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ἀλλ᾽ ὅδε γὰρ δὴ βασιλεὺς χώρας
155

Κρέων ὁ Μενοικέως

νεοχμὸς νεαραῖσι θεῶν

ἐπὶ συντυχίαις χωρεῖ, τίνα δὴ

μῆτιν ἐρέσσων, ὅτι σύγκλητον

τήνδε γερόντων προὔθετο λέσχην,
160

κοινῷ κηρύγματι πέμψας.

Κρέων

Antigone. Sophocles. Fleischer. 1830.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by Tufts University.

Current edition Experimental

Greek (G. Hermann, 1830) (OCR draft) (Greek) (Greek (G. Hermann, 1830))

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (11)

Greek (L. Benloew, 1858) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (L. Benloew, 1858)) — 155 focus

ἀλλ᾽ ὅδε γὰρ δὴ βασιλεὺς χώρας
155

ὁ ¹ Μενοικέως, θεῶν νεοχμὸς νεαραῖς

ἐπὶ συντυχίαις χωρεῖ, τινὰ δὴ

μῆτιν ἐρέσσων, ὅτι σύγκλητον

τήνδε γερόντων προὔθετο λέσχην

κοινῷ κηρύγματι πέμψας.
160

Κρέων

Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884)) — 155 focus

ἀλλ' ὅδε γὰρ δὴ βασιλεὺς χώρας

Κρέων ὁ Μενοικέως νέον εἰληχὼς

ἀρχήν¹, νεοχμὸς νεαραῖσι θεῶν

ἐπὶ συντυχίαις χωρεῖ, τίνα δὴ

μῆτιν ἐρέσσων, ὅτι σύγκλητον
155

τήνδε γερόντων προὔθετο λέσχην,

κοινῷ κηρύγματι πέμψας.

3. ἘΠΕΙΣΟΔΙΟΝ ΠΡΩ͂ΤΟΝ.

Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806)) — 155 focus

ἀλλ’ ὅδε γὰρ δὴ βασιλεὺς χώρας,

ὁ Μενοικέως, θεῶν νεοχμὸς νεαραῖς
155

ἐπὶ συντυχίαις, χωρεῖ, τινὰ δὴ

μῆτιν ἐρέσσων, ὅτι σύγκλητον

τήνδε γερόντων προὔθετο λέσχην

κοινῷ κηρύγματι πέμψας.

Κρέων

Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 155 focus

ἀλλ᾽ ὅδε γὰρ δὴ βασιλεὺς χώρας,
155

Κρέων ὁ Μενοικέως, *ἄρχων νεοχμὸς

νεαραῖσι θεῶν ἐπὶ συντυχίαις

χωρεῖ, τίνα δὴ μῆτιν ἐρέσσων;

ὅτι σύγκλητον τήνδε γερόντων
160

προὔθετο λέσχην, κοινῷ κηρύγματι πέμψας.

Κρέων

Greek (A. Colonna, 1978) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Colonna, 1978)) — 155 focus

ἀλλ᾽, ὅδε γὰρ δὴ βασιλεὺς χώρας,
155

Κρέων ὁ Μενοικέως ἄρχων νεοχμὸς

νεαραῖσι θεῶν ἐπὶ συντυχίαις

χωρεῖ, τίνα δὴ μῆτιν ἐρέσσων,

ὅτι σύγκλητον τήνδε γερόντων

προὔθετο λέσχην,
160

κοινῷ κηρύγματι πέμψας;

Κρέων

Greek (A. Dain, 1955) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Dain, 1955)) — 155 focus

ἀλλ’, ὅδε γὰρ δὴ βασιλεὺς χώρας,
155

Κρέων ὁ Μενοικέως ταγὸσ νεοχμὸς

νεαραῖσι θεῶν ἐπὶ συντυχίαις

χωρεῖ, τίνα δὴ μῆτιν ἐρέσσων,

ὅτι σύγκλητον τήνδε γερόντων

προὔθετο λέσχην,
160

κοινῷ κηρύγματι πέμψας.

Κρέων

Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979)) — 155 focus

ἀλλ᾽ ὅδε γὰρ δὴ βασιλεὺς χώρας,
155

Κρέων ὁ Μενοικέως νεοχμὸς

νεαραῖσι θεῶν ἐπὶ συντυχίαις

χωρεῖ τίνα δὴ μῆτιν ἐρέσσων,

ὅτι σύγκλητον τήνδε γερόντων

προύθετο λέσχην,
160

κοινῶι κηρύγματι πέμψας;

Κρέων

Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906)) — 155 focus

ἀλλ᾽ ὅδε γὰρ δὴ βασιλεὺς χώρας,
155

Κρέων ὁ Μενοικέως, σὺ νεοχμὸς

νεαραῖσι θεῶν ἐπὶ συντυχίαις

χωρεῖ, τίνα δὴ μῆτιν ἐρέσσων,

ὅτι σύγκλητον τήνδε γερόντων

προὔθετο λέσχην,
160

κοινῷ κηρύγματι πέμψας;

Κρέων

Greek (A. C. Pearson, 1924) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. C. Pearson, 1924)) — 155 focus

ἀλλ᾽ ὅδε γὰρ δὴ βασιλεὺς χώρας,
155

Κρέων ὁ Μενοικέως, νεοχμὸς

νεαραῖσι θεῶν ἐπὶ συντυχίαις

χωρεῖ τίνα δὴ μῆτιν ἐρέσσων,

ὅτι σύγκλητον τήνδε γερόντων

προύθετο λέσχην,
160

κοινῷ κηρύγματι πέμψας;

Κρέων

Antigone (OCR draft) Experimental (Antigone) — 155 focus

Χορός

ἀλλʼ ὅδε γὰρ δὴ βασιλεὺς χώρας,
155

Κρέων ὁ Μενοικέως ἄρχων νεοχμὸς

νεαραῖσι θεῶν ἐπὶ συντυχίαις

χωρεῖ, τίνα δὴ μῆτιν ἐρέσσων,

ὅτι σύγκλητον τήνδε γερόντων
160

προὔθετο λέσχην,

κοινῷ κηρύγματι πέμψας;

Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949)) — 155 focus

ἀλλ᾽ ὅδε γὰρ δὴ βασιλεὺς χώρας,
155

Κρέων ὁ Μενοικέως, νεοχμὸς

νεαραῖσι θεῶν ἐπὶ συντυχίαις

χωρεῖ, τίνα δὴ μῆτιν ἐρέσσων,

ὅτι σύγκλητον τήνδε γερόντων

προύθετο λέσχην,
160

κοινῶι κηρύγματι πέμψας;

Κρέων

Translations (11)

German (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (A. Boeckh, 1884)) — 155 focus

Doch Kreon kommt des Menökeus Sohn,

des Thebäischen Lands neuwaltender Fürst,

in des Göttergeschicks neublühendem Glück:

was sinnet er wohl im erregten Gemüth,

daſs jetzo sofort den erlesenen Rath
155

er der Greis' entbot zur Versammlung hier,

durch Heroldsruf sie beschickend?

Γ. ΕΠΕΙΣΟΔΙΟΝ ΠΡΩΤΟΝ.

III. ERSTES EPEISODION.

KREON, CHOR, dann ein WÄCHTER.

KREON (tritt auf mit Gefolge).

Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921)) — 155 focus

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.

Creonte

Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) Experimental (Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806)) — 155 focus

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.

Creon

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 155 focus

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?

CREON
Enter CREON .

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 155 focus

Doch hier naht Kreon, Menökeus' Sohn,
155

Zum König der Stadt auf's Neue bestellt

Nach dem neuen Geschick, das Götter verhängt:

Was sinnt er im Geist, was bewegt ihm die Brust,

Daß er diesen Verein von Greisen hieher

Zur Berathung entbot,
160

Durch Heroldruse sie einlud?

Kreon mit Gefolge. Der Chor.

Kreon.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 162 focus

Chorus

Creon

Spanish (A. G. Garbin, 1889) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (A. G. Garbin, 1889)) — 155 focus

Pero el nuevo rey de nuestra comarca, el hijo de Menoceo, se acerca. Los acontecimientos que han suscitado los dioses le traen á este lugar. Sin duda medita algún proyecto, porque él es quien ha convocado, por medio de una orden común para todos, esta asamblea de ancianos.

Creonte y el Coro

CREONTE

German (F. Hölderlin, 1804) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (F. Hölderlin, 1804)) — 155 focus

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)) — 155 focus

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.

Creon

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 155 focus

The queen of glorious name,
155

To grace her Thebes, in gorgeous state

Her high cars rolling through each gate,

Resplendent Conquest came.

Let war, and arms, and hostile rage
160

No more your anxious thoughts engage;

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

Enter Creon, with two attendants.

Creon

My fellow citizens! First, the gods, after tossing the fate of our city on wild waves, have once more righted it. Second, I have ordered you through my messengers to come here

apart from all the rest, because I knew, first of all, how constant was your reverence for the power of the throne of Laius; how, again, you were reverent, when Oedipus was guiding our city; and lastly, how, when he was dead, you still maintained loyal thoughts towards his children.
165

Since, then, these latter have fallen in one day by a twofold doom—each striking, each struck, both with the stain of a brother’s murder—I now possess all the power and the throne according to my kinship with the dead.
170

Now, it is impossible to know fully any man’s character, will, or judgment, until he has been proved by the test of rule and law-giving. For if anyone who directs the entire city does not cling to the best and wisest plans,
175

but because of some fear keeps his lips locked, then, in my judgment, he is and has long been the most cowardly traitor. And if any man thinks a friend more important than his fatherland, that man, I say, is of no account. Zeus, god who sees all things always, be my witness—
180

I would not be silent if I saw ruin, instead of safety, marching upon the citizens. Nor would I ever make a man who is hostile to my country a friend to myself, because I know this, that our country is the ship that bears us safe, and that only when
185

we sail her on a straight course can we make true friends. Such are the rules by which I strengthen this city. Akin to these is the edict which I have now published to the citizenry concerning the sons of Oedipus: Eteocles, who fell fighting
190

in behalf of our city and who excelled all in battle, they shall entomb and heap up every sacred offering that descends to the noblest of the dead below. But as for his brother, Polyneices, I mean, who on his return from exile wanted to burn to the ground
195

the city of his fathers and his race’s gods, and wanted to feed on kindred blood and lead the remnant into slavery—it has been proclaimed to the city that no one shall give him funeral honors or lamentation,
200

but all must leave him unburied and a sight of shame, with his body there for birds and dogs to eat. This is my will, and never will I allow the traitor to stand in honor before the just. But whoever has good will to Thebes ,
205

he shall be honored by me in death as in life.
210

211

Chorus

That is your will, Creon, towards this city’s enemy and its friend. And the power is yours, I believe, to make use of every law whatsoever, both concerning the dead and all us who live.

Creon

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

Chorus

Lay the weight of this task on some younger man.

Creon

That is not what I meant—the guards for the corpse are already in place.

Chorus

Then what is this other command that you would give?

Creon

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

Chorus

There is no one so foolish as to crave death.
220

Creon

I assure you, that is the wage for disobedience. Yet by just the hope of it, money has many times corrupted men.

Enter Guard.

Guard

My king, I will not say that I arrive breathless because of speed, or from the action of a swift foot.

For often I brought myself to a stop because of my thoughts, and wheeled round in my path to return. My mind was telling me many things: Fool, why do you go to where your arrival will mean your punishment? Idiot, are you dallying again? If Creon learns it from another, must you not suffer for it?
225

So debating, I made my way unhurriedly, slow, and thus a short road was made long. At last, however, the view prevailed that I should come here—to you. Even if my report brings no good, still will I tell you,
230

since I come with a good grip on one hope, that I can suffer nothing except what is my fate.
235

237

Creon

And what is it that so disheartens you?

Guard

I want to tell you first about myself—I did not do the deed, nor did I see the doer,

so it would be wrong that I should come to any harm.
240

Creon

Like a bowman you aim well at your target from a distance, and all around you hedge yourself off well from the deed. It is clear that you have some unheard-of thing to tell.

Guard

That I do, for terrible news imposes great hesitation.

Creon

Then tell it, will you, and so unburdened go away?

Guard

Well, here it is. The corpse—some one has just given it burial and disappeared after sprinkling thirsty dust on the flesh and performing the other rites that piety demands.
245

Creon

What are you saying? What man dared do this?

Guard

I do not know. For there was no scar of a pickax to be seen there,

no earth thrown up by a mattock. The ground was hard and dry, unbroken, not rolled over by wheels. The doer was someone who left no trace. When the first day-watchman showed it to us, a discomforting amazement fell on us all.
250

The dead man was veiled from us—not shut within a tomb, but a light cover of dust was on him, as if put there by the hand of one who shunned a curse. And no sign was visible that any beast of prey or any dog had approached or torn him. Then evil words flew thick and loud among us,
255

guard accusing guard. It would even have come to blows in the end, nor was there anyone there to prevent it: every man was the culprit, and no one was plainly guilty, while all disclaimed knowledge of the act. We were ready to take red-hot iron in our hands,
260

to walk through fire and to swear oaths by the gods that we had neither done the deed, nor shared knowledge of the planning or the doing. At last, when our investigating got us nowhere, someone spoke up and made us all bend our faces
265

in fear towards the earth. For we did not know how we could argue with him, nor yet prosper, if we did what he said. His argument was that the deed must be reported to you and not hidden. This view prevailed, and so it was that
270

the lot doomed miserable me to win this prize. So here I stand, as unwelcome to you as I am unwilling, I well know. For no man delights in the bearer of bad news.
275

278

Chorus

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

Creon

Quiet, before your words truly fill me with rage, so that you not be found at the same time foolish as well as old. You say what is intolerable when you claim that the gods have concern for that corpse. Was it in high esteem for his benefactions
280

that they sought to hide him, when he had come to burn their columned shrines, their sacred treasures and their land, and scatter its laws to the winds? Or do you see the gods honoring the wicked? It cannot be. No! From the very first
285

certain men of the city were chafing at this edict and muttering against me, tossing their heads in secret, and they did not keep their necks duly under the yoke in submission to me. By those men, I am certain, they were led astray and bribed to do this deed.
290

Nothing so evil as money ever grew to be current among men. This destroys cities, this drives men from their homes, this trains and warps honest minds to set themselves to works of shame,
295

this teaches people to practise villainies, and to know every act of unholiness. But all the men who did this job for hire have made sure that, sooner or later, they shall suffer the punishment. Now, as Zeus still has my reverence, know this well—
300

I tell you on my oath. If you do not find the very hand that made this burial, and reveal him before my eyes, mere death shall not suffice for you, not before, hung up alive, you have made this outrage plain,
305

so that hereafter you may thieve with better knowledge of where your money should be received from, and learn that it is best not to be fond of money-making from any and every source. For you will find that ill-gotten gains bring more men to ruin than to safety.
310

315

Guard

Will you allow me to speak? Or shall I just turn and go?
315

Creon

Do you not know even now how much your voice sickens me?

Guard

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

Creon

And why would you define the seat of my pain?

Guard

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

Creon

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

Guard

Perhaps, but never the author of this action.

Creon

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

Guard

Ah! It is truly sad when the judge judges wrong .

Creon

Expound on judgment as you will. But, if you fail to

show me the perpetrators of these crimes, you will avow that money basely earned wreaks sorrows. Exit Creon.
325

Guard

Well, may the man be found! That would be best. But, whether he be caught or not—for fortune must decide that—I assure you that you will not see me come here again.

Saved just now beyond hope and belief, I owe the gods great thanks. Exit the Guard.
330

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-88-1 ἀλλὰ … γάρ ¹ Κρέων ²

mvp-comment-88-2 Μενοικέως ³

mvp-comment-88-3 νεοχμὸς νεαραῖσι ⁴

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 ⁵ κρείων ⁶ ἄρχων ⁷ ταγός ⁸

mvp-comment-88-5 θεῶν … συντυχίαις ⁹ ἐπί ¹⁰

mvp-comment-89-1 μῆτιν ἐρέσσων ¹¹

mvp-comment-89-2 σύγκλητον ¹²

mvp-comment-89-3 προὔθετο ¹³ λέσχην ¹⁴

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 ¹⁵

mvp-comment-89-5 κοινῷ κ. πέμψας ¹⁶

mvp-comment-91-1 There is a general dramatic analogy between this speech and that of Oedipus in O. T. 216 —275. In each case a Theban king addresses Theban elders, announcing a stern decree, adopted in reliance on his own wisdom, and promulgated with haughty consciousness of power; the elders receive the decree with a submissive deference under which we can perceive traces of misgiving; and as the drama proceeds, the elders become spectators of calamities occasioned by the decree, while its author turns to them for comfort.

mvp-comment-91-2 τὰ μὲν δὴ πόλεος . . ὑμᾶς δ’ ¹⁷

mvp-comment-91-3 πόλεος ¹⁸ πολλῷ σάλῳ σείσαντες ¹⁹

mvp-comment-91-4 The image of the State as a ship dates in Greek literature from Alcaeus (whom Horace copied, Carm. 1. 14 ), fr. 18. The ship of Alcaeus is labouring in the trough of a wild sea,—water is coming in,—the sail is torn,—the anchor will not hold:

νᾶϊ φορήμεθα σὺν μελαίνᾳ | χείμωνι μοχθεῦντες μεγάλῳ μάλα, κ.τ.λ.

It is only through Heracleides Alleg. Homer. 5 that we know the meaning of Alcaeus to have been figurative and political. Aesch. often uses the image ( Aesch. Th. 2 , Aesch. Th. 62 , Aesch. Th. 208 etc.). Creon returns to it at 189. It is peculiarly well suited to his point,—the unity of the public interest.

mvp-comment-91-5 ὤρθωσαν ²⁰

mvp-comment-92-1 ἐκ πάντων ²¹ δίχα ²²

mvp-comment-92-2 ἔστειλ’ ἱκέσθαι ²³ τοῦτο μέν ²⁴

mvp-comment-92-3 σέβοντας ²⁵

mvp-comment-92-4 θρόνων . . κράτη ²⁶

mvp-comment-93-1 ἡνίκ’ Οἰδίπους ²⁷ κείνων ²⁸ κείνων παῖδας ²⁹ ἡνίκ’ . . ὤρθου πόλιν ³⁰ ἐπεὶ διώλετο ³¹ τοῦτο μέν . . τοῦτ’ αὖθις ³²

mvp-comment-93-2 καί ³³ καί ³⁴

mvp-comment-93-3 ἐμπέδοις φρονήμασιν ³⁵ ἐμπέδους ³⁶ ἐμπέδοις ³⁷

mvp-comment-94-1 ὅτε ³⁸

mvp-comment-94-2 πρὸς διπλῆς μ. ³⁹ διπλῆς . . μίαν ⁴⁰

mvp-comment-94-3 παίσαντες . . πληγέντες ⁴¹

mvp-comment-94-4 αὐτόχειρι … μιάσματι ⁴²

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

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.

162. mvp-comment-101-1 κοινῷ κηρύγματι πέμψας Having cited us by a message sent to us all.

162. mvp-comment-101-2 κοινῷ = Inclusive. πέμψας] i. e. στείλας πομποῖσιν, as Creon expresses himself in ll. 164-165. 162-210. Creon's first error is not mere self-will, but an excessive zeal for the honour of the state, to which all private feelings must give way (183-184, 187-190). His spirit of self-assertion is however already felt, esp. in ll. 173, 191, 207-10. And the unconsciousness of one young in power is shown in the self-inculpating words in ll. 175-177. He characteristically dwells on the virtue of loyalty (165-169, 209-210) and the crime of rebellion (199-202): and his passionate nature is betrayed by the exaggerated expression in l. 208. Cp. O. T. 216 ff. and note. The frequent occurrence of the Ist personal pronoun is a significant feature of both these speeches.

162. mvp-comment-101-3 τὰ μὲν δὴ πόλεος As for the state. This form of expression suits the introduction of a subject before the form of sentence is determined. πόλιν, rather than τὰ πόλεος, is the object of σείσαντες and ὤρθωσαν.

162. mvp-comment-101-4 ἀσφαλῶς Unharmed, = ἄνεν τοῦ σφαλῆναι,

163. mvp-comment-102-1 ὥρθωσαν Have righted the vessel of the state.

165-166. mvp-comment-103-1 τὰ Λαΐου. κράτη Knowing that you ever duly reverenced the enthroned authority of Laius. Λαΐου is governed by θρόνων κράτη taken as one word, θρόνων being added to supplement κράτη. σέβοντας and μένοντας, infr. 166, 169, are imperfects = ὅτι ἐσέβετε .. ἐμένετε,

167. mvp-comment-104-1 ὤρθου Kept on a safe course: i. e. Governed prosperously. The word recalls the happiness of the first period of Oedipus' rule. Cp. Plat. Men. P. 99 C, ᾗ οἱ πολιτικοὶ ἄνδρες χρώμενοι τὰς πόλεις ὀρθοῦσιν : Phaedr. 244 B. 168-169. ἀμφὶ .. φρονήμασιν]. Ye still remained loyal to their issue with unshaken minds. ἀμφί, Surrounding, as ready to defend. The apodosis is made to suit the latter protasis, ἐπεὶ διώλετο, and that of the former protasis, ἡνίκ' . . πόλιν (viz. ἐκείνῳ ὁμοίως πειθομένους οι the like), is thus absorbed.

167. mvp-comment-104-2 κείνων . . παῖδας i. e. Sons of Oedipus and grandsons of Laius.

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Κρέων

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Κρέων

3. ἘΠΕΙΣΟΔΙΟΝ ΠΡΩ͂ΤΟΝ.

Κρέων

Κρέων

Κρέων

Κρέων

Κρέων

Κρέων

Κρέων

Κρέων

Doch Kreon kommt des Menökeus Sohn, des Thebäischen Lands neuwaltender Fürst, in des Göttergeschicks neublühendem Glück: was sinnet er wohl im erregten Gemüth, daſs jetzo sofort den erlesenen Rath 155 er der Greis' entbot zur Versammlung hier, durch Heroldsruf sie beschickend?

Γ. ΕΠΕΙΣΟΔΙΟΝ ΠΡΩΤΟΝ.

III. ERSTES EPEISODION.

KREON, CHOR, dann ein WÄCHTER.

Creonte

Creon

CREON Enter CREON .

Kreon.

Chorus

Creon

Creonte y el Coro

CREONTE

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.

Creon

The queen of glorious name, 155 To grace her Thebes, in gorgeous state Her high cars rolling through each gate, Resplendent Conquest came. Let war, and arms, and hostile rage 160 No more your anxious thoughts engage;

Chorus That is your will, Creon, towards this city’s enemy and its friend. And the power is yours, I believe, to make use of every law whatsoever, both concerning the dead and all us who live.

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

Chorus Lay the weight of this task on some younger man.

Creon That is not what I meant—the guards for the corpse are already in place.

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

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

Chorus There is no one so foolish as to crave death. 220

Creon I assure you, that is the wage for disobedience. Yet by just the hope of it, money has many times corrupted men.

Creon And what is it that so disheartens you?

Guard I want to tell you first about myself—I did not do the deed, nor did I see the doer, so it would be wrong that I should come to any harm. 240

Creon Like a bowman you aim well at your target from a distance, and all around you hedge yourself off well from the deed. It is clear that you have some unheard-of thing to tell.

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

Creon Then tell it, will you, and so unburdened go away?

Guard Well, here it is. The corpse—some one has just given it burial and disappeared after sprinkling thirsty dust on the flesh and performing the other rites that piety demands. 245

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

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

Guard Will you allow me to speak? Or shall I just turn and go? 315

Creon Do you not know even now how much your voice sickens me?

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

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

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

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

Guard Perhaps, but never the author of this action.

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

Guard Ah! It is truly sad when the judge judges wrong .

Creon Expound on judgment as you will. But, if you fail to show me the perpetrators of these crimes, you will avow that money basely earned wreaks sorrows. Exit Creon. 325

Guard Well, may the man be found! That would be best. But, whether he be caught or not—for fortune must decide that—I assure you that you will not see me come here again. Saved just now beyond hope and belief, I owe the gods great thanks. Exit the Guard. 330

Commentary

Stable identifiers

Doch Kreon kommt des Menökeus Sohn,

des Thebäischen Lands neuwaltender Fürst,

in des Göttergeschicks neublühendem Glück:

was sinnet er wohl im erregten Gemüth,

daſs jetzo sofort den erlesenen Rath
155

er der Greis' entbot zur Versammlung hier,

durch Heroldsruf sie beschickend?

CREON
Enter CREON .

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.

The queen of glorious name,
155

To grace her Thebes, in gorgeous state

Her high cars rolling through each gate,

Resplendent Conquest came.

Let war, and arms, and hostile rage
160

No more your anxious thoughts engage;

Chorus

That is your will, Creon, towards this city’s enemy and its friend. And the power is yours, I believe, to make use of every law whatsoever, both concerning the dead and all us who live.

Creon

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

Chorus

Lay the weight of this task on some younger man.

Creon

That is not what I meant—the guards for the corpse are already in place.

Chorus

Then what is this other command that you would give?

Creon

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

Chorus

There is no one so foolish as to crave death.
220

Creon

I assure you, that is the wage for disobedience. Yet by just the hope of it, money has many times corrupted men.

Creon

And what is it that so disheartens you?

Guard

I want to tell you first about myself—I did not do the deed, nor did I see the doer,

so it would be wrong that I should come to any harm.
240

Creon

Like a bowman you aim well at your target from a distance, and all around you hedge yourself off well from the deed. It is clear that you have some unheard-of thing to tell.

Guard

That I do, for terrible news imposes great hesitation.

Creon

Then tell it, will you, and so unburdened go away?

Guard

Well, here it is. The corpse—some one has just given it burial and disappeared after sprinkling thirsty dust on the flesh and performing the other rites that piety demands.
245

Creon

What are you saying? What man dared do this?

Chorus

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

Guard

Will you allow me to speak? Or shall I just turn and go?
315

Creon

Do you not know even now how much your voice sickens me?

Guard

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

Creon

And why would you define the seat of my pain?

Guard

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

Creon

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

Guard

Perhaps, but never the author of this action.

Creon

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

Guard

Ah! It is truly sad when the judge judges wrong .

Creon

Expound on judgment as you will. But, if you fail to

show me the perpetrators of these crimes, you will avow that money basely earned wreaks sorrows. Exit Creon.
325

Guard

Well, may the man be found! That would be best. But, whether he be caught or not—for fortune must decide that—I assure you that you will not see me come here again.

Saved just now beyond hope and belief, I owe the gods great thanks. Exit the Guard.
330