ἃ τοῖς ἀρίστοις ἔρχεται κάτω νεκροῖς·
Antigone. Sophocles. Torino, Italy. 1978.
Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.
Funding provided by Tufts University.
Table of Contents
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Current edition Experimental
Greek (A. Colonna, 1978) (OCR draft) (Greek) (Greek (A. Colonna, 1978))
Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.
Editions (11)
Greek (L. Benloew, 1858) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (L. Benloew, 1858)) — 197 focus
τὸν δ᾽ αὖ ξύναιμον τοῦδε, Πολυνείκην λέγω,
Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884)) — 197 focus
πρῆσαι κατάκρας, ἠθέλησε δ᾽ αἵματος
Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806)) — 197 focus
ὃς γῆν πατρῴαν καὶ θεοὺς τοὺς ἐγγενεῖς,
Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 197 focus
ἃ τοῖς ἀρίστοις ἔρχεται κάτω νεκροῖς·
Greek (A. Dain, 1955) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Dain, 1955)) — 197.mvp-line-197 focus
ἃ τοῖς ἀρίστοις ἔρχεται κάτω νεκροῖς·
Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979)) — 197 focus
ἃ τοῖς ἀρίστοις ἔρχεται κάτω νεκροῖς·
Greek (G. Hermann, 1830) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (G. Hermann, 1830)) — 197 focus
ἃ τοῖς ἀρίστοις ἔρχεται κάτω νεκροῖς.
Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906)) — 197 focus
ἃ τοῖς ἀρίστοις ἔρχεται κάτω νεκροῖς·
Greek (A. C. Pearson, 1924) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. C. Pearson, 1924)) — 197.mvp-line-197 focus
ἃ τοῖς ἀρίστοις ἔρχεται κάτω νεκροῖς·
Antigone (OCR draft) Experimental (Antigone) — 197 focus
ἃ τοῖς ἀρίστοις ἔρχεται κάτω νεκροῖς.
Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949)) — 197 focus
ἃ τοῖς ἀρίστοις ἔρχεται κάτω νεκροῖς·
Translations (10)
German (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (A. Boeckh, 1884)) — 197 focus
CHOR.
Wohl heilig Todter Heiligung!
Doch dessen Macht, dem Macht gebührt,
840
zu überschreiten ziemet nicht.
Ja dich stürzt' eigenwill'ger Trotzsinn!
Wohl heilig Todter Heiligung!
Doch dessen Macht, dem Macht gebührt,
840
zu überschreiten ziemet nicht.
Ja dich stürzt' eigenwill'ger Trotzsinn!
Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921)) — 197 focus
CORO
944
También sufrió Dánae cambiar la celestial luz por las tinieblas en mansión ceñida de bronce, y escondida en funerario tálamo está aprisionada. Y en verdad que por su nacimiento era ilustre, ¡oh niña, niña!, y guardaba en su seno los gérmenes de la lluvia de oro de Júpiter. Pero la fatalidad tiene una fuerza terrible ni las riquezas, ni Marte, ni las torres, ni las negras naves que sufren el embate de las olas la pueden evitar.
955
Fué
Fue encadenado también el irascible niño hijo de Driante y rey de los edones, quien, por su
indole
índo- le procaz,
fué
fue encerrado por Dióniso en pétrea cárcel; y así, la terrible y vigorosa violencia de su iracundia se desvanece gota a gota; reconoció él que en su furor había insultado a un dios con su ultrajante lengua. Quería, en verdad, acabar con las endemoniadas bacantes y con el báquico fuego, y ultrajaba a las musas amantes de las flautas.
966
Y junto a las negras rocas de los dos mares
1
están las orillas del Bósforo y la inhospitalaria Salmideso de los tracios, en donde Marte, el protector de la ciudad,
vió
vio la execrable herida que a los dos hijos de Fineo infirió la fiera madrastra, que les arrancó los ojos de las órbitas, cruelmente doloridas, sin valerse de espada, sino con sangrientas manos y aguda punta de lanzadera;
977
y deshaciéndose en
lågrimas
lágri- mas los desdichados, lloraban la desdichada suerte que les cupo por nacer del
ilegitimo
ilegítimo casamiento de su madre; y ella era de la raza de los antiguos Erectidas, y se había criado en los lejanos antros, en medio de las tempestuosas tormentas de su padre Bóreas, que,
rápido
rápi- do como un corcel, corría a pie firme sobre el helado mar, pues era hijo de un dios. Pero sobre ella estaban las Parcas de larga vida, ¡oh hija!
944
También sufrió Dánae cambiar la celestial luz por las tinieblas en mansión ceñida de bronce, y escondida en funerario tálamo está aprisionada. Y en verdad que por su nacimiento era ilustre, ¡oh niña, niña!, y guardaba en su seno los gérmenes de la lluvia de oro de Júpiter. Pero la fatalidad tiene una fuerza terrible ni las riquezas, ni Marte, ni las torres, ni las negras naves que sufren el embate de las olas la pueden evitar.
955
Fué
Fue encadenado también el irascible niño hijo de Driante y rey de los edones, quien, por su
indole
índo- le procaz,
fué
fue encerrado por Dióniso en pétrea cárcel; y así, la terrible y vigorosa violencia de su iracundia se desvanece gota a gota; reconoció él que en su furor había insultado a un dios con su ultrajante lengua. Quería, en verdad, acabar con las endemoniadas bacantes y con el báquico fuego, y ultrajaba a las musas amantes de las flautas.
966
Y junto a las negras rocas de los dos mares
1
están las orillas del Bósforo y la inhospitalaria Salmideso de los tracios, en donde Marte, el protector de la ciudad,
vió
vio la execrable herida que a los dos hijos de Fineo infirió la fiera madrastra, que les arrancó los ojos de las órbitas, cruelmente doloridas, sin valerse de espada, sino con sangrientas manos y aguda punta de lanzadera;
977
y deshaciéndose en
lågrimas
lágri- mas los desdichados, lloraban la desdichada suerte que les cupo por nacer del
ilegitimo
ilegítimo casamiento de su madre; y ella era de la raza de los antiguos Erectidas, y se había criado en los lejanos antros, en medio de las tempestuosas tormentas de su padre Bóreas, que,
rápido
rápi- do como un corcel, corría a pie firme sobre el helado mar, pues era hijo de un dios. Pero sobre ella estaban las Parcas de larga vida, ¡oh hija!
Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) Experimental (Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806)) — 197 focus
Chorus
944
Sustinuit etiam Daneë coelesti lumine privari in aereo.
conclavi, abditaque sepulcralis thalami iugum tulit;
atqui o nata, nata, genere erat nobilis, gremioque recondita servabat auriílua Iovis semina.
At ingens est fati vis;
quam nec fortis vel Mars, vel turris, neque undisonae nigrae naves effugiant.
955
Iugum accepit etiam impotens irae filius Dryantis , rex Edonum, quem Bacchus, ob infestam indolem, saxoso conclusit in carcere.
Adeo a furore destillare terribilem noxiamque poenam, adgnovit demum ille, qui rabiei petulantibus conviciis deum laesit.
Enimvero entheas cohibuit feminas, sacrasque Bacchi exstinxit lampades, et tibiarum amantes irritavit Musas.
966
Iuxta Cyanea aequora gemini maris, litora sunt Bosporia et Thracius Salmydesus, ubi vicinas urbes colens Mars geminos Phinei filios a fera noverca vidit lumine orbatos execrabili vulnere, inficto non lancearum, sed cruentae manus et pectinum cuspidibus.
977
At miseri dolore tabescentes miseram matris lugebant vicem, coniugii quippe experti vitae geniti;
quae sane genus antiquis ab Erechthidis ducebat, remotisque in antris mutrita fuerat procellas inter paternas, Boreae filia, equos cursu praevertens celso super iugo, deorum progenies:
haud tamen secius hanc quoque longaevae Parcae invaserunt, o nata.
944
Sustinuit etiam Daneë coelesti lumine privari in aereo.
conclavi, abditaque sepulcralis thalami iugum tulit;
atqui o nata, nata, genere erat nobilis, gremioque recondita servabat auriílua Iovis semina.
At ingens est fati vis;
quam nec fortis vel Mars, vel turris, neque undisonae nigrae naves effugiant.
955
Iugum accepit etiam impotens irae filius Dryantis , rex Edonum, quem Bacchus, ob infestam indolem, saxoso conclusit in carcere.
Adeo a furore destillare terribilem noxiamque poenam, adgnovit demum ille, qui rabiei petulantibus conviciis deum laesit.
Enimvero entheas cohibuit feminas, sacrasque Bacchi exstinxit lampades, et tibiarum amantes irritavit Musas.
966
Iuxta Cyanea aequora gemini maris, litora sunt Bosporia et Thracius Salmydesus, ubi vicinas urbes colens Mars geminos Phinei filios a fera noverca vidit lumine orbatos execrabili vulnere, inficto non lancearum, sed cruentae manus et pectinum cuspidibus.
977
At miseri dolore tabescentes miseram matris lugebant vicem, coniugii quippe experti vitae geniti;
quae sane genus antiquis ab Erechthidis ducebat, remotisque in antris mutrita fuerat procellas inter paternas, Boreae filia, equos cursu praevertens celso super iugo, deorum progenies:
haud tamen secius hanc quoque longaevae Parcae invaserunt, o nata.
English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 197 focus
TI
I will instruct thee, if thou wilt hear my voice.
I will instruct thee, if thou wilt hear my voice.
German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 211 focus
Dir, Sohn Menökeus', Kreon, ist es so genehm
Mit dieses Landes Gegner und mit seinem Freund.
Denn jede Sazung anzuordnen steht dir frei,
So für die Todten, wie für uns, die Lebenden.
Dir, Sohn Menökeus', Kreon, ist es so genehm
Mit dieses Landes Gegner und mit seinem Freund.
Denn jede Sazung anzuordnen steht dir frei,
So für die Todten, wie für uns, die Lebenden.
Kreon.
Seid ihr die Hüter dessen nun, was ich gebot!
215
Seid ihr die Hüter dessen nun, was ich gebot!
215
Der Chor.
Der Jüngern Einem lege dies zu tragen auf.
Der Jüngern Einem lege dies zu tragen auf.
Kreon.
Die, so den Leichnam hüten, steh'n ja schon bereit.
Die, so den Leichnam hüten, steh'n ja schon bereit.
Der Chor.
Warum denn einem Andern noch gebeutst du dies?
Warum denn einem Andern noch gebeutst du dies?
Kreon.
Daß Keinem Nachsicht werde, der dawider thut.
Daß Keinem Nachsicht werde, der dawider thut.
Der Chor.
Wer ist so thöricht, daß er sich zu sterben sehnt?
220
Wer ist so thöricht, daß er sich zu sterben sehnt?
220
Kreon.
Und dieses wäre, traun, der Lohn; doch Vielen ja
Hat schon die Hoffnung auf Gewinn den Tod gebracht.
Ein Wächter. Die Voriger.
Und dieses wäre, traun, der Lohn; doch Vielen ja
Hat schon die Hoffnung auf Gewinn den Tod gebracht.
Der Wächter.
Herr, ich will nicht sagen, daß ich athemlos
Vor Eile komme mit behend erhob'nem Fuß;
Denn viel Bedenken schus mir manchen Aufenthalt,
225
Und oft zur Rückkehr wandt' ich unterwegs mich um.
Denn meine Seele sprach zu mir und warnte viel:
„Was willst du dorthin, Armer, wo dir Strafe droht?
Elender, säumst du? Doch erfährt es Kreon dann
Von einem Andern, würde dir's nicht schlimm ergeh'n?"
230
In solchem Grübeln ging ich langsam schnell voran,
Und also streckt sich lange hin der kurze Weg.
Doch siegt' am Ende der Entschluß, hieher zu geh'n,
Zu dir; und sag' ich dir auch Nichts, ich sag' es doch.
Denn an die Hoffnung klammr' ich unverrückt mich an,
235
Nichts könne sonst mich treffen, als bestimmtes Loos.
Herr, ich will nicht sagen, daß ich athemlos
Vor Eile komme mit behend erhob'nem Fuß;
Denn viel Bedenken schus mir manchen Aufenthalt,
225
Und oft zur Rückkehr wandt' ich unterwegs mich um.
Denn meine Seele sprach zu mir und warnte viel:
„Was willst du dorthin, Armer, wo dir Strafe droht?
Elender, säumst du? Doch erfährt es Kreon dann
Von einem Andern, würde dir's nicht schlimm ergeh'n?"
230
In solchem Grübeln ging ich langsam schnell voran,
Und also streckt sich lange hin der kurze Weg.
Doch siegt' am Ende der Entschluß, hieher zu geh'n,
Zu dir; und sag' ich dir auch Nichts, ich sag' es doch.
Denn an die Hoffnung klammr' ich unverrückt mich an,
235
Nichts könne sonst mich treffen, als bestimmtes Loos.
Kreon.
English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 197 focus
Antigone
Scene Vlll.
944
Chorus.
Remember what fair Danae endured,
Condemned to change he^iven's cheerful light
945
For scenes of horror and of night,
Within a brazen tower long time immured ;
Yet was the maid of noblest race,
950
And honoured e'en with Jove's embrace ;
But, oh ! when fate decrees a mortal's woe
Naught can reverse the doom or stop the blow —
Nor heaven above, nor earth and seas below.
955
The Thracian monarch, Dryas' hapless son,
955
Chained to a rock in to rment lay.
And breathed his angry soul away,
By wrath misguided, and by pride undone ;
Taught by the offended god to know
960
From foul reproach what evils flow ;
For he the rites profaned with slanderous tongue,
The holy flame he quenched, disturbed the song,
A.nd waked to wrath the Muses' tuneful throng.
965
966
His turbid waves where Salmydessus rolled,
And proud Oyaneji-'s rocks divide the flood,
There from thy temple. Mars, didst thou behold
970
The sons of Phineus weltering in their blood ;
A mother did the cruel deed,
A mother bade her children bleed ;
Both by her impious hand, deprived of light,
In vain lamented long their ravished sight,
And closed their eyes in never-ending night,
975
Long time they wept a better mother's fate,
977
Unhappy offspring of a luckless bed ?
Yet nobly born, and eminently great
980
Was she, and midst sequestered caverns bred —
Her father's angry storms among,
Daughter of gods, from Boreas sprung —
Equal in swiftness to the bounding steed.
She skimmed the mountains with a courser's speed,
Yet was the nymph to death and misery decreed.
985
fjo
ANTlGOiSlE.
Chorus.
Remember what fair Danae endured,
Condemned to change he^iven's cheerful light
945
For scenes of horror and of night,
Within a brazen tower long time immured ;
Yet was the maid of noblest race,
950
And honoured e'en with Jove's embrace ;
But, oh ! when fate decrees a mortal's woe
Naught can reverse the doom or stop the blow —
Nor heaven above, nor earth and seas below.
The Thracian monarch, Dryas' hapless son,
955
Chained to a rock in to rment lay.
And breathed his angry soul away,
By wrath misguided, and by pride undone ;
Taught by the offended god to know
960
From foul reproach what evils flow ;
For he the rites profaned with slanderous tongue,
The holy flame he quenched, disturbed the song,
A.nd waked to wrath the Muses' tuneful throng.
965
His turbid waves where Salmydessus rolled,
And proud Oyaneji-'s rocks divide the flood,
There from thy temple. Mars, didst thou behold
970
The sons of Phineus weltering in their blood ;
A mother did the cruel deed,
A mother bade her children bleed ;
Both by her impious hand, deprived of light,
In vain lamented long their ravished sight,
And closed their eyes in never-ending night,
975
Long time they wept a better mother's fate,
Unhappy offspring of a luckless bed ?
Yet nobly born, and eminently great
980
Was she, and midst sequestered caverns bred —
Her father's angry storms among,
Daughter of gods, from Boreas sprung —
Equal in swiftness to the bounding steed.
She skimmed the mountains with a courser's speed,
Yet was the nymph to death and misery decreed.
985
fjo
ANTlGOiSlE.
Spanish (A. G. Garbin, 1889) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (A. G. Garbin, 1889)) — 197 focus
ANTÍGONA
858
Me has despertado el recuerdo de nuestras dolorosas desgracias, la desdicha de un padre que afectó á tres generaciones, y la triste fabalidad que pesa sobre nosotros los inclitos Lab= dácidas. Fatal himenco de mi madre, enlace incestuoso, que unió á una madre y á un hijo infortunados, y del cual naci yo, por mi dosgracia. Cargada de imprecaciones, y privada de la dicha del himeneo, voy á reunirme con los autores de mis dias.
¡Oh, hermano mio! qué funesta unión has llevado á cabo!... Sucumbiste, y á mi, viva, me has asociado á tu muerte.
858
Me has despertado el recuerdo de nuestras dolorosas desgracias, la desdicha de un padre que afectó á tres generaciones, y la triste fabalidad que pesa sobre nosotros los inclitos Lab= dácidas. Fatal himenco de mi madre, enlace incestuoso, que unió á una madre y á un hijo infortunados, y del cual naci yo, por mi dosgracia. Cargada de imprecaciones, y privada de la dicha del himeneo, voy á reunirme con los autores de mis dias.
¡Oh, hermano mio! qué funesta unión has llevado á cabo!... Sucumbiste, y á mi, viva, me has asociado á tu muerte.
German (F. Hölderlin, 1804) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (F. Hölderlin, 1804)) — 197 focus
TIRESIAS
Ich will es.sagen , höre du den Seher.
Ich will es.sagen , höre du den Seher.
English (Sir Richard Jebb1, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb1, 1904)) — 197 focus
Teiresias
977
Princes of Thebes, we have come with linked
990
steps, both served by the eyes of one; for thus, by a guide’s help, the blind must walk.
977
Princes of Thebes, we have come with linked
990
steps, both served by the eyes of one; for thus, by a guide’s help, the blind must walk.
English (Sir Richard Jebb2, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb2, 1904)) — 162-330 focus
Enter Creon, with two attendants.
211
Enter Guard.
237
278
315
Creon
My fellow citizens! First, the gods, after tossing the fate of our city on wild waves, have once more righted it. Second, I have ordered you through my messengers to come here
apart from all the rest, because I knew, first of all, how constant was your reverence for the power of the throne of Laius; how, again, you were reverent, when Oedipus was guiding our city; and lastly, how, when he was dead, you still maintained loyal thoughts towards his children.
165
Since, then, these latter have fallen in one day by a twofold doom—each striking, each struck, both with the stain of a brother’s murder—I now possess all the power and the throne according to my kinship with the dead.
170
Now, it is impossible to know fully any man’s character, will, or judgment, until he has been proved by the test of rule and law-giving. For if anyone who directs the entire city does not cling to the best and wisest plans,
175
but because of some fear keeps his lips locked, then, in my judgment, he is and has long been the most cowardly traitor. And if any man thinks a friend more important than his fatherland, that man, I say, is of no account. Zeus, god who sees all things always, be my witness—
180
I would not be silent if I saw ruin, instead of safety, marching upon the citizens. Nor would I ever make a man who is hostile to my country a friend to myself, because I know this, that our country is the ship that bears us safe, and that only when
185
we sail her on a straight course can we make true friends. Such are the rules by which I strengthen this city. Akin to these is the edict which I have now published to the citizenry concerning the sons of Oedipus: Eteocles, who fell fighting
190
in behalf of our city and who excelled all in battle, they shall entomb and heap up every sacred offering that descends to the noblest of the dead below. But as for his brother, Polyneices, I mean, who on his return from exile wanted to burn to the ground
195
the city of his fathers and his race’s gods, and wanted to feed on kindred blood and lead the remnant into slavery—it has been proclaimed to the city that no one shall give him funeral honors or lamentation,
200
but all must leave him unburied and a sight of shame, with his body there for birds and dogs to eat. This is my will, and never will I allow the traitor to stand in honor before the just. But whoever has good will to
Thebes
,
205
he shall be honored by me in death as in life.
210
211
My fellow citizens! First, the gods, after tossing the fate of our city on wild waves, have once more righted it. Second, I have ordered you through my messengers to come here
apart from all the rest, because I knew, first of all, how constant was your reverence for the power of the throne of Laius; how, again, you were reverent, when Oedipus was guiding our city; and lastly, how, when he was dead, you still maintained loyal thoughts towards his children.
165
Since, then, these latter have fallen in one day by a twofold doom—each striking, each struck, both with the stain of a brother’s murder—I now possess all the power and the throne according to my kinship with the dead.
170
Now, it is impossible to know fully any man’s character, will, or judgment, until he has been proved by the test of rule and law-giving. For if anyone who directs the entire city does not cling to the best and wisest plans,
175
but because of some fear keeps his lips locked, then, in my judgment, he is and has long been the most cowardly traitor. And if any man thinks a friend more important than his fatherland, that man, I say, is of no account. Zeus, god who sees all things always, be my witness—
180
I would not be silent if I saw ruin, instead of safety, marching upon the citizens. Nor would I ever make a man who is hostile to my country a friend to myself, because I know this, that our country is the ship that bears us safe, and that only when
185
we sail her on a straight course can we make true friends. Such are the rules by which I strengthen this city. Akin to these is the edict which I have now published to the citizenry concerning the sons of Oedipus: Eteocles, who fell fighting
190
in behalf of our city and who excelled all in battle, they shall entomb and heap up every sacred offering that descends to the noblest of the dead below. But as for his brother, Polyneices, I mean, who on his return from exile wanted to burn to the ground
195
the city of his fathers and his race’s gods, and wanted to feed on kindred blood and lead the remnant into slavery—it has been proclaimed to the city that no one shall give him funeral honors or lamentation,
200
but all must leave him unburied and a sight of shame, with his body there for birds and dogs to eat. This is my will, and never will I allow the traitor to stand in honor before the just. But whoever has good will to
Thebes
,
205
he shall be honored by me in death as in life.
210
Chorus
That is your will, Creon, towards this city’s enemy and its friend. And the power is yours, I believe, to make use of every law whatsoever, both concerning the dead and all us who live.
That is your will, Creon, towards this city’s enemy and its friend. And the power is yours, I believe, to make use of every law whatsoever, both concerning the dead and all us who live.
Creon
See, then, that you be guardians of my commands.
215
See, then, that you be guardians of my commands.
215
Chorus
Lay the weight of this task on some younger man.
Lay the weight of this task on some younger man.
Creon
That is not what I meant—the guards for the corpse are already in place.
That is not what I meant—the guards for the corpse are already in place.
Chorus
Then what is this other command that you would give?
Then what is this other command that you would give?
Creon
That you not give way to the breakers of my commands.
That you not give way to the breakers of my commands.
Chorus
There is no one so foolish as to crave death.
220
There is no one so foolish as to crave death.
220
Creon
I assure you, that is the wage for disobedience. Yet by just the hope of it, money has many times corrupted men.
Enter Guard.
I assure you, that is the wage for disobedience. Yet by just the hope of it, money has many times corrupted men.
Guard
My king, I will not say that I arrive breathless because of speed, or from the action of a swift foot.
For often I brought myself to a stop because of my thoughts, and wheeled round in my path to return. My mind was telling me many things:
Fool, why do you go to where your arrival will mean your punishment?
Idiot, are you dallying again? If Creon learns it from another, must you not suffer for it?
225
So debating, I made my way unhurriedly, slow, and thus a short road was made long. At last, however, the view prevailed that I should come here—to you. Even if my report brings no good, still will I tell you,
230
since I come with a good grip on one hope, that I can suffer nothing except what is my fate.
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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?
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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,
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since I come with a good grip on one hope, that I can suffer nothing except what is my fate.
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Creon
And what is it that so disheartens you?
And what is it that so disheartens you?
Guard
I want to tell you first about myself—I did not do the deed, nor did I see the doer,
so it would be wrong that I should come to any harm.
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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.
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Creon
Like a bowman you aim well at your target from a distance, and all around you hedge yourself off well from the deed. It is clear that you have some unheard-of thing to tell.
Like a bowman you aim well at your target from a distance, and all around you hedge yourself off well from the deed. It is clear that you have some unheard-of thing to tell.
Guard
That I do, for terrible news imposes great hesitation.
That I do, for terrible news imposes great hesitation.
Creon
Then tell it, will you, and so unburdened go away?
Then tell it, will you, and so unburdened go away?
Guard
Well, here it is. The corpse—some one has just given it burial and disappeared after sprinkling thirsty dust on the flesh and performing the other rites that piety demands.
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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.
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Creon
What are you saying? What man dared do this?
What are you saying? What man dared do this?
Guard
I do not know. For there was no scar of a pickax to be seen there,
no earth thrown up by a mattock. The ground was hard and dry, unbroken, not rolled over by wheels. The doer was someone who left no trace. When the first day-watchman showed it to us, a discomforting amazement fell on us all.
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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,
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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,
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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Chorus
My king, my thoughts have long been deliberating whether this deed is somehow the work of gods?
My king, my thoughts have long been deliberating whether this deed is somehow the work of gods?
Creon
Quiet, before your words truly fill me with rage, so that you not be found at the same time foolish as well as old. You say what is intolerable when you claim that the gods have concern for that corpse. Was it in high esteem for his benefactions
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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.
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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—
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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.
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315
Quiet, before your words truly fill me with rage, so that you not be found at the same time foolish as well as old. You say what is intolerable when you claim that the gods have concern for that corpse. Was it in high esteem for his benefactions
280
that they sought to hide him, when he had come to burn their columned shrines, their sacred treasures and their land, and scatter its laws to the winds? Or do you see the gods honoring the wicked? It cannot be. No! From the very first
285
certain men of the city were chafing at this edict and muttering against me, tossing their heads in secret, and they did not keep their necks duly under the yoke in submission to me. By those men, I am certain, they were led astray and bribed to do this deed.
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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—
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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.
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Guard
Will you allow me to speak? Or shall I just turn and go?
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Will you allow me to speak? Or shall I just turn and go?
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Creon
Do you not know even now how much your voice sickens me?
Do you not know even now how much your voice sickens me?
Guard
Is the pain in your ears, or in your soul?
Is the pain in your ears, or in your soul?
Creon
And why would you define the seat of my pain?
And why would you define the seat of my pain?
Guard
He who did it hurts your heart, but I, your ears.
He who did it hurts your heart, but I, your ears.
Creon
God! How plain it is that you are a born babbler.
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God! How plain it is that you are a born babbler.
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Guard
Perhaps, but never the author of this action.
Perhaps, but never the author of this action.
Creon
Yes, and what is more, you sold your life for silver.
Yes, and what is more, you sold your life for silver.
Guard
Ah! It is truly sad when the judge judges wrong .
Ah! It is truly sad when the judge judges wrong .
Creon
Expound on
judgment as you will. But, if you fail to
show me the perpetrators of these crimes, you will avow that money basely earned wreaks sorrows.
Exit Creon.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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