al difunto despojado de la tierra que le cubriera, prorrumpió en gemidos y lanzaba imprecaciones contra los autores de tamaño ultraje. Seguidamente coge con sus propias manos árida tierra con la que cubre el cadáver, honrándole hasta tres veces con fúnebres libaciones, que vierte del fondo de una preciosa copa de bronce. Tan luego como vimos esto, nos arrojamos sobre ella y la prendimos. Y en verdad, ella permaneció impávida. Interrogámosla sobre sus actos anteriores y por el que acababa de consumar, y nada negó absolutamente: confesión que fué para mí grata y dolorosa á la par; gratísima, porque me libertaba del castigo; dolorosa, porque siempre causa tormento exponer á los amigos. Pero ante todo, es lo natural que miremos cada cual por nuestra salvación.
German (F. Hölderlin, 1804) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (F. Hölderlin, 1804)) — 77 focus
ANTIGONAE
Darum. Mein Zevs berichtete mirs nicht;
Noch hier im Haus das Recht der Todesgötter,
Die unter Menschen das Gesez begrenzet ;
Auch dacht’ ich nicht, es sey dein Ausgebot so sehr viel.
470
Dafs eins, das sterben muss, die ungeschriebnen drüber,
Die festen Sazungen im Himmel brechen sollte.
Nicht heut’ und gestern nur, die leben immer,
Und niemand weiss, woher sie sind gekommen.
Drum wollt’ ich unter Himmlischen nicht, aus Furcht
475
Vor eines Manns Gedanken, Strafe wagen.
Ich wufste aber, dass ich sterben mülste.
Warum nicht? hättst du’s auch nicht kundgethan.
Wenn aber vor der Zeit ich sterbe, sag’ ich, dass es
So gar Gewinn ist. Wer, wie ich, viel lebt mit Uebeln,
480
Bekommt doch wohl im Tod ein wenig Vortheil?
So ist es mir, auf solch Schiksaal zu treffen,
Betrübnifs nicht; wenn meiner Mutter Todten,
Als er gestorben, ich grablos gelassen hätte,
Das würde mich betrüben. Aber das
485
Betrübt mich gar nicht. Bin ich aber dir,
Wie ich es that, nun auf die Närrin kummen,
War ich dem Narren fast Narrheit ein wenig schuldig.
CH O R:
Man sieht das rauh Geschlecht vom rauhen Vater
Am Kind! Allein beiseit im Uebel kann’s nicht.
490
Darum. Mein Zevs berichtete mirs nicht;
Noch hier im Haus das Recht der Todesgötter,
Die unter Menschen das Gesez begrenzet ;
Auch dacht’ ich nicht, es sey dein Ausgebot so sehr viel.
470
Dafs eins, das sterben muss, die ungeschriebnen drüber,
Die festen Sazungen im Himmel brechen sollte.
Nicht heut’ und gestern nur, die leben immer,
Und niemand weiss, woher sie sind gekommen.
Drum wollt’ ich unter Himmlischen nicht, aus Furcht
475
Vor eines Manns Gedanken, Strafe wagen.
Ich wufste aber, dass ich sterben mülste.
Warum nicht? hättst du’s auch nicht kundgethan.
Wenn aber vor der Zeit ich sterbe, sag’ ich, dass es
So gar Gewinn ist. Wer, wie ich, viel lebt mit Uebeln,
480
Bekommt doch wohl im Tod ein wenig Vortheil?
So ist es mir, auf solch Schiksaal zu treffen,
Betrübnifs nicht; wenn meiner Mutter Todten,
Als er gestorben, ich grablos gelassen hätte,
Das würde mich betrüben. Aber das
485
Betrübt mich gar nicht. Bin ich aber dir,
Wie ich es that, nun auf die Närrin kummen,
War ich dem Narren fast Narrheit ein wenig schuldig.
Man sieht das rauh Geschlecht vom rauhen Vater
Am Kind! Allein beiseit im Uebel kann’s nicht.
490
English (Sir Richard Jebb1, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb1, 1904)) — 77 focus
Antigone
450
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 unfailing 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
460
answer to the gods for breaking these. Die I must,— I knew that well (how should I not?)—even without thy edicts. But if Iam 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? OE A A EB om a DON 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, that would have grieved me; for this, I am not grieved. And if my present deeds are foolish
470
in thy sight, it may be that a foolish judge arraigns my folly.
450
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 unfailing 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
460
answer to the gods for breaking these. Die I must,— I knew that well (how should I not?)—even without thy edicts. But if Iam 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? OE A A EB om a DON 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, that would have grieved me; for this, I am not grieved. And if my present deeds are foolish
470
in thy sight, it may be that a foolish judge arraigns my folly.
English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 77 focus
Ismene
But wilt thou kill the bride
Affianced to thy son?
But wilt thou kill the bride
Affianced to thy son?
English (Sir Richard Jebb2, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb2, 1904)) — 100-160 focus
Enter the Chorus on the right.
110
Chorus
Shaft of the sun, fairest light of all that have dawned on
Thebes
of the seven gates, you have shone forth at last, eye of golden day, advancing over Dirce’s streams!
100
You have goaded with a sharper bit the warrior of the white shield, who came from
Argos
in full armor, driving him to headlong retreat.
105
Shaft of the sun, fairest light of all that have dawned on
Thebes
of the seven gates, you have shone forth at last, eye of golden day, advancing over Dirce’s streams!
100
You have goaded with a sharper bit the warrior of the white shield, who came from
Argos
in full armor, driving him to headlong retreat.
105
Chorus
He set out against our land because of the strife-filled claims of Polyneices, and like a screaming eagle he flew over into our land, covered by his snow-white wing,
110
with a mass of weapons and crested helmets.
115
He set out against our land because of the strife-filled claims of Polyneices, and like a screaming eagle he flew over into our land, covered by his snow-white wing,
110
with a mass of weapons and crested helmets.
115
Chorus
He paused above our dwellings; he gaped around our sevenfold portals with spears thirsting for blood; but he left
before his jaws were ever glutted with our gore, or before the Fire-god’s pine-fed flame had seized our crown of towers.
120
So fierce was the crash of battle swelling about his back, a match too hard to win for the rival of the dragon.
125
He paused above our dwellings; he gaped around our sevenfold portals with spears thirsting for blood; but he left
before his jaws were ever glutted with our gore, or before the Fire-god’s pine-fed flame had seized our crown of towers.
120
So fierce was the crash of battle swelling about his back, a match too hard to win for the rival of the dragon.
125
Chorus
For Zeus detests above all the boasts of a proud tongue. And when he saw them advancing in a swollen flood,
arrogant their clanging gold, he dashed with brandished fire one who was already starting to shout victory when he had reached our ramparts.
130
For Zeus detests above all the boasts of a proud tongue. And when he saw them advancing in a swollen flood,
arrogant their clanging gold, he dashed with brandished fire one who was already starting to shout victory when he had reached our ramparts.
130
Chorus
Staggered, he fell to the earth with a crash,
torch in hand, a man possessed by the frenzy of the mad attack, who just now was raging against us with the blasts of his tempestuous hate. But his threats did not fare as he had hoped, and to the other enemies mighty Ares dispensed each their own dooms with hard blows,
135
Ares, our mighty ally at the turning-point.
140
Staggered, he fell to the earth with a crash,
torch in hand, a man possessed by the frenzy of the mad attack, who just now was raging against us with the blasts of his tempestuous hate. But his threats did not fare as he had hoped, and to the other enemies mighty Ares dispensed each their own dooms with hard blows,
135
Ares, our mighty ally at the turning-point.
140
Chorus
For the seven captains, stationed against an equal number at the seven gates, left behind their brazen arms in tribute to Zeus the turner of battle—all but the accursed pair who, born of one father and one
mother, set against each other their spears, both victorious, and who now share in a common death.
145
For the seven captains, stationed against an equal number at the seven gates, left behind their brazen arms in tribute to Zeus the turner of battle—all but the accursed pair who, born of one father and one
mother, set against each other their spears, both victorious, and who now share in a common death.
145
Chorus
But since Victory whose name is glory has come to us, smiling in joy equal to the joy of chariot-rich
Thebes
,
let us make for ourselves forgetfulness after the recent wars, and visit all the temples of the gods with night-long dance and song. And may Bacchus, who shakes the earth of
Thebes
, rule our dancing!
150
But since Victory whose name is glory has come to us, smiling in joy equal to the joy of chariot-rich
Thebes
,
let us make for ourselves forgetfulness after the recent wars, and visit all the temples of the gods with night-long dance and song. And may Bacchus, who shakes the earth of
Thebes
, rule our dancing!
150
Chorus
But look, the king of the land is coming here, Creon, the son of Menoeceus, our new ruler in accordance with the new circumstances fated by the gods. What policy is he setting in motion,
155
that he has proposed this special conference of elders, and summoned it by a general mandate?
160
But look, the king of the land is coming here, Creon, the son of Menoeceus, our new ruler in accordance with the new circumstances fated by the gods. What policy is he setting in motion,
155
that he has proposed this special conference of elders, and summoned it by a general mandate?
160
Commentary
Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) focus
77. mvp-comment-51-1 τὰ τῶν θεῶν ἔντιμα What is held honourable amongst the Gods. Cp. θεῶν νόμιμα, infr. 454-455: 1.ε. τὰ τῶν θεῶν ὄντα καὶ ὑπὸ τῶν θεῶν ἀγόμενα ἐν τιμῇ. Hh ἀτιμάσασ᾽ ἔχε] Persist in slighting. 78. ἐγὼ ποιοῦμαι I do not mean to show disrespect. She shrinks from saying distinctly τὰ τῶν θεῶν.