τάφῳ καλύψαι μηδὲ κωκῦσαί τινα,
Antigone. Sophocles. ed. Francis Storr. London. 1912.
Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.
Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.
Table of Contents
Search the Perseus Catalog for:
Search the Perseus Catalog for:
Current edition Experimental
Ἀντιγόνη (Greek) (Sophocles, Volume 1. Storr, Francis, editor. London; New York: William Heinemann Ltd.; The Macmillan Company, 1912.)
Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.
Editions (11)
Greek (L. Benloew, 1858) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (L. Benloew, 1858)) — 28 focus
τάφῳ καλύψαι, μηδὲ κωκῦσαί τινα,
Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884)) — 28 focus
τάφῳ καλύψαι, μηδὲ κωκῦσαί τινα,
Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806)) — 28 focus
τάφῳ καλύψαι, μηδὲ κωκῦσαί τινα,
Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 28 focus
τάφῳ καλύψαι μηδὲ κωκῦσαί τινα,
Greek (A. Colonna, 1978) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Colonna, 1978)) — 28 focus
τάφῳ καλύψαι μηδὲ κωκῦσαί τινα,
Greek (A. Dain, 1955) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Dain, 1955)) — 28.mvp-line-28 focus
τάφῳ καλύψαι μηδὲ κωκῦσαί τινα,
Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979)) — 28 focus
τάφωι καλύψαι μηδὲ κωκῦσαί τινα,
Greek (G. Hermann, 1830) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (G. Hermann, 1830)) — 28 focus
τάφῳ καλύψαι, μηδὲ κωκῦσαί τινα,
Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906)) — 28 focus
τάφῳ καλύψαι μηδὲ κωκῦσαί τινα,
Greek (A. C. Pearson, 1924) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. C. Pearson, 1924)) — 28.mvp-line-28 focus
τάφῳ καλύψαι μηδὲ κωκῦσαί τινα,
Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949)) — 28 focus
τάφωι καλύψαι μηδὲ κωκῦσαί τινα,
Translations (11)
German (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (A. Boeckh, 1884)) — 28 focus
ISMENE
Auch nicht beginnen soll man, was unmöglich ist.
Auch nicht beginnen soll man, was unmöglich ist.
Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921)) — 28 focus
Ismena
Pues si te parece, anda; pero ten esto en cuenta, que procedes insensatamente, bien que muy amable a los seres queridos.
Pues si te parece, anda; pero ten esto en cuenta, que procedes insensatamente, bien que muy amable a los seres queridos.
Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) Experimental (Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806)) — 28 focus
Ismene
At si tibi videtur, ito:
hoc autem scias, stultam te quidem esse, sed amicis probe amicam.
At si tibi videtur, ito:
hoc autem scias, stultam te quidem esse, sed amicis probe amicam.
English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 28 focus
ISM
Go, if you must—Not to be checked in folly,
But sure unparalleled in faithful love!
Go, if you must—Not to be checked in folly,
But sure unparalleled in faithful love!
German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 39 focus
Was kann ich, wenn dies also steht, Unselige,
1
Hier, lösend oder bindend, uns zum Frommen thun?
40
Was kann ich, wenn dies also steht, Unselige,
1
Hier, lösend oder bindend, uns zum Frommen thun?
40
Antigone.
Sieh, ob du helfen, ob die Mühe theilen wirst
Sieh, ob du helfen, ob die Mühe theilen wirst
Ismene.
Bei welchem Unterfangen? Wo geräthst du hin?
Bei welchem Unterfangen? Wo geräthst du hin?
Antigone.
Ob du den Todten, mir gesellt, aufnehmen willst!
Ob du den Todten, mir gesellt, aufnehmen willst!
Ismene.
Ihn denn bestatten willst du, dem Verbot zum Troz?
Ihn denn bestatten willst du, dem Verbot zum Troz?
Antigone.
Ja, meinen Bruder und den deinen, wenn auch du
45
Nicht willst; denn niemals soll man mich Verrathes zeih'n!
2
Ja, meinen Bruder und den deinen, wenn auch du
45
Nicht willst; denn niemals soll man mich Verrathes zeih'n!
2
Ismene.
Tollkühne, während Kreon's Wort es dir verwehrt?
Tollkühne, während Kreon's Wort es dir verwehrt?
Antigone.
Fern halten darf mich dieser nie von meiner Pflicht.
Fern halten darf mich dieser nie von meiner Pflicht.
Ismene.
Weh mir! Bedenk', o Schwester, wie der Vater uns,
Mit Haß und Hohn belastet, ruhmlos unterging,
50
Nachdem er selbst um Gräuel, die er selbst enthüllt,
Der Augen Sterne sich zerriß mit eigner Hand;
Wie dann die Mutter, Mutter ihm und Weib zugleich,
Schmachvoll mit frevlem Strange sich das Leben nahm;
Zum dritten, wie die Brüder beid' an Einem Tag
55
Im Wechselmord sich ein gemeinsam Todesloos,
Die Armen, schufen, Einer durch des Andern Hand!
Wir sind allein jezt übrig; du bedenke denn,
Wie schmählich wir verdürben, wenn wir wider Necht
Der Herrscher Ausspruch und Gewalt mißachteten.
60
Wohl mußt du doch erwägen, daß wir Frauen sind,
Und nicht geschaffen, Männern kühn im Kampf zu steh'n,
Dann aber, daß wir, weil beherrscht von Stärkeren,
Hier folgen müssen und sogar in Härterem.
Drum will ich jene, die der Erde Schooß verbirgt,
3
65
Anfleh'n um Nachsicht, weil Gewalt mich bindet hier,
Und ihm gehorchen, dem die Macht geworden ist;
Denn Unverstand ist's, über seine Kraft zu thun.
Weh mir! Bedenk', o Schwester, wie der Vater uns,
Mit Haß und Hohn belastet, ruhmlos unterging,
50
Nachdem er selbst um Gräuel, die er selbst enthüllt,
Der Augen Sterne sich zerriß mit eigner Hand;
Wie dann die Mutter, Mutter ihm und Weib zugleich,
Schmachvoll mit frevlem Strange sich das Leben nahm;
Zum dritten, wie die Brüder beid' an Einem Tag
55
Im Wechselmord sich ein gemeinsam Todesloos,
Die Armen, schufen, Einer durch des Andern Hand!
Wir sind allein jezt übrig; du bedenke denn,
Wie schmählich wir verdürben, wenn wir wider Necht
Der Herrscher Ausspruch und Gewalt mißachteten.
60
Wohl mußt du doch erwägen, daß wir Frauen sind,
Und nicht geschaffen, Männern kühn im Kampf zu steh'n,
Dann aber, daß wir, weil beherrscht von Stärkeren,
Hier folgen müssen und sogar in Härterem.
Drum will ich jene, die der Erde Schooß verbirgt,
3
65
Anfleh'n um Nachsicht, weil Gewalt mich bindet hier,
Und ihm gehorchen, dem die Macht geworden ist;
Denn Unverstand ist's, über seine Kraft zu thun.
English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 28 focus
Creon
211
At length our empire, shook by civil broils.
The gods to peace and safety have restored ;
Wherefore, my friends, you had our late request
That you should meet us here ; for well I know
Your firm allegiance to great Laius, next
To (Edipus, and his unhappy sons ;
These by each other's hand untimely slain,
To me the sceptre doth of right descend,
As next in blood. Never can man be know,
His mind, his will, his passions ne'er appear
Till power and office call them forth ; for me,
'Tis my firm thought, and I have held it ever,
That he who rules and doth not follow that
Which wisdom counsels, but, restrained by fear,
Shuts up his lips, must be the worst of men ;
Nor do I deem him worthy who prefers
A friend, how dear soever, to his country.
Should I behold — witness all-seeing Jove ! —
This city wronged, I never would be silent,
Never would make the foe of Thebes my friend,
For on her safety must depend our own j
And if she flourish we can never want
Assistance or support. Thus would I act,
And therefore have I sent my edict forth
Touching the sons of OEdipus, commanding
That they should bury him who nobly fought
And died for Thebes, the good Eteocles,
Gracing his memory with each honour due
To the illustrious dead. For Polynices,
Abandoned exile, for a brother's blood
Thirsting insatiate — he who would in flames
Have wasted all, his country and his gods.
And made you slaves — I have decreed he lie
Unburied, his vile carcase to the birds
And hungry dogs a prey. There let him rot
Inglorious — 'tis my will ; for ne'er from me
Shall vice inherit virtue's due reward,
But him alone who is a friend to Thebes,
Living or dead shall Creon reverence still.
Choe. Son of Menseceus, 'twas thy great behest
Thus to reward them both ; thine is the power
O'er all supreme, the living and the dead.
At length our empire, shook by civil broils.
The gods to peace and safety have restored ;
Wherefore, my friends, you had our late request
That you should meet us here ; for well I know
Your firm allegiance to great Laius, next
To (Edipus, and his unhappy sons ;
These by each other's hand untimely slain,
To me the sceptre doth of right descend,
As next in blood. Never can man be know,
His mind, his will, his passions ne'er appear
Till power and office call them forth ; for me,
'Tis my firm thought, and I have held it ever,
That he who rules and doth not follow that
Which wisdom counsels, but, restrained by fear,
Shuts up his lips, must be the worst of men ;
Nor do I deem him worthy who prefers
A friend, how dear soever, to his country.
Should I behold — witness all-seeing Jove ! —
This city wronged, I never would be silent,
Never would make the foe of Thebes my friend,
For on her safety must depend our own j
And if she flourish we can never want
Assistance or support. Thus would I act,
And therefore have I sent my edict forth
Touching the sons of OEdipus, commanding
That they should bury him who nobly fought
And died for Thebes, the good Eteocles,
Gracing his memory with each honour due
To the illustrious dead. For Polynices,
Abandoned exile, for a brother's blood
Thirsting insatiate — he who would in flames
Have wasted all, his country and his gods.
And made you slaves — I have decreed he lie
Unburied, his vile carcase to the birds
And hungry dogs a prey. There let him rot
Inglorious — 'tis my will ; for ne'er from me
Shall vice inherit virtue's due reward,
But him alone who is a friend to Thebes,
Living or dead shall Creon reverence still.
Choe. Son of Menseceus, 'twas thy great behest
Thus to reward them both ; thine is the power
O'er all supreme, the living and the dead.
Spanish (A. G. Garbin, 1889) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (A. G. Garbin, 1889)) — 28 focus
ISMENA
Puesto que tú lo quieres..... parte, hermana imprudente;..... pero, en realidad, amiga de tus amigos.
Se van ambas, por diferente lado. Sube el coro compuesto de los ancianos ó senadores de Thebas).
Puesto que tú lo quieres..... parte, hermana imprudente;..... pero, en realidad, amiga de tus amigos.
Se van ambas, por diferente lado. Sube el coro compuesto de los ancianos ó senadores de Thebas).
German (F. Hölderlin, 1804) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (F. Hölderlin, 1804)) — 28 focus
ISMENE
Wenn dir es.dünkt, so geh. Wiss aber difs,
100
Sinnlos, doch lieb in liebem Tone sprichst du.
Wenn dir es.dünkt, so geh. Wiss aber difs,
100
Sinnlos, doch lieb in liebem Tone sprichst du.
English (Sir Richard Jebb1, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb1, 1904)) — 28 focus
Ismene
Go, then, if thou must; and of this be sure,— that, though thine errand is foolish, to thy dear ones thou art truly dear.
Exit ANTIGONE on the spectators’ left. ISMENE retires into the palace by one of the two side-doors.
Go, then, if thou must; and of this be sure,— that, though thine errand is foolish, to thy dear ones thou art truly dear.
Exit ANTIGONE on the spectators’ left. ISMENE retires into the palace by one of the two side-doors.
English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 28 focus
Creon
Who did the deed, my words offend thy ears.
320
What a quaint prater this!
320
Who did the deed, my words offend thy ears.
320
What a quaint prater this!
320
English (Sir Richard Jebb2, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb2, 1904)) — 1-98 focus
1
39
69
Antigone
Ismene, my sister, true child of my own mother, do you know any evil out of all the evils bequeathed by Oedipus that Zeus will not fulfil for the two of us in our lifetime? There is nothing—no pain, no ruin,
1
no shame, nor dishonor—that I have not seen in your sufferings and mine. And now what is this new edict that they say the general has just decreed to all the city? Do you know anything? Have you heard? Or does it escape you that
5
evils from our enemies are on the march against our friends?
10
Ismene, my sister, true child of my own mother, do you know any evil out of all the evils bequeathed by Oedipus that Zeus will not fulfil for the two of us in our lifetime? There is nothing—no pain, no ruin,
1
no shame, nor dishonor—that I have not seen in your sufferings and mine. And now what is this new edict that they say the general has just decreed to all the city? Do you know anything? Have you heard? Or does it escape you that
5
evils from our enemies are on the march against our friends?
10
Ismene
To me no word of our friends, Antigone, either bringing joy or bringing pain has come since we two were robbed of our two brothers who died in one day by a double blow.
And since the
Argive
army has fled during this night, I have learned nothing further, whether better fortune is mine, or further ruin.
15
To me no word of our friends, Antigone, either bringing joy or bringing pain has come since we two were robbed of our two brothers who died in one day by a double blow.
And since the
Argive
army has fled during this night, I have learned nothing further, whether better fortune is mine, or further ruin.
15
Antigone
I knew it well, so I was trying to bring you outside the courtyard gates to this end, that you alone might hear.
I knew it well, so I was trying to bring you outside the courtyard gates to this end, that you alone might hear.
Ismene
Hear what? It is clear that you are brooding on some dark news.
20
Hear what? It is clear that you are brooding on some dark news.
20
Antigone
Why not? Has not Creon destined our brothers, the one to honored burial, the other to unburied shame? Eteocles, they say, with due observance of right and custom, he has laid in the earth
for his honor among the dead below. As for the poor corpse of Polyneices, however, they say that an edict has been published to the townsmen that no one shall bury him or mourn him, but instead leave him unwept, unentombed, for the birds a pleasing store
25
as they look to satisfy their hunger. Such, it is said, is the edict that the good Creon has laid down for you and for me—yes, for me—and it is said that he is coming here to proclaim it for the certain knowledge of those who do not already know. They say that he does not conduct this business lightly,
30
but whoever performs any of these rites, for him the fate appointed is death by public stoning among the entire city. This is how things stand for you, and so you will soon show your nature, whether you are noble-minded, or the corrupt daughter of a noble line.
35
39
Why not? Has not Creon destined our brothers, the one to honored burial, the other to unburied shame? Eteocles, they say, with due observance of right and custom, he has laid in the earth
for his honor among the dead below. As for the poor corpse of Polyneices, however, they say that an edict has been published to the townsmen that no one shall bury him or mourn him, but instead leave him unwept, unentombed, for the birds a pleasing store
25
as they look to satisfy their hunger. Such, it is said, is the edict that the good Creon has laid down for you and for me—yes, for me—and it is said that he is coming here to proclaim it for the certain knowledge of those who do not already know. They say that he does not conduct this business lightly,
30
but whoever performs any of these rites, for him the fate appointed is death by public stoning among the entire city. This is how things stand for you, and so you will soon show your nature, whether you are noble-minded, or the corrupt daughter of a noble line.
35
Ismene
Poor sister, if things have come to this, what would I
profit by loosening or tightening this knot?
40
Poor sister, if things have come to this, what would I
profit by loosening or tightening this knot?
40
Antigone
Consider whether you will share the toil and the task.
Consider whether you will share the toil and the task.
Ismene
What are you hazarding? What do you intend?
What are you hazarding? What do you intend?
Antigone
Will you join your hand to mine in order to lift his corpse?
Will you join your hand to mine in order to lift his corpse?
Ismene
You plan to bury him—when it is forbidden to the city?
You plan to bury him—when it is forbidden to the city?
Antigone
Yes, he is my brother, and yours too, even if you wish it otherwise. I will never be convicted of betraying him.
45
Yes, he is my brother, and yours too, even if you wish it otherwise. I will never be convicted of betraying him.
45
Ismene
Hard girl! Even when Creon has forbidden it?
Hard girl! Even when Creon has forbidden it?
Antigone
No, he has no right to keep me from my own.
No, he has no right to keep me from my own.
Ismene
Ah, no! Think, sister, how our father
perished in hatred and infamy, when, because of the crimes that he himself detected, he smashed both his eyes with self-blinding hand; then his mother-wife, two names in one, with a twisted noose destroyed her life;
50
lastly, our two brothers in a single day, both unhappy murderers of their own flesh and blood, worked with mutual hands their common doom. And now we, in turn—we two who have been left all alone—consider how much more miserably we will be destroyed, if in defiance of the law
55
we transgress against an autocrat’s decree or his powers. No, we must remember, first, that ours is a woman’s nature, and accordingly not suited to battles against men; and next, that we are ruled by the more powerful, so that we must obey in these things and in things even more stinging.
60
I, therefore, will ask those below for pardon, since I am forced to this, and will obey those who have come to authority. It is foolish to do what is fruitless.
65
69
Ah, no! Think, sister, how our father
perished in hatred and infamy, when, because of the crimes that he himself detected, he smashed both his eyes with self-blinding hand; then his mother-wife, two names in one, with a twisted noose destroyed her life;
50
lastly, our two brothers in a single day, both unhappy murderers of their own flesh and blood, worked with mutual hands their common doom. And now we, in turn—we two who have been left all alone—consider how much more miserably we will be destroyed, if in defiance of the law
55
we transgress against an autocrat’s decree or his powers. No, we must remember, first, that ours is a woman’s nature, and accordingly not suited to battles against men; and next, that we are ruled by the more powerful, so that we must obey in these things and in things even more stinging.
60
I, therefore, will ask those below for pardon, since I am forced to this, and will obey those who have come to authority. It is foolish to do what is fruitless.
65
Antigone
I would not encourage you—no, nor, even if you were willing later,
would I welcome you as my partner in this action. No, be the sort that pleases you. I will bury him—it would honor me to die while doing that. I shall rest with him, loved one with loved one, a pious criminal. For the time is greater
70
that I must serve the dead than the living, since in that world I will rest forever. But if you so choose, continue to dishonor what the gods in honor have established.
75
I would not encourage you—no, nor, even if you were willing later,
would I welcome you as my partner in this action. No, be the sort that pleases you. I will bury him—it would honor me to die while doing that. I shall rest with him, loved one with loved one, a pious criminal. For the time is greater
70
that I must serve the dead than the living, since in that world I will rest forever. But if you so choose, continue to dishonor what the gods in honor have established.
75
Ismene
I do them no dishonor. But to act in violation of the citizens’ will—of that I am by nature incapable.
I do them no dishonor. But to act in violation of the citizens’ will—of that I am by nature incapable.
Antigone
You can make that your pretext! Regardless, I will go now to heap a tomb over the brother I love.
80
You can make that your pretext! Regardless, I will go now to heap a tomb over the brother I love.
80
Ismene
Oh no, unhappy sister! I fear for you!
Oh no, unhappy sister! I fear for you!
Antigone
Do not tremble for me. Straighten out your own destiny.
Do not tremble for me. Straighten out your own destiny.
Ismene
Then at least disclose the deed to no one before you do it.
Conceal it, instead, in secrecy—and so, too, will I.
85
Then at least disclose the deed to no one before you do it.
Conceal it, instead, in secrecy—and so, too, will I.
85
Antigone
Go on! Denounce it! You will be far more hated for your silence, if you fail to proclaim these things to everyone.
Go on! Denounce it! You will be far more hated for your silence, if you fail to proclaim these things to everyone.
Ismene
You have a hot heart for chilling deeds.
You have a hot heart for chilling deeds.
Antigone
I know that I please those whom I am most bound to please.
I know that I please those whom I am most bound to please.
Ismene
Yes, if you will also have the power. But you crave the impossible.
90
Yes, if you will also have the power. But you crave the impossible.
90
Antigone
Why then, when my strength fails, I will have finished.
Why then, when my strength fails, I will have finished.
Ismene
An impossible hunt should not be tried in the first place.
An impossible hunt should not be tried in the first place.
Antigone
If you mean that, you will have my hatred, and you will be subject to punishment as the enemy of the dead.
But leave me and the foolish plan I have authored to suffer this terrible thing, for I will not suffer anything so terrible that my death will lack honor.
95
If you mean that, you will have my hatred, and you will be subject to punishment as the enemy of the dead.
But leave me and the foolish plan I have authored to suffer this terrible thing, for I will not suffer anything so terrible that my death will lack honor.
95
Ismene
Go, then, if you so decide. And of this be sure: though your path is foolish, to your loved ones your love is straight and true.
Exit Antigone on the spectators’ left. Ismene exits into the palace.
Go, then, if you so decide. And of this be sure: though your path is foolish, to your loved ones your love is straight and true.
Exit Antigone on the spectators’ left. Ismene exits into the palace.