Sophocles Antigone 65

Lewis Campbell (Translator)

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WATCH

My lord, no mortal should deny on oath,

Judgement is still belied by after thought

When quailing ’neath the tempest of your threats,

Methought no force would drive me to this place
390

But joy unlook’d for and surpassing hope

Is out of bound the best of all delight,

And so I am here again,—though I had sworn

I ne’er would come,—and in my charge this maid,

Caught in the act of caring for the dead

Here was no lot throwing, this hap was mine
395

Without dispute. And now, my sovereign lord,

According to thy pleasure, thine own self

Examine and convict her. For my part

I have good right to be away and free

From the bad business I am come upon.
400

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)) — 65 focus

ἐγὼ μὲν οὖν αἰτοῦσα τοὺς ὑπὸ χθονὸς

65

Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884)) — 65 focus

ἐγὼ μὲν οὖν αἰτοῦσα τοὺς ὑπὸ χθονὸς

65

Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806)) — 65 focus

ἐγὼ μὲν οὖν, αἰτοῦσα τοὺς ὑπὸ χθονὸς

65

Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 65 focus

ἐγὼ μὲν οὖν αἰτοῦσα τοὺς ὑπὸ χθονὸς

65

Greek (A. Colonna, 1978) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Colonna, 1978)) — 65 focus

ἐγὼ μὲν οὖν αἰτοῦσα τοὺς ὑπὸ χθονὸς

65

Greek (A. Dain, 1955) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Dain, 1955)) — 65.mvp-line-65 focus

ἐγὼ μὲν οὖν αἰτοῦσα τοὺς ὑπὸ χθονὸς

65

Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979)) — 65 focus

ἐγὼ μὲν οὖν αἰτοῦσα τοὺς ὑπὸ χθονὸς

65

Greek (G. Hermann, 1830) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (G. Hermann, 1830)) — 65 focus

ἐγὼ μὲν οὖν αἰτοῦσα τοὺς ὑπὸ χθονὸς

65

Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906)) — 65 focus

ἐγὼ μὲν οὖν αἰτοῦσα τοὺς ὑπὸ χθονὸς

65

Greek (A. C. Pearson, 1924) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. C. Pearson, 1924)) — 65.mvp-line-65 focus

ἐγὼ μὲν οὖν αἰτοῦσα τοὺς ὑπὸ χθονὸς

65

Antigone (OCR draft) Experimental (Antigone) — 65 focus

ἐγὼ μὲν οὖν αἰτοῦσα τοὺς ὑπὸ χθονὸς

65

Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949)) — 65 focus

ἐγὼ μὲν οὖν αἰτοῦσα τοὺς ὑπὸ χθονὸς

65

Translations (10)

German (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (A. Boeckh, 1884)) — 65 focus

CHOR

Vieles Gewalt'ge lebt, und nichts

ist gewaltiger als der Mensch.
330

Er durchschneidet in Südes Sturm

auch die dunkele Flut des Meers,

hinschwebend zwischen den Wogen

auf ringsumbrauster Bahn.

Er müdet ab der Götter höchste,
335

Erde die ewige nimmer ermattende,

während die Pflüge sich wenden von Jahre zu Jahr, sie

furchend mit den Rossen.

Flüchtig gesinnter Vögel Schwarm

fängt er schlau sie umgarnend ein,
340

und wildschweifende Thier' im Wald,

und die wimmelnde Brut des Meers

mit netzgeflochtenen Schleifen,

der witzbegabte Mann.

Mit List bezwingt er auch das freie
345

Höhen erklimmende Thier, und dem mähnigen

Nacken des Rosses umschirrt er das Joch und dem unauf-

reiblich starken Bergstier.

354

Die Rede, den luftigen Flug des Denkens ersann er, erfand

Staatlenkende Sitte; des Regenstromes,
350

der rauhen Nacht Pfeilgeschofs,

den scharfen Frost wehrt er ab.

Rathes allerfüllt ist rathlos nie er für die Zukunft;

dem Tod allein weiſs er nimmer zu entfliehn,

doch gegen schwerer Seuchen Noth fand er Heilung.
355
365

Mit listiger Künste Geschick wohl über Verhoffen begabt

geht jetzo zum Bösen er, jetzt zum Guten ;

des Lands Gesetz kehrt er um,

der Götter schwurheilig Recht.

Auf des Staates Höh' ist staatlos, wem das Edle fern wohnt;
360

tollkühnes Sinns, mög' er nicht zu meinem Heerd

gelangen noch in meinen Rath, solch ein Frevler!

Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921)) — 65 focus

EL CENTINELA

Señor, para los hombres nada hay irrevocable, porque la reflexión modifica el primer pensamiento. Cuando a duras penas hubiera creido yo volver aqui, por las amenazas con que me helé de terror entonces [pero porque la alegria súbita e inesperada no tiene comparación con ningún otro placer, vengo, aunque sea faltando a mis juramentos], con esta muchacha, que ha sido sorprendida cuando preparaba la sepultura. Ahora no se han echado suertes, sino que mio es, y no de otro, este mensaje. Y ahora, ¡oh señor!, que aquí la tienes, interrógala a tu gusto y júzgala; que yo, en justicia, quedo absuelto y libre de este crimen.

Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) Experimental (Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806)) — 65 focus

Custos

Rex, mortalibus nihil est abiurandum: nam quae príus animo sederant sequeris frustratur cogitatio: quandoquidem confidenter ego spopondisem mnumquam me huc rediturum, ob minas tuas illas, quibus me antea conturbasti. Verum (nulla enim voluptas est tanta, quam quae desiderata percipitur ex insperato gaudio) venio tamen, licet sacramento abiuraverim, puellam hanc adducens, quae deprehensa est cadaveri sepulturam parans. Sors liic iacta nón fuit, sed meüm est, non alius, hoc lucrum. Et nunc, rex, hanc ipse prehensam interroga, ut lubet, et redargue: me vero liberum ab istis malis abire decet.

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.

Antigone.

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!

Antigone.

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

Antigone.

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.

Antigone.

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.

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 auch¹

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.

Der Chor.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 65 focus

Guard

O my lord !

Never should man too confident assert,

Much less by oath should bind himself to aught,

For soon our judgments change, and one opinion

Destroys another. By thy threats alarmed

But now, I vowed I never would return ;

Yet thus preserved beyond my hopes, I come,

Bound by that duty which I owe to thee

And to my country, to bring here this virgin.

Whom, as she sprinkled o'er her brother's dust

The varied wreath, we seized. The wilKng task

Was mine, nor as of late by lot determined.

Receive her then, O king ! Judge and condemn

The guilty as it best becomes thy wisdom ;

Henceforth I stand acquitted.

Spanish (A. G. Garbin, 1889) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (A. G. Garbin, 1889)) — 65 focus

CORO

343 El hombre industrioso caza los pájaros de rápido vuelo, y las fieras de las selvas, y los peces de los mares, con redes sutiles en que los envuelve y aprisiona. Su astucia triunfa de los monstruos salvajes de las montañas, y sujeta al yugo al corcel de larga crin y al toro indómito y montaráz.

German (F. Hölderlin, 1804) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (F. Hölderlin, 1804)) — 65 focus

BOTE

Mein König, Menschen müssen nichts verschwören.

Bildung lacht aus die Meinung. Was ich sag’;
405

Ich dachte nicht so leicht hieher zurükzukonımen,

Der Drohungnach, die mich zuvor herumgestürmet.

Deni Ueberraschen einer Freude gleicht jedoch

In keinem Grad ein anderes Vergnügen.

Beschworen komm’ ich, obich gleich es abschwur,
410

Die Jungfrau bringend hier; die ward erfunden,

Wie sie das Grab geschmükt. Da ward kein Loos

Geschwungen. Sondern dieser Fund ist mein,

Und keines andern; nimm, o König, nun

Sie selber, wie du willst, und richt’ und strafe!
415

Ich bin mit Recht befreit von diesem Unglük.

English (Sir Richard Jebb1, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb1, 1904)) — 65 focus

Guard

O king, against nothing should men pledge their word ; for the after-thought belies the first intent. 390 I could have vowed that I should not soon be here again,—scared by thy threats, with which I had just been lashed: but,—since the joy that surprises and transcends our hopes is like in fulness to no other pleasure—I have come, though ’tis in breach of my sworn oath, bringing this maid; who was taken showing grace to the dead. This time there was no casting of lots; no, this luck hath fallen to me, and to none else. And now, sire, take her thyself, question her, examine her, as thou wilt; but I have a right to free and final 400 quittance of this trouble.

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 65 focus

Antigone

But in the realms _

Beneath who knows if pious this be deemed ?

English (Sir Richard Jebb2, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb2, 1904)) — 100-160 focus

Enter the Chorus on the right.

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

110

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

117

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

127

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

134

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

141

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

148

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

155

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

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-209-1 ἀπώμοτον ¹

mvp-comment-210-1 ψεύδει ²

mvp-comment-210-2 ἡ ’πίνοια ³

mvp-comment-211-1 ἐξηύχουν ἄν ⁴ σχολῇ ἥξειν ποτὲ δεῦρο ⁵

mvp-comment-211-2 σχολῇ ⁶

mvp-comment-212-1 ταῖς σαῖς ἀπειλαῖς ⁷

mvp-comment-212-2 ἐχειμάσθην ⁸

mvp-comment-213-1 ἡ...ἐκτὸς ⁹ ἐκτός ¹⁰

mvp-comment-214-1 οὐδὲν ἔοικε μῆκος ¹¹ α+λλῃ ἡδονῇ ¹² οὐδέν ¹³ μῆκος ¹⁴ ἔοικε ¹⁵

mvp-comment-215-1 δῑ ὅρκων … ἀπώμοτος ¹⁶

mvp-comment-216-1 καθῃρέθη ¹⁷

mvp-comment-216-2 τάφον κοσμοῦσα ¹⁸

mvp-comment-216-3 ἐπάλλετο ¹⁹ ἕρμαιον ²⁰

mvp-comment-217-1 κρῖνε ²¹

mvp-comment-217-2 δίκαιός εἰμι ²²

mvp-comment-217-3 ἀπηλλάχθαι ²³

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

388. mvp-comment-220-1 οὐδέν ἐστ᾿ ἀπώμοτον This γνώμη first occurs in the fragment of Archilochus about the eclipse (76 Bergk), χρημάτων ἄελπτον οὐδέν ἐστιν οὐδ᾽ ἀπώμοτον. Cp. Pind. Ol. 13. 83, παρ' ὅρκον καὶ παρ' ἐλπίδα κούφαν.

389. mvp-comment-221-1 ψεύδει .. γνώμην 'For second thoughts bely one's resolutions.' ου 390. ἄv belongs grammatically to the verb ἐξηύχουν, but in meaning rather modifies the infinitive.

391. mvp-comment-222-1 ταῖς .. τότε When my soul was shaken with the tempest of your former threatenings.᾿ ἀπειλαῖς is dative of the occasion or accompaniment, assisted by attraction. Essay on Language § 11. p. 18, с. Ср. 1. 691.

392. mvp-comment-223-1 ἐκτὸς καὶ παρ᾿ ἐλπίδας i. e.

392. mvp-comment-223-2 ἐκτὸς ἐλπίδος (supr. 1. 330) καὶ παρ᾿ ἐλπίδας.

393. mvp-comment-224-1 ἔοικεν.. μήκος οὐδέν Sc. οὐδὲν ἔοικε μήκος, i. e. εἰς τὸ μέγεθος, as the Scholiast says.

395. mvp-comment-225-1 καθευρέθη is not to be rejected because of the rarity of the compound. See Essay on Language p. 90. But the conjecture of Nauck, καθῃρέθη, is favoured by καθελόντες in l. 383.

398. mvp-comment-226-1 ὡς θέλεις In arresting Antigone the watchman has done not his own will but Creon's. Infr. 438. 399,

400. mvp-comment-227-1 ἐγὼ δ'. κακῶν But I have a full right to be "away and clear" from this bad business.