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ἐς δαιμόνιον τέρας ἀμφινοῶ
375

τόδε· πῶς εἰδὼς ἀντιλογήσω

τήνδ᾽ οὐκ εἶναι παῖδ᾽ Ἀντιγόνην;

ὦ δύστηνος καὶ δυστήνου

πατρὸς Οἰδιπόδα,
380

τί ποτ᾽; οὐ δή που σέ γ᾽ ἀπιστοῦσαν

τοῖς βασιλείοις ἄγουσι νόμοις

καὶ ἐν ἀφροσύνηι καθελόντες;

Φύλαξ

Antigone. Sophocles. Leipzig. 1979.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by Tufts University.

Current edition Experimental

Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979) (OCR draft) (Greek) (Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979))

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (11)

Greek (L. Benloew, 1858) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (L. Benloew, 1858)) — 376 focus

ἐς ¹ δαιμόνιον τέρας ἀμφινοῶ

τόδε πῶς εἰδὼς ἀντιλογήσω

τήνδ᾽ ² οὐχ εἶναι παῖδ᾽ Ἀντιγόνην.
375

ὦ δύστηνος, καὶ δυστήνου

πατρὸς Οἰδιπόδα, τί ποτ᾽ ; οὐ δή που

σέ γ᾽ ἀπιστοῦσαν

τοῖς βασιλείοισιν ἄγουσι νόμοις,

καὶ ἐν ἀφροσύνῃ καθελόντες.
380

Φύλαξ

Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884)) — 376 focus

ἐς δαιμόνιον τέρας ἀμφινοῶ

τόδε, πῶς εἰδὼς ἀντιλογήσω

τήνδ᾽ οὐκ εἶναι παῖδ᾽ Ἀντιγόνην.
365

ὦ δύστηνος,

καὶ δυστήνου πατρὸς Οἰδιπόδα,

τί ποτ᾽; οὐ δή που σέ γ᾽ ἀπιστοῦσαν

τοῖς βασιλείοις ἀπάγουσι νόμοις,

καὶ ἐν ἀφροσύνῃ καθελόντες;
370

5. ἘΠΕΙΣΟΔΙΟΝ ΔΕΥΤΈΡΟΝ.

Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806)) — 376 focus

— εἰ δαιμόνιον τέρας, ἀμφινοῶ,

τόδε. — πῶς δ᾽, εἰδὼς, ἀντιλογήσω,
370

τήνδ᾽ οὐκ, εἶναι παῖδ᾽ Ἀντιγόνην ;

ὦ δύστηνος,

καὶ δυστήνου πατρὸς Οἰδιπόδα,

τί ποτ᾽; οὐ δή που σέ γ᾽ ἀπιστοῦσαν

τοῖς βασιλείοισιν ἄγουσι νόμοις,
375

καὶ ἐν ἀφροσύνῃ καθελόντες;

Φύλαξ

Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 376 focus

ἐς δαιμόνιον τέρας ἀμφινοῶ

τόδε, πῶς εἰδὼς ἀντιλογήσω

τήνδ᾽ οὐκ εἶναι παῖδ᾽ Ἀντιγόνην.

ὦ δύστηνος καὶ δυστήνου

πατρὸς Οἰδιπόδα, τί ποτ'; οὐ δή που
380

σέ γ᾽ ἀπιστοῦσαν

τοῖς βασιλείοις *ἀπάγουσι νόμοις

καὶ ἐν ἀφροσύνῃ καθελόντες;

Φύλαξ

Greek (A. Colonna, 1978) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Colonna, 1978)) — 376 focus

ἐς δαιμόνιον τέρας ἀμφινοῶ

τόδε· πῶς εἰδὼς ἀντιλογήσω

τήνδ᾽ οὐκ εἶναι παῖδ᾽ Ἀντιγόνην ;

ὦ δύστηνος καὶ δυστήνου

πατρὸς Οἰδιπόδα,
380

τί ποτ᾽; οὐ δή που σέ γ᾽ ἀπιστοῦσαν

τοῖς βασιλείοισιν ἄγουσι νόμοις

καὶ ἐν ἀφροσύνῃ καθελόντες;

Φύλαξ

Greek (A. Dain, 1955) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Dain, 1955)) — 376 focus

ἐς δαιμόνιον τέρας ἀμφινοῶ

τόδε· πῶς εἰδὼς ἀντιλογήσω

τήνδ’ οὐκ εἶναι παῖδ’ Ἀντιγόνην;

ὦ δύστηνος καὶ δυστήνου

πατρὸς Οἰδιπόδα,
380

τί ποτ’; οὐ δή που σέ γ’ ἀπιστοῦσαν

τοῖς βασιλείοισ ιν ἄγουσι νόμοις

καὶ ἐν ἀφροσύνῃ καθελόντες;

Φύλαξ

Greek (G. Hermann, 1830) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (G. Hermann, 1830)) — 376 focus

ἐς δαιμόνιον τέρας ἀμφινοῶ

τόδε, πῶς εἰδὼς ἀντιλογήσω

τήνδ᾽ οὐκ εἶναι παῖδ᾽ Ἀντιγόνην.

ὦ δύστηνος,
375

καὶ δυστήνου πατρὸς Οἰδιπόδα,

τί ποτ᾽; οὐ δή που σέ γ᾽ ἀπιστοῦσαν

τοῖς βασιλείοισιν ἄγουσι νόμοις,

καὶ ἐν ἀφροσύνῃ καθελόντες;

Φύλαξ

Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906)) — 376 focus

ἐς δαιμόνιον τέρας ἀμφινοῶ

τόδε· πῶς εἰδὼς ἀντιλογήσω

τήνδ᾽ οὐκ εἶναι παῖδ᾽ Ἀντιγόνην;

ὦ δύστηνος

καὶ δυστήνου πατρὸς Οἰδιπόδα,
380

τί ποτ᾽; οὐ δή που σέ γ᾽ ἀπιστοῦσαν

τοῖς βασιλείοισιν ἄγουσι νόμοις

καὶ ἐν ἀφροσύνῃ καθελόντες ;

Φύλαξ

Greek (A. C. Pearson, 1924) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. C. Pearson, 1924)) — 376 focus

ἐς δαιμόνιον τέρας ἀμφινοῶ,

τὸ δὲ πῶς εἰδὼς ἀντιλογήσω

μὴ οὐ τήνδ εἶναι παῖδ᾽ Ἀντιγόνην.

ὦ δύστηνος

καὶ δυστήνου πατρὸς Οἰδιπόδα,
380

τί ποτ᾽; οὐ δή που σέ γ᾽ ἀπιστοῦσαν

τοῖς βασιλείοισιν ἄγουσι νόμοις

καὶ ἐν ἀφροσύνῃ καθελόντες;

Φύλαξ

Antigone (OCR draft) Experimental (Antigone) — 376 focus

Χορός

ἐς δαιμόνιον τέρας ἀμφινοῶ

τόδε· πῶς εἰδὼς ἀντιλογήσω

τήνδʼ οὐκ εἶναι παῖδʼ Ἀντιγόνην.

ὦ δύστηνος

καὶ δυστήνου πατρὸς Οἰδιπόδα,
380

τί ποτʼ; οὐ δή που σέ γʼ ἀπιστοῦσαν

τοῖς βασιλείοισιν ἄγουσι νόμοις

καὶ ἐν ἀφροσύνῃ καθελόντες;

Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949)) — 376 focus

ἐς δαιμόνιον τέρας ἀμφινοῶ

τόδε· πῶς εἰδὼς ἀντιλογήσω

τήνδ᾽ οὐκ εἶναι παῖδ᾽ Ἀντιγόνην;

ὦ δύστηνος

καὶ δυστήνου πατρὸς Οἰδιπόδα,
380

τί ποτ᾽; οὐ δή που σέ γ᾽ ἀπιστοῦσαν

τοῖς βασιλείοισιν ἄγουσι νόμοις

καὶ ἐν ἀφροσύνηι καθελόντες;

Φύλαξ

Translations (11)

German (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (A. Boeckh, 1884)) — 376 focus

CHOR

O Wunder, dem Blick kaum trau' ich, und doch

wie soll ich verneinen, was klar mir bewuſst,

dafs die Jungfrau dort Antigone sei?
365

O Unglückskind

von dem Unglücksvater, von Oedipus, ach!

Wie? führen sie dich hierher, weil kühn

du des Königs Gesetz miſsachtend verletzt,

und ergriffen in thörichtem Thun bist?
370

V. ZWEITES EPEISODION.

CHOR, WÄCHTER, ANTIGONE, dann KREON, später ISMENE.

WÄCHTER

Hier ist sie, jene, die es that; sie griffen wir

jetzt beim Bestatten. Aber wo ist Kreon denn?

CHOR

Hier kommt zurück er aus dem Haus zu rechter Zeit.

KREON (tritt auf).

Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921)) — 376 focus

Ante el admirable prodigio que se me presenta a la vista, estoy dudando. ¿Cómo, si la estoy viendo, podré negar que no sea ésta la niña Antígona? ¡Oh hija infeliz de Edipo, infeliz padre! ¿Qué es esto? ¿Es que, por desobedecer los mandatos del rey, te traen éstos habiéndote sorprendido en tal imprudencia?

EL CENTINELA

Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) Experimental (Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806)) — 376 focus

At dubito, an hoc esse dicam deorum ostentum. — Quanquam infitias ire qui potero, hanc, quam video puellam, esse Antigonam ?

O misera, et misero patre Oedipode mata, quidnam istud est? Anne te isti adducunt regis imperio immorigeram, et in amenti deprehensam auso?

Custos

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 376 focus

How can I gainsay what I see?

I know the girl Antigone,

O hapless child of hapless sire!

Didst thou, then, recklessly aspire
380

To brave kings’ laws, and now art brought

In madness of transgression caught?

WATCH
Enter Watchman , bringing in ANTIGONE

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 376 focus

Was seh' ich? Erscheint, von den Göttern gesandt,

Dies Wunder? Ich weiß, wie läugnet' ich's noch,
375

Daß die Jungfrau dort Antigone sei?

Unglückliches Kind

Von dem Unglücksvater, dem Dedipus, ach!

Was ahnt mir? Wie? Dich führen sie her,

Weil kühn du verlezt die Gebote des Herrn,
380

Und ergriffen dich über der Thorheit?

Der Wächter. Antigone. Der Chor. Bald darauf Kreon.

Der Wächter.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 384 focus

Behold tho woman who hath done the deed !

I' th' very act of burial we surprised her.

Where is the king ?
385

Chorus

Returned, as we could wish ;

Spanish (A. G. Garbin, 1889) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (A. G. Garbin, 1889)) — 376 focus

Pero ¿qué es lo que veo? No me cabe duda: ¿Cómo he de decir que no es esta la joven Antígona, si la estoy mirando con mis propios ojos? ¡Hija infortunada del desdichado Edipo! ¿Qué es esto? A ti no te traerán aquí como infractora de la orden del Rey; en ti no cabe semejante locura...

El Centinela—Antígona—El Coro

EL CENTINELA

German (F. Hölderlin, 1804) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (F. Hölderlin, 1804)) — 376 focus

Wie Gottesversuchung aber stehet es vor mir,

Dafs ich sie seh’ und sagen doch soll,

Das Kind seys nicht, Antigonä.

O Unglükliche, vom unglüklichen
395

Vater Oedipus, was führt über dir und wohin,

Als ungehorsam dich

Den königlichen Gesezen,

In Unvernunft dich ergreifend?

Erste Scene DER BOTE. DER CHOR. KREON.

English (Sir Richard Jebb1, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb1, 1904)) — 376 focus

What portent from the gods is this?—my soul is amazed. I know her—how can I deny that yon maiden is Antigone? 380 O hapless, and child of hapless sire,—of Oedipus ! What means this? Thou brought a prisoner?—thou, disloyal to the king’s laws, and taken in folly?

Guard

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 376 focus

With high device and quick invention fraught:

And now to ill it downward leads;

Generous in virtue now delights,

And prompt to guard its country's rights

Glory d'er all the empire spreads;
380

To baseness when its wild design descends,

Destruction on the state it draws.

Watchman

English (Sir Richard Jebb2, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb2, 1904)) — 384-580 focus

Guard

Here is she, the one who did the deed.

We caught this one burying him. Where is Creon?
385

Enter Creon from the palace.

Chorus

There, he is coming from the house again at our need.

Creon

What is it? What has happened that makes my coming timely?

Guard

My king, there is nothing that a man can rightly swear he will not do. For second thought belies one’s first intent.

I could have vowed that I would not ever come here again, because of your threats by which I had just been storm-tossed. But since this joy that exceeds and oversteps my hopes can be compared in fulness to no other pleasure, I am back—though it is contrary to my sworn oath—
390

bringing this girl who was caught giving burial honors to the dead. This time there was no casting of lots. No, this piece of luck has fallen to me, and me alone. And now, my king, as it pleases you, take her yourself, question her and convict her. But justice would see me
395

released free and clear from this trouble.
400

Creon

Your prisoner here—how and where did you take her?

Guard

She was burying the man. You know all there is to tell.

Creon

Are you clear and sure about what you are saying?

Guard

I am. I saw her burying the corpse that you

had forbidden to bury. Is that plain and sufficient?
405

Creon

And how was she observed? How taken in the act?

407

Guard

It happened like this. When we had come to the place with those fierce threats of yours still in our ears, we swept away all the dust that covered

the corpse and bared the damp body well. We then sat down on the brow of the hill to windward, fleeing the smell from him, lest it strike us. Each man was wide awake and kept his neighbor alert with torrents of threats, if any one should be careless of this task.
410

So time passed, until the disk of the sun stood bright in mid-sky and the heat began to burn. And then suddenly a whirlwind lifted from the earth a storm of dust, a trouble in the sky, and it filled the plain, marring all the foliage of its woods.
415

Soon the wide air was choked with it. We closed our eyes, and endured the plague from the gods. When, after a long while, this storm had passed, the girl was seen, and she wailed aloud with the sharp cry of a grieving bird, as when inside her empty
420

nest she sees the bed stripped of its nestlings. So she, too, when she saw the corpse bare, broke into a cry of lamentation and cursed with harsh curses those who had done it. Immediately she took thirsty dust in her hands,
425

and from a pitcher of beaten bronze held high she crowned the dead with thrice-poured libations. We rushed forward when we saw it, and at once closed upon our quarry, who was not at all dismayed. We then charged her with her past and present doings,
430

but she made no denial of anything—at once to my joy and to my pain. For to have escaped from trouble one’s self gives the greatest joy, but it stings to lead friends to evil. Naturally, though, all such things are
435

of less account to me than my own safety.
440

441

Creon

You, you with your face bent to the ground, do you admit, or deny that you did this?

Antigone

I declare it and make no denial.

Creon
To the Guard.

You can take yourself wherever you please,

free and clear of a heavy charge. Exit Guard.
445

To Antigone.

You, however, tell me—not at length, but briefly—did you know that an edict had forbidden this?

Antigone

I knew it. How could I not? It was public.

Creon

And even so you dared overstep that law?

Antigone

Yes, since it was not Zeus that published me that edict, and since not of that kind are the laws which Justice who dwells with the gods below established among men. Nor did I think that your decrees were of such force, that a mortal could override the unwritten
450

and unfailing statutes given us by the gods. For their life is not of today or yesterday, but for all time, and no man knows when they were first put forth. Not for fear of any man’s pride was I about to owe a penalty to the gods for breaking these.
455

Die I must, that I knew well (how could I not?). That is true even without your edicts. But if I am to die before my time, I count that a gain. When anyone lives as I do, surrounded by evils, how can he not carry off gain by dying?
460

So for me to meet this doom is a grief of no account. But if I had endured that my mother’s son should in death lie an unburied corpse, that would have grieved me. Yet for this, I am not grieved. And if my present actions are foolish in your sight,
465

it may be that it is a fool who accuses me of folly.
470

471

Chorus

She shows herself the wild offspring of a wild father, and does not know how to bend before troubles.

Creon

Yet remember that over-hard spirits most often collapse. It is the stiffest iron, baked to

utter hardness in the fire, that you most often see snapped and shivered. And I have witnessed horses with great spirit disciplined by a small bit. For there is no place for pride, when one is his neighbors’ slave.
475

This girl was already practiced in outrage when she overstepped the published laws. And, that done, this now is a second outrage, that she glories in it and exults in her deed. In truth, then, I am no man, but she is,
480

if this victory rests with her and brings no penalty. No! Whether she is my sister’s child, or nearer to me in blood than any of my kin that worship Zeus at the altar of our house, she and her sister will not escape a doom most harsh. For in truth
485

I charge that other with an equal share in the plotting of this burial. Call her out! I saw her inside just now, raving, and not in control of her wits. Before the deed, the mind frequently is convicted of stealthy crimes when conspirators are plotting depravity in the dark.
490

But, truly, I detest it, too, when one who has been caught in treachery then seeks to make the crime a glory.
495

Antigone

What more do you want than to capture and kill me?

Creon

I want nothing else. Having that, I have everything.

499

Antigone

Why then do you wait? In none of your maxims

is there anything that pleases me—and may there never be! Similarly to you as well my views must be displeasing. And yet, how could I have won a nobler glory than by giving burial to my own brother? All here would admit that they approve,
500

if fear did not grip their tongues. But tyranny, blest with so much else, has the power to do and say whatever it pleases.
505

Creon

You alone out of all these Thebans see it that way.

Antigone

They do, too, but for you they hold their tongues.

Creon

Are you not ashamed that your beliefs differ from theirs?
510

Antigone

No, there is nothing shameful in respecting your own flesh and blood.

Creon

Was not he your brother too, who died in the opposite cause?

Antigone

A brother by the same mother and the same father.

Creon

Why, then, do you pay a service that is disrespectful to him?

Antigone

The dead man will not support you in that.
515

Creon

Yes, he will, if you honor him equally with the wicked one.

Antigone

It was his brother, not his slave, who died.

Creon

But he died ravaging this land, while he fell in its defense.

Antigone

Hades craves these rites, nevertheless.

Creon

But the good man craves a portion not equal to the evil’s.
520

Antigone

Who knows but that these actions are pure to those below?

Creon

You do not love someone you have hated, not even after death.

Antigone

It is not my nature to join in hate, but in love.

Creon

Then, go down to hell and love them

if you must. While I live, no woman will rule me.
525

526

Enter Ismene from the house, led in by two attendants.

Chorus

Look, here comes Ismene from the palace, shedding the tears of a loving sister. A cloud over her eyes mars her red-flushed face,

and it breaks into rain on her comely cheek.
530

531

Creon

You who were lurking like a viper in my own house and secretly gulping up my life’s blood, while I was oblivious that I was nurturing two plagues, two revolutions against my throne—tell me now, will you also affirm

your share in this burial, or will you forswear all knowledge of it?
535

Ismene

I performed the deed—as long as she concurs—and I share and carry the burden of guilt.

Antigone

No, justice will not permit you to do this, since you were not willing to help with the deed, nor did I give you a part in it.

Ismene

But now with this sea of troubles around you, I am not ashamed to sail in a sea of suffering at your side.
540

Antigone

As to whose deed it is, Hades and the dead are witnesses. A friend in words is not the type of friend I love.

Ismene

No, sister, do not strip me of death’s honor,

but let me die with you and make due consecration to the dead.
545

Antigone

Do not share my death. Do not claim deeds to which you did not put your hand. My death will suffice.

Ismene

And how can I cherish life, once I am deprived of you?

Antigone

Ask Creon. Your concern is for him.

Ismene

Why do you torture me like this, when it does not help you?
550

Antigone

No, if I mock you, it is to my own pain that I do so.

Ismene

Tell me, how can I help you, even now?

Antigone

Save yourself. I do not grudge your escape.

Ismene

Ah, misery! Will I fall short of sharing your fate?

Antigone

Your choice was to live, it was mine to die.
555

556

Ismene

At least your choice was not made without my protests.

Antigone

One world approved your wisdom, another approved mine.

Ismene

Nevertheless, the offense is identical for both of us.

Antigone

Take heart! You live. But my life has long been

in Death’s hands so that I might serve the dead.
560

Creon

One of these maidens, I declare, has just revealed her foolishness; the other has displayed it from the moment of her birth.

Ismene

Yes, Creon. Whatever amount of reason nature may have given them does not remain with those in dire straits, but goes astray.

Creon

Yours did, I know, when you chose dire actions with dire allies.
565

Ismene

What life would there be for me alone, without her presence?

Creon

Do not speak of her presence. She lives no longer.

Ismene

What? You will kill your own son’s bride?

Creon

Why not? There are other fields for him to plough.

Ismene

But not fitted to him as she was.
570

Creon

I abhor an evil wife for my son.

Antigone

Haemon, dearest! How your father wrongs you!

Creon

Enough! Enough of you and of your marriage!

Chorus

Will you really cheat your son of this girl?

Creon

Death it is who will end these bridals for me.
575

Chorus

Then it seems that it is resolved that she will die.

Creon

Resolved, yes, for you and by me. To the two Attendants. No more delay! Servants, take them inside! Hereafter they must be women, and not left at large.

For it is known that even the brave seek to flee, when they see Death now closing on their life. Exeunt Attendants, guarding Antigone and Ismene. Creon remains.
580

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-200-1 ἔρδει ¹ ἔρδοι ²

mvp-comment-202-1 The choral ode has closed with an allusion to the unknown man ( ὅς ³ ἀμφινοῶ ⁴ ἐς ⁵

mvp-comment-202-2 δαιμόνιον τέρας ⁶

mvp-comment-203-1 πῶς εἰδὼς ⁷

mvp-comment-203-2 ἀντιλογήσω ⁸

mvp-comment-204-1 ὦ δύστηνος ⁹

mvp-comment-204-2 δ. πατρός ¹⁰

mvp-comment-204-3 Οἰδιπόδα— ¹¹

mvp-comment-205-1 τί ποτ’ ¹²

mvp-comment-205-2 οὐ δή που ¹³

mvp-comment-205-3 ἀπιστοῦσαν ¹⁴

mvp-comment-205-4 ἄγουσι ¹⁵

mvp-comment-205-5 colloquialism, it would be nearly as bad as, ‘Have they taken you up?’

mvp-comment-205-6 καὶ ¹⁶ ἀπιστοῦσαν ¹⁷ καθελόντες ¹⁸

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

332-383. mvp-comment-190-1 Most wonderful of wondrous things is man, Who traverses the surging brine, And wearies mighty earth with yearly furrow. His craft ensnares the finny produce of the seas And taketh captive beast and bird. He compasseth a way to master the monster of the wilds, And brings under his yoke the horse with flowing mane And the never-wearied mountain bull. Selftaught in speech and thought and civil ways, And in providing shelter from the cold and rain, There is no end to his devices. Nothing but death ever finds him unprepared. Even diseases, not to be avoided, are escaped by him. Inventive beyond hope, he moveth now to evil, and again to good. When weaving with his wit the law of justice and piety He is exalted in the city, but outcast when he harbours wickedness for deeds of crime. May I never live with such an one, and may he never share my counsels. 332. Aesch. Cho. 585, πολλὰ μὲν γὰ τρέφει δεινὰ δειμάτων ἄχη,.. ἀλλ᾽ ὑπέρτολμον ἀνδρὸς φρόνημα τίς λέγοι; Troch. Iamb. Troch.

332-383. mvp-comment-190-2 δεινά = ' wonderful,' or mighty, is in transition from the earlier sense of fearful to the later sense of clever. Cp.

332-383. mvp-comment-190-3 ὀλοόφρων.

375. mvp-comment-214-1 ἴσον φρονῶν i. e. Of the same party in the state. For the expression, cp. Il. 15.50, ἶσον ἐμοὶ φρονέουσα.

376-378. mvp-comment-215-1 ἐς δαιμόνιον τέρας .. Ἀντιγόνην] I stand in doubt at this strange marvel, how to gainsay what I know, and say that this is not the maid Antigone. The resumption is suitable to the chorus' perturbed state of feeling. Seyffert's ἐς δαιμόνιον τέρας ἀμφινοῶν τότε, referring to the previous scene (1. 278), is without the directness and simplicity of these short anapaestic passages, in which the chorus announce the entrance of a new person on the stage. Cp. 526 ff., 626 ff.

378. mvp-comment-216-1 οὐκ εἶναι, not μὴ εἶναι, because the entrance of Antigone is a patent fact.

382. mvp-comment-217-1 *ἀπάγουσι Sc. εἰς κρίσιν.

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5. ἘΠΕΙΣΟΔΙΟΝ ΔΕΥΤΈΡΟΝ.

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V. ZWEITES EPEISODION.

CHOR, WÄCHTER, ANTIGONE, dann KREON, später ISMENE.

WÄCHTER Hier ist sie, jene, die es that; sie griffen wir jetzt beim Bestatten. Aber wo ist Kreon denn?

CHOR Hier kommt zurück er aus dem Haus zu rechter Zeit.

EL CENTINELA

Custos

How can I gainsay what I see? I know the girl Antigone, O hapless child of hapless sire! Didst thou, then, recklessly aspire 380 To brave kings’ laws, and now art brought In madness of transgression caught?

WATCH Enter Watchman , bringing in ANTIGONE

Der Wächter.

Behold tho woman who hath done the deed ! I' th' very act of burial we surprised her. Where is the king ? 385

Chorus Returned, as we could wish ;

El Centinela—Antígona—El Coro

EL CENTINELA

Guard

With high device and quick invention fraught: And now to ill it downward leads; Generous in virtue now delights, And prompt to guard its country's rights Glory d'er all the empire spreads; 380 To baseness when its wild design descends, Destruction on the state it draws.

Watchman

Guard Here is she, the one who did the deed. We caught this one burying him. Where is Creon? 385

Chorus There, he is coming from the house again at our need.

Creon What is it? What has happened that makes my coming timely?

Creon Your prisoner here—how and where did you take her?

Guard She was burying the man. You know all there is to tell.

Creon Are you clear and sure about what you are saying?

Guard I am. I saw her burying the corpse that you had forbidden to bury. Is that plain and sufficient? 405

Creon And how was she observed? How taken in the act?

Creon You, you with your face bent to the ground, do you admit, or deny that you did this?

Antigone I declare it and make no denial.

Creon To the Guard. You can take yourself wherever you please, free and clear of a heavy charge. Exit Guard. 445

To Antigone. You, however, tell me—not at length, but briefly—did you know that an edict had forbidden this?

Antigone I knew it. How could I not? It was public.

Creon And even so you dared overstep that law?

Chorus She shows herself the wild offspring of a wild father, and does not know how to bend before troubles.

Antigone What more do you want than to capture and kill me?

Creon I want nothing else. Having that, I have everything.

Creon You alone out of all these Thebans see it that way.

Antigone They do, too, but for you they hold their tongues.

Creon Are you not ashamed that your beliefs differ from theirs? 510

Antigone No, there is nothing shameful in respecting your own flesh and blood.

Creon Was not he your brother too, who died in the opposite cause?

Antigone A brother by the same mother and the same father.

Creon Why, then, do you pay a service that is disrespectful to him?

Antigone The dead man will not support you in that. 515

Creon Yes, he will, if you honor him equally with the wicked one.

Antigone It was his brother, not his slave, who died.

Creon But he died ravaging this land, while he fell in its defense.

Antigone Hades craves these rites, nevertheless.

Creon But the good man craves a portion not equal to the evil’s. 520

Antigone Who knows but that these actions are pure to those below?

Creon You do not love someone you have hated, not even after death.

Antigone It is not my nature to join in hate, but in love.

Creon Then, go down to hell and love them if you must. While I live, no woman will rule me. 525

Chorus Look, here comes Ismene from the palace, shedding the tears of a loving sister. A cloud over her eyes mars her red-flushed face, and it breaks into rain on her comely cheek. 530

Creon You who were lurking like a viper in my own house and secretly gulping up my life’s blood, while I was oblivious that I was nurturing two plagues, two revolutions against my throne—tell me now, will you also affirm your share in this burial, or will you forswear all knowledge of it? 535

Ismene I performed the deed—as long as she concurs—and I share and carry the burden of guilt.

Antigone No, justice will not permit you to do this, since you were not willing to help with the deed, nor did I give you a part in it.

Ismene But now with this sea of troubles around you, I am not ashamed to sail in a sea of suffering at your side. 540

Antigone As to whose deed it is, Hades and the dead are witnesses. A friend in words is not the type of friend I love.

Ismene No, sister, do not strip me of death’s honor, but let me die with you and make due consecration to the dead. 545

Antigone Do not share my death. Do not claim deeds to which you did not put your hand. My death will suffice.

Ismene And how can I cherish life, once I am deprived of you?

Antigone Ask Creon. Your concern is for him.

Ismene Why do you torture me like this, when it does not help you? 550

Antigone No, if I mock you, it is to my own pain that I do so.

Ismene Tell me, how can I help you, even now?

Antigone Save yourself. I do not grudge your escape.

Ismene Ah, misery! Will I fall short of sharing your fate?

Antigone Your choice was to live, it was mine to die. 555

WÄCHTER

Hier ist sie, jene, die es that; sie griffen wir

jetzt beim Bestatten. Aber wo ist Kreon denn?

CHOR

Hier kommt zurück er aus dem Haus zu rechter Zeit.

How can I gainsay what I see?

I know the girl Antigone,

O hapless child of hapless sire!

Didst thou, then, recklessly aspire
380

To brave kings’ laws, and now art brought

In madness of transgression caught?

WATCH
Enter Watchman , bringing in ANTIGONE

Behold tho woman who hath done the deed !

I' th' very act of burial we surprised her.

Where is the king ?
385

Chorus

Returned, as we could wish ;

With high device and quick invention fraught:

And now to ill it downward leads;

Generous in virtue now delights,

And prompt to guard its country's rights

Glory d'er all the empire spreads;
380

To baseness when its wild design descends,

Destruction on the state it draws.

Guard

Here is she, the one who did the deed.

We caught this one burying him. Where is Creon?
385

Chorus

There, he is coming from the house again at our need.

Creon

What is it? What has happened that makes my coming timely?

Creon

Your prisoner here—how and where did you take her?

Guard

She was burying the man. You know all there is to tell.

Creon

Are you clear and sure about what you are saying?

Guard

I am. I saw her burying the corpse that you

had forbidden to bury. Is that plain and sufficient?
405

Creon

And how was she observed? How taken in the act?

Creon

You, you with your face bent to the ground, do you admit, or deny that you did this?

Antigone

I declare it and make no denial.

Creon
To the Guard.

You can take yourself wherever you please,

free and clear of a heavy charge. Exit Guard.
445

To Antigone.

You, however, tell me—not at length, but briefly—did you know that an edict had forbidden this?

Antigone

I knew it. How could I not? It was public.

Creon

And even so you dared overstep that law?

Chorus

She shows herself the wild offspring of a wild father, and does not know how to bend before troubles.

Antigone

What more do you want than to capture and kill me?

Creon

I want nothing else. Having that, I have everything.

Creon

You alone out of all these Thebans see it that way.

Antigone

They do, too, but for you they hold their tongues.

Creon

Are you not ashamed that your beliefs differ from theirs?
510

Antigone

No, there is nothing shameful in respecting your own flesh and blood.

Creon

Was not he your brother too, who died in the opposite cause?

Antigone

A brother by the same mother and the same father.

Creon

Why, then, do you pay a service that is disrespectful to him?

Antigone

The dead man will not support you in that.
515

Creon

Yes, he will, if you honor him equally with the wicked one.

Antigone

It was his brother, not his slave, who died.

Creon

But he died ravaging this land, while he fell in its defense.

Antigone

Hades craves these rites, nevertheless.

Creon

But the good man craves a portion not equal to the evil’s.
520

Antigone

Who knows but that these actions are pure to those below?

Creon

You do not love someone you have hated, not even after death.

Antigone

It is not my nature to join in hate, but in love.

Creon

Then, go down to hell and love them

if you must. While I live, no woman will rule me.
525

Chorus

Look, here comes Ismene from the palace, shedding the tears of a loving sister. A cloud over her eyes mars her red-flushed face,

and it breaks into rain on her comely cheek.
530

Creon

You who were lurking like a viper in my own house and secretly gulping up my life’s blood, while I was oblivious that I was nurturing two plagues, two revolutions against my throne—tell me now, will you also affirm

your share in this burial, or will you forswear all knowledge of it?
535

Ismene

I performed the deed—as long as she concurs—and I share and carry the burden of guilt.

Antigone

No, justice will not permit you to do this, since you were not willing to help with the deed, nor did I give you a part in it.

Ismene

But now with this sea of troubles around you, I am not ashamed to sail in a sea of suffering at your side.
540

Antigone

As to whose deed it is, Hades and the dead are witnesses. A friend in words is not the type of friend I love.

Ismene

No, sister, do not strip me of death’s honor,

but let me die with you and make due consecration to the dead.
545

Antigone

Do not share my death. Do not claim deeds to which you did not put your hand. My death will suffice.

Ismene

And how can I cherish life, once I am deprived of you?

Antigone

Ask Creon. Your concern is for him.

Ismene

Why do you torture me like this, when it does not help you?
550

Antigone

No, if I mock you, it is to my own pain that I do so.

Ismene

Tell me, how can I help you, even now?

Antigone

Save yourself. I do not grudge your escape.

Ismene

Ah, misery! Will I fall short of sharing your fate?

Antigone

Your choice was to live, it was mine to die.
555

Ismene

At least your choice was not made without my protests.

Antigone

One world approved your wisdom, another approved mine.

Ismene

Nevertheless, the offense is identical for both of us.

Antigone

Take heart! You live. But my life has long been

in Death’s hands so that I might serve the dead.
560

Creon

One of these maidens, I declare, has just revealed her foolishness; the other has displayed it from the moment of her birth.

Ismene

Yes, Creon. Whatever amount of reason nature may have given them does not remain with those in dire straits, but goes astray.

Creon

Yours did, I know, when you chose dire actions with dire allies.
565

Ismene

What life would there be for me alone, without her presence?

Creon

Do not speak of her presence. She lives no longer.

Ismene

What? You will kill your own son’s bride?

Creon

Why not? There are other fields for him to plough.

Ismene

But not fitted to him as she was.
570

Creon

I abhor an evil wife for my son.

Antigone

Haemon, dearest! How your father wrongs you!

Creon

Enough! Enough of you and of your marriage!

Chorus

Will you really cheat your son of this girl?

Creon

Death it is who will end these bridals for me.
575

Chorus

Then it seems that it is resolved that she will die.