Sophocles Antigone 29

Lewis Campbell (Translator)

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CHORUS
CHORUS. (entering). LEADER OF CHORUS. 100

Beam of the mounting Sun!
100

O brightest, fairest ray
100

Seven-gated Thebè yet hath seen!

Over the vale where Dircè’s fountains run

At length thou appearedst, eye of golden Day,

And with incitement of thy radiance keen

Spurredst to faster flight
105

The man of Argos hurrying from the fight.

Armed at all points the warrior came,

But driven before thy rising flame

He rode, reverting his pale shield,

110

Headlong from yonder battlefield.
110

In snow-white panoply, on eagle wing,

He rose, dire ruin on our land to bring,

Roused by the fierce debate

Of Polynices’ hate,

Shrilling sharp menace from his breast,

Sheathed all in steel from crown to heel,

With many a plumèd crest.
115

Then stooped above the domes,

117

With lust of carnage fired,

And opening teeth of serried spears

Yawned wide around the gates that guard our homes;

But went, or e’er his hungry jaws had tired
120

On Theban flesh,—or e’er the Fire-god fierce

Seizing our sacred town

Besmirched and rent her battlemented crown.

Such noise of battle as he fled

About his back the War-god spread;

So writhed to hard-fought victory

The serpent struggling to be free.

127

High Zeus beheld their stream that proudly rolled

Idly caparisoned with clanking gold:

Zeus hates the boastful tongue:

He with hurled fire down flung

One who in haste had mounted high,
130

And that same hour from topmost tower

Upraised the exulting cry.

Swung rudely to the hard repellent earth

Amidst his furious mirth

134

He fell, who then with flaring brand

Held in his fiery hand

Came breathing madness at the gate
135

In eager blasts of hate.

And doubtful swayed the varying fight

Through the turmoil of the night,

As turning now on these and now on those

Ares hurtled ’midst our foes,

Self-harnessed helper on our right.
140

Seven matched with seven, at each gate one,
140
141

Their captains, when the day was done,

Left for our Zeus who turned the scale,

The brazen tribute in full tale:—

All save the horror-burdened pair,

Dire children of despair,

Who from one sire, one mother, drawing breath,
145

Each with conquering lance in rest

Against a true born brother’s breast,

Found equal lots in death.

148

But with blithe greeting to glad Thebe came

She of the glorious name,

Victory,—smiling on our chariot throng

With eyes that waken song
150

Then let those battle memories cease,

Silenced by thoughts of peace.

With holy dances of delight

Lasting through the livelong night

Visit we every shrine, in solemn round,

155

Led by him who shakes the ground,
155

Our Bacchus, Thebe’s child of light.
155

But look! where Creon in his new-made power,

Moved by the fortune of the recent hour,

Comes with fresh counsel. What intelligence

Intends he for our private conference,

That he hath sent his herald to us all,
160

Gathering the elders with a general call?

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)) — 29 focus

ἐᾷν δ᾽ ἄκλαυστον, ἄταφον, οἰωνοῖς γλυκὺν

Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884)) — 29 focus

ἐᾶν δ᾽ ἄκλαυτον, ἄταφον, οἰωνοῖς γλυκὺν

Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806)) — 29 focus

ἐᾷν δ᾽ ἄκλαυστον, ἄταφον, οἰωνοῖς γλυκὺν

Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 29 focus

ἐᾶν δ᾽ ἄκλαυτον, ἄταφον, οἰωνοῖς γλυκὺν

Greek (A. Colonna, 1978) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Colonna, 1978)) — 29 focus

ἐὰν δ᾽ ἄκλαυτον, ἄταφον, οἰωνοῖς γλυκὺν

Greek (A. Dain, 1955) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Dain, 1955)) — 29.mvp-line-29 focus

ἐᾶν δ’ ἄκλαυτον, ἄταφον, οἰωνοῖς γλυκὺν

Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979)) — 29 focus

ἐᾶν δ᾽ ἄκλαυτον, ἄταφον, οἰωνοῖς γλυκὺν

Greek (G. Hermann, 1830) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (G. Hermann, 1830)) — 29 focus

ἐᾶν δ᾽ ἄκλαυτον, ἄταφον, οἰωνοῖς γλυκὺν

Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906)) — 29 focus

ἐᾶν δ᾽ ἄκλαυτον, ἄταφον, οἰωνοῖς γλυκὺν

Greek (A. C. Pearson, 1924) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. C. Pearson, 1924)) — 29.mvp-line-29 focus

ἐᾶν δ᾽ ἄκλαυτον, ἄταφον, οἰωνοῖς γλυκὺν

Antigone (OCR draft) Experimental (Antigone) — 29 focus

ἐᾶν δʼ ἄκλαυτον, ἄταφον, οἰωνοῖς γλυκὺν

Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949)) — 29 focus

ἐᾶν δ᾽ ἄκλαυτον ἄταφον, οἰωνοῖς γλυκὺν

Translations (10)

German (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (A. Boeckh, 1884)) — 29 focus

ANTIGONE

Wenn also du sprichst, machest mir du dich verhafst,

und auch dem Todten wirst verhafst du seyn mit Recht.

Wohlan denn, lasse mich und meinen Unverstand
95

dies Übel dulden; denn gewiſs erleid' ich nichts

so Groſses, daſs mir nicht verblieb' ein edler Tod.

Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921)) — 29 focus

CORO

100 ¡Rayo del Sol, la más hermosa luz de las que antes brillaban en Tebas, la de siete puertas! Apare. ciste ya, ¡oh resplandor del áureo día!, viniendo por encima de la fuente Dircea, y haciendo huir, fugitivo, a la carrera, en veloz corcel, al ejército de blanco escudo que de Argos había venido con todo aparato bélico. 110 Ejército que en contra nuestra había levantado Polini- ces, excitado por discorde lucha, y que como águila que dando agudos graznidos se lanza sobre la tierra, así aquél se abalanzó protegido en sus escudos blancos como la nieve, con sus armas y cascos empenachados de crin de caballo; 117 y después de asediar la ciudad con sus lanzas, ávidas de carniceria carnicería, abriendo la boca por todo el circuito de las siete puertas, se marchó sin po- der hartar su voracidad en nuestra sangre, ni pren- der el fuego de resinosa tea en los muros de nuestras torres: tal le atacó por la espalda el estrépito de Marte, irresistible para el contrario dragón. 127 Júpiter, pues, odia las bravatas de orgullosa lengua; y al ver que se aba- lanzaban como impetuosa corriente, arrogantes con el estruendo de sus doradas armas, hirió con su rayo de fuego al que, preparado ya para el asalto de nuestras almenas, se disponía a cantar victoria. 134 Y sobre el suelo que retumbó al chocar con él, cayó herido del rayo el que llevaba el fuego en el momento en que, con furioso empuje y lleno de rabia, respiraba contra nosotros el soplo del más desolador viento. No sucedió como él lo deseaba; que otros reveses infería a los demás, destru- yéndolos, el potente Marte en su impetuosidad a favor nuestro. 141 Pues los siete jefes que en las siete puertas se habían colocado contra los otros siete, dejaron sus broncineas broncíneas armas, con las que elevaremos un trofeo a Júpiter, que los puso en fuga, excepto los dos infelices que, nacidos de un mismo padre y una misma madre, clavándose uno a otro sus soberanas lanzas, obtuvieron los dos la misma suerte en muerte común. 148 Pero, puesto que la gloriosa victoria llegó felicitando a Tebas la de muchos carros, olvidémonos de la reciente guerra y vayamos a los templos de los dioses con nocturnos coros guiados por Baco, que a Tebas pone en conmoción. 155 Pero he ahí al rey de esta tierra, a Creonte, el hijo de Me- neceo, que con motivo de los felices y recientes aconte- cimientos que los dioses nos han enviado, se acerca me- ditando algún proyecto que viene a proponer a esta asamblea de ancianos que ha convocado por público pregón.

Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) Experimental (Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806)) — 29 focus

Chorus

100 O iubar solis, omnium quae septiportis Thebis prius adfulserunt, pulcherrima lux, apparuisti tandem, aureae diei oculus, Dircaea transcendens fluenta; 110 quod in fugam compulsum acutiori freno cursum conteridere coégisti insignem candido clipeo virum ab Argis feliciter egressum cum omni bellico apparatu, qui contra nostram urbem, Polynicis ambiguis incitatus iurgiis , transvolavit , nt acutum clangens adversus terram aquila, nivea tectus ala, multis cum armis, comantibusque galeis. 117 Stans vero supra aedes, cruentis inhians undique cum hastis circa septem portarum ora, abiit, priusquam nostro sanguine satiaret malas, et turrium propugnacula piceus Vulcanus corriperet: tantus a tergo exortus est strepitus Martis, adversario draconi inexsuperabilis. 127 Iupiter enim superbae linguae iactantiam impense odit, etinnumeros €os intuitus aureo strepitu superbientes vibrato deiicit fulmine, parantes iam ad summam metam victoriae laetum clamorem tollere : 134 Ictu autem fulminis quassatus in terram cecidit ignifer ille, qui tuncinsano furore debacchans, nos afflavit, infestissimorum vi ventorum. . Aliter vero in hos grassari solet, alios illis infigere casus, deturbans eos, agilis Mavors: 141 nam septem quidem duces, ad septem portas locati, pares contra pares; fugatori Iovi reliquerunt aerea dona, praeter miseros illos, qui, patre uno nati, de imperio dissentientes hastas cum dirigerent, communis mortis ambo perceperunt partem. 148 At enim, quoniam praeclaro nomine gaudens Victoria venit, curruum agitatrice Theba invicem delectata, iam confectorum modo bellorum oblivia inducite, deorumque templa omnia adeamus nocturnis choris, duce quidem Baccho, ululante, Thebis oriundo. 155 Ecce vero Menoecei gnatus, urbis rex novus ob novum casum deorum invectum numine creatus, accedit, aliquod consilium volvens animo, quandoquidem conventum hunc seniorum indixit, quos communi praeconio arcessivit.

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 39 focus

Was kann ich, wenn dies also steht, Unselige,¹

Hier, lösend oder bindend, uns zum Frommen thun?
40

Antigone.

Sieh, ob du helfen, ob die Mühe theilen wirst

Ismene.

Bei welchem Unterfangen? Wo geräthst du hin?

Antigone.

Ob du den Todten, mir gesellt, aufnehmen willst!

Ismene.

Ihn denn bestatten willst du, dem Verbot zum Troz?

Antigone.

Ja, meinen Bruder und den deinen, wenn auch du
45

Nicht willst; denn niemals soll man mich Verrathes zeih'n!²

Ismene.

Tollkühne, während Kreon's Wort es dir verwehrt?

Antigone.

Fern halten darf mich dieser nie von meiner Pflicht.

Ismene.

Weh mir! Bedenk', o Schwester, wie der Vater uns,

Mit Haß und Hohn belastet, ruhmlos unterging,
50

Nachdem er selbst um Gräuel, die er selbst enthüllt,

Der Augen Sterne sich zerriß mit eigner Hand;

Wie dann die Mutter, Mutter ihm und Weib zugleich,

Schmachvoll mit frevlem Strange sich das Leben nahm;

Zum dritten, wie die Brüder beid' an Einem Tag
55

Im Wechselmord sich ein gemeinsam Todesloos,

Die Armen, schufen, Einer durch des Andern Hand!

Wir sind allein jezt übrig; du bedenke denn,

Wie schmählich wir verdürben, wenn wir wider Necht

Der Herrscher Ausspruch und Gewalt mißachteten.
60

Wohl mußt du doch erwägen, daß wir Frauen sind,

Und nicht geschaffen, Männern kühn im Kampf zu steh'n,

Dann aber, daß wir, weil beherrscht von Stärkeren,

Hier folgen müssen und sogar in Härterem.

Drum will ich jene, die der Erde Schooß verbirgt,³
65

Anfleh'n um Nachsicht, weil Gewalt mich bindet hier,

Und ihm gehorchen, dem die Macht geworden ist;

Denn Unverstand ist's, über seine Kraft zu thun.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 29 focus

Creon

Be careful then my orders are obeyed.
215

Spanish (A. G. Garbin, 1889) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (A. G. Garbin, 1889)) — 29 focus

CORO

100 ¡Oh, luz pura del Sol, la más hermosa que ha alumbrado en la Ciudad de las Siete puertas! ¡apareciste al fin, ojo del áureo día, reflejándote en las cristalinas aguas dircéas¹; despues que los guerreros venidos de Argos con sus blancos escudos y bélico aparato, huyeron en rápida carrera, agitando con vigor las riendas de sus corceles.

110 A la cabeza de ellos Polinice, excitado por ambiguas querellas, semejante al águila que desciende á la tierra lanzando gritos agudísimos, vino volando á arrasar nuestras campiñas, cubierto con su escudo, cual ala de blanca nieve, agitándose en torno de él millares de armas, y cascos de flotantes cimeras.

German (F. Hölderlin, 1804) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (F. Hölderlin, 1804)) — 29 focus

CHOR der Thebanischen Alten.

O Blik der Sonne, du schönster, der

Dem siebenthorigen Thebe

Seit langem scheint, bist eirimal du

Erschienen, o Licht, bist du
105

O Augenblik des goldenen Tages,

Gegangen über die Dirzäischen Bäche,

Und den Weifsschild,, ihn von Argos,

Den Mann, gekommen in Waffenrüstung,

Den hinstürzenden Flüchtling
110

Bewegst du mit der Schärfe des Zaums, ihn,

Mit welchem über unser Land

Sich geschwungen Polynikes

110

Aus zweideutigem Zank und scharf, wie ein Adler,

Schrie er und flog,
115

Schneeweis sein Flügel,

Furchtbar, mit Waffen viel,

Und Helmen, geschmükt mit dem Rofsschweiff,

117

Und über Pallästen stand er und wies,

Voll blutiger Spiefse, rings
120

Das siebenthorige Maul;

Doch gieng er davon,

Noch ehe von unsrem

Blut er die Baken

Gefüllt, und ehe
125

Die Krone der Thürme

Die Fakel des Hephästos genommen.

So über dem Rüken ist Getümmel

Des Mars dem Feind, ein Hindernils

Den Drachen geworden.
130
127

Denn sehr hafst Zevs das Prangen

Der grofsen Zung’ und wo er,

Wenn sie langschreitend kommen,

Ins goldene ihnen sieht, ins eitle Hinaussehn,

Mit geschwungenem Feuer stürzet er sie, wo einer
135

Von steilen Treppen schon

Den Sieg anhebet zu jauchzen.

134

Aufharten Boden aber fällt er, hinunter taumelnd,

Liebestrunken, der mit rasender Schaar

Hinschnob, bacchantisch
140

Im Wurf’ ungünstiger Winde;

Fand aber anders;

Anderes andrem

Bescheidet der Schlachtgeist, wenn der hart

Anregend einen mit dem Rechten die Hand erschüttert.
145
141

Sieben Fürsten, vor sieben Thoren

Geordnet, gleiche zu gleichen, liefsen

Dem Zevs, dem triumphirenden, die ehernen Waffen,

Ausser den abscheulichen, die von Einem Vater

Und einer Mutter gezeuget, gegeneinander
150

Die gedoppelten Speere gerichtet und empfangen

Des gemeinsamen Todes Theil, die beiden.

148

Der grofsnahmige Sieg ist aber gekommen,

Der wagenreichen günstig, der Thebe,

Und nach dem Kriege hier,
155

Macht die Vergessenheit aus!

Zu allen Göttertempeln,

Mit Chören, die Nacht durch,

Kommt her! und, Thebe

Erschütternd, herrsche der Bacchusreigen!
160
155

Doch er, der König der Gegend,

Kreon, Menökeus Sohn, neu nach

Der Götter neuen Verhängnissen,

Kommt wohl, um einen Rath

Zu sagen, da er zusammenberufen
165

Und verordnet hier der Alten Versammlung,

Und öffentliche Botschaft gesendet.

Zweite Scene KREON. DER CHOR.

English (Sir Richard Jebb1, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb1, 1904)) — 29 focus

Chorus

100 1 100 Beam of the sun, fairest light that ever dawned on Thebè of the seven gates, thou hast shone forth at last, eye of golden day, arisen above Dircé’s streams! The warrior of the white shield, who came from Argos in his panoply, hath been stirred by thee to headlong flight, in swifter career ; 1 110 who set forth against our land by reason of the 110 vexed claims of Polyneices; and, like shrill-screaming eagle, he flew over into our land, in snow-white pinion sheathed, with an arméd throng, and with plumage of helms.

1 117 He paused above our dwellings; he ravened around 120 our sevenfold portals with spears athirst for blood; but he went hence, or ever his jaws were glutted with our gore, or the Fire-god’s pine-fed flame had seized our crown of towers. So fierce was the noise of battle raised behind him, a thing too hard for him to conquer, as he wrestled with his dragon foe.

2 127 For Zeus utterly abhors the boasts of a proud tongue; and when he beheld them coming on in a 130 great stream, in the haughty pride of clanging gold, he smote with brandished fire one who was now hasting to shout victory at his goal upon our ramparts.

2 134 Swung down, he fell on the earth with a crash, torch in hand, he who so lately, in the frenzy of the mad onset, was raging against us with the blasts of his tempestuous hate. But those threats fared not as he hoped ; and to other foes the mighty War-god dispensed their several dooms, dealing havoc around, a mighty 140 helper at our need.

3 141 For seven captains at seven gates, matched against seven, left the tribute of their panoplies to Zeus who tutns the battle; save those two of cruel fate, who, born of one sire and one mother, set against each other their twain conquering spears, and are sharers in a common death. 2 148 But since Victory of glorious name hath come to us, with joy responsive to the joy of Thebè whose 150 chariots are many, let us enjoy forgetfulness after the late wars, and visit all the temples of the gods with night-long dance and song; and may Bacchus be our leader, whose dancing shakes the land of Thebè. 4 155 But lo, the king of the land comes yonder, Creon, son of Menoeceus, our new ruler by the new fortunes that the gods have given; what counsel is he pondering, 160 that he hath proposed this special conference of elders, summoned by his general mandate? Enter CREON, from the central doors of the palace, in the garb of king ; with two attendants.

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 29 focus

Messenger

Be thou assured

I never did this daring deed.

English (Sir Richard Jebb2, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb2, 1904)) — 1-98 focus

1

Antigone

Ismene, my sister, true child of my own mother, do you know any evil out of all the evils bequeathed by Oedipus that Zeus will not fulfil for the two of us in our lifetime? There is nothing—no pain, no ruin,
1

no shame, nor dishonor—that I have not seen in your sufferings and mine. And now what is this new edict that they say the general has just decreed to all the city? Do you know anything? Have you heard? Or does it escape you that
5

evils from our enemies are on the march against our friends?
10

Ismene

To me no word of our friends, Antigone, either bringing joy or bringing pain has come since we two were robbed of our two brothers who died in one day by a double blow.

And since the Argive army has fled during this night, I have learned nothing further, whether better fortune is mine, or further ruin.
15

Antigone

I knew it well, so I was trying to bring you outside the courtyard gates to this end, that you alone might hear.

Ismene

Hear what? It is clear that you are brooding on some dark news.
20

Antigone

Why not? Has not Creon destined our brothers, the one to honored burial, the other to unburied shame? Eteocles, they say, with due observance of right and custom, he has laid in the earth

for his honor among the dead below. As for the poor corpse of Polyneices, however, they say that an edict has been published to the townsmen that no one shall bury him or mourn him, but instead leave him unwept, unentombed, for the birds a pleasing store
25

as they look to satisfy their hunger. Such, it is said, is the edict that the good Creon has laid down for you and for me—yes, for me—and it is said that he is coming here to proclaim it for the certain knowledge of those who do not already know. They say that he does not conduct this business lightly,
30

but whoever performs any of these rites, for him the fate appointed is death by public stoning among the entire city. This is how things stand for you, and so you will soon show your nature, whether you are noble-minded, or the corrupt daughter of a noble line.
35

39

Ismene

Poor sister, if things have come to this, what would I

profit by loosening or tightening this knot?
40

Antigone

Consider whether you will share the toil and the task.

Ismene

What are you hazarding? What do you intend?

Antigone

Will you join your hand to mine in order to lift his corpse?

Ismene

You plan to bury him—when it is forbidden to the city?

Antigone

Yes, he is my brother, and yours too, even if you wish it otherwise. I will never be convicted of betraying him.
45

Ismene

Hard girl! Even when Creon has forbidden it?

Antigone

No, he has no right to keep me from my own.

Ismene

Ah, no! Think, sister, how our father

perished in hatred and infamy, when, because of the crimes that he himself detected, he smashed both his eyes with self-blinding hand; then his mother-wife, two names in one, with a twisted noose destroyed her life;
50

lastly, our two brothers in a single day, both unhappy murderers of their own flesh and blood, worked with mutual hands their common doom. And now we, in turn—we two who have been left all alone—consider how much more miserably we will be destroyed, if in defiance of the law
55

we transgress against an autocrat’s decree or his powers. No, we must remember, first, that ours is a woman’s nature, and accordingly not suited to battles against men; and next, that we are ruled by the more powerful, so that we must obey in these things and in things even more stinging.
60

I, therefore, will ask those below for pardon, since I am forced to this, and will obey those who have come to authority. It is foolish to do what is fruitless.
65

69

Antigone

I would not encourage you—no, nor, even if you were willing later,

would I welcome you as my partner in this action. No, be the sort that pleases you. I will bury him—it would honor me to die while doing that. I shall rest with him, loved one with loved one, a pious criminal. For the time is greater
70

that I must serve the dead than the living, since in that world I will rest forever. But if you so choose, continue to dishonor what the gods in honor have established.
75

Ismene

I do them no dishonor. But to act in violation of the citizens’ will—of that I am by nature incapable.

Antigone

You can make that your pretext! Regardless, I will go now to heap a tomb over the brother I love.
80

Ismene

Oh no, unhappy sister! I fear for you!

Antigone

Do not tremble for me. Straighten out your own destiny.

Ismene

Then at least disclose the deed to no one before you do it.

Conceal it, instead, in secrecy—and so, too, will I.
85

Antigone

Go on! Denounce it! You will be far more hated for your silence, if you fail to proclaim these things to everyone.

Ismene

You have a hot heart for chilling deeds.

Antigone

I know that I please those whom I am most bound to please.

Ismene

Yes, if you will also have the power. But you crave the impossible.
90

Antigone

Why then, when my strength fails, I will have finished.

Ismene

An impossible hunt should not be tried in the first place.

Antigone

If you mean that, you will have my hatred, and you will be subject to punishment as the enemy of the dead.

But leave me and the foolish plan I have authored to suffer this terrible thing, for I will not suffer anything so terrible that my death will lack honor.
95

Ismene

Go, then, if you so decide. And of this be sure: though your path is foolish, to your loved ones your love is straight and true. Exit Antigone on the spectators’ left. Ismene exits into the palace.

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-68-1 ἀελίου ¹

mvp-comment-68-2 τὸ κάλλιστον ...φάος ²

mvp-comment-68-3 ἑπταπύλῳ ³

mvp-comment-68-4 τῶν προτέρων ⁴

mvp-comment-69-1 ἐφάνθης ⁵

mvp-comment-69-2 χρυσέας ⁶

mvp-comment-69-3 βλέφαρον ⁷

mvp-comment-69-4 Διρκαίων ⁸

mvp-comment-70-1 τὸν λεύκασπιν...φῶτα ⁹

mvp-comment-70-2 The words

τὸν λεύκασπιν Ἀργόθεν

answer metrically to 123

πευκάενθ’ Ἥφαιστον ἑλεῖν

. Instead of

Ἀργόθεν

(¯˘¯) we therefore require ¯˘˘¯. The short final of

λεύκασπιν

is legitimate, the metre being Glyconic (see Analysis Metr.). In the antistrophic verse, the H of

Ἥφαιστον

is ‘irrational,’ i.e. is a long syllable doing duty for a short: and Nauck is incorrect in saying that the metre ‘requires’ (though it admits) a choriambus beginning with a consonant. The simplest remedy is to read Ἀργόθεν ἐκ | βάντα φῶτα ¹⁰ Ἰναχόθεν ¹¹

mvp-comment-71-1 πανσαγίᾳ ¹²

mvp-comment-71-2 φυγάδα πρ. ¹³ κινήσασα ¹⁴

mvp-comment-71-3 πρόδρομον ¹⁵

mvp-comment-71-4 ὀξυτέρῳ...χαλινῷ ¹⁶

mvp-comment-71-5 ὀξυτέρῳ ¹⁷

mvp-comment-72-1 The MSS. have ὃν...Πολυνείκης ¹⁸ ὃς ...Πολυνείκους ¹⁹

mvp-comment-72-2 Πολυνείκους … νεικέων ²⁰

mvp-comment-72-3 ἀρθείς ²¹

mvp-comment-72-4 νεικ. ἐξ ἀμφιλόγων ²²

mvp-comment-73-1 ὀξέα κλάζων ²³

mvp-comment-73-2 αἰετὸς εἰς γᾶν ὣς ὑπερέπτα ²⁴ ὥς ²⁵

mvp-comment-73-3 ὑπερέπτα ²⁶

mvp-comment-74-1 λευκῆς χιόνος πτ. ²⁷

mvp-comment-74-2 στεγανός ²⁸

mvp-comment-74-3 ὅπλων … κορύθεσσι ²⁹ ξύν ³⁰ μετά ³¹ ξύν ³²

mvp-comment-75-1 In στὰς δ’ ὑπὲρ μελάθρων ³³ πτάς ³⁴

mvp-comment-75-2 The words φονώσαισιν ἀμφιχανὼν... λόγχαις ³⁵

mvp-comment-75-3 φονώσαισιν ³⁶

mvp-comment-75-4 ἑπτάπυλον στόμα ³⁷

mvp-comment-76-1 ἔβα ³⁸

mvp-comment-76-2 πρίν ποθ’ ³⁹ αἱμάτων ⁴⁰

mvp-comment-76-3 γἑνυσιν ⁴¹ πλησθῆναι ⁴² τε ⁴³ τε ⁴⁴

mvp-comment-76-4 στεφάνωμα ⁴⁵

mvp-comment-76-5 πευκάενθ’ Ἥφαιστον ⁴⁶

mvp-comment-77-1 τοῖος ⁴⁷

mvp-comment-77-2 ἐτάθη ⁴⁸

mvp-comment-77-3 πάταγος ⁴⁹

mvp-comment-77-4 ἀντιπάλῳ δυσχείρωμα δράκοντος ⁵⁰ ἀντιπάλῳ ... δράκοντι ⁵¹ ἀντιπάλου … δράκοντος ⁵² ἀντιπάλῳ … δράκοντος ⁵³

mvp-comment-77-5 The interpretation of the passage turns primarily on two points.

mvp-comment-77-6 (1) The δράκων ⁵⁴

mvp-comment-77-7 (2) The δυς ⁵⁵ δυσχείρωμα ⁵⁶

mvp-comment-77-8 Those who read ἀντιπάλῳ … δράκοντι ⁵⁷ ὲτάθη ⁵⁸

mvp-comment-77-9 Those who read ἀντιπάλου … δράκοντος ⁵⁹

mvp-comment-78-1 μεγάλης ⁶⁰

mvp-comment-78-2 ῥεύματι ⁶¹ ῥεύματι πολλῷ ⁶²

mvp-comment-79-1 χρυσοῦ καναχῆς ὑπεροπλίαις ⁶³

mvp-comment-79-2

μέγας

. In post-Homeric poetry

ὑπέροπλος

is a freq. epith. of overweening strength (

ἠνορέη, βίη, ἥβη

, etc.).—Other readings are:—(1)

χρυσοῦ καναχῇ θ’ ὑπερόπτας

, ‘and haughty in the clang of gold.’ This involves an improbable change; the subst.

ὑπερόπτης

, too, is unsuitable here, and cannot be defended by Theocr. 22. 58

πρὸς πάντα παλίγκοτος ἠδ’ ὑπερόπτης

. Wecklein, reading

ὑπερόπτας

, keeps

καναχῆς

in the sense, hoffärtig auf: but a genit. after

ὑπερόπτης

could not denote that in which one takes pride. (2)

χρυσοῦ καναχῆς ὑπερόπτης

, or

‐όπτα

, i.e., ‘Zeus, a despiser of the clang of gold.’ (3)

χρυσοῦ καναχῆς ὑπέροπτα

, adv. neut. plur. (as O. T. 883 ), ‘advancing haughtily in a great stream of clanging gold.’ But the adv. comes weakly at the end, and

χρυσοῦ κ

. is harshly joined with

π. ῥεύματι

.—Aesch. , too, gives prominence to gold in picturing the Argive chiefs: Capaneus has golden letters on his shield ( Aesch. Th. 434 ), Polyneices has the image of a warrior in golden armour, with a golden legend (644, Aesch. Th. 660 ).

mvp-comment-79-3 καναχῆς ⁶⁴

mvp-comment-80-1 παλτῷ πυρί ⁶⁵

mvp-comment-80-2 βαλβίδων ἐπ’ ἄκρων ⁶⁶

mvp-comment-80-3 ὁρμῶντα ⁶⁷

mvp-comment-80-4 νίκην ⁶⁸ ἀλαλάξαι ⁶⁹

mvp-comment-81-1 ἀντιτύπᾳ ⁷⁰

mvp-comment-81-2 As regards the sense,

ἀντίτυπος

was regularly used of hard surfaces, which, as it were, repel that which strikes them (for the accent

ἀντίτυπος

, not

ἀντιτύπος

, though the sense is act., see on O. T. 460 ). Probl. 5. 40

οἱ...ἐν ἀντιτύποις περίπατοι

. Lucian Amor. 13

τὴν ἀντίτυπον οὕτω καὶ καρτερὰν τοῦ λίθου φύσιν

. So, fig., Plat. Crat. 420D

τὸ...ἀναγκαῖον καὶ ἀντίτυπον

, what is necessary, and what resists us.

mvp-comment-81-3 τανταλωθείς ⁷¹

mvp-comment-82-1 πυρφόρος ⁷²

mvp-comment-82-2 βακχεύων ⁷³

mvp-comment-82-3 ῥιπαῖς...ἀνέμων ⁷⁴

mvp-comment-83-1 εἶχε δ’ ἄλλᾳ τὰ μέν ⁷⁵ εἶχε δ’ ἄλλαι τὰ μὲν ἄλλαι τὰ δ’ ἐπ’ ἄλλοις ⁷⁶ τὰ μέν ⁷⁷ ἄλλα δέ ⁷⁸ τὰ μέν ⁷⁹ ἄλλᾳ ⁸⁰

mvp-comment-83-2 ἐπενώμα ⁸¹ στυφελίζων ⁸²

mvp-comment-83-3 δεξιόσειρος ⁸³

mvp-comment-83-4 The old v.l. δεξιόχειρος ⁸⁴

mvp-comment-84-1 ἑπτὰ λοχαγοί ⁸⁵

mvp-comment-84-2 ἴσοι πρὸς ἴσους ⁸⁶

mvp-comment-84-3 Ζηνὶ τροπαίῳ ⁸⁷

mvp-comment-84-4 πάγχαλκα τέλη ⁸⁸

mvp-comment-84-5 It was the ordinary practice to set up a

τρόπαιον

(old

αττ.τροπαῖον

) after a victory, on the spot where it had been won, or, in the case of a sea-fight, on the nearest land ( Thuc. 2.92 ). Such a trophy ordinarily consisted of shields, helmets, and weapons, conspicuously displayed on wooden supports, and dedicated, with an inscription, to a deity. Cp. Eur. Phoen. 1473 (of the Thebans after the victory)

οἱ μὲν Διὸς τροπαῖον ἵστασαν βρέτας

(i.e. a wooden image of

Ζεὺς Τροπαῖος

), |

οἱ δ’ ἀσπίδας συλῶντες Ἀργείων νεκρῶν | σκυλεύματ’ εἴσω τειχέων ἐπέμπομεν

. Part of the armour would be affixed to the walls of Theban temples (cp. Aesch. Ag. 577 , Th. 276 ).

mvp-comment-85-1 πλὴν τ. στυγεροῖν ⁸⁹ πατρός ⁹⁰

mvp-comment-85-2 καθ’ αὑτοῖν ⁹¹

mvp-comment-85-3 δικρατεῖς λόγχας ⁹²

mvp-comment-85-4 στήσαντε ⁹³

mvp-comment-86-1 ἀλλὰ γάρ ⁹⁴ γάρ ⁹⁵ γάρ ⁹⁶

mvp-comment-86-2 μεγαλώνυμος ⁹⁷

mvp-comment-86-3 πολυαρμάτῳ ⁹⁸

mvp-comment-86-4 ἀντιχαρεῖσα ⁹⁹

mvp-comment-87-1 ἐκ...πολέμων τῶν νῦν ¹⁰⁰ ἐκ ¹⁰¹ νῦν ¹⁰²

mvp-comment-87-2 θέσθαι ¹⁰³ θέσθε ¹⁰⁴ παννυχίοις ¹⁰⁵

mvp-comment-87-3 ὁ Θήβας ¹⁰⁶ ἐλελίχθων ¹⁰⁷

mvp-comment-87-4 Βάκχιος ¹⁰⁸

mvp-comment-87-5 ἄρχοι ¹⁰⁹

mvp-comment-88-1 ἀλλὰ … γάρ ¹¹⁰ Κρέων ¹¹¹

mvp-comment-88-2 Μενοικέως ¹¹²

mvp-comment-88-3 νεοχμὸς νεαραῖσι ¹¹³

mvp-comment-88-4 their equivalents. See Appendix I prefer the first of these views. An anapaest or spondee, meaning ‘ruler,’ has probably dropped out before νεοχμός ¹¹⁴ κρείων ¹¹⁵ ἄρχων ¹¹⁶ ταγός ¹¹⁷

mvp-comment-88-5 θεῶν … συντυχίαις ¹¹⁸ ἐπί ¹¹⁹

mvp-comment-89-1 μῆτιν ἐρέσσων ¹²⁰

mvp-comment-89-2 σύγκλητον ¹²¹

mvp-comment-89-3 προὔθετο ¹²² λέσχην ¹²³

mvp-comment-89-4 not the meeting, but the discussion which is to take place there: thus the poet's phrase, true to Attic usage, corresponds with

γνώμας προθεῖναι

rather than with

ἐκκλησίαν προθεῖναι

. Herod. uses

λέσχη

of a public discussion (9. 71): cp. O. C. 167 . The midd. προὔθετο ¹²⁴

mvp-comment-89-5 κοινῷ κ. πέμψας ¹²⁵

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

103. mvp-comment-63-1 χρυσέας χρυσέας, as in O. T. 158-187.

106. mvp-comment-64-1 The rivulet of Dircè was to the west of Thebes. The sun had risen just as the retreat of the Argives became a rout, and the army returning from pursuit would see the morning light reflected in the stream, which they would cross on their way back to the city. Cp. Eur. Phoen. 730. The ode is not chanted at sunrise, but celebrates the glorious morning which had seen the discomfiture of the enemy. The chorus of elders imagine themselves in the position of the victorious army.

106. mvp-comment-64-2 λεύκασπιν Cp. Aesch. S. c. Т. 96, λευκοπρεπή λέων: Eur. Phoen. 1099, λεύκασπιν εἰσορῶμεν Ἀργείων στράτον.

106. mvp-comment-64-3 Αργόθεν The correspondence of a dactyl in the antistrophe to the trochee Αργό- in this line justly leads to suspicion of the text, and Hermann conjectured Ἀργόθεν ἐκ. Qy. Ἀργόλεων ? or Ἀργογενή ?

108. mvp-comment-65-1 φυγάδα πρόδρομον (1) Running before us in flight. Said from the point of view of the pursuing host. Or (2), In the van of the flying host. The Schol. on Phoen. 409 says, φασὶ .. τὸν Ἀδραστον .. μόνον φυγάδα σωθῆναι ὑπὸ τοῦ ἰδίου ἵππου Ἀρείονος. Cp. Paus. 8.25. § 5.

109. mvp-comment-66-1 χαλινῷ Either (1) literally Riding with hastier rein, or (2) metaphorically, With thy hastening bridle in his lips. The first (1) is best. If (2) were adopted, the reading ὀξυτόρῳ, galling (see v. rr.), might be preferred.

110. mvp-comment-67-1 *ὃς .. *Πολυνείκους The emendation of Scaliger improves the sense as well as the grammar. The imagery throughout represents not Polynices, but his Argive ally. The subject of the single fight between the two brothers is passed lightly over, as unsuited to a triumphal hymn.

111. mvp-comment-68-1 ἀρθεὶς.. ἐξ ἀμφιλόγων Carried forth in consequence of the doubtful quarrel (the quarrel and debate) of Polynices. ἀρθείς is said with allusion to αἴρειν στόλον, but also suggests the image of the bird mounting in air. Cp. Il. 13. 63, of the hawk, ἀπ' αἰγίλιπος πέτρης περιμήκεος ἀρθείς, Eur. Phoen. 636-637. For the play on the name of Polynices, see Essay on Language § 44. p. 82.

113. mvp-comment-69-1 The omission of ὡs in this line, which Herm. suggested, is hardly necessary, although it does not impair the sense. The correspondence of strophe and antistrophe does not extend strictly to the anapaests, although the anapaestic systems in this passage are nearly of the same length.

114. mvp-comment-70-1 λευκῆς χιόνος πτέρυγι See Essay on Language § 9. p. 11, and cp. l. 106.

114. mvp-comment-70-2 στεγανός Covered all over; i. e. There were no gaps in their array.

115-116. mvp-comment-71-1 πολλῶν μεθ᾽ ὅπλων | ξύν θ᾽ ἱπποκόμοις κορύθεσσι Accompanied with many a shield and armed with many a helm.

117. mvp-comment-72-1 στάς Staying his flight, like the bird of prey preparing to stoop. At this point the image, which has hitherto grown in distinctness, becomes less definite, the figure of an eagle passing into that of a flying dragon, with spears for teeth. Cp. Shak. K. John, 2. 1, O, now doth Death Line his dead chaps with steel, etc. Also the image in Milton's Samson Agonistes, 11. 1692-1696.

117. mvp-comment-72-2 φονώσαισιν Boeckh's emendation at once cures the metre and supplies a poetical touch which corresponds to the explanation of the Scholiast, ταῖς τῶν φονῶν ἐρώσαις λόγχαις. It is confirmed by the reading of L² pr. See v. rr.

118. mvp-comment-73-1 ἀμφιχανὼν.. στόμα Yawning round our seven-mouthed gates.

120. mvp-comment-74-1 ἔβα He went his way. For the use of the aorist of βαίνω in this sense, cp. Od. 22. 249, καὶ δή οἱ Μέντωρ μὲν ἔβη, κενὰ εὔγματα εἰπών: Τr. 115, βάντ᾽ ἐπιόντα τ', Some gone, others coming on.

121. mvp-comment-75-1 γένυσιν With his jaws. Instrumental dative.

121. mvp-comment-75-2 πλησθῆναί τε καὶ ἑλεῖν For the change of subject in these lines, cp. Aj. 458, ἐχθαίρομαι, μισεῖ δέ, κ.τ.λ. And for στεφάνωμα πύργων, cp. Pind. Ol. 8. 32, Ἰλίῳ μέλλοντες ἐπὶ στέφανον τεύξαι : Hom. h. Dem. 151, .. κρήδεμνα πόληος | εἰρύαται ...

124. mvp-comment-76-1 τοῖος .. δράκοντι (1) Such din of war was spread about his rear by the reluctant snake, no easy matter to subdue. So the Scholiast, who wrote τὸ δὲ ἀντιπάλῳ δράκοντι ἀντὶ τοῦ ὑπὸ τοῦ ἀντιπάλου δράκοντος, ὡς Ἀχιλῆϊ δαμασθείς (Il. 22. 55). Or (2) δυσχείρωμα may be taken to mean the act rather than the object of victory (cp. O. Τ. 560, θανασίμῳ χειρώματι), and the sense may be, Such din of war encompassed him, issuing in a hard-won victory for the serpent matching his foe. In this case it will make little difference to read the genitive. Or, (3) if the genitive is read (Wecklein), the words may be taken in yet another way: Such din of war harassed him from behind, the hard-to-be-subdued might of the serpent, who was a match for his foe. The genitive is given as an alternative reading by the 1st hand of L, and is supported by V (Ven. 468). But the dative is alone recognised by the Scholiast.

124. mvp-comment-76-2 The δράκων is certainly the emblem of Thebes, and the eagle and snake are in conflict, as in Il. 12. 201, foll., where also the serpent struggles and escapes : ὁ δ᾽ οὔπω λήθετο χάρμης, | κόψε γὰρ αὐτὸν ἔχοντα κατὰ στήθος παρὰ δειρὴν | ἰδνωθεὶς ὀπίσω· ὁ δ᾽ ἀπὸ ἕθεν ἧκε χαμάζε, κ.τ.λ. Hor. Carm. 4. 4, 11, Nunc in reluctantes dracones | Egit amor dapis atque pugnae.

129. mvp-comment-77-1 πολλῷ ῥεύματι προσνισσομένους Coming on in full proud stream. Like a great river filling its banks.

130. mvp-comment-78-1 χρυσοῦ καναχῆς ὑπερόπτης] Despiser of the clank of gold. Cp. Aesch. Agam. 776, τὰ χρυσόπαστα δ᾽ ἐσθλὰ σὺν πίνῳ χερῶν | παλιντρόποις ὄμμασιν | λιπούσ', ὅσια προσέβα: S. c. T. 481-485. The Scholiast, who wrote καὶ τὴν τοῦ χρυσοῦ φαντασίαν ὑπερβεβηκότας τῇ ἰδίᾳ ὑπεροψίᾳ, seems to have read ὑπερόπτας, which appears in the margin of some copies. The ὑπεροψία of his interpretation may have given rise to ὑπεροπτίας, as in conjunction with this it has suggested ὑπεροπλίαις, (Vauvillers, who compares II. 1. 205). Musgr. and Böckh are contented with ὑπεροπτείας, abstr. noun of ὑπερόπτης, gen. with ῥεύματι, In floods of supercilious pride.

131. mvp-comment-79-1 παλτῷ ῥιπτεῖ πυρί (1) Hurls down with brandished thunderbolt. Or possibly (2) ῥιπτεῖ is a more emphatic substitute for βάλλει = Smites from afar. The word παλτῷ suggests the zig-zag flicker of the lightning.

131. mvp-comment-79-2 βαλβίδων .. ἀλαλάζαι As, having reached the topmost goal, he was eager to raise the cry of victory. βαλβίδες are the end of the race-course, metaphorically applied here to the top of the wall to which Capaneus had climbed, and so receiving the epithet ἄκρων.

131. mvp-comment-79-3 βαλβίδων may be also taken as abl. gen, with ῥιπτεῖ, and only resumed with ἄκρων. But this is questionable.

133. mvp-comment-80-1 The subject of ὁρμῶντα (Capaneus) is anticipated from the following lines, viz. ὅς, κ.τ.λ.

134. mvp-comment-81-1 ἀντιτύπᾳ This conj. of Porson has been generally received. He fell upon the earth, that smote him again; i.e. He fell with a shock. The Scholia explain ἀντίτυπα, which is against metre.

134. mvp-comment-81-2 τανταλωθείς Swung. As if the scale that had been the lightest had suddenly become the heaviest. Cp. Hom. Il. 22. 212, ῥέπε δ᾽ Ἕκτορος αἴσιμον ἦμαρ, | ᾤχετο δ᾽ εἰς Ἀἰδαο.

135. mvp-comment-82-1 πυρφόρος With the fire in his hand, with which he had threatened the town. O. C. 1318: Aesch. S. c. T. 422, ff.

135. mvp-comment-82-2 ὁρμᾷ Observe the tautology after ὁρμῶντ', supra.

136-137. mvp-comment-83-1 Had breathed against us in frenzy with blasts of malignant winds. Cp. infra 929-930: O. C. 612 and note: Aesch. S. c. T. 115, πνοαῖς Ἄρεος.

138. mvp-comment-84-1 εἶχε δ᾽ ἄλλᾳ τὰ μέν· κτ.λ.] This was in one direction: whilst on other men terrible fortune was dispensed by mighty Ares rushing on them like a steed harnessed upon our right hand. For the use of ἔχω with the locative adv., see L. and S. s. v. ἔχω, Β. 11. Ι. The reading in the text is suggested by that of V (Ven. 468), a MS. of the 13th century, which, together with many obvious corruptions, has preserved some good readings. See on O. T. 1526. This MS. reading is curiously near the conj. of Musgrave, εἶχε δ᾽ ἄλλᾳ τὰ δείν᾽. The epithet, as read in the text, may be suggested by a forefeeling of what is coming. Even the end of Capaneus is less awful than that of Eteocles and Polynices (144 ff.). Hermann's reading, εἶχε δ᾽ ἄλλᾳ μὲν ἄλ | λᾳ· τὰ δ᾽ ἐπ᾿ ἄλλοις, makes good enough sense; Plat. Rep. 2. 369 Β, οὕτω δὴ ἄρα παραλαμβάνων ἄλλος ἄλλον ἐπ᾿ ἄλλου, τὸν δ᾽ ἐπ᾿ ἄλλου χρείᾳ : but the synaphea between the cretics and the choriambi is questionable. And the same objection applies to Wecklein's εἶχε δ' ἄλλᾳ τὰ τοῦδ᾽· | ἄλλα δ᾽ ἐπ᾿ ἄλλοις.

140. mvp-comment-85-1 δεξιόσειρος The War-god taking part with Thebes and bounding hither and thither over the plain is compared to the σειραῖος ἵππος, whose free action was so important at critical moments in the chariot-race. Cp. El. 721-722, δεξιὸν δ᾽ ἀνεὶς | σειραῖον ἵππον εἶργε τὸν προσκείμενον: Aesch. Agam. 841-842, μόνος δ' Οδυσσεύς, ὅσπερ οὐχ ἑκὼν ἔπλει | ζευχθείς ἕτοιμος ἦν ἐμοὶ σειραφόρος. The reading δεξιόχειρος is probably erroneous. It is acknowledged as a variant by the Scholiast.

141. mvp-comment-86-1 Capaneus, who is one of the seven adversaries, is already disposed of. But the general description in 141-143, is only preparatory to the chief statement, 144-147, from which, however, the chorus pass quickly, as they approach it with aversion. What is of the best omen must be kept to the front. For ἴσοι πρὸς ἴσους, cp. Hdt. 9. 49, ἴσοι πρὸς ἴσους ἄριθμον μαχεσόμεθα.

142-143. mvp-comment-87-1 'Left the tribute of their brazen panoplies to Zeus, who turns the battle.'

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.

146. mvp-comment-90-1 δικρατεῖς λόγχας στήσαντε Having pointed their two spears, of which either was victorious. The spears are not hurled, as commonly in the Iliad, but held firmly as the combatants rush at each other. Cp. Hom. Il. 4. 307 (quoted by Donaldson), ὃς δέ κ᾿ ἀνὴρ ἀπὸ ὧν ὀχέων ἕτερ᾽ ἅρμαθ' ἵκηται | ἔγχει ὀρεξάσθω, ἐπεὶ ἢ πολὺ φέρτερον οὕτως.

147. mvp-comment-91-1 'Both have their portion in mutual death: i.e. Each strove for sole inheritance, but they share equally-in a death;' which each has given and each has received. See on l. 57. The spirit of the words is the same as those of Aesch. S. c. T. 726 ff.: O. C. 790.

149. mvp-comment-92-1 ἀντιχαρεῖσα Exchanging looks of joy. Cp. χαίρειν γέλωτι, Χen. Cyr. 8.1.33.

149. mvp-comment-92-2 Θήβη, as in Pindar, is the personification of Θήβαι, for which it is used consistently throughout this play. Cp. Od. 7. 80, εὐρυάγυιαν Ἀθήνην.

150. mvp-comment-93-1 ἐκ μὲν δὴ πολέμων .. λησμοσύvav Turning from the present wars, appoint ye forgetfulness of them. For the pleonastic use of ἐκ, see Essay on Language § 19. p. 27. The reading θέσθαι, which has good MS. authority and preserves the metrical correspondence with l. 137, is retained by some editors as an infinitive for imperative. Cp. infr. 1142, μολεῖν. For the expression, cp. Eur. Phoen. 1584,5, ὡς ὥρα τάφου | μνήμην τίθεσθαι.

153. mvp-comment-94-1 παννυχίοις Cp. Ο. Τ. 1090: Aesch. Ag. 23, 24. καὶ χορῶν κατάστασιν | πολλῶν ἐν Ἄργει τῆσδε συμφορᾶς χάριν.

153. mvp-comment-94-2 ὁ Θήβας δ'. . ἄρχοι And let Bacchus, Thebe's God. who shakes the earth (with revelry), lead on the dance. Schol. ὁ Θήβας Βακχεῖος, ὁ Θηβαγενὴς Διόνυσος, ὁ τῆς Θήβης πολίτης, ὁ ἐλελίχθων, ἄρχοι τῆς χορείας. See Essay on Language § 9. p. 11.

156. mvp-comment-95-1 The metre requires either the addition of one (or three) anapaests or the omission of νεοχμός. Dindorf's supposition that νεοχμός νεαραῖσι has grown in some way out of νεοχμοῖσι is in itself probable enough, but the omission of some word like *ἄρχων after βασιλεύς is equally so. The spectator is thus reminded that Creon is young in power.

157-158. mvp-comment-96-1 νεαραῖσι .. συντυχίαις In consequence of the recent god-sent fortune. These words are to be joined with the whole sentence, though chiefly with ἐρέσσων. Creon's accession, his coming, and the counsel which he brings, all follow closely on the events of the war. The question is, what is that counsel?

159. mvp-comment-97-1 τίνα δή This is preferable to τινὰ δή, which Aldus printed from Ven. 467 (V3).

159. mvp-comment-97-2 On ἐρέσσων = Moving, Advancing. see Essay on Language p. 87, and cp. Aj. 251, τοίας ἐρέσσουσιν ἀπειλάς.

160-161. mvp-comment-98-1 ὅτι. προὔθετο That he hath appointed. ὅτι gives the reason of the question.

160. mvp-comment-99-1 σύγκλητον Specially convened. The word is used, after the analogy of the σύγκλητος ἐκκλησία at Athens, for an assembly specially summoned by the στρατηγός. λέσχη is less formal than βουλή. Cp. Ο. C. 166.

161. mvp-comment-100-1 προὔθετο The middle voice implies that Creon had summoned the elders of his own motion. So καλέσσατο of Achilles in Il. 1. 54.