μητρός τε μιᾶς φύντε καθ᾽ αὑτοῖν
145
Antigone. Sophocles. ed. Lewis Campbell. Oxford. 1879.
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Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Greek) (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879))
Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.
Editions (11)
Greek (L. Benloew, 1858) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (L. Benloew, 1858)) — 145 focus
μητρός τε μιᾶς φύντε, καθ᾽ αὑτοῖν
145
Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884)) — 145 focus
ἀλλὰ γὰρ ἁ μεγαλώνυμος ἦλθε Νίκα
145
Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806)) — 145 focus
δικρατεῖς λόγχας στήσαντ᾽, ἔχετον
145
Greek (A. Colonna, 1978) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Colonna, 1978)) — 145 focus
μητρός τε μιᾶς φύντε καθ’ αὑτοῖν
145
Greek (A. Dain, 1955) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Dain, 1955)) — 145.mvp-line-145 focus
μητρός τε μιᾶς φύντε καθ’ αὑτοῖν
145
Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979)) — 145 focus
μητρός τε μιᾶς φύντε καθ' αὑτοῖν
145
Greek (G. Hermann, 1830) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (G. Hermann, 1830)) — 145 focus
μητρός τε μιᾶς φύντε καθ᾽ αὑτοῖν
145
Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906)) — 145 focus
μητρός τε μιᾶς φύντε καθ᾽ αὑτοῖν
145
Greek (A. C. Pearson, 1924) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. C. Pearson, 1924)) — 145.mvp-line-145 focus
μητρός τε μιᾶς φύντε καθ᾽ αὑτοῖν
145
Antigone (OCR draft) Experimental (Antigone) — 145 focus
μητρός τε μιᾶς φύντε καθʼ αὑτοῖν
145
Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949)) — 145 focus
μητρός τε μιᾶς φύντε καθ᾽ αὑτοῖν
145
Translations (11)
German (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (A. Boeckh, 1884)) — 145 focus
KREON.
Bald wissen wir es besser als der Seher weifs.
Mein Sohn, zum Vater kommst du doch nicht rasend her,
weil du der Braut entschiednes Endurtheil vernahmst?
610
Nicht wahr, wie wir auch handeln, bleiben dir wir lieb?
Bald wissen wir es besser als der Seher weifs.
Mein Sohn, zum Vater kommst du doch nicht rasend her,
weil du der Braut entschiednes Endurtheil vernahmst?
610
Nicht wahr, wie wir auch handeln, bleiben dir wir lieb?
Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921)) — 145 focus
HEMÓN
Nunca
aconsejarẻ
aconsejaré yo honrar a los malvados.
Nunca
aconsejarẻ
aconsejaré yo honrar a los malvados.
Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) Experimental (Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806)) — 145 focus
Haemon
Haud same tibi auctor sim, ut malis honorem habeas.
Haud same tibi auctor sim, ut malis honorem habeas.
English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 145 focus
HAEM
I do not claim observance for the vile.
I do not claim observance for the vile.
German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 148 focus
English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 145 focus
Haemon
H^. Thebes doth not think her so.
H^. Thebes doth not think her so.
Spanish (A. G. Garbin, 1889) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (A. G. Garbin, 1889)) — 145 focus
EL CORO
626
Pero hé aquí que se acerca Hemón, el menor de tus hijos. Contristado está: sin duda por la suerte de la desgraciada Antigona y por su frustrado himeneo.
626
Pero hé aquí que se acerca Hemón, el menor de tus hijos. Contristado está: sin duda por la suerte de la desgraciada Antigona y por su frustrado himeneo.
German (F. Hölderlin, 1804) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (F. Hölderlin, 1804)) — 145 focus
KREON
Der Ort sagt mir wohl, was ich ordnen muss.
Der Ort sagt mir wohl, was ich ordnen muss.
English (Sir Richard Jebb1, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb1, 1904)) — 145 focus
Haemon
I could wish no one to show respect for evildoers. Tre Furl.
I could wish no one to show respect for evildoers. Tre Furl.
English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 145 focus
Creon
ANTIS. 1.
STRO. 2.
ANTIS. 2.
TIR.
1. See where the savage stepdame stands,
1095
The pointed shuttle arms her bloody hands.
1095
Wasting in their dreary cel¹
1095
(The hope of nuptial joys no more)
1095
With woe and darkness doom'd to dwell,
1095
Their mother's miseries they deplore;
1095
Yet her pure and noble blood
1095
Rich from the high-born Erecthidæ flow'd;
1095
And where the rock its winding caverns forms,
1095
Nurtured amidst her father's storms,
1095
Swift as the courser's rapid flight
1095
The virgin bounded o'er the mountain's height:
1095
But fate with aged step and slow
1095
O'ertook her speed, and chain'd her down to woe.
1095
Ye rulers of the Theban state, we come
1095
As is our wont, both seeing with the eyes
1095
Of one: the blind some leading hand require.
1095
Aged Tiresias, what of import high
1095
Hath now arisen ?
1095
That I will impart :
1095
And thou ob ey the Seer.
1095
Did I e'er slight;
1095
The wisdom of thy mind?
1095
The realms of Thebes
1095
Through dangers therefore safely hast thou steer'd.
1095
To thy sage counsels much indeed I owe.
1095
Be counsell'd now: fate hangs upon this hour.
1095
What may this be? I tremble at thy words.
1095
Hear what my skill hath mark'd, and thou wilt know
1095
Placed on my ancient seat of augury,
Whence all my auspices I draw, the voice
Of birds I hear; unknown the sound; their screams
Were wild and strange, of ill presage; and fierce
With bloody talons each the other rent.
I knew this; for the clashing of their wings
Gave not dark signs: I trembled, and explored
The hallow'd fires that on the altars burn.
But from the sacrifice no flame shone bright,
Nor vapour from the humid flesh arose;
It wasted on the ashes, and roll'd low
A dull black smoke, exsuding on the fire; a
The entrails swell'd and burst; the melting thighs,
Shrunk from th' involving crawls, lay bare. These signs
Of dark and dangerous import from my boy
I learn'd; to me he shows them, and my voice
Explains to others. From thy harsh resolves
These omens threat the state; the birds of prey,
And dogs, whose ravenous hunger hath devour'd
The hapless Polynices slain in war,
Pollute our public altars: for this cause
Our pray'rs, our victims the offended gods
Accept no more; no hallow'd flames ascend;
No more are heard th' auspicious notes of birds
Gorged now with human flesh. Weigh these things well,
My son; to all of mortal race to err
Is common; but that man is not unblest,
Nor unadvised, who having err'd, and felt
The ill awaiting error, heals the wound,..
Nor perseveres unmoved: th' obdurate mind
Pays dear for its perverseness. To the slain.
Be then appeased: why woud'st thou wound a corse?
A brave man wars not with the dead. With thought
To thee benevolent I well advise.
Most pleasant is instruction when it comes,..
And with it comes advantage, from the wise.
I am your mark, old man; and all your shafts
At me are aim'd: nor are the prophet's arts
'Gainst me unpractised: by this venal race
I as a slave am sold, and led away.
Pursue your traffic; be the precious ore
Of Sardis, and the Indian gold, your gain;
Him in the earth you never shall entomb..
No; would the eagles of almighty Jove
Bear to their sovereign's throne his mangled flesh,
I would not, dreading that pollution, yield
To lay him in the tomb; for well I know
That mortals never can pollute the gods.
Yet there are men, thou aged Seer, held high
For various excellence, who basely fall,
By sordid lucre when allured they speak
The words of baseness urged in honour's style.
Is there a man that knows, is there a man
That comprehends.......
What wou'dst thou? To us all
Is this address'd?
With what high excellence
Wisdom transcends all treasures?
This he knows,
Who knows that folly is our greatest bane.
Heavy on thee hangs that disease.
Reproach
I would not harshly on the Seer retort.
Thou dost reproach me, when thou say'st my voice
Announces falsehoods.
You are fond of gold,
All the prophetic tribe.
The tyrant loves
Treasures by baseness gain'd.
Know'st thou thy words
Are to a king address'd?
I know it well;
For o'er a kingdom saved by me thy reign
Thou holdest.
As a Seer I deem thee wise,
But as a man unjust.
The dark decrees
Of fate, which in my breast I would have kept
Conceal'd thou wilt compel me to disclose.
Disclose them then, but not through hopes of gain.
Respecting thee I have no hope of gain.
But know, my purpose never shall be sold.
And know thou well that ere the rapid wheels
Of the sun's chariot many circles roll,
One sprung from thee, thy offspring, thou shalt pay
Dead for the dead a recompense, for those
Whom from the light of life to the dark realms
Thou hast sent down dishonour'd, and entomb'd
In the rock's dreary cavern; and for those
Whom of the honours to the gods below,
Of solemn obsequies, and hallow'd rites
Thou hast deprived; a deed, that nor to thee
Belongs, nor to the gods above; a deed
Of tyrant force: the slow-avenging pow'rs,
The Furies of th' infernal gods, for this
In ambush wait to seize thee, and in ills
Like these will plunge thee. Go now, see if gold
Hath bribed the prophet's mercenary voice :
Pass a few moments, the laments of men,
The shrieks of women through thy house shall sound.
Indignant all the hostile states are roused,
Whose mangled dead the dogs or beasts of prey
Have in these plains polluted, or the birds
Of obscene wing, bearing th' unhallow'd stench
E'en to the sacred altars of the gods.
These are the shafts (for thou hast moved my soul
To anger) which at thee I aim: their force
Strikes deep, nor shalt thou shun the burning wound.
Boy, lead me hence; and let him vent his rage
On those of fresher years; or curb his tongue
With modesty, and learn to train his mind
To gentler thoughts than those which now it bears.
1. See where the savage stepdame stands,
1095
The pointed shuttle arms her bloody hands.
1095
Wasting in their dreary cel¹
1095
(The hope of nuptial joys no more)
1095
With woe and darkness doom'd to dwell,
1095
Their mother's miseries they deplore;
1095
Yet her pure and noble blood
1095
Rich from the high-born Erecthidæ flow'd;
1095
And where the rock its winding caverns forms,
1095
Nurtured amidst her father's storms,
1095
Swift as the courser's rapid flight
1095
The virgin bounded o'er the mountain's height:
1095
But fate with aged step and slow
1095
O'ertook her speed, and chain'd her down to woe.
1095
Ye rulers of the Theban state, we come
1095
As is our wont, both seeing with the eyes
1095
Of one: the blind some leading hand require.
1095
Aged Tiresias, what of import high
1095
Hath now arisen ?
1095
That I will impart :
1095
And thou ob ey the Seer.
1095
Did I e'er slight;
1095
The wisdom of thy mind?
1095
The realms of Thebes
1095
Through dangers therefore safely hast thou steer'd.
1095
To thy sage counsels much indeed I owe.
1095
Be counsell'd now: fate hangs upon this hour.
1095
What may this be? I tremble at thy words.
1095
Hear what my skill hath mark'd, and thou wilt know
1095
Placed on my ancient seat of augury,
Whence all my auspices I draw, the voice
Of birds I hear; unknown the sound; their screams
Were wild and strange, of ill presage; and fierce
With bloody talons each the other rent.
I knew this; for the clashing of their wings
Gave not dark signs: I trembled, and explored
The hallow'd fires that on the altars burn.
But from the sacrifice no flame shone bright,
Nor vapour from the humid flesh arose;
It wasted on the ashes, and roll'd low
A dull black smoke, exsuding on the fire; a
The entrails swell'd and burst; the melting thighs,
Shrunk from th' involving crawls, lay bare. These signs
Of dark and dangerous import from my boy
I learn'd; to me he shows them, and my voice
Explains to others. From thy harsh resolves
These omens threat the state; the birds of prey,
And dogs, whose ravenous hunger hath devour'd
The hapless Polynices slain in war,
Pollute our public altars: for this cause
Our pray'rs, our victims the offended gods
Accept no more; no hallow'd flames ascend;
No more are heard th' auspicious notes of birds
Gorged now with human flesh. Weigh these things well,
My son; to all of mortal race to err
Is common; but that man is not unblest,
Nor unadvised, who having err'd, and felt
The ill awaiting error, heals the wound,..
Nor perseveres unmoved: th' obdurate mind
Pays dear for its perverseness. To the slain.
Be then appeased: why woud'st thou wound a corse?
A brave man wars not with the dead. With thought
To thee benevolent I well advise.
Most pleasant is instruction when it comes,..
And with it comes advantage, from the wise.
I am your mark, old man; and all your shafts
At me are aim'd: nor are the prophet's arts
'Gainst me unpractised: by this venal race
I as a slave am sold, and led away.
Pursue your traffic; be the precious ore
Of Sardis, and the Indian gold, your gain;
Him in the earth you never shall entomb..
No; would the eagles of almighty Jove
Bear to their sovereign's throne his mangled flesh,
I would not, dreading that pollution, yield
To lay him in the tomb; for well I know
That mortals never can pollute the gods.
Yet there are men, thou aged Seer, held high
For various excellence, who basely fall,
By sordid lucre when allured they speak
The words of baseness urged in honour's style.
Is there a man that knows, is there a man
That comprehends.......
What wou'dst thou? To us all
Is this address'd?
With what high excellence
Wisdom transcends all treasures?
This he knows,
Who knows that folly is our greatest bane.
Heavy on thee hangs that disease.
Reproach
I would not harshly on the Seer retort.
Thou dost reproach me, when thou say'st my voice
Announces falsehoods.
You are fond of gold,
All the prophetic tribe.
The tyrant loves
Treasures by baseness gain'd.
Know'st thou thy words
Are to a king address'd?
I know it well;
For o'er a kingdom saved by me thy reign
Thou holdest.
As a Seer I deem thee wise,
But as a man unjust.
The dark decrees
Of fate, which in my breast I would have kept
Conceal'd thou wilt compel me to disclose.
Disclose them then, but not through hopes of gain.
Respecting thee I have no hope of gain.
But know, my purpose never shall be sold.
And know thou well that ere the rapid wheels
Of the sun's chariot many circles roll,
One sprung from thee, thy offspring, thou shalt pay
Dead for the dead a recompense, for those
Whom from the light of life to the dark realms
Thou hast sent down dishonour'd, and entomb'd
In the rock's dreary cavern; and for those
Whom of the honours to the gods below,
Of solemn obsequies, and hallow'd rites
Thou hast deprived; a deed, that nor to thee
Belongs, nor to the gods above; a deed
Of tyrant force: the slow-avenging pow'rs,
The Furies of th' infernal gods, for this
In ambush wait to seize thee, and in ills
Like these will plunge thee. Go now, see if gold
Hath bribed the prophet's mercenary voice :
Pass a few moments, the laments of men,
The shrieks of women through thy house shall sound.
Indignant all the hostile states are roused,
Whose mangled dead the dogs or beasts of prey
Have in these plains polluted, or the birds
Of obscene wing, bearing th' unhallow'd stench
E'en to the sacred altars of the gods.
These are the shafts (for thou hast moved my soul
To anger) which at thee I aim: their force
Strikes deep, nor shalt thou shun the burning wound.
Boy, lead me hence; and let him vent his rage
On those of fresher years; or curb his tongue
With modesty, and learn to train his mind
To gentler thoughts than those which now it bears.
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 (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) focus
144-147. mvp-comment-88-1 Neither could despoil the other, since both were slain. And the citizens could not dedicate to Zeus arms polluted with kindred blood.
145. mvp-comment-89-1 αὑτοῖν i. e. ἀλλήλοιν: ἑαυτούς, ἀλλήλους. Hesych.