Sophocles, Antigone, Robert Potter (Translator), 615

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Some god adds fury to its force,

And urges its resistless course;

No dams, no mounds the raging torrent stay,

Race after race it sweeps away.

O the last branch of this imperial line

A brighter sun now seem'd to shine;

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)) — 615 focus

ἁ γὰρ δὴ πολύπλαγκτος ἐλπὶς

πολλοῖς μὲν ὄνασις ἀνδρῶν,

πολλοῖς δ᾽ ἀπάτα κουφονόων ἐρώτων·

εἰδότι δ᾽ οὐδὲν
615

ἕρπει, πρὶν πυρὶ θερμῷ πόδα τις προσαύσῃ ¹.

σοφίᾳ γὰρ ἔκ του

κλεινὸν ἔπος πέφανται,

τὸ κακὸν δοκεῖν ποτ᾽ ἐσθλὸν

τῷδ᾽ ἔμμεν, ὅτῳ φρένας
620

θεὸς ἄγει πρὸς ἄταν·

πράσσει δ᾽ ὀλιγοστὸν χρόνον ἐκτὸς ἄτας.

Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884)) — 615 focus

ἁ γὰρ δὴ πολύπλαγκτος ἐλπὶς πολλοῖς μὲν ὄνασις ἀνδρῶν,

πολλοῖς δ᾽ ἀπάτα κουφονόων ἐρώτων·
595

εἰδότι δ᾽ οὐδὲν ἕρπει,

πρὶν πυρὶ θερμῷ πόδα τις προσαύσῃ.

σοφίᾳ γὰρ ἔκ του κλεινὸν ἔπος πέφανται,

τὸ κακὸν δοκεῖν ποτ᾽ ἐσθλὸν

τῷδ᾽ ἔμμεν, ὅτῳ φρένας
600

θεὸς ἄγει πρὸς ἄταν·

πράσσει δ᾽ ὀλιγοστὸν χρόνον ἐκτὸς ἄτας.

Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806)) — 615 focus

ἃ γὰρ δὴ πολύπλαγκτος ἐλπὶς

πολλοῖς μὲν ὄνασις ἀνδρῶν,

πολλοῖς δ᾽ ἀπάτα κουφονόων ἐρώτων·

εἰδότι δ᾽ οὐδὲν ἕρπει,

πρὶν πυρὶ θερμῷ πόδα προσάψῃ.
610

σοφίᾳ γὰρ ἔκ του

κλεινὸν ἔπος πέφανται·

τὸ κακὸν δοκεῖν ποτ᾽ ἐσθλὸν

τῷδ᾽ ἔμμεν, ὅτῳ φρένας

θεὸς ἄγει πρὸς ᾅδαν,
615

πράσσειν δ᾽ ὀλιγοστὸν χρόνον ἐκτὸς ἄτας.

Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 615 focus

ἁ γὰρ δὴ πολύπλαγκτος ἐλπὶς
615

πολλοῖς μὲν ὄνασις ἀνδρῶν,

πολλοῖς δ᾽ ἀπάτα κουφονόων ἐρώτων·

εἰδότι δ᾽ οὐδὲν

ἔρπει, πρὶν πυρὶ θερμῷ πόδα τις προσαύσῃ.

σοφίᾳ γὰρ ἔκ του
620

κλεινὸν ἔπος πέφανται,

τὸ κακὸν δοκεῖν ποτ' ἐσθλὸν

τῷδ᾽ ἔμμεν ὅτῳ φρένας

θεὸς ἄγει πρὸς ἄταν·

πράσσει δ᾽ ὀλιγοστὸν χρόνον ἐκτὸς ἄτας.
625

Greek (A. Colonna, 1978) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Colonna, 1978)) — 615 focus

ἁ γὰρ δὴ πολύπλαγκτος ἐλ-
615

πὶς πολλοῖς μὲν ὄνασις ἀνδρῶν,

πολλοῖς δ᾽ ἀπάτα κουφονόων ἐρώτων·

εἰδότι δ᾽ οὐδὲν ἕρπει,

πρὶν πυρὶ θερμῷ πόδα τις προσαύσῃ.

σοφίᾳ γὰρ ἔκ του
620

κλεινὸν ἔπος πέφανται·

τὸ κακὸν δοκεῖν ποτ᾽ ἐσθλὸν

τῷδ᾽ ἔμμεν, ὅτῳ φρένας

θεὸς ἄγει πρὸς ἄταν·

πράσσει δ᾽ ὀλιγοστὸν χρόνον ἐκτὸς ἄτας.
625

Greek (A. Dain, 1955) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Dain, 1955)) — 615 focus

ἁ γὰρ δὴ πολύπλαγκτος ἐλ-
615

πὶς πολλοῖς μὲν ὄνασις ἀνδρῶν,

πολλοῖς δ’ ἀπάτα κουφονόων ἐρώτων·

εἰδότι δ’ οὐδὲν ἕρπει,

πρὶν πυρὶ θερμῷ πόδα τις προσαύσῃ.

σοφίᾳ γὰρ ἔκ του
620

κλεινὸν ἔπος πέφανται·

τὸ κακὸν δοκεῖν ποτ’ ἐσθλὸν

τῷδ’ ἔμμεν, ὅτῳ φρένας

θεὸς ἄγει πρὸς ἄταν·

πράσσει δ’ ὀλιγοστὸν χρόνον ἐκτὸς ἄτας.
625

Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979)) — 615 focus

ἁ γὰρ δὴ πολύπλαγκτος ἐλ-
615

πὶς πολλοῖς μὲν ὄνησις ἀνδρῶν

πολλοῖς δ᾽ ἀπάτα κουφονόων ἐρώτων·

εἰδότι δ᾽ οὐδὲν ἕρπει,

πρὶν πυρὶ θερμῶι πόδα τις

προσαύσηι. σοφίαι γὰρ ἔκ του
620

κλεινὸν ἔπος πέφανται,

τὸ κακὸν δοκεῖν ποτ᾽ ἐσθλὸν

τῶιδ᾽ ἔμμεν, ὅτωι φρένας

θεὸς ἄγει πρὸς ἄταν·

πράσσει δ᾽ ὀλίγιστον χρόνον ἐκτὸς ἄτας.
625

Greek (G. Hermann, 1830) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (G. Hermann, 1830)) — 615 focus

ἃ γὰρ δὴ πολύπλαγκτος ἐλπὶς

πολλοῖς μὲν ὄνασις ἀνδρῶν,

πολλοῖς δ᾽ ἀπάτα κουφονόων ἐρώτων·

εἰδότι δ᾽ οὐδὲν ἕρπει,

πρὶν πυρὶ θερμῷ πόδα τις προσαύρῃ.
615

σοφίᾳ γὰρ ἔκ του

κλεινὸν ἔπος πέφανται,

τὸ κακὸν δοκεῖν πότ᾽ ἐσθλὸν

τῷδ᾽ ἔμμεν, ὅτῳ φρένας

θεὸς ἄγει πρὸς ἄταν·
620

πράσσει δ᾽ ὀλιγοστὸν χρόνον ἐκτὸς ἄτας.

Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906)) — 615 focus

ἁ γὰρ δὴ πολύπλαγκτος ἐλπὶς πολλοῖς μὲν ὄνασις ἀνδρῶν, 1

πολλοῖς δ᾽ ἀπάτα κουφονόων ἐρώτων· 2

εἰδότι δ᾽ οὐδὲν ἕρπει, πρὶν πυρὶ θερμῷ πόδα τις 3

προσαύσῃ. σοφίᾳ γὰρ ἔκ του κλεινὸν ἔπος πέφανται, 4

τὸ κακὸν δοκεῖν ποτ᾽ ἐσθλὸν 5

τῷδ᾽ ἔμμεν ὅτῳ φρένας 6

θεὸς ἄγει πρὸς ἄταν· 7

πράσσει δ᾽ ὀλίγιστον χρόνον ἐκτὸς ἄτας. 8
625

Greek (A. C. Pearson, 1924) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. C. Pearson, 1924)) — 615 focus

ἁ γὰρ δὴ πολύπλαγκτος ἐλ-
615

πὶς πολλοῖς μὲν ὄνασις ἀνδρῶν,

πολλοῖς δ᾽ ἀπάτα κουφονόων ἐρώτων·

εἰδότι δ᾽ οὐδὲν ἕρπει,

πρὶν πυρὶ θερμῷ πόδα τις προσαύσῃ.

σοφίᾳ γὰρ ἔκ του
620

κλεινὸν ἔπος πέφανται,

τὸ κακὸν δοκεῖν ποτ᾽ ἐσθλὸν

τῷδ᾽ ἔμμεν ὅτῳ φρένας

θεὸς ἄγει πρὸς ἄταν·

πράσσει δ᾽ ὀλίγιστον χρόνον ἐκτὸς ἄτας.
625

Antigone (OCR draft) Experimental (Antigone) — 615 focus

Χορός

ἁ γὰρ δὴ πολύπλαγκτος ἐλπὶς πολλοῖς μὲν ὄνασις ἀνδρῶν,
615

πολλοῖς δʼ ἀπάτα κουφονόων ἐρώτων·

εἰδότι δʼ οὐδὲν ἕρπει, πρὶν πυρὶ θερμῷ πόδα τις

προσαύσῃ. σοφίᾳ γὰρ ἔκ του κλεινὸν ἔπος πέφανται.
620

τὸ κακὸν δοκεῖν ποτʼ ἐσθλὸν

τῷδʼ ἔμμεν ὅτῳ φρένας

θεὸς ἄγει πρὸς ἄταν·

Χορός

πράσσει δʼ ὀλίγιστον χρόνον ἐκτὸς ἄτας.
625

Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949)) — 615 focus

ἁ γὰρ δὴ πολύπλαγκτος ἐλ-
615

πὶς πολλοῖς μὲν ὄνασις ἀνδρῶν,

πολλοῖς δ᾽ ἀπάτα κουφονόων ἐρώτων·

εἰδότι δ᾽ οὐδὲν ἕρπει,

πρὶν πυρὶ θερμῶι πόδα τις προσαύσηι.

σοφίαι γὰρ ἔκ του
620

κλεινὸν ἔπος πέφανται,

τὸ κακὸν δοκεῖν ποτ᾽ ἐσθλὸν

τῶιδ᾽ ἔμμεν ὅτωι φρένας

θεὸς ἄγει πρὸς ἄταν·

πράσσει δ᾽ ὀλίγιστον χρόνον ἐκτὸς ἄτας.
625

Χορός

Translations (10)

German (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (A. Boeckh, 1884)) — 615 focus

Denn die schweifende Hoffnung beut oft wohl vielen der Männer Segen,

doch vielen der leichtsinnigen Wünsche Täuschung;
595

Nimmer-bewuſstem kommt sie,

bis er den Fuſs senget an heifser Flamme.

Das gepries'ne Wort drum scholl von des Weisen Munde,

es bedünke Böses gut oft

dem, welchem den irren Sinn
600

der Gott lenkt zum Unheil.

Nur mindeste Zeit wandelt er sonder Unheil.

(Hämon kommt.)

Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921)) — 615 focus

Pues, en verdad, la vagarosa esperanza que para muchos hombres es una ayuda, es para otros engaño de fútiles anhelos; pues se insinúa sin que uno lo advierta hasta que ponga el pie en el ardiente fuego. De la sabiduria sabiduría de alguien procede esta célebre máxima: El mal a veces parece bien a aquel cuya mente lleva un dios a la perdición; y pasa muy poco tiempo sin que caiga en la ruina.

Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) Experimental (Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806)) — 615 focus

Spes quidem vaga multis mortalium — fructum — sui praebet;

multorum autem deludit leves cupidines, acceditque ad nihil sentientem prius quam igni ardenti pedem admoverit. Celebre dictum fertur a nescio quo sapienter prolatum: Malum aliquando videri bonum illi esse, cuius animum deus impellit ad mortem, eumque perexiguo tempore extra calamitatem versari.

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 615 focus

Now and eternally,
615

Not here or there, but everywhere,

A law of misery that shall not spare.

For Hope, that wandereth wide, comforting many a head,

Entangleth many more with glamour of desire:

Unknowing they have trode the fire.
620

Wise was the famous word of one who said,

‘Evil oft seemeth goodness to the mind

An angry God doth blind.’

Few are the days that such as he

May live untroubled of calamity.
625

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 615 focus

Hoffnung, die in der Irr' umherschweift,

So Vielen ein süßes Labsal,
610

Wird Vielen ein Trug flatternder eitler Wünsche:

Dieser beschleicht sie

Arglos, bis sie den Fuß sezen auf glühend Feuer.

Ein gepries'ner Ausspruch

Scholl von dem Mund der Weisheit:
615

Es erscheine gut das Böse

Dem, welchem ein Gott das Herz

In das Verderben lenke;

Nur flüchtige Zeit wandelt er frei von Leide.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 605 focus

The noble Hsemon. Lost in grief he seems.

Creon

Spanish (A. G. Garbin, 1889) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (A. G. Garbin, 1889)) — 615 focus

A muchos les colma con frecuencia sus deseos la inconstante esperanza ; pero también muchas veces desvanece en otros sus imprudentes ilusiones, pues se viene á introducir en el corazón secretamente, cuando está el pie próximo á pisar el ardiente fuego. Máxima célebre de un sabio es: que el mal se presenta bajo la apariencia del bien á todo aquel cuyos pensamientos quiere un dios que se encaminen hácia la perdición, y que no goce un momento de la vida, exento de pesar.

EL CORO

German (F. Hölderlin, 1804) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (F. Hölderlin, 1804)) — 615 focus

Die Hoffnung lebet, ruhlos irrend,

Und vielen Männern hilft sie,

Täuscht vieler leichte Sinne.
640

Bleibt, bis dem, der an nichts denkt,

Die Sohle brennet von heilsem Feuer.

Aus eines Mannes Weisheit ist

Ein rühmlich Wort gekommen;

Das Schlimme schein’ oft treflich
645

Vor einem, so bald ein Gott

Zu Wahn den Sinn hintreibet.

Er treibet’s aber die wenigste Zeit

Gescheuet, ohne Wahnsinn.

English (Sir Richard Jebb1, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb1, 1904)) — 615 focus

For that hope whose wanderings are so wide is to many men a comfort, but to many a false lure of giddy 620 desires; and the disappointment comes on one who knoweth nought till he burn his foot against the hot fire. For with wisdom hath some one given forth the famous saying, that evil seems good, soon or late, to him whose mind the god draws to mischief; and but for the briefest space doth he fare free of woe.

English (Sir Richard Jebb2, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb2, 1904)) — 631-780 focus

Creon

We will soon know better than seers could tell us.—My son, can it be that after hearing the final judgment concerning your betrothed, you have come in rage against your father? Or do I have your loyalty, act how I may?

Haemon

Father, I am yours, and you keep me upright with precepts good for me—precepts I shall follow. No marriage will be deemed by me more important than your good guidance.
635

Creon

Yes, my son, this is the spirit you should maintain in your heart—to stand behind your father’s will in all things. It is for this that men pray: to sire and raise in their homes children who are obedient, that they may requite their father’s enemy with evil and honor his friend, just as their father does.
640

But the man who begets unhelpful children—what would you say that he has sown except miseries for himself and abundant exultation for his enemies? Never, then, my son, banish your reason for pleasure on account of a woman,
645

knowing that this embrace soon becomes cold and brittle—an evil woman to share your bed and home. For what wound could strike deeper than a false friend? No, spit her out as if she were an enemy, let her go find a husband in Hades.
650

For since I caught her alone of all the city in open defiance, I will not make myself a liar to my city. I will kill her. So let her call on Zeus who protects kindred blood. If I am to foster my own kin to spurn order,
655

surely I will do the same for outsiders. For whoever shows his excellence in the case of his own household will be found righteous in his city as well. But if anyone oversteps and does violence to the laws, or thinks to dictate to those in power,
660

such a one will never win praise from me. No, whomever the city may appoint, that man must be obeyed in matters small and great and in matters just and unjust. And I would feel confident that such a man would be a fine ruler no less than a good and willing subject,
665

and that beneath a hail of spears he would stand his ground where posted, a loyal and brave comrade in the battle line. But there is no evil worse than disobedience. This destroys cities; this overturns homes; this breaks
670

the ranks of allied spears into headlong rout. But the lives of men who prosper upright, of these obedience has saved the greatest part. Therefore we must defend those who respect order, and in no way can we let a woman defeat us. It is better to fall from power, if it is fated, by a man’s hand,
675

than that we be called weaker than women.
680

681

Chorus

To us, unless our years have stolen our wit, you seem to say what you say wisely.

Haemon

Father, the gods implant reason in men, the highest of all things that we call our own.

For my part, to state how you are wrong to say those things is beyond my power and my desire, although another man, too, might have a useful thought. In any case, it is my natural duty to watch on your behalf all that men say, or do, or find to blame.
685

For dread of your glance forbids the ordinary citizen to speak such words as would offend your ear. But I can hear these murmurs in the dark, how the city moans for this girl, saying: No woman ever merited death less—
690

none ever died so shamefully for deeds so glorious as hers, who, when her own brother had fallen in bloody battle, would not leave him unburied to be devoured by savage dogs, or by any bird. Does she not deserve to receive golden honor?
695

Such is the rumor shrouded in darkness that silently spreads. For me, father, no treasure is more precious than your prosperity. What, indeed, is a nobler ornament for children than the fair fame of a thriving father, or for a father than that of his children?
700

Do not, then, bear one mood only in yourself: do not think that your word and no other, must be right. For if any man thinks that he alone is wise—that in speech or in mind he has no peer—such a soul, when laid open, is always found empty.
705

No, even when a man is wise, it brings him no shame to learn many things, and not to be too rigid. You see how the trees that stand beside the torrential streams created by a winter storm yield to it and save their branches, while the stiff and rigid perish root and all?
710

And in the same way the pilot who keeps the sheet of his sail taut and never slackens it, upsets his boat, and voyages thereafter with his decking underwater. Father, give way and allow a change from your rage. For if even from me, a younger man, a worthy thought may be supplied,
715

by far the best thing, I believe, would be for men to be all-wise by nature. Otherwise—since most often it does not turn out that way—it is good to learn in addition from those who advise you well.
720

724

Chorus

My king, it is right, if he speaks something appropriate, that you should learn from him

and that you, in turn, Haemon, should learn from your father. On both sides there have been wise words.
725

Creon

Men of my age—are we, then, to be schooled in wisdom by men of his?

Haemon

Not in anything that is not right. But if I am young, you should look to my conduct, not to my years.

Creon

Is it worthy conduct to honor disrupters?
730

Haemon

I could not urge anyone to show respect for the wicked.

Creon

And is she not in the grasp of that disease?

Haemon

All the people of this city of Thebes deny it.

Creon

Shall Thebes prescribe to me how I must rule?

Haemon

See, there, how you have spoken so much like a child.
735

Creon

Am I to rule this land by the will of another than myself?

Haemon

That is no city, which belongs to one man.

Creon

Does not the city by tradition belong to the man in power?

Haemon

You would make a fine monarch in a desert.

Creon

This boy seems to be fighting on the side of the woman.
740

Haemon

If you are a woman, for, to be sure, my concern is for you.

Creon

You traitor, attacking your father, accusing him!

Haemon

Because I see you making a mistake and committing injustice.

Creon

Am I making a mistake when I respect my own prerogatives?

Haemon

Yes. You do not respect them, when you trample on the gods’ honors.
745

Creon

Polluted creature, submitting to a woman!

Haemon

You will never catch me submitting to shamelessness.

Creon

You do. Your every word, after all, pleads her case.

Haemon

And yours, and mine, and that of gods below.

Creon

You can never marry her, not while she is still alive.
750

Haemon

Then she will die, and in death destroy another.

Creon

What! Does your audacity run to open threats?

Haemon

How is it a threat to speak against empty plans?

Creon

You will regret your unwise instructions in wisdom.

Haemon

If you were not my father, I would have called you insane.
755

Creon

You woman’s slave, do not try to cajole me.

Haemon

Do you want to have your say and then have done without a reply?

758

Creon

Is that so? By Olympus above—know this well—you will have no joy for taunting me over and above your censures.

Bring out that hated thing, so that with him looking on she may die right now in her bridegroom’s presence and at his side!
760

Haemon

No, not at my side will she die—do not ever imagine it. Nor shall you ever look at me and set eyes on my face again.

Indulge in your madness now with whomever of your friends can endure it. Exit Haemon.
765

Chorus

The man is gone, King Creon, in anger and haste. A young mind is fierce when stung.

Creon

Let him do—no!—let him plan something more immense than befits a man. Farewell to him! Still he will not save these two girls from death.

Chorus

Then the pair of them, you really intend to kill them both?
770

Creon

Not the one who did not put her hands to the burial. You are right.

Chorus

And by what mode of death do you mean to kill the other?

Creon

I will take her where the path is deserted, unvisited by men, and entomb her alive in a rocky vault,

setting out a ration of food, but only as much as piety requires so that all the city may escape defilement. And praying there to Hades, the only god she worships, perhaps she will obtain immunity from death, or else will learn, at last, even this late,
775

that it is fruitless labor to revere the dead. Exit Creon.
780

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-358-1 ἁ γὰρ δή ¹ γάρ ² πολύπλαγκτος ³

mvp-comment-358-2 oft tossed up and down, ploughing a sea of vain deceits.’—

πολύπλαγκτος

might also be act., ‘causing men to err greatly’; but this is less fitting here.

mvp-comment-359-1 πολλοῖς μὲν ὄνασις ⁴

mvp-comment-360-1 ἀπάτα … ἐρώτων ⁵

mvp-comment-360-2 κουφονόων ⁶

mvp-comment-361-1 The

ἀπάτη

, or final frustration of his desires, ἕρπει ⁷ οὐδὲν εἰδότι ⁸

mvp-comment-362-1 πρὶν … προσαύσῃ ⁹

mvp-comment-362-2 προσαύσῃ ¹⁰

mvp-comment-362-3 πόδα ¹¹ προσαύσῃ ¹²

mvp-comment-363-1 σοφίᾳ ¹³

mvp-comment-363-2 ἔκ του ¹⁴

mvp-comment-363-3 πεφάνται ¹⁵

mvp-comment-364-1 τὸ κακὸν δοκεῖν ποτ’ ¹⁶ ποτέ ¹⁷

mvp-comment-364-2 1676 Among them he a spirit of phrenzy sent, Who hurt their minds. Cp.

βλαψίφρων, φρενοβλαβής

. Il. 19.137

ἀλλ’ ἐπεὶ ἀασάμην, καί μευ φρένας ἐξέλετο Ζεύς

. Theognis 403

σπεύδει ἀνήρ, κέρδος διζήμενος, ὅν τινα δαίμων | πρόφρων εἰς μεγάλην ἀμπλακίην παράγει, | καί οἱ ἔθηκη δοκεῖν, ἃ μὲν ᾖ κακά, ταῦτ’ ἀγάθ’ εἶναι, | εὐμαρέως, ἃ δ’ ἂν ᾖ χρήσιμα, ταῦτα κακά

. Lycurgus in Leocr. § 92

οἱ γὰρ θεοὶ οὐδὲν πρότερον ποιοῦσιν ἢ τῶν πονηρῶν ἀνθρώπων τὴν διάνοιαν παράγουσι· καί μοι δοκοῦσι τῶν ἀρχαίων τινὲς ποιητῶν ὥσπερ χρησμοὺς γράψαντες τοῖς ἐπιγιγνομένοις ταῦτα τὰ ἰαμβεῖα καταλιπεῖν· ὅταν γὰρ ὀργὴ δαιμόνων βλάπτῃ τινά, | τοῦτ’ αὐτὸ πρῶτον, ἐξαφαιρεῖται φρενῶν | τὸν νοῦν τὸν ἐσθλόν, εἰς δὲ τὴν χείρω τρέπει | γνώμην, ἵν’ εἰδῇ μηδἐν ὧν ἁμαρτάνει

. The schol. on our verse quotes an unknown poet's lines,

ὅταν δ’ ὁ δαίμων ἀνδρὶ πορσύνῃ κακά, | τὸν νοῦν ἔβλαψε πρῶτον, ᾧ βουλευεται

. (‘Quem Iuppiter vult perdere, dementat prius.’ See n. in Appendix.)— The epic ἔμμεν ¹⁸

mvp-comment-365-1 ὀλίγιστον ¹⁹ ὀλιγοστόν ²⁰ πράσσει … ἐκτὸς ἄτας ²¹ ἄτας ²²

mvp-comment-366-1 μήν ²³

mvp-comment-366-2 νέατον ²⁴

mvp-comment-366-3 to a person,

νέατος

could not be said of a sole survivor unless he was also the latest-born.

γέννημ’

: cp. 471 n.

mvp-comment-366-4 ἀχνύμενος ²⁵ μόρον ²⁶

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

615. mvp-comment-362-1 πολύπλαγκτος There is no clear instance of an active use of πολύπλαγκτος, for in Hom. Il. 13. 308, έξ ἀνέμοιο πολυπλάγκτοιο ἰωῆς, The fartravelled wind, is a probable enough meaning. Cp. Shakespeare's Empty, vast, and wandering air. So here Widely roving' is better than Muchdeceiving.' Cp. infr. 785-786.

617. mvp-comment-363-1 ἀπάτα . . ἐρώτων ἐρώτων is not genitive of object, but of cause: not Disappointment of desire, but De ception through desire. To many, hope is but the deceitfulness of winged desire.

618. mvp-comment-364-1 εἰδότι δ᾽ οὐδὲν ἕρπει And it comes to him all at unaware, i. e. The event or calamity comes. For the vague subject, cp. supra 597, οὐδ᾽ ἔχει λύσιν, and note. This is better than Nothing befals him while he is aware. 619. Till his foot be scorched in the hot blaze.' For the insertion of τις in the second clause, cp. Aj. 964, τἀγαθὸν χεροῖν | ἔχοντες οὐκ ἴσασι πρίν τις ἐκ βάλῃ : Τr. 2, 3, ὡς οὐκ ἂν αἰῶν᾽ ἐκμάθοις βροτῶν, πρὶν ἂν θάνῃ τις. Seidler's conj. προσαύρῃ is less good than the reading of L.

620. mvp-comment-365-1 σοφίᾳ Dative of manner. Essay on Language § 14. p. 20, 2.

625. mvp-comment-366-1 πράσσει, SC. ὁ τοιοῦτος, supr. l. 619, τις, l. 623 , τῷδ'. Cp. Aesch. ap. Plat. Rep. 2, p. 380 Α, θεὸς μὲν αἰτίαν φύει βροτοῖς | ὅταν κακῶσαι δῶμα παμπήδην θέλει.

625. mvp-comment-366-2 ὀλιγοστόν ὀλίγιστον has been read, and is possibly the Ist hand of L; see v. rr. But ὀλιγοστός χρόνος may mean a time that is one of few, i. e. one that comes rarely or seldom. πολλοστός in Legg. 10. 896 B, is not small, but many times removed, and has the force of a superlative, as it has also in Phileb. 44 E, where it means minutest.

626-627. mvp-comment-367-1 See Essay on Language § 40. p. 75.

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Some god adds fury to its force, And urges its resistless course; No dams, no mounds the raging torrent stay, Race after race it sweeps away. O the last branch of this imperial line A brighter sun now seem'd to shine;

Current edition Experimental

Χορός πράσσει δʼ ὀλίγιστον χρόνον ἐκτὸς ἄτας. 625

Χορός

The noble Hsemon. Lost in grief he seems.

Creon

EL CORO

Creon We will soon know better than seers could tell us.—My son, can it be that after hearing the final judgment concerning your betrothed, you have come in rage against your father? Or do I have your loyalty, act how I may?

Haemon Father, I am yours, and you keep me upright with precepts good for me—precepts I shall follow. No marriage will be deemed by me more important than your good guidance. 635

Chorus To us, unless our years have stolen our wit, you seem to say what you say wisely.

Chorus My king, it is right, if he speaks something appropriate, that you should learn from him and that you, in turn, Haemon, should learn from your father. On both sides there have been wise words. 725

Creon Men of my age—are we, then, to be schooled in wisdom by men of his?

Haemon Not in anything that is not right. But if I am young, you should look to my conduct, not to my years.

Creon Is it worthy conduct to honor disrupters? 730

Haemon I could not urge anyone to show respect for the wicked.

Creon And is she not in the grasp of that disease?

Haemon All the people of this city of Thebes deny it.

Creon Shall Thebes prescribe to me how I must rule?

Haemon See, there, how you have spoken so much like a child. 735

Creon Am I to rule this land by the will of another than myself?

Haemon That is no city, which belongs to one man.

Creon Does not the city by tradition belong to the man in power?

Haemon You would make a fine monarch in a desert.

Creon This boy seems to be fighting on the side of the woman. 740

Haemon If you are a woman, for, to be sure, my concern is for you.

Creon You traitor, attacking your father, accusing him!

Haemon Because I see you making a mistake and committing injustice.

Creon Am I making a mistake when I respect my own prerogatives?

Haemon Yes. You do not respect them, when you trample on the gods’ honors. 745

Creon Polluted creature, submitting to a woman!

Haemon You will never catch me submitting to shamelessness.

Creon You do. Your every word, after all, pleads her case.

Haemon And yours, and mine, and that of gods below.

Creon You can never marry her, not while she is still alive. 750

Haemon Then she will die, and in death destroy another.

Creon What! Does your audacity run to open threats?

Haemon How is it a threat to speak against empty plans?

Creon You will regret your unwise instructions in wisdom.

Haemon If you were not my father, I would have called you insane. 755

Creon You woman’s slave, do not try to cajole me.

Haemon Do you want to have your say and then have done without a reply?

Creon Is that so? By Olympus above—know this well—you will have no joy for taunting me over and above your censures. Bring out that hated thing, so that with him looking on she may die right now in her bridegroom’s presence and at his side! 760

Haemon No, not at my side will she die—do not ever imagine it. Nor shall you ever look at me and set eyes on my face again. Indulge in your madness now with whomever of your friends can endure it. Exit Haemon. 765

Chorus The man is gone, King Creon, in anger and haste. A young mind is fierce when stung.

Creon Let him do—no!—let him plan something more immense than befits a man. Farewell to him! Still he will not save these two girls from death.

Chorus Then the pair of them, you really intend to kill them both? 770

Creon Not the one who did not put her hands to the burial. You are right.

Chorus And by what mode of death do you mean to kill the other?

Commentary

Stable identifiers

Some god adds fury to its force,

And urges its resistless course;

No dams, no mounds the raging torrent stay,

Race after race it sweeps away.

O the last branch of this imperial line

A brighter sun now seem'd to shine;

Χορός

πράσσει δʼ ὀλίγιστον χρόνον ἐκτὸς ἄτας.
625

Creon

We will soon know better than seers could tell us.—My son, can it be that after hearing the final judgment concerning your betrothed, you have come in rage against your father? Or do I have your loyalty, act how I may?

Haemon

Father, I am yours, and you keep me upright with precepts good for me—precepts I shall follow. No marriage will be deemed by me more important than your good guidance.
635

Chorus

To us, unless our years have stolen our wit, you seem to say what you say wisely.

Chorus

My king, it is right, if he speaks something appropriate, that you should learn from him

and that you, in turn, Haemon, should learn from your father. On both sides there have been wise words.
725

Creon

Men of my age—are we, then, to be schooled in wisdom by men of his?

Haemon

Not in anything that is not right. But if I am young, you should look to my conduct, not to my years.

Creon

Is it worthy conduct to honor disrupters?
730

Haemon

I could not urge anyone to show respect for the wicked.

Creon

And is she not in the grasp of that disease?

Haemon

All the people of this city of Thebes deny it.

Creon

Shall Thebes prescribe to me how I must rule?

Haemon

See, there, how you have spoken so much like a child.
735

Creon

Am I to rule this land by the will of another than myself?

Haemon

That is no city, which belongs to one man.

Creon

Does not the city by tradition belong to the man in power?

Haemon

You would make a fine monarch in a desert.

Creon

This boy seems to be fighting on the side of the woman.
740

Haemon

If you are a woman, for, to be sure, my concern is for you.

Creon

You traitor, attacking your father, accusing him!

Haemon

Because I see you making a mistake and committing injustice.

Creon

Am I making a mistake when I respect my own prerogatives?

Haemon

Yes. You do not respect them, when you trample on the gods’ honors.
745

Creon

Polluted creature, submitting to a woman!

Haemon

You will never catch me submitting to shamelessness.

Creon

You do. Your every word, after all, pleads her case.

Haemon

And yours, and mine, and that of gods below.

Creon

You can never marry her, not while she is still alive.
750

Haemon

Then she will die, and in death destroy another.

Creon

What! Does your audacity run to open threats?

Haemon

How is it a threat to speak against empty plans?

Creon

You will regret your unwise instructions in wisdom.

Haemon

If you were not my father, I would have called you insane.
755

Creon

You woman’s slave, do not try to cajole me.

Haemon

Do you want to have your say and then have done without a reply?

Creon

Is that so? By Olympus above—know this well—you will have no joy for taunting me over and above your censures.

Bring out that hated thing, so that with him looking on she may die right now in her bridegroom’s presence and at his side!
760

Haemon

No, not at my side will she die—do not ever imagine it. Nor shall you ever look at me and set eyes on my face again.

Indulge in your madness now with whomever of your friends can endure it. Exit Haemon.
765

Chorus

The man is gone, King Creon, in anger and haste. A young mind is fierce when stung.

Creon

Let him do—no!—let him plan something more immense than befits a man. Farewell to him! Still he will not save these two girls from death.

Chorus

Then the pair of them, you really intend to kill them both?
770

Creon

Not the one who did not put her hands to the burial. You are right.

Chorus

And by what mode of death do you mean to kill the other?