Sophocles, Antigone, Robert Potter (Translator), 111

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Creon

Those who obey command: by those that jule)
750

Antigone. Sophocles. Robert Potter (Translator). London. 1820.

Current edition Experimental

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) (English) (English (Robert Potter, 1788))

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (12)

Greek (L. Benloew, 1858) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (L. Benloew, 1858)) — 111 focus

ἀρθεὶς νεικέων ἐξ ἀμφιλόγων,

Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884)) — 111 focus

ἀγαγὼν θούριος ¹ ὀξέα κλάζων

Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806)) — 111 focus

ἀρθεὶς νεικέων ἐξ ἀμφιλόγων,

Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 111 focus

ἀρθεὶς νεικέων ἐξ ἀμφιλόγων

Greek (A. Colonna, 1978) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Colonna, 1978)) — 111 focus

ἀρθεὶς νεικέων ἐξ ἀμφιλόγων

Greek (A. Dain, 1955) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Dain, 1955)) — 111.mvp-line-111 focus

ἀρθεὶς νεικέων ἐξ ἀμφιλόγων

Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979)) — 111 focus

ἀρθεὶς νεικέων ἐξ ἀμφιλόγων

Greek (G. Hermann, 1830) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (G. Hermann, 1830)) — 111 focus

ἀρθεὶς νεικέων ἐξ ἀμφιλόγων

Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906)) — 111 focus

ἀρθεὶς νεικέων ἐξ ἀμφιλόγων

Greek (A. C. Pearson, 1924) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. C. Pearson, 1924)) — 111.mvp-line-111 focus

ἀρθεὶς νεικέων ἐξ ἀμφιλόγων

Antigone (OCR draft) Experimental (Antigone) — 111 focus

ἀρθεὶς νεικέων ἐξ ἀμφιλόγων

Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949)) — 111 focus

ἀρθεὶς νεικέων ἐξ ἀμφιλόγων

Translations (10)

German (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (A. Boeckh, 1884)) — 111 focus

ANTIGONE

Nein, das gestattet nimmer dir das Recht, dieweil
525

du weder wolltest, noch dir ich Antheil verlieh.

Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921)) — 111 focus

ANTIGONA

Lo siento en verdad, aun cuando me ria de ti.

Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) Experimental (Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806)) — 111 focus

Antigone

Doleam equidem, tibi si risum debeam,

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 111 focus

ANT

My heart is pained, though my lip laughs at thee.

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 110 focus

Ihn, den Polyneikes' feindlicher Zwist
110

Zu dem Kampfe geführt auf unsere Gau'n,

Der kühn, wie der Aar,

Hellkreischend herab flog über das Land,

Von der Schwinge gedeckt weißglänzenden Schnee's,

Mit der Rüstungen viel
115

Und mähnenumflatterten Helmen.

Erste Gegenstrophe.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 111 focus

Ismene

And will you not

Pe>mit me then to share your fate ?

Spanish (A. G. Garbin, 1889) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (A. G. Garbin, 1889)) — 111 focus

ANTÍGONA

¿Y quiénes son los causantes de él? Plutón y las deidades del Averno lo saben. Rechazo, pues, la que no me muestra su amor más que con palabras.

German (F. Hölderlin, 1804) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (F. Hölderlin, 1804)) — 111 focus

ISMENE

Was aber kann ich nüzen dir, auch jezt noch?

English (Sir Richard Jebb1, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb1, 1904)) — 111 focus

Antigone

Indeed, if I mock, ’tis with pain that I mock thee.

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

Enter the Chorus on the right.

Chorus

Shaft of the sun, fairest light of all that have dawned on Thebes of the seven gates, you have shone forth at last, eye of golden day, advancing over Dirce’s streams!
100

You have goaded with a sharper bit the warrior of the white shield, who came from Argos in full armor, driving him to headlong retreat.
105

110

Chorus

He set out against our land because of the strife-filled claims of Polyneices, and like a screaming eagle he flew over into our land, covered by his snow-white wing,
110

with a mass of weapons and crested helmets.
115

117

Chorus

He paused above our dwellings; he gaped around our sevenfold portals with spears thirsting for blood; but he left

before his jaws were ever glutted with our gore, or before the Fire-god’s pine-fed flame had seized our crown of towers.
120

So fierce was the crash of battle swelling about his back, a match too hard to win for the rival of the dragon.
125

127

Chorus

For Zeus detests above all the boasts of a proud tongue. And when he saw them advancing in a swollen flood,

arrogant their clanging gold, he dashed with brandished fire one who was already starting to shout victory when he had reached our ramparts.
130

134

Chorus

Staggered, he fell to the earth with a crash,

torch in hand, a man possessed by the frenzy of the mad attack, who just now was raging against us with the blasts of his tempestuous hate. But his threats did not fare as he had hoped, and to the other enemies mighty Ares dispensed each their own dooms with hard blows,
135

Ares, our mighty ally at the turning-point.
140

141

Chorus

For the seven captains, stationed against an equal number at the seven gates, left behind their brazen arms in tribute to Zeus the turner of battle—all but the accursed pair who, born of one father and one

mother, set against each other their spears, both victorious, and who now share in a common death.
145

148

Chorus

But since Victory whose name is glory has come to us, smiling in joy equal to the joy of chariot-rich Thebes ,

let us make for ourselves forgetfulness after the recent wars, and visit all the temples of the gods with night-long dance and song. And may Bacchus, who shakes the earth of Thebes , rule our dancing!
150

155

Chorus

But look, the king of the land is coming here, Creon, the son of Menoeceus, our new ruler in accordance with the new circumstances fated by the gods. What policy is he setting in motion,
155

that he has proposed this special conference of elders, and summoned it by a general mandate?
160

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-445-1 Objections have been made to the traditional order of these verses, chiefly in two respects. (1) 755

εἰ μὴ πατὴρ ἦσθ’

is—it is argued—the strongest thing said by Haemon, and ought therefore to come immediately before Creon's final outburst,

ἄληθες

; (758). How could it be followed by merely so mild a phrase as

μὴ κώτιλλέ με

?—We may reply:— Haemon says that, if Creon were not his father, he would have thought him mad. It is to this that

μὴ κώτιλλέ με

refers, meaning, ‘Do not seek to deceive me by an affectation of filial deference.’ (2) 757

βούλει λέγειν τι

is too mild a remark—it is said—to form the climax of provocation to Creon's anger. We may reply:—It is in substance, if not in form, such a climax, —for a father who holds that unquestioning obedience (640) is a son's first duty. It asserts Haemon's right to maintain his own views against his father's,—

διὰ δίκης ἰέναι

, as Creon put it (742). The traditional order seems, therefore, to be right.

mvp-comment-445-2 Three modes of transposition have been proposed. (1) Enger puts 756 and 757 after 749. Then

κώτιλλε

(756) refers to Haemon's plea that he has his father's cause, and that of religion, at heart. We lose nothing by such a transposition; but neither do we gain.

mvp-comment-445-3 (2) Donner (in his transl., ed. 1863) simply transposed verses 755 and 757, leaving the rest as they stand. For this it may fairly be said that 757 comes very fitly after 754. On the other hand it seems to me that 756 does not aptly follow 757.

mvp-comment-445-4 (3) Pallis arranges thus:—749, 756, 755, 754, 757, 750—753. Thus

κενὰς γνώμας

(753) becomes the last sting.— The fact is that, in a stormy altercation, we do not look for a closely logical texture and a delicately graduated crescendo. The MS. order is (to my mind) the best; but other arrangements are possible, and would be nearly as good.

mvp-comment-445-5 Creon, instead of replying to v. 749, abruptly repeats his resolve.

οὐκ ἔστιν ὡς ταύτην ἔτι ζῶσαν γαμεῖς

(fut.)

ποτέ

, it cannot be that you shall ever wed her while she yet lives; i.e. she is to die at once, and can become your bride, if ever, only

ἐν Ἅιδου

(654). Cp. 1240 .— ὡς ¹ ποτέ ² ταύτην ³

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

635-765. mvp-comment-375-1 Haemon professes obedience to his father, but with the implied condition that his father commands what is right. Not heeding this, Creon welcomes his general profession, and enlarges on the blessings that follow from obedience in public and private. He urges Haemon to renounce Antigone. Haemon replies by repeating the praise of her which he has heard in the city (Ar. Rhet. 3. 17, ἕτερον χρὴ λέγοντα ποιεῖν.. ὡς Σοφοκλῆς τὸν Αἴμονα ὑπὲρ τῆς Ἀντιγόνης πρὸς τὸν πατέρα, ὡς λεγόντων ἑτέρων), and begs his father not to be deaf to all opinions but his own. Creon is impatient at this, and, after an altercation, in which both speakers become exasperated, Creon orders Antigone to be brought for immediate execution, and Haemon breaks away in sullen anger. This episode interposes a necessary pause between the condemnation of Antigone and its results, i. e, between the two chief crises of the action, and assists the main impression by bringing the light of natural affection and common opinion to bear on the situation.

Sophocles Antigone 111

Robert Potter (Translator)

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Creon

Those who obey command: by those that jule)
750

Current edition Experimental

ANTIGONE

Nein, das gestattet nimmer dir das Recht, dieweil
525

du weder wolltest, noch dir ich Antheil verlieh.

ANTIGONA

Lo siento en verdad, aun cuando me ria de ti.

Antigone

Doleam equidem, tibi si risum debeam,

ANT

My heart is pained, though my lip laughs at thee.

Ihn, den Polyneikes' feindlicher Zwist
110

Zu dem Kampfe geführt auf unsere Gau'n,

Der kühn, wie der Aar,

Hellkreischend herab flog über das Land,

Von der Schwinge gedeckt weißglänzenden Schnee's,

Mit der Rüstungen viel
115

Und mähnenumflatterten Helmen.

Erste Gegenstrophe.

Ismene

And will you not

Pe>mit me then to share your fate ?

ANTÍGONA

¿Y quiénes son los causantes de él? Plutón y las deidades del Averno lo saben. Rechazo, pues, la que no me muestra su amor más que con palabras.

ISMENE

Was aber kann ich nüzen dir, auch jezt noch?

Antigone

Indeed, if I mock, ’tis with pain that I mock thee.

Chorus

He set out against our land because of the strife-filled claims of Polyneices, and like a screaming eagle he flew over into our land, covered by his snow-white wing,
110

with a mass of weapons and crested helmets.
115

Chorus

For Zeus detests above all the boasts of a proud tongue. And when he saw them advancing in a swollen flood,

arrogant their clanging gold, he dashed with brandished fire one who was already starting to shout victory when he had reached our ramparts.
130

Chorus

But look, the king of the land is coming here, Creon, the son of Menoeceus, our new ruler in accordance with the new circumstances fated by the gods. What policy is he setting in motion,
155

that he has proposed this special conference of elders, and summoned it by a general mandate?
160

Commentary

Stable identifiers

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Creon Those who obey command: by those that jule) 750

Current edition Experimental

ANTIGONE Nein, das gestattet nimmer dir das Recht, dieweil 525 du weder wolltest, noch dir ich Antheil verlieh.

ANTIGONA Lo siento en verdad, aun cuando me ria de ti.

Antigone Doleam equidem, tibi si risum debeam,

ANT My heart is pained, though my lip laughs at thee.

Ihn, den Polyneikes' feindlicher Zwist 110 Zu dem Kampfe geführt auf unsere Gau'n, Der kühn, wie der Aar, Hellkreischend herab flog über das Land, Von der Schwinge gedeckt weißglänzenden Schnee's, Mit der Rüstungen viel 115 Und mähnenumflatterten Helmen. Erste Gegenstrophe.

Ismene And will you not Pe>mit me then to share your fate ?

ANTÍGONA ¿Y quiénes son los causantes de él? Plutón y las deidades del Averno lo saben. Rechazo, pues, la que no me muestra su amor más que con palabras.

ISMENE Was aber kann ich nüzen dir, auch jezt noch?

Antigone Indeed, if I mock, ’tis with pain that I mock thee.

Chorus He set out against our land because of the strife-filled claims of Polyneices, and like a screaming eagle he flew over into our land, covered by his snow-white wing, 110 with a mass of weapons and crested helmets. 115

Chorus For Zeus detests above all the boasts of a proud tongue. And when he saw them advancing in a swollen flood, arrogant their clanging gold, he dashed with brandished fire one who was already starting to shout victory when he had reached our ramparts. 130

Chorus But look, the king of the land is coming here, Creon, the son of Menoeceus, our new ruler in accordance with the new circumstances fated by the gods. What policy is he setting in motion, 155 that he has proposed this special conference of elders, and summoned it by a general mandate? 160

Commentary

Stable identifiers

Creon

Those who obey command: by those that jule)
750

ANTIGONE

Nein, das gestattet nimmer dir das Recht, dieweil
525

du weder wolltest, noch dir ich Antheil verlieh.

ANTIGONA

Lo siento en verdad, aun cuando me ria de ti.

Antigone

Doleam equidem, tibi si risum debeam,

ANT

My heart is pained, though my lip laughs at thee.

Ihn, den Polyneikes' feindlicher Zwist
110

Zu dem Kampfe geführt auf unsere Gau'n,

Der kühn, wie der Aar,

Hellkreischend herab flog über das Land,

Von der Schwinge gedeckt weißglänzenden Schnee's,

Mit der Rüstungen viel
115

Und mähnenumflatterten Helmen.

Erste Gegenstrophe.

Ismene

And will you not

Pe>mit me then to share your fate ?

ANTÍGONA

¿Y quiénes son los causantes de él? Plutón y las deidades del Averno lo saben. Rechazo, pues, la que no me muestra su amor más que con palabras.

ISMENE

Was aber kann ich nüzen dir, auch jezt noch?

Antigone

Indeed, if I mock, ’tis with pain that I mock thee.

Chorus

He set out against our land because of the strife-filled claims of Polyneices, and like a screaming eagle he flew over into our land, covered by his snow-white wing,
110

with a mass of weapons and crested helmets.
115

Chorus

For Zeus detests above all the boasts of a proud tongue. And when he saw them advancing in a swollen flood,

arrogant their clanging gold, he dashed with brandished fire one who was already starting to shout victory when he had reached our ramparts.
130

Chorus

But look, the king of the land is coming here, Creon, the son of Menoeceus, our new ruler in accordance with the new circumstances fated by the gods. What policy is he setting in motion,
155

that he has proposed this special conference of elders, and summoned it by a general mandate?
160