βίᾳ πολιτῶν δρᾶν ἔφυν ἀμήχανος.
Antigone. Sophocles. ed. Lewis Campbell. Oxford. 1879.
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Current edition Experimental
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)) — 79 focus
βίᾳ πολιτῶν δρᾷν ἔφυν ἀμήχανος.
Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884)) — 79 focus
βίᾳ πολιτῶν δρᾶν ἔφυν ἀμήχανος.
Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806)) — 79 focus
βίᾳ πολιτῶν δρᾷν, ἔφυν ἀμήχανος.
Greek (A. Colonna, 1978) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Colonna, 1978)) — 79 focus
βίᾳ πολιτῶν δρᾶν ἔφυν ἀμήχανος.
Greek (A. Dain, 1955) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Dain, 1955)) — 79.mvp-line-79 focus
βίᾳ πολιτῶν δρᾶν ἔφυν ἀμήχανος.
Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979)) — 79 focus
βίαι πολιτῶν δρᾶν ἔφυν ἀμήχανος.
Greek (G. Hermann, 1830) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (G. Hermann, 1830)) — 79 focus
βίᾳ πολιτῶν δρᾶν, ἔφυν ἀμήχανος.
Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906)) — 79 focus
βίᾳ πολιτῶν δρᾶν ἔφυν ἀμήχανος.
Greek (A. C. Pearson, 1924) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. C. Pearson, 1924)) — 79.mvp-line-79 focus
βίᾳ πολιτῶν δρᾶν ἔφυν ἀμήχανος.
Antigone (OCR draft) Experimental (Antigone) — 79 focus
βίᾳ πολιτῶν δρᾶν ἔφυν ἀμήχανος.
Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949)) — 79 focus
βίαι πολιτῶν δρᾶν ἔφυν ἀμήχανος.
Translations (11)
German (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (A. Boeckh, 1884)) — 79 focus
ANTIGONE
Ich that es, sag' ich offen, und verläugn' es nicht.
430
Ich that es, sag' ich offen, und verläugn' es nicht.
430
Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921)) — 79 focus
CREONTE
Pues has de saber que los caracteres, cuanto más pertinaces, ceden más fácilmente; y muchas veces verás que el resistente hierro cocido al fuego, después de
frio
frío se quiebra y rompe. Con un peque- ño freno sé yo domar a los enfurecidos caballos; pues no debe ensoberbecerse quien es esclavo de otro. Y ésta sabía, en verdad, la insolencia que cometía al desobedecer las leyes decretadas. Insolencia cuando perpetró el hecho, y nueva insolencia cuando se envanece de haberlo cometido y se
rie
ríe. Ciertamente, pues, que ahora no sería yo hombre, sino ella, si tanta audacia quedara impune. Y aunque sea hija de mi hermana, y aunque fuera el más próximo pariente de todos los que en el patio de mi casa se
reunen
reúnen en torno de mi Júpiter protector, ella y su hermana no escaparán de la muerte más ignominiosa. Porque a aquélla, lo mismo que a ésta, acuso como autora de este sepelio. Llamadla, pues, que dentro la vi hace poco, llena de rabia y fuera de sí misma; porque la conciencia de aquellos que nada bueno traman secretamente, suele acusarles de su crimen antes de que se les descubra. Y sobre todo detesto al que, sorprendido en el crimen, quiere luego adornarlo con especiosos razonamientos.
Pues has de saber que los caracteres, cuanto más pertinaces, ceden más fácilmente; y muchas veces verás que el resistente hierro cocido al fuego, después de
frio
frío se quiebra y rompe. Con un peque- ño freno sé yo domar a los enfurecidos caballos; pues no debe ensoberbecerse quien es esclavo de otro. Y ésta sabía, en verdad, la insolencia que cometía al desobedecer las leyes decretadas. Insolencia cuando perpetró el hecho, y nueva insolencia cuando se envanece de haberlo cometido y se
rie
ríe. Ciertamente, pues, que ahora no sería yo hombre, sino ella, si tanta audacia quedara impune. Y aunque sea hija de mi hermana, y aunque fuera el más próximo pariente de todos los que en el patio de mi casa se
reunen
reúnen en torno de mi Júpiter protector, ella y su hermana no escaparán de la muerte más ignominiosa. Porque a aquélla, lo mismo que a ésta, acuso como autora de este sepelio. Llamadla, pues, que dentro la vi hace poco, llena de rabia y fuera de sí misma; porque la conciencia de aquellos que nada bueno traman secretamente, suele acusarles de su crimen antes de que se les descubra. Y sobre todo detesto al que, sorprendido en el crimen, quiere luego adornarlo con especiosos razonamientos.
Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) Experimental (Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806)) — 79 focus
Creon
At scito igitur, praefractos animos saepius concidere;
firmissimumque ferrum coctum , igne duratum, facilime comminui et frangi videas:
parvoque freno feroces equos domariscio.
Nempe haud convenit elato esse animo , qui aliis subditus est;
haec autem tunc quidem egit contumeliose, quum sancitas leges transgredi ausa est:
nunc vero, postquam facinus patravit, altera haec est contumelia, quod his factis glorietur et rideat.
Profecto haud amplius vir ego sim, sed illa vir fuerit, si haec ei impune cesserit victoria.
Sed sive ex sorore, sive ex alia quavis prognata sit, quae mihi sit tota familia coniunctior, ipsaque et soror non effugient, quin pessimis exemplis pereant;
nam et hanc haud minus quam alteram huius sepulturae auctorem esse censeo.
Et illam evocate!
eam enim vidi modo intus furentem, nec compotem sui.
quippe solet perturbatio prius deprehendi proditrix eorum, quae vafre in tenebris structa fuere.
Male vero et illum ego odi, qui, in scelere deprehensus, tamen concinnis comere illud dictis parat.
At scito igitur, praefractos animos saepius concidere;
firmissimumque ferrum coctum , igne duratum, facilime comminui et frangi videas:
parvoque freno feroces equos domariscio.
Nempe haud convenit elato esse animo , qui aliis subditus est;
haec autem tunc quidem egit contumeliose, quum sancitas leges transgredi ausa est:
nunc vero, postquam facinus patravit, altera haec est contumelia, quod his factis glorietur et rideat.
Profecto haud amplius vir ego sim, sed illa vir fuerit, si haec ei impune cesserit victoria.
Sed sive ex sorore, sive ex alia quavis prognata sit, quae mihi sit tota familia coniunctior, ipsaque et soror non effugient, quin pessimis exemplis pereant;
nam et hanc haud minus quam alteram huius sepulturae auctorem esse censeo.
Et illam evocate!
eam enim vidi modo intus furentem, nec compotem sui.
quippe solet perturbatio prius deprehendi proditrix eorum, quae vafre in tenebris structa fuere.
Male vero et illum ego odi, qui, in scelere deprehensus, tamen concinnis comere illud dictis parat.
English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 79 focus
CR
Ay, but the stubborn spirit first doth fall.
Oft ye shall see the strongest bar of steel,
That fire hath hardened to extremity,
Shattered to pieces. A small bit controls
475
The fiery steed. Pride may not be endured
In one whose life is subject to command.
This maiden hath been conversant with crime
Since first she trampled on the public law;
And now she adds to crime this insolence,
480
To laugh at her offence, and glory in it.
Truly, if she that hath usurped this power
Shall rest unpunished, she then is a man,
And I am none. Be she my sister’s child,
Or of yet nearer blood to me than all
485
That take protection from my hearth, the pair
Shall not escape the worst of deaths. For know,
I count the younger of the twain no less
Copartner in this plotted funeral:
And now I bid you call her. Late I saw her
490
Within the house, beyond herself, and frantic.
—Full oft when one is darkly scheming wrong,
The disturbed spirit hath betrayed itself
Before the act it hides.—But not less hateful
Seems it to me, when one that hath been caught
495
In wickedness would give it a brave show.
Ay, but the stubborn spirit first doth fall.
Oft ye shall see the strongest bar of steel,
That fire hath hardened to extremity,
Shattered to pieces. A small bit controls
475
The fiery steed. Pride may not be endured
In one whose life is subject to command.
This maiden hath been conversant with crime
Since first she trampled on the public law;
And now she adds to crime this insolence,
480
To laugh at her offence, and glory in it.
Truly, if she that hath usurped this power
Shall rest unpunished, she then is a man,
And I am none. Be she my sister’s child,
Or of yet nearer blood to me than all
485
That take protection from my hearth, the pair
Shall not escape the worst of deaths. For know,
I count the younger of the twain no less
Copartner in this plotted funeral:
And now I bid you call her. Late I saw her
490
Within the house, beyond herself, and frantic.
—Full oft when one is darkly scheming wrong,
The disturbed spirit hath betrayed itself
Before the act it hides.—But not less hateful
Seems it to me, when one that hath been caught
495
In wickedness would give it a brave show.
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)) — 79 focus
Creon
Yes ; tis all I wish.
Yes ; tis all I wish.
Spanish (A. G. Garbin, 1889) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (A. G. Garbin, 1889)) — 79 focus
ANTÍGONA
Confieso que lo he hecho; no lo niego.
Confieso que lo he hecho; no lo niego.
German (F. Hölderlin, 1804) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (F. Hölderlin, 1804)) — 79 focus
ANTIGONAE
Willst du denn mehr, da du mich hast, alstödten?
Willst du denn mehr, da du mich hast, alstödten?
English (Sir Richard Jebb1, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb1, 1904)) — 79 focus
Creon
Yet I would have thee know that_o’er-stubborn: spirits are led; ’tis the stiffest iron, baked to hardness in the fire, that thou shalt oftenest see snapped and shivered; and I have known horses that show temper brought to order by a little curb; there is no room for pride, when thou art thy neighbour’s
480
slave.—This girl was already versed in insolence when she transgressed the laws that had been set forth; and, that done, lo, a second insult,—to vaunt of this, and exult in her deed. Now verily I am no man, she is the man, if this victory shall rest with her, and bring no penalty. No! be she sister’s child, or nearer to me in blood ea any that at worships Zeus at the altar of our house,—she and her kinsfolk shall not avoid a doom most dire; for
490
indeed I charge that other with a like share in the plotting of this burial. And summon her—for I saw her e’en now within,— raving, and not mistress of her wits. So oft, before the deed, the mind stands self-convicted in its treason, when folks are plotting mischief in the dark. But verily this, too, is_hateful—when one who hath been caught in wickedness then seeks to make the crime a glory.
Yet I would have thee know that_o’er-stubborn: spirits are led; ’tis the stiffest iron, baked to hardness in the fire, that thou shalt oftenest see snapped and shivered; and I have known horses that show temper brought to order by a little curb; there is no room for pride, when thou art thy neighbour’s
480
slave.—This girl was already versed in insolence when she transgressed the laws that had been set forth; and, that done, lo, a second insult,—to vaunt of this, and exult in her deed. Now verily I am no man, she is the man, if this victory shall rest with her, and bring no penalty. No! be she sister’s child, or nearer to me in blood ea any that at worships Zeus at the altar of our house,—she and her kinsfolk shall not avoid a doom most dire; for
490
indeed I charge that other with a like share in the plotting of this burial. And summon her—for I saw her e’en now within,— raving, and not mistress of her wits. So oft, before the deed, the mind stands self-convicted in its treason, when folks are plotting mischief in the dark. But verily this, too, is_hateful—when one who hath been caught in wickedness then seeks to make the crime a glory.
English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 79 focus
Ismene
But never one
570
United by such tender ties.
570
But never one
570
United by such tender ties.
570
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
79. mvp-comment-52-1 ἔφυν By nature and position.