Sophocles, Antigone, Lewis Campbell (Translator), 140

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HAEM

O my sire,

Sound wisdom is a God implanted seed,

Of all possessions highest in regard.

I cannot, and I would not learn to say
685

That thou art wrong in this; though in another,

It may be such a word were not unmeet.

But as thy son, ’tis surely mine to scan

Men’s deeds, and words, and muttered thoughts toward thee.

Fear of thy frown restrains the citizen
690

In talk that would fall harshly on thine ear.

I under shadow may o’erhear, how all

Thy people mourn this maiden, and complain

That of all women least deservedly

She perishes for a most glorious deed.
695

‘Who, when her own true brother on the earth

Lay weltering after combat in his gore,

Left him not graveless, for the carrion few

And raw devouring field dogs to consume—

Hath she not merited a golden praise?’
700

Such the dark rumour spreading silently.

Now, in my valuing, with thy prosperous life,

My father, no possession can compare.

Where can be found a richer ornament

For children, than their father’s high renown?

Or where for fathers, than their children’s fame?
705

Nurse not one changeless humour in thy breast,

That nothing can be right but as thou sayest.

Whoe’er presumes that he alone hath sense,

Or peerless eloquence, or reach of soul,

Unwrap him, and you’ll find but emptiness.
710

’Tis no disgrace even to the wise to learn

And lend an ear to reason. You may see

The plant that yields where torrent waters flow

Saves every little twig, when the stout tree

Is torn away and dies. The mariner
715

Who will not ever slack the sheet that sways

The vessel, but still tightens, oversets,

And so, keel upward, ends his voyaging.

Relent, I pray thee, and give place to change.

If any judgement hath informed my youth,
720

I grant it noblest to be always wise,

But,—for omniscience is denied to man—

Tis good to hearken to admonishment.

Antigone. Sophocles. Lewis Campbell (Translator). London, New York and Toronto. 1906.

Current edition Experimental

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) (English) (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906))

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (12)

Greek (L. Benloew, 1858) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (L. Benloew, 1858)) — 140 focus

δεξιόσειρος ¹.

140

Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884)) — 140 focus

Ζηνὶ τροπαίῳ πάγχαλκα τέλη,

140

Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806)) — 140 focus

μέγας Ἄρης δεξιόχειρος·

140

Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 140 focus

δεξιόσειρος.

140

Greek (A. Colonna, 1978) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Colonna, 1978)) — 140 focus

ζων μέγας Ἄρης δεξιόσειρος.

140

Greek (A. Dain, 1955) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Dain, 1955)) — 140.mvp-line-140 focus

ζων μέγας Ἄρης δεξιόσειρος.

140

Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979)) — 140 focus

μα στυφελίζων μέγας Ἄρης δεξιόσειρος.

140

Greek (G. Hermann, 1830) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (G. Hermann, 1830)) — 140 focus

δεξιόσειρος.

140

Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906)) — 140 focus

δεξιόσειρος. 7

140

Greek (A. C. Pearson, 1924) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. C. Pearson, 1924)) — 140.mvp-line-140 focus

μα στυφελίζων μέγας Ἄρης δεξιόσειρος.

140

Antigone (OCR draft) Experimental (Antigone) — 140 focus

δεξιόσειρος.

140

Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949)) — 140 focus

δεξιόσειρος.

140

Translations (10)

German (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (A. Boeckh, 1884)) — 140 focus

KREON

Ja, Hades wird auflösen dieser Ehe Bund.

Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921)) — 140 focus

HEMÓN

Padre, los dioses han dado a los hombres la razón como el mayor bien de todos los que existen, y yo ni podría ni sabría decir que no hayas hablado con rectitud. Pero la cosa, sin embargo, puede que parezca bien vista de otra manera; y yo, que soy tu hijo, debo considerar todo lo que pueda alguien decir, tratar o murmurar de ti; pues tu aspecto infunde tanto terror- terror al ciudadano, que no se atreve a decirte aquello que tú no gustes oir oír. Pero a mi me es fácil oir oír lo que en secreto se dice; cómo llora la ciudad por esta muchacha, que, entre todas las mujeres, no merece de ninguna manera morir ignominiosamente por su gloriosisima gloriosísima hazaña. La que a su propio hermano, muerto en la pelea, no quiso dejar insepulto para que fuese pasto de los voraces perros ni de ninguna de las aves, ésa, ¿no es digna de obtener una gloriosa recompensa? Tal es el rumor que silenciosa y secretamente corre. Para mí, padre, no hay ninguna cosa que me sea más estimada que el que tú vivas feliz. ¿Pues qué mayor dechado de gloria para los hijos que la prosperidad del padre, o para el padre que la de los hijos? No te obstines, pues, en mantener en ti, como única, la opinión de que lo que tú dices es lo razonable, y no lo que diga otro; porque los que creen que solamente ellos poseen la sabiduria sabiduría, la elocuencia y el valor que no tienen los demás, ésos, al ser examinados, se encuentran vacios vacíos. Porque al hombre, por sabio que uno sea, no le es vergonzoso el aprender muchas veces, ni tampoco el no resistir más allá de lo razonable. Tú ves en los torrentes invernales que cuantos árboles ceden, conservan sus ramas; pero los que resisten, son arrancados con sus mismas raíces. Asimismo, el que atesando firmemente la bolina no quiere ceder, hace que zozobre la nave y navega en adelante en las tablas. Cede, pues, y da largas a tu enojo. Pues si algún consejo, a pesar de ser tan joven, me asiste, afirmo yo que seria lo mejor que todo hombre naciera henchido de sabiduria sabiduría; pero que como esto no suele suceder así, bueno es aprender de los que bien te aconsejan.

Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) Experimental (Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806)) — 140 focus

Haemon

Pater, dii hominibus ingenerant rationem, omnium, quotquot sunt, rerum praestantissimam. Quae autem modo dixi, vera esse, neque audeam negare, nec, qui negare possim, scio: est tamen ut alius etiam vera dicere queat. Enimvero tu non es talis, qui omnia prospicere queas, quae in te vel dicit quis, vel facit, aut si quid tibi vertatur vitio: iuus enim vultus plebeio cuique timorem incutit circa sermones tales, quos lubens non audias: at mihi clam haec mussantium excipere licet: quantopere huius puellae vicem civitas doleat, quia ob facta maximis digna laudibus pessime pereat mulierum omnium immeritissima , quae suum ipsius fratrem in proelio caesum, insepultum haud passa sit crudivoris canibus alitibusque perdi. Nonne haec aureo digna honore? Tales obscuri clam manant rumores. Mihi vero, pater, nihil aliud optabilius esse potest, quam ut omnia tibi laeta eveniant. Quid enim liberis decori sit magis, quam gloria florens pater? quidve patri cum liberis comparandum? Ne nunc ergo unicum mente hunc habitum indue, ut, quod tudicis , aliudque praeterea nihil, rectum esse putes: quicumque enim vel ipse solus sapere videtur sibi, vel lingua aut animo pollere, ut nemo alius, tales si explices, saepius inanes esse comperias; sed virum, quamvis ille sit sapiens, discere multa haud indecorum est, et non nimis contra tendere. Vides hibernis imbribus tumida ad fluenta quotquot cedunt arbores, ut servant ramos; at stirpitus intereunt, quaecumque obnituntur: similiter quoque navis gubernator, si adductum pedem laxare praefracte renuit, supinis, eversa rate, in posterum navigat tabulis. Verum age, remitte iram, et poenitentiae da locum: iudicium enim si quod et mihi iuniori inest, dico equidem longe optimum esse, si suapte indole vir quisque scientia gaudeat; sin minus (haud enim ita solet evenire) et a bene consulentibus praeclarum est discere.

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 141 focus

Denn Sieben, um sieben Thore gestellt,

Mann wider den Mann, sie ließen dem Zeus,

Dem Verleiher des Siegs, die gediegene Wehr.¹

Nur das schreckliche Paar, von dem Einen gezeugt

Mit demselben Gemahl, die wider sich selbst
145

Mit siegendem Speer einstürmten, umfing

Des gemeinsamen Todes Verhängniß.

Zweite Gegenstrophe.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 140 focus

Creon

And have we lived so long then to be taught

At last our duty by a boy like thee ?

Spanish (A. G. Garbin, 1889) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (A. G. Garbin, 1889)) — 140 focus

CREONTE

Así parece. ¡Guardias! conducidlas al interior de Palacio: y desde este momento que sean verdaderas mujeres: sin libertad para salir. Que los audaces procuran huir cuando ven al ojo la muerte. Llévanse á Antígona y á Ismena, quedando en la escena el coro y Creonte.

German (F. Hölderlin, 1804) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (F. Hölderlin, 1804)) — 140 focus

HAEMON

Niemals beleidigen. Bin ich ein junger Mensch, muss man nicht auf die Zeit mehr, als die That sehn.

English (Sir Richard Jebb1, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb1, 1904)) — 140 focus

Haemon

Father, the gods implant reason in men, the highest of all things that we call our own. Not mine the skill—far from me be the quest!—to.say wherein thou speakest not aright; and yet another man, too, might have some useful thought. At least, it is my natural office to watch, on thy behalf, all that men say, 690 or do, or find to blame. For the dread of thy frown forbids the citizen to speak such words as would offend thine ear; but I can hear these murmurs in the dark, these moanings of the city for this maiden; ‘no woman,’ they say, ‘ever merited her doom less—none ever was to die so shamelully Tor deedsclorious as hers; who, ds_so glorious as hers; who, when her own brother had fallen in bloody strife, would not leave him unburied, to be devoured by carrion dogs, or by any bird:—deserves not she the meed of golden honour ?”

700

Such is the darkling rumour that spreads in secret. For me, my father, no treasure is so precious as thy welfare. What, indeed, is a nobler ornament for children than a prospering sire’s fair fame, or for sire than son’s? Wear not, then, one mood only in thyself; think not that thy word, and thine alone, must be right. For if any man thinks that he alone is wise,—that in speech, or in mind, he hath no peer,—such a soul, when Taid open, is ever found empty. 710 No, though a man be wise, ’tis no shame for him to learn many things, and to bend in season. Seest thou, beside the wintry torrent’s course, how the trees that yield to it save every twig, while the stiff-necked perish root and branch? And even thus he who keeps the sheet of his sail taut, and never slackens it, upsets his boat, and finishes his voyage with keel uppermost. Nay, forego thy wrath; permit thyself to change. For if I, a younger man, may offer my thought, it were 720 far best, I ween, that men should be all-wise. by nature ; but, otherwise—and oft the scale inclines not so—'tis good also to learn from those who speak aright.

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 140 focus

Chorus
CREON, ANTIGONE, CHORUS. 929

The tempest of her passions yet is high;

English (Sir Richard Jebb2, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb2, 1904)) — 162-330 focus

Enter Creon, with two attendants.

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

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.

Creon

See, then, that you be guardians of my commands.
215

Chorus

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.

Chorus

Then what is this other command that you would give?

Creon

That you not give way to the breakers of my commands.

Chorus

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.

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

Creon

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

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.

Guard

That I do, for terrible news imposes great hesitation.

Creon

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

Creon

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

Chorus

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

Guard

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?

Guard

Is the pain in your ears, or in your soul?

Creon

And why would you define the seat of my pain?

Guard

He who did it hurts your heart, but I, your ears.

Creon

God! How plain it is that you are a born babbler.
320

Guard

Perhaps, but never the author of this action.

Creon

Yes, and what is more, you sold your life for silver.

Guard

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

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

Commentary

Commentary (R. C. Jebb) (OCR draft) (Commentary (R. C. Jebb))

mvp-comment-399-1 θεοί ¹

mvp-comment-399-2 κτημάτων ²

mvp-comment-400-1 ἐγὼ δ’ ὅπως ³

mvp-comment-400-2 μὴ ⁴ ὅπως ⁵ μή ⁶ ὀρθῶς ⁷

mvp-comment-400-3 μήτ’ ἐπισταίμην ⁸

mvp-comment-401-1 καλῶς ἔχον ⁹ γένοιτο ἂν καὶ ἑτέρῳ ¹⁰

mvp-comment-402-1 σοῦ δ’ οὖν ¹¹ σοῦ ¹² σοί ¹³ σὺ δ’ οὐ πέφυκας ¹⁴ τις ¹⁵ μῆνίν τιν’ ἢ κότον τιν ¹⁶

mvp-comment-403-1 τὸ γὰρ σόν ¹⁷ ὄμμα ¹⁸

mvp-comment-403-2 δημότῃ ¹⁹

mvp-comment-404-1 λόγοις τοιούτοις ²⁰ λόγοις τοιούτοις ²¹

mvp-comment-404-2 οἷς ²² τέρψει ²³ κλύων ²⁴ μή ²⁵ τέρψῃ ²⁶

mvp-comment-405-1 ὑπὸ σκότον ²⁷ ἀκούειν ²⁸ ὀδύρεται ²⁹

mvp-comment-406-1 κάκιστ’ … εὐκλεεστάτων ³⁰

mvp-comment-406-2 ἀπ’ ἔργων ³¹

mvp-comment-407-1 ἥτις ³² μήθ’ … μήθ’ ³³ εἴασε ³⁴ ὀλέσθαι ³⁵

mvp-comment-407-2 αὐτάδελφον ³⁶

mvp-comment-407-3 ἐνφοναῖς ³⁷

mvp-comment-408-1 χρυσῆς ³⁸

mvp-comment-408-2 λαχεῖν ³⁹ ἀξία ⁴⁰

mvp-comment-409-1 ἐπέρχεται ⁴¹

mvp-comment-410-1 θάλλοντος ⁴²

mvp-comment-410-2 μεῖζον εὐκλείας ⁴³

mvp-comment-410-3 πρὸς παίδων ⁴⁴ εὐκλεία ⁴⁵

mvp-comment-411-1 νυν ⁴⁶

mvp-comment-411-2 φόρει ⁴⁷

mvp-comment-411-3 ἦθος ⁴⁸ ὡς φὴς σύ ⁴⁹

mvp-comment-411-4 κοὐδέν ⁵⁰

mvp-comment-411-5 τοῦτο ⁵¹

mvp-comment-412-1 μόνος ⁵² φρονεῖν ⁵³ ψυχήν ⁵⁴

mvp-comment-412-2

αὐτὸς μοῦνος ποικίλα δήνε’

(devices)

ἔχειν, | κεῖνός γ’ ἄφρων ἐστί, νόου βεβλαμμένος ἐσθλοῦ, | ἴσως γὰρ πάντες ποικίλ’ ἐπιστάμεθα

. Isocr. or. 3 § 43 joins Theognis, Hesiod and Phocylides as

ἀρίστους...συμβούλους τῷ βίῳ τῷ τῶν ἀνθρώπων

. They were read in schools.

mvp-comment-413-1 οὗτοι ⁵⁵

mvp-comment-413-2 διαπτυχθέντες ⁵⁶

mvp-comment-413-3 κενοί ⁵⁷

mvp-comment-414-1 ἄνδρα ⁵⁸ μανθάνειν ⁵⁹ τό ⁶⁰

mvp-comment-414-2 κεἰ … ᾖ ⁶¹

mvp-comment-414-3 τείνειν ⁶²

mvp-comment-414-4 παρὰ ῥείθρ. ⁶³

mvp-comment-414-5 χειμάρροις ⁶⁴

mvp-comment-415-1 ὑπείκει ⁶⁵

mvp-comment-415-2 αὐτόπρεμνα ⁶⁶

mvp-comment-416-1 αὔτως ⁶⁷

mvp-comment-416-2 ναός ⁶⁸

mvp-comment-416-3 ἐγκρατῆ ⁶⁹

mvp-comment-416-4 πόδα ⁷⁰

mvp-comment-417-1 μηδέν ⁷¹

mvp-comment-417-2 κάτω στρέψας ⁷² τὸ πλοῖον ⁷³ τὸ λοιπόν ⁷⁴

mvp-comment-417-3 σέλμασιν ⁷⁵ ὑπτίοις ⁷⁶

mvp-comment-418-1 εἶκε θυμοῦ ⁷⁷

mvp-comment-418-2 καὶ μετάστασιν δίδου ⁷⁸

mvp-comment-418-3 δίδου ⁷⁹ εἶκε ⁸⁰ καί ⁸¹ καί ⁸²

mvp-comment-419-1 εἴ τις γνώμη πρόσεστι καὶ ἀπ’ ἐμοῦ ν. ⁸³ καί ⁸⁴

mvp-comment-419-2 πρεσβεύειν ⁸⁵

mvp-comment-420-1 φῦναι ⁸⁶

mvp-comment-420-2 πάντ’ ⁸⁷

mvp-comment-421-1 εἰ δ’ οὖν ⁸⁸ φιλεῖ γάρ ⁸⁹

mvp-comment-421-2 τοῦτο … ταύτῃ ⁹⁰ ταύτῃ ⁹¹

mvp-comment-421-3 ῥέπειν ⁹²

mvp-comment-422-1 καὶ τὸ τῶν εὖ λεγόντων μανθάνειν καλόν ⁹³

Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) focus

635-765. mvp-comment-375-1 Haemon professes obedience to his father, but with the implied condition that his father commands what is right. Not heeding this, Creon welcomes his general profession, and enlarges on the blessings that follow from obedience in public and private. He urges Haemon to renounce Antigone. Haemon replies by repeating the praise of her which he has heard in the city (Ar. Rhet. 3. 17, ἕτερον χρὴ λέγοντα ποιεῖν.. ὡς Σοφοκλῆς τὸν Αἴμονα ὑπὲρ τῆς Ἀντιγόνης πρὸς τὸν πατέρα, ὡς λεγόντων ἑτέρων), and begs his father not to be deaf to all opinions but his own. Creon is impatient at this, and, after an altercation, in which both speakers become exasperated, Creon orders Antigone to be brought for immediate execution, and Haemon breaks away in sullen anger. This episode interposes a necessary pause between the condemnation of Antigone and its results, i. e, between the two chief crises of the action, and assists the main impression by bringing the light of natural affection and common opinion to bear on the situation.

683. mvp-comment-402-1 θεοὶ.. ὑπέρτατον Wisdom, whose value is above all possessions in the world, is the Gods gift.' Haemon begins by echoing his father's thought, supr. 648, that sound sense is to be prized most highly, but gently hints that Heaven only knows on which side the true wisdom lies. The reading χρημάτων requires ὑπέρτερον, as in L2.

686. mvp-comment-403-1 μήτ᾽ ἐπισταίμην λέγειν i. e. And may I never bring myself to say it. Cp. Trach. 543. 4, θυμοῦσθαι μὲν οὐκ ἐπίσταμαι | νοσοῦντι κείνῳ πολλά.

687. mvp-comment-404-1 χἀτέρῳ Schol. δυνατὸν δὲ καὶ ἑτέρως καλῶς μεταβουλεύσασθαι. Hence Erfurdt and others conjectured χἀτέρως, χατέρα, χἄτερον. Hermann, retaining χἀτέρῳ, interprets, Another also may have wisdom as well as you: i.e. καλῶς ἔχον, sc. τὸ τῶν φρενῶν. But the context rather suggests καλῶς ἔχον, sc. τὸ λέγειν σὲ μὴ ὀρθῶς λέγειν. 'That you are wrong in what you now say I have no power, and may I never have the skill, to affirm. But it may be that from another's mouth such an assertion were not ungracious.' καί in this case belongs to the whole sentence. See Essay on Language § 25. p. 43. 4.

688. mvp-comment-405-1 σοῦ δ᾽ οὖν πέφυκα is decidedly better than σὺ δ᾽ οὐ πέφυκας, which seems to have been suggested by τὸ γὰρ σὸν ὄμμα δεινόν, κ.τ.λ., in what follows. The true connection is, It is not for me to say that you are wrong, though another might do so. However, as your son, it naturally belongs to me to consider in your interest what men do, or say, or find fault with. For the common citizen does not speak his mind in your presence, but I may freely hear. Haemon winds about his father with all this circumstance before pleading for Antigone under shelter of the common opinion, which he professes to quote in the interest of Creon. The tact shown in this is noticed by Aristotle (Rhet. 3. 17) and by the Scholiast. The reading of A, V pr., V³, σοὶ δ' οὖν πέφυκα, deserves consideration.

690-691. mvp-comment-406-1 τὸ γὰρ .. κλύων For your eye overawes the subject in conversation which will displease you to hear. λόγοις τοιούτοις is dative of the occasion or reason, assisted by the attraction of οἷς. Essay on Language § 14. p. 20.

690-691. mvp-comment-406-2 τὸ γὰρ σόν The order puts an emphasis on σόν, as in O. Τ. 671, τὸ γὰρ σόν, οὐ τὸ τοῦδ᾽ ἐποικτείρω στόμα.

692. mvp-comment-407-1 ἐμοὶ δ᾽.. τάδε But I may hear all this under shadow (out of the light of your eye). The words ὑπὸ σκότου might equally have been connected with the following line. I hear in secret what is spoken in secret.

694. mvp-comment-408-1 ἀναξιωτάτη Sc. τοιαῦτα παθεῖν.

695. mvp-comment-409-1 ἀπ᾿ ἔργων See Essay on Language § 19. p. 28.

697. mvp-comment-410-1 πεπτῶτ᾽ ἄθαπτον i. e. πεπτώτα καὶ ἄθαπτον ὄντα.

697. mvp-comment-410-2 μήθ'.. μήθ' μή, not oὔ, because ἥτις, κ.τ.λ. = εἰ αὕτη, κ.τ.λ.

700. mvp-comment-411-1 ἐρεμνή Dark, i.e. Fraught with hidden danger. (Cp. ὑπὸ σκότου, supra). The word is used with something of the association of awe and dread attaching to night and darkness. Cp. Hom. Il. 1. 47. ὁ δ᾽ ἤτε νυκτὶ ἐοικώς.

701. mvp-comment-412-1 σοῦ πράσσοντος εὐτυχῶς Cp. supra 638, σοῦ καλῶς ἡγουμένου.

703. mvp-comment-413-1 πατρὸς θάλλοντος εὐκλείας The good renown of a prosperous sire. Haemon thus gently hints his fear of the effect of the sentence on Creon's reputation in the city.

704. mvp-comment-414-1 ἄγαλμα A cause of glorying or delight. Cp. infra 1115, Καδμείας νύμφας ἄγαλμα.

704. mvp-comment-414-2 ἢ τί πρὸς παίδων πατρί ; Or what greater ornament (than their own good fame) can children confer upon their father?

705-706. mvp-comment-415-1 Do not, I beseech you, wear one unchanging temper in your breast, and hold that nothing else is right but as you say. τοῦτο is added because of the imperfect correlation of the clauses. See Essay on Language p. 75.

707-709. mvp-comment-416-1 For ὅστις .. οὗτοι, ib. § 20. p. 31.

707-709. mvp-comment-416-2 For the formal distinction of φρονεῖν, γλῶσσαν, ψυχήν, cp. supra 176, ψυχήν τε καὶ φρόνημα καὶ γνώμην, and see Essay on Language pp. 92, 3.

710. mvp-comment-417-1 ἄνδρα Ε. on L. § 22. p. 37.

710. mvp-comment-417-2 κεἴ τις ᾖ Ε. on L. § 27. p. 44.

710. mvp-comment-417-3 τὸ μανθάνειν Essay on Language § 21. p. 34-38.

711. mvp-comment-418-1 καὶ τὸ μὴ τείνειν ἄγαν And not to hold too hard. This absolute use of τείνειν is generalized from the examples given below.

713-714. mvp-comment-419-1 Note the antithesis of κλῶνας .. αὐτόπρεμνα. The one save even their branches, the others are destroyed root and branch. For the image, cp. Webster's Appius and Virginia, p. 203. (iii. 3), The bending willow, yielding to each wind, | Shall keep his footing firm, when the proud oak, | Braving the storm, presuming on his root, | Shall have his body rent from head to foot.

715. mvp-comment-420-1 ναὸς .. ἐγκρατῆ πόδα The sheet which has power over the vessel. This is a more poetical and rhythmical expression than the other reading, ναὸς εἴ τις ἐγκρατής, πόδα | τείνας, ὑπείκει μηδέν.

716-717. mvp-comment-421-1 ὑπτίοις.. ναυτίλλεται Upsetting, makes the rest of his voyage with benches overturned. Join κάτω στρέψας. τὸ λοιπόν as in ll. 310, foll., where there is a similar contradictory expression. The omission of the accusative after στρέψας is natural in speaking of so familiar an occurrence as the over-setting of a boat. Essay on Language pp. 73, 98. τὸ πλοῖον, which Hermann reads for τὸ λοιπόν, is hardly a correct synonym for ναῦν or σκάφος.

718. mvp-comment-422-1 ἀλλ᾽.. δίδου Nay, yield. Be not wholly irremovable in anger. Lit. Afford also a removal from anger. This seems to be the best arrangement of this difficult line; i. e. εἰ θυμὸν ἔχεις, ἀλλὰ πεισθῆτι καὶ μεθίστασθαι τοῦ θυμοῦ. The asyndeton is expressive (Essay on Language § 34. P. 58). The reading of LA, ἀλλ᾽ εἶκε θυμῷ, is perhaps due to a false reminiscence of Il. 9.598, εἴξας ᾧ θυμῷ. Seyffert reads θυμῷ .. διδούς.

719-720. mvp-comment-423-1 γνώμη .. πρόσεστι For if any judgment proceed from me (ἀπ᾽ ἐμοῦ) though younger in years. Cp. Τr. 52, 3, εἰ δίκαιον τοὺς ἐλευθέρους φρενοῦν | γνώμαισι δούλοις; ib. 61, κἀξ ἀγεννήτων ἄρα | μύθοι καλῶς πίπτουσιν.

720-722. mvp-comment-424-1 The real stress is on the last line. The paratactic form of sentence is retained, the sense being, However excellent a thing perfect knowledge is, yet, since it is rare, it is well to take good advice.

720-722. mvp-comment-424-2 πρεσβεύειν] The active of this verb is rare in the metaphorical sense.

720-722. mvp-comment-424-3 πάντ᾽ ἐπιστήμης Of knowledge in all things. Essay on Language § 17. p. 24, b.

720-722. mvp-comment-424-4 εἰ δ᾽ οὖν Sc. μή, which is to be assumed from the next clause, where μή has a strong emphasis. For the sentiment, Hermann compares Hesiod, Op. 293, ἐσθλὸς δ᾽ αὖ κἀκεῖνος, ὃς εὖ εἰπόντι πίθηται.

Sophocles Antigone 140

Lewis Campbell (Translator)

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Current edition Experimental

KREON

Ja, Hades wird auflösen dieser Ehe Bund.

Creon

And have we lived so long then to be taught

At last our duty by a boy like thee ?

CREONTE

Así parece. ¡Guardias! conducidlas al interior de Palacio: y desde este momento que sean verdaderas mujeres: sin libertad para salir. Que los audaces procuran huir cuando ven al ojo la muerte. Llévanse á Antígona y á Ismena, quedando en la escena el coro y Creonte.

HAEMON

Niemals beleidigen. Bin ich ein junger Mensch, muss man nicht auf die Zeit mehr, als die That sehn.

Chorus
CREON, ANTIGONE, CHORUS. 929

The tempest of her passions yet is high;

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.

Creon

See, then, that you be guardians of my commands.
215

Chorus

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.

Chorus

Then what is this other command that you would give?

Creon

That you not give way to the breakers of my commands.

Chorus

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.

Creon

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

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.

Guard

That I do, for terrible news imposes great hesitation.

Creon

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

Creon

What are you saying? What man dared do this?

Chorus

My king, my thoughts have long been deliberating whether this deed is somehow the work of gods?

Guard

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?

Guard

Is the pain in your ears, or in your soul?

Creon

And why would you define the seat of my pain?

Guard

He who did it hurts your heart, but I, your ears.

Creon

God! How plain it is that you are a born babbler.
320

Guard

Perhaps, but never the author of this action.

Creon

Yes, and what is more, you sold your life for silver.

Guard

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

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

Commentary

Stable identifiers

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Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Current edition Experimental

KREON Ja, Hades wird auflösen dieser Ehe Bund.

Creon And have we lived so long then to be taught At last our duty by a boy like thee ?

CREONTE Así parece. ¡Guardias! conducidlas al interior de Palacio: y desde este momento que sean verdaderas mujeres: sin libertad para salir. Que los audaces procuran huir cuando ven al ojo la muerte. Llévanse á Antígona y á Ismena, quedando en la escena el coro y Creonte.

HAEMON Niemals beleidigen. Bin ich ein junger Mensch, muss man nicht auf die Zeit mehr, als die That sehn.

Chorus CREON, ANTIGONE, CHORUS. 929 The tempest of her passions yet is high;

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.

Creon See, then, that you be guardians of my commands. 215

Chorus 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.

Chorus Then what is this other command that you would give?

Creon That you not give way to the breakers of my commands.

Chorus 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.

Creon 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

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.

Guard That I do, for terrible news imposes great hesitation.

Creon 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

Creon What are you saying? What man dared do this?

Chorus My king, my thoughts have long been deliberating whether this deed is somehow the work of gods?

Guard 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?

Guard Is the pain in your ears, or in your soul?

Creon And why would you define the seat of my pain?

Guard He who did it hurts your heart, but I, your ears.

Creon God! How plain it is that you are a born babbler. 320

Guard Perhaps, but never the author of this action.

Creon Yes, and what is more, you sold your life for silver.

Guard 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

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

Commentary

Stable identifiers

KREON

Ja, Hades wird auflösen dieser Ehe Bund.

Creon

And have we lived so long then to be taught

At last our duty by a boy like thee ?

CREONTE

Así parece. ¡Guardias! conducidlas al interior de Palacio: y desde este momento que sean verdaderas mujeres: sin libertad para salir. Que los audaces procuran huir cuando ven al ojo la muerte. Llévanse á Antígona y á Ismena, quedando en la escena el coro y Creonte.

HAEMON

Niemals beleidigen. Bin ich ein junger Mensch, muss man nicht auf die Zeit mehr, als die That sehn.

Chorus
CREON, ANTIGONE, CHORUS. 929

The tempest of her passions yet is high;

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.

Creon

See, then, that you be guardians of my commands.
215

Chorus

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.

Chorus

Then what is this other command that you would give?

Creon

That you not give way to the breakers of my commands.

Chorus

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.

Creon

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

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.

Guard

That I do, for terrible news imposes great hesitation.

Creon

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

Creon

What are you saying? What man dared do this?

Chorus

My king, my thoughts have long been deliberating whether this deed is somehow the work of gods?

Guard

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?

Guard

Is the pain in your ears, or in your soul?

Creon

And why would you define the seat of my pain?

Guard

He who did it hurts your heart, but I, your ears.

Creon

God! How plain it is that you are a born babbler.
320

Guard

Perhaps, but never the author of this action.

Creon

Yes, and what is more, you sold your life for silver.

Guard

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

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