Sophocles, Antigone, Robert Potter (Translator), 148

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And Mars triumphant on his car

Directed all the storm of war.

At the seven gates seven Argive warriors raged,
150

But, Chief with daring Chief engaged,

Left to Tropæan Jove their glittering spoils.

Not such th' unhappy Brothers' toils;

With ruthless spears and ruthless hate

They rush'd victorious both, both shared one common fate.

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)) — 148 focus

ἀλλὰ γὰρ ἁ μεγαλώνυμος ἦλθε Νίκα

τᾷ πολυαρμάτῳ ἀντιχαρεῖσα Θήβᾳ.

ἐκ μὲν δὴ πολέμων
150

τῶν νῦν θέσθε λησμοσύναν,

θεῶν δὲ ναοὺς χοροῖς

παννυχίοις πάντας ἐπέλθωμεν· ὁ Θήβας δ᾽

ἐλελίχθων¹ Βάκχιος ἄρχοι.

Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884)) — 148 focus

ἀλλὰ γὰρ ἁ μεγαλώνυμος ἦλθε Νίκα
145

τᾷ πολυαρμάτῳ ἀντιχαρεῖσα Θήβᾳ.

ἐκ μὲν δὴ πολέμων τῶν νῦν θέσθε λησμοσύναν,

θεῶν δὲ ναοὺς χοροῖς

παννυχίοις πάντας ἐπέλθωμεν· ὁ Θήβας δ᾽ ἐλελίχθων

Βάκχιος ἄρχοι.
150

Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806)) — 148 focus

ἀλλὰ γὰρ ἁ μεγαλώνυμος ἦλθε Νίκα

τᾷ πολυαρμάτῳ ἀντιχαρεῖσα Θήβᾳ,

ἐν μὲν δὴ πολέμων

τῶν νῦν θέσθαι λησμοσύναν,
150

θεῶν δὲ ναοὺς χοροῖς

νυχίοις πάντας ἐπέλθωμεν· ὁ Θήβας

δ’ ἐλελίζων Βάκχιος ἄρχοι.

Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 148 focus

ἀλλὰ γὰρ ἁ μεγαλώνυμος ἦλθε Νίκα

τᾷ πολυαρμάτῳ ἀντιχαρεῖσα Θήβᾳ,

ἐκ μὲν δὴ πολέμων
150

τῶν νῦν θέσθε λησμοσύναν,

θεῶν δὲ ναοὺς χοροῖς

παννυχίοις πάντας ἐπέλθωμεν, ὁ Θήβας δ᾽ ἐλελίχθων

Βάκχιος ἄρχοι.

Greek (A. Colonna, 1978) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Colonna, 1978)) — 148 focus

ἀλλὰ γὰρ ἁ μεγαλώνυμος ἦλθε Νίκα

τᾷ πολυαρμάτῳ ἀντιχαρεῖσα Θήβᾳ,

ἐκ μὲν δὴ πολέμων
150

τῶν νῦν θέσθαι λησμοσύναν·

θεῶν δὲ ναοὺς χοροῖς

παννυχίοις πάντας ἐπέλθωμεν, ὁ Θή-

βας δ᾽ ἐλελίχθων Βάκχιος ἄρχοι.

Greek (A. Dain, 1955) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Dain, 1955)) — 148 focus

ἀλλὰ γὰρ ἁ μεγαλώνυμος ἦλθε Νίκα

τᾷ πολυαρμάτῳ ἀντιχαρεῖσα Θήβᾳ,

ἐκ μὲν δὴ πολέμων
150

τῶν νῦν θέσθαι λησμοσύναν·

θεῶν δὲ ναοὺς χοροῖς

παννυχίοις πάντας ἐπέλθωμεν, ὁ Θή-

βας δ’ ἐλελίχθων Βάκχιος ἄρχοι.

Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979)) — 148 focus

ἀλλὰ γὰρ ἁ μεγαλώνυμος ἦλθε Νίκα

τᾶι πολυαρμάτωι ἀντιχαρεῖσα Θήβαι,

ἐκ μὲν δὴ πολέμων
150

τῶν νῦν θέσθαι λησμοσύναν·

θεῶν δὲ ναοὺς χοροῖς

παννυχίοις πάντας ἐπέλ-

θωμεν, ὁ Θήβας δ᾽ ἐλελίχθων βάκχιος ἄρχοι.

Greek (G. Hermann, 1830) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (G. Hermann, 1830)) — 148 focus

ἀλλὰ γὰρ ἁ μεγαλώνυμος ἦλθε Νίκα

τᾷ πολυαρμάτῳ ἀντιχαρεῖσα Θήβᾳ,

ἐκ μὲν δὴ πολέμων
150

τῶν νῦν θέσθε λησμοσύναν,

θεῶν δὲ ναοὺς χοροῖς

παννυχίοις πάντας ἐπέλθωμεν· ὁ Θήβας δ᾽ ἐλελίχθων

Βάκχιος ἄρχοι.

2

Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906)) — 148 focus

ἀλλὰ γὰρ ἁ μεγαλώνυμος ἦλθε Νίκα 1

τᾷ πολυαρμάτῳ ἀντιχαρεῖσα Θήβᾳ, 2

ἐκ μὲν δὴ πολέμων 3
150

τῶν νῦν θέσθαι λησμοσύναν, 4

θεῶν δὲ ναοὺς χοροῖς 5

παννυχίοις πάντας ἐπέλθωμεν, ὁ Θήβας δ᾽ ἐλελίχθων 6

Βάκχιος ἄρχοι. 7

4

Greek (A. C. Pearson, 1924) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. C. Pearson, 1924)) — 148 focus

ἀλλὰ γὰρ ἁ μεγαλώνυμος ἦλθε Νίκα

τᾷ πολυαρμάτῳ ἀντιχαρεῖσα Θήβᾳ,

ἐκ μὲν δὴ πολέμων
150

τῶν νῦν θέσθαι λησμοσύναν,

θεῶν δὲ ναοὺς χοροῖς

παννυχίοις πάντας ἐπέλ-

θωμεν, ὁ Θήβας δ᾽ ἐλελίχθων Βάκχιος ἄρχοι.

Antigone (OCR draft) Experimental (Antigone) — 148 focus

Χορός

ἀλλὰ γὰρ ἁ μεγαλώνυμος ἦλθε Νίκα

τᾷ πολυαρμάτῳ ἀντιχαρεῖσα Θήβᾳ,

ἐκ μὲν δὴ πολέμων
150

τῶν νῦν θέσθαι λησμοσύναν,

θεῶν δὲ ναοὺς χοροῖς

παννυχίοις πάντας ἐπέλθωμεν, ὁ Θήβας δʼ ἐλελίχθων

Βάκχιος ἄρχοι.

Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949)) — 148 focus

ἀλλὰ γὰρ ἁ μεγαλώνυμος ἦλθε Νίκα

τᾶι πολυαρμάτωι ἀντιχαρεῖσα Θήβαι,

ἐκ μὲν δὴ πολέμων
150

τῶν νῦν θέσθε λησμοσύναν,

θεῶν δὲ ναοὺς χοροῖς

παννυχίοις πάντας ἐπέλθωμεν, ὁ Θήβας δ᾽ ἐλελίχθων

Βάκχιος ἄρχοι.

Translations (10)

German (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (A. Boeckh, 1884)) — 148 focus

Aber es kam die gepriesene Siegesgöttin,
145

freudig entgegnend der wagenberühmten Thebe:

deſshalb denket des Kampfs jetztnicht mehr; in nächtlichem Chor

lasset Tanzreigen uns

führend der Stadt Tempeln umher nahen, voran hebe sich

Thebe's
Bacchios jauchzend!
150

Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921)) — 148 focus

Pero, puesto que la gloriosa victoria llegó felicitando a Tebas la de muchos carros, olvidémonos de la reciente guerra y vayamos a los templos de los dioses con nocturnos coros guiados por Baco, que a Tebas pone en conmoción.

Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) Experimental (Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806)) — 148 focus

At enim, quoniam praeclaro nomine gaudens Victoria venit, curruum agitatrice Theba invicem delectata, iam confectorum modo bellorum oblivia inducite, deorumque templa omnia adeamus nocturnis choris, duce quidem Baccho, ululante, Thebis oriundo.

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 148 focus

But with blithe greeting to glad Thebe came

She of the glorious name,

Victory,—smiling on our chariot throng

With eyes that waken song
150

Then let those battle memories cease,

Silenced by thoughts of peace.

With holy dances of delight

Lasting through the livelong night

Visit we every shrine, in solemn round,

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 148 focus

Aber die namenverleihende Nike kam ja,¹

Gnädig vergeltend der wagenumrauschten Thebe;

Darum werde des Kriegs
150

Heute nimmer gedacht von euch;²

Laßt in Nachtreigen uns

Tanzend umher zieh'n zu der Stadt Tempeln, voran hebe sich Bacchos,

Theben erschütternd!³

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)) — 148 focus

Puesto que la victoria ha venido á proporcionar á la belicosa Thebas el júbilo y la alegría, aparte de nuestra mente el recuerdo de los combates; durante toda la noche formemos coros en los templos de los dioses, y que Baco, dios de Thebas, presida nuestros regocijos.

German (F. Hölderlin, 1804) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (F. Hölderlin, 1804)) — 148 focus

Der grofsnahmige Sieg ist aber gekommen,

Der wagenreichen günstig, der Thebe,

Und nach dem Kriege hier,
155

Macht die Vergessenheit aus!

Zu allen Göttertempeln,

Mit Chören, die Nacht durch,

Kommt her! und, Thebe

Erschütternd, herrsche der Bacchusreigen!
160

English (Sir Richard Jebb1, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb1, 1904)) — 148 focus

But since Victory of glorious name hath come to us, with joy responsive to the joy of Thebè whose 150 chariots are many, let us enjoy forgetfulness after the late wars, and visit all the temples of the gods with night-long dance and song; and may Bacchus be our leader, whose dancing shakes the land of Thebè. 4

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-86-1 ἀλλὰ γάρ ¹ γάρ ² γάρ ³

mvp-comment-86-2 μεγαλώνυμος ⁴

mvp-comment-86-3 πολυαρμάτῳ ⁵

mvp-comment-86-4 ἀντιχαρεῖσα ⁶

mvp-comment-87-1 ἐκ...πολέμων τῶν νῦν ⁷ ἐκ ⁸ νῦν ⁹

mvp-comment-87-2 θέσθαι ¹⁰ θέσθε ¹¹ παννυχίοις ¹²

mvp-comment-87-3 ὁ Θήβας ¹³ ἐλελίχθων ¹⁴

mvp-comment-87-4 Βάκχιος ¹⁵

mvp-comment-87-5 ἄρχοι ¹⁶

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

149. mvp-comment-92-1 ἀντιχαρεῖσα Exchanging looks of joy. Cp. χαίρειν γέλωτι, Χen. Cyr. 8.1.33.

149. mvp-comment-92-2 Θήβη, as in Pindar, is the personification of Θήβαι, for which it is used consistently throughout this play. Cp. Od. 7. 80, εὐρυάγυιαν Ἀθήνην.

150. mvp-comment-93-1 ἐκ μὲν δὴ πολέμων .. λησμοσύvav Turning from the present wars, appoint ye forgetfulness of them. For the pleonastic use of ἐκ, see Essay on Language § 19. p. 27. The reading θέσθαι, which has good MS. authority and preserves the metrical correspondence with l. 137, is retained by some editors as an infinitive for imperative. Cp. infr. 1142, μολεῖν. For the expression, cp. Eur. Phoen. 1584,5, ὡς ὥρα τάφου | μνήμην τίθεσθαι.

153. mvp-comment-94-1 παννυχίοις Cp. Ο. Τ. 1090: Aesch. Ag. 23, 24. καὶ χορῶν κατάστασιν | πολλῶν ἐν Ἄργει τῆσδε συμφορᾶς χάριν.

153. mvp-comment-94-2 ὁ Θήβας δ'. . ἄρχοι And let Bacchus, Thebe's God. who shakes the earth (with revelry), lead on the dance. Schol. ὁ Θήβας Βακχεῖος, ὁ Θηβαγενὴς Διόνυσος, ὁ τῆς Θήβης πολίτης, ὁ ἐλελίχθων, ἄρχοι τῆς χορείας. See Essay on Language § 9. p. 11.

Sophocles Antigone 148

Robert Potter (Translator)

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Current edition Experimental

Aber es kam die gepriesene Siegesgöttin,
145

freudig entgegnend der wagenberühmten Thebe:

deſshalb denket des Kampfs jetztnicht mehr; in nächtlichem Chor

lasset Tanzreigen uns

führend der Stadt Tempeln umher nahen, voran hebe sich

Thebe's
Bacchios jauchzend!
150

Aber die namenverleihende Nike kam ja,¹

Gnädig vergeltend der wagenumrauschten Thebe;

Darum werde des Kriegs
150

Heute nimmer gedacht von euch;²

Laßt in Nachtreigen uns

Tanzend umher zieh'n zu der Stadt Tempeln, voran hebe sich Bacchos,

Theben erschütternd!³

Chorus

Creon

Der grofsnahmige Sieg ist aber gekommen,

Der wagenreichen günstig, der Thebe,

Und nach dem Kriege hier,
155

Macht die Vergessenheit aus!

Zu allen Göttertempeln,

Mit Chören, die Nacht durch,

Kommt her! und, Thebe

Erschütternd, herrsche der Bacchusreigen!
160

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

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

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Aber es kam die gepriesene Siegesgöttin, 145 freudig entgegnend der wagenberühmten Thebe: deſshalb denket des Kampfs jetztnicht mehr; in nächtlichem Chor lasset Tanzreigen uns führend der Stadt Tempeln umher nahen, voran hebe sich Thebe's Bacchios jauchzend! 150

Aber die namenverleihende Nike kam ja, 1 Gnädig vergeltend der wagenumrauschten Thebe; Darum werde des Kriegs 150 Heute nimmer gedacht von euch; 2 Laßt in Nachtreigen uns Tanzend umher zieh'n zu der Stadt Tempeln, voran hebe sich Bacchos, Theben erschütternd! 3

Chorus

Creon

Der grofsnahmige Sieg ist aber gekommen, Der wagenreichen günstig, der Thebe, Und nach dem Kriege hier, 155 Macht die Vergessenheit aus! Zu allen Göttertempeln, Mit Chören, die Nacht durch, Kommt her! und, Thebe Erschütternd, herrsche der Bacchusreigen! 160

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

Aber es kam die gepriesene Siegesgöttin,
145

freudig entgegnend der wagenberühmten Thebe:

deſshalb denket des Kampfs jetztnicht mehr; in nächtlichem Chor

lasset Tanzreigen uns

führend der Stadt Tempeln umher nahen, voran hebe sich

Thebe's
Bacchios jauchzend!
150

Aber die namenverleihende Nike kam ja,¹

Gnädig vergeltend der wagenumrauschten Thebe;

Darum werde des Kriegs
150

Heute nimmer gedacht von euch;²

Laßt in Nachtreigen uns

Tanzend umher zieh'n zu der Stadt Tempeln, voran hebe sich Bacchos,

Theben erschütternd!³

Der grofsnahmige Sieg ist aber gekommen,

Der wagenreichen günstig, der Thebe,

Und nach dem Kriege hier,
155

Macht die Vergessenheit aus!

Zu allen Göttertempeln,

Mit Chören, die Nacht durch,

Kommt her! und, Thebe

Erschütternd, herrsche der Bacchusreigen!
160

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