1341.
mvp-comment-741-1
σε τ᾿ αὐτάν It is unnecessary to change αὐτάν, which has a natural and pathetic emphasis. He has been the death even of the mother as well as of the son, αὐτήν τε κατέκτεινε καὶ τὸν παῖδα.
1342.
mvp-comment-742-1
πρὸς πότερον ἴδω i. e.
Whether at Haemon or Eurydice. The words that follow are suggested by the general notion of distraction which is here expressed. The words in L etc.
1342.
mvp-comment-742-2
παῖ καὶ θῶ (= 'Which way also I shall order them'), are clearly a corruption of πᾷ κλιθῶ, which, however, was probably a gloss. For if πάντα γάρ is dropped instead, the asyndeton of λέχρια, κ.τ.λ., is very harsh.
1344-1346.
mvp-comment-743-1
* πάντα γὰρ.. εἰσήλατο
For all that I am engaged with is ready to fall, while from above a destiny hard to be borne has leapt upon my head. The opposition is not between Haemon and Eurydice (Dindorf), nor between present and future (Seyffert), but between the visible circumstances and the invisible hand of fate. λέχριος is used metaphorically. (See Essay on Language p. 105.) Creon cannot bear the misery that surrounds him, and he cannot look up because of the heavy weight of destiny impending over him.