第1章

bySophoclestranslatedbyR。C。JebbCHARACTERSINTHEPLAY daughtersofOedipus： ANTIGONE ISMENE CREON，KingofThebesEURYDICE，hiswifeHAEMON，hissonTEIRESIAS，theblindprophetGUARD，settowatchthecorpseofPolyneicesFIRSTMESSENGER SECONDMESSENGER，fromthehouseCHORUSOFTHEBANELDERS ANTIGONE ANTIGONE ANTIGONE （SCENE：—ThesameasintheOedipustheKing，anopenspacebeforetheroyalpalace，oncethatofOedipus，atThebes。Thebackscenerepresentsthefrontofthepalace，withthreedoors，ofwhichthecentralandlargestistheprincipalentranceintothehouse。Thetimeisatdaybreakonthemorningafterthefallofthetwobrothers，EteoclesandPolyneices，andtheflightofthedefeatedArgives。 ANTIGONEcallsISMENEforthfromthepalace，inordertospeaktoheralone。） ANTIGONE ISMENE，sister，mineowndearsister，knowestthouwhatillthereis，ofallbequeathedbyOedipus，thatZeusfulfilsnotforustwainwhilewelive？Nothingpainfulisthere，nothingfraughtwithruin，noshame，nodishonour，thatIhavenotseeninthywoesandmine。 Andnowwhatnewedictisthisofwhichtheytell，thatourCaptainhathjustpublishedtoallThebes？Knowestthouaught？Hastthouheard？Orisithiddenfromtheethatourfriendsarethreatenedwiththedoomofourfoes？ ISMENE Nowordoffriends，Antigone，gladsomeorpainful，hathcometome，sincewetwosisterswerebereftofbrotherstwain，killedinonedaybytwofoldblow；andsinceinthislastnighttheArgivehosthathfled，knownomore，whethermyfortunebebrighter，ormoregrievous。 ANTIGONE Iknewitwell，andthereforesoughttobringtheebeyondthegatesofthecourt，thatthoumightesthearalone。 ISMENE Whatisit？’Tisplainthatthouartbroodingonsomedarktidings。 ANTIGONE What，hathnotCreondestinedourbrothers，theonetohonouredburial，theothertounburiedshame？Eteocles，theysay，withdueobservanceofrightandcustom，hehathlaidintheearth，forhishonouramongthedeadbelow。ButthehaplesscorpseofPolyneices—asrumoursaith，ithathbeenpublishedtothetownthatnoneshallentombhimormourn，butleaveunwept，unsepulchred，awelcomestoreforthebirds，astheyespyhim，tofeastonatwill。 Such，’tissaid，istheedictthatthegoodCreonhathsetforthfortheeandforme，—yes，forme，—andiscominghithertoproclaimitclearlytothosewhoknowitnot；norcountsthematterlight，but，whosodisobeysinaught，hisdoomisdeathbystoningbeforeallthefolk。Thouknowestitnow；andthouwiltsoonshowwhetherthouartnoblybred，orthebasedaughterofanobleline。 ISMENE Poorsister，—andifthingsstandthus，whatcouldIhelptodoorundo？ ANTIGONE Considerifthouwiltsharethetoilandthedeed。 ISMENE Inwhatventure？Whatcanbethymeaning？ ANTIGONE Wiltthouaidthishandtoliftthedead？ ISMENE Thouwouldstburyhim，—when’tisforbiddentoThebes？ ANTIGONE Iwilldomypart，—andthine，ifthouwiltnot，—toabrother。 FalsetohimwillIneverbefound。 ISMENE Ah，over—bold！whenCreonhathforbidden？ ANTIGONE Nay，hehathnorighttokeepmefrommineown。 ISMENE Ahme！think，sister，howourfatherperished，amidhateandscorn，whensinsbaredbyhisownsearchhadmovedhimtostrikebotheyeswithself—blindinghand；thenthemotherwife，twonamesinone，withtwistednoosediddespiteuntoherlife；andlast，ourtwobrothersinoneday，—eachshedding，haplessone，akinsman’sblood，—wroughtoutwithmutualhandstheircommondoom。Andnowweinturn—wetwoleftallalonethinkhowweshallperish，moremiserablythanalltherest，if，indefianceofthelaw，webraveaking’sdecreeorhispowers。Nay，wemustremember，first，thatwewerebornwomen，aswhoshouldnotstrivewithmen；next，thatweareruledofthestronger，sothatwemustobeyinthesethings，andinthingsyetsorer。I，therefore，askingtheSpiritsInfernaltopardon，seeingthatforceisputonmeherein，willhearkentoourrulers。for’tiswitlesstobeoverbusy。 ANTIGONE Iwillnoturgethee，—nonor，ifthouyetshouldsthavethemind，wouldstthoubewelcomeasaworkerwithme。Nay，bewhatthouwilt；butIwillburyhim：wellformetodieindoingthat。Ishallrest，alovedonewithhimwhomIhaveloved，sinlessinmycrime；forIowealongerallegiancetothedeadthantotheliving：inthatworldIshallabideforever。Butifthouwilt，beguiltyofdishonouringlawswhichthegodshavestablishedinhonour。 ISMENE Idothemnodishonour；buttodefytheState，—Ihavenostrengthforthat。 ANTIGONE Suchbethyplea：—I，then，willgotoheaptheearthabovethebrotherwhomIlove。 ISMENE Alas，unhappyone！HowIfearforthee！ ANTIGONE Fearnotforme：guidethineownfatearight。 ISMENE： Atleast，then，disclosethisplantonone，buthideitclosely，—andso，too，willI。 ANTIGONE Oh，denounceit！Thouwiltbefarmorehatefulforthysilence，ifthouproclaimnotthesethingstoall。 ISMENE Thouhastahotheartforchillingdeeds。 ANTIGONE IknowthatIpleasewhereIammostboundtoplease。 ISMENE Aye，ifthoucanst；butthouwouldstwhatthoucanstnot。 ANTIGONE Why，then，whenmystrengthfails，Ishallhavedone。 ISMENE Ahopelessquestshouldnotbemadeatall。 ANTIGONE Ifthusthouspeakest，thouwilthavehatredfromme，andwilljustlybesubjecttothelastinghatredofthedead。Butleaveme，andthefollythatisminealone，tosufferthisdreadthing；forI shallnotsufferaughtsodreadfulasanignobledeath。 ISMENE Go，then，ifthoumust；andofthisbesure，—thatthoughthineerrandisfoolish，tothydearonesthouarttrulydear。 （ExitANTIGONEonthespectators’left。ISMENEretiresintothepalacebyoneofthetwoside—doors。Whentheyhavedeparted，theCHORUSOFTHEBANELDERSenters。） CHORUS（singing） strophe1 Beamofthesun，fairestlightthateverdawnedonThebeofthesevengates，thouhastshoneforthatlast，eyeofgoldenday，arisenaboveDirce’sstreams！Thewarriorofthewhiteshield，whocamefromArgosinhispanoply，hathbeenstirredbytheetoheadlongflight，inswiftercareer； LEADEROFTHECHORUS systema1 whosetforthagainstourlandbyreasonofthevexedclaimsofPolyneices；and，likeshrill—screamingeagle，heflewoverintoourland，insnow—whitepinionsheathed，withanarmedthrong，andwithplumageofhelms。 CHORUS antistrophe1 Hepausedaboveourdwellings；heravenedaroundoursevenfoldportalswithspearsathirstforblood；buthewenthence，oreverhisjawsweregluttedwithourgore，ortheFire—god’spine—fedflamehadseizedourcrownoftowers。Sofiercewasthenoiseofbattleraisedbehindhim，athingtoohardforhimtoconquer，ashewrestledwithhisdragonfoe。 LEADER systema2 ForZeusutterlyabhorstheboastsofaproudtongue；andwhenhebeheldthemcomingoninagreatstream，inthehaughtyprideofclanginggold，hesmotewithbrandishedfireonewhowasnowhastingtoshoutvictoryathisgoaluponourramparts。 CHORUS strophe2 Swungdown，hefellontheearthwithacrash，torchinhand，hewhosolately，inthefrenzyofthemadonset，wasragingagainstuswiththeblastsofhistempestuoushate。Butthosethreatsfarednotashehoped；andtootherfoesthemightyWar—goddispensedtheirseveraldooms，dealinghavocaround，amightyhelperatourneed。 LEADER systema3 Forsevencaptainsatsevengates，matchedagainstseven，leftthetributeoftheirpanopliestoZeuswhoturnsthebattle；savethosetwoofcruelfate，who，bornofonesireandonemother，setagainsteachothertheirtwainconqueringspears，andaresharersinacommondeath。 CHORUS antistrophe2 ButsinceVictoryofgloriousnamehathcometous，withjoyresponsivetothejoyofThebewhosechariotsaremany，letusenjoyforgetfulnessafterthelatewars，andvisitallthetemplesofthegodswithnight—longdanceandsong；andmayBacchusbeourleader，whosedancingshakesthelandofThebe。 LEADER systema4 Butlo，thekingofthelandcomesyonder，Creon，sonofMenoeceus，ournewrulerbythenewfortunesthatthegodshavegiven； whatcounselishepondering，thathehathproposedthisspecialconferenceofelders，summonedbyhisgeneralmandate？ （EnterCREON，fromthecentraldoorsofthepalace，inthegarbofking，withtwoattendants。） CREON Sirs，thevesselofourState，afterbeingtossedonwildwaves，hathoncemorebeensafelysteadiedbythegods：andye，outofallthefolk，havebeencalledapartbymysummons，becauseIknew，firstofall，howtrueandconstantwasyourreverencefortheroyalpowerofLaius；how，again，whenOedipuswasrulerofourland，andwhenhehadperished，yoursteadfastloyaltystillupheldtheirchildren。Since，then，hissonshavefalleninonedaybyatwofolddoom，—eachsmittenbytheother，eachstainedwithabrother’sblood，—Inowpossessthethroneandallitspowers，bynearnessofkinshiptothedead。 Nomancanbefullyknown，insoulandspiritandmind，untilhehathbeenseenversedinruleandlaw—giving。Forifany，beingsupremeguideoftheState，cleavesnottothebestcounsels，but，throughsomefear，keepshislipslocked，Ihold，andhaveeverheld，himmostbase；andifanymakesafriendofmoreaccountthanhisfatherland，thatmanhathnoplaceinmyregard。ForI—beZeusmywitness，whoseesallthingsalways—wouldnotbesilentifIsawruin，insteadofsafety，comingtothecitizens；norwouldIeverdeemthecountry’sfoeafriendtomyself；rememberingthis，thatourcountryistheshipthatbearsussafe，andthatonlywhilesheprospersinourvoyagecanwemaketruefriends。 SucharetherulesbywhichIguardthiscity’sgreatness。AndinaccordwiththemistheedictwhichIhavenowpublishedtothefolktouchingthesonsofOedipus；—thatEteocles，whohathfallenfightingforourcity，inallrenownofarms，shallbeentombed，andcrownedwitheveryritethatfollowsthenoblestdeadtotheirrest。 Butforhisbrother，Polyneices，—whocamebackfromexile，andsoughttoconsumeutterlywithfirethecityofhisfathersandtheshrinesofhisfathers’gods，—soughttotasteofkindredblood，andtoleadtheremnantintoslavery；—touchingthisman，ithathbeenproclaimedtoourpeoplethatnoneshallgracehimwithsepultureorlament，butleavehimunburied，acorpseforbirdsanddogstoeat，aghastlysightofshame。 Suchthespiritofmydealing；andnever，bydeedofmine，shallthewickedstandinhonourbeforethejust；butwhosohathgoodwilltoThebes，heshallbehonouredofme，inhislifeandinhisdeath。 LEADEROFTHECHORUS Suchisthypleasure，Creon，sonofMenoeceus，touchingthiscity’sfoe，anditsfriend；andthouhastpower，Iween，totakewhatorderthouwilt，bothforthedead，andforalluswholive。 CREON See，then，thatyebeguardiansofthemandate。 LEADER Laytheburdenofthistaskonsomeyoungerman。 CREON Nay，watchersofthecorpsehavebeenfound。 LEADER What，then，isthisfurtherchargethatthouwouldstgive？ CREON Thatyesidenotwiththebreakersofthesecommands。 LEADER Nomanissofoolishthatheisenamouredofdeath。 CREON Insooth，thatisthemeed；yetlucrehathoftruinedmenthroughtheirhopes。 （AGUARDentersfromthespectators’left。） GUARD Myliege，IwillnotsaythatIcomebreathlessfromspeed，orthathavepliedanimblefoot；foroftendidmythoughtsmakemepause，andwheelroundinmypath，toreturn。Mymindwasholdinglargediscoursewithme；’Fool，whygoestthoutothycertaindoom？’ ’Wretch，tarryingagain？AndifCreonhearsthisfromanother，mustnotthousmartforit？’Sodebating，Iwentonmywaywithlaggingsteps，andthusashortroadwasmadelong。Atlast，however，itcarriedthedaythatIshouldcomehither—tothee；and，thoughmytalebenought，yetwillItellit；forIcomewithagoodgripononehope，—thatIcansuffernothingbutwhatismyfate。 CREON Andwhatisitthatdisquietstheethus？ GUARD Iwishtotelltheefirstaboutmyself—Ididnotdothedeed—Ididnotseethedoer—itwerenotrightthatIshouldcometoanyharm。 CREON Thouhastashrewdeyeforthymark；welldostthoufencethyselfroundagainsttheblame；clearlythouhastsomestrangethingtotell。 GUARD Aye，truly；dreadnewsmakesonepauselong。 CREON Thentellit，wiltthou，andsogettheegone？ GUARD Well，thisisit。—Thecorpse—someonehathjustgivenitburial，andgoneaway，—aftersprinklingthirstydustontheflesh，withsuchotherritesaspietyenjoins。 CREON Whatsayestthou？Whatlivingmanhathdaredthisdeed？ GUARD Iknownot；nostrokeofpickaxewasseenthere，noearththrownupbymattock；thegroundwashardanddry，unbroken，withouttrackofwheels；thedoerwasonewhohadleftnotrace。Andwhenthefirstday—watchmanshowedittous，sorewonderfellonall。Thedeadmanwasveiledfromus；notshutwithinatomb，butlightlystrewnwithdust，asbythehandofonewhoshunnedacurse。Andnosignmettheeyeasthoughanybeastofpreyoranydoghadcomenightohim，ortornhim。 Thenevilwordsflewfastandloudamongus，guardaccusingguard； unditwoulde’enhavecometoblowsatlast，norwasthereanytohinder。Everymanwastheculprit，andnoonewasconvicted，butalldisclaimedknowledgeofthedeed。Andwewerereadytotakered—hotironinourhands；—towalkthroughfire；—tomakeoathbythegodsthatwehadnotdonethedeed，—thatwewerenotprivytotheplanningorthedoing。 Atlast，whenalloursearchingwasfruitless，onespake，whomadeusallbendourfacesontheearthinfear；forwesawnothowwecouldgainsayhim，orescapemischanceifweobeyed。Hiscounselwasthatthisdeedmustbereportedtothee，andnothidden。Andthisseemedbest；andthelotdoomedmyhaplessselftowinthisprize。 SohereIstand，—asunwelcomeasunwilling，wellIwot；fornomandelightsinthebearerofbadnews。 LEADER Oking，mythoughtshavelongbeenwhispering，canthisdeed，perchance，bee’entheworkofgods？ CREON Cease，erethywordsfillmeutterlywithwrath，lestthoubefoundatonceanoldmanandfoolish。Forthousayestwhatisnottobeborne，insayingthatthegodshavecareforthiscorpse。Wasitforhighrewardoftrustyservicethattheysoughttohidehisnakedness，whocametoburntheirpillaredshrinesandsacredtreasures，toburntheirland，andscatteritslawstothewinds？Ordostthoubeholdthegodshonouringthewicked？Itcannotbe。No！Fromthefirsttherewerecertaininthetownthatmutteredagainstme，chafingatthisedict，waggingtheirheadsinsecret；andkeptnottheirnecksdulyundertheyoke，likemencontentedwithmysway。 ’Tisbythem，wellIknow，thatthesehavebeenbeguiledandbribedtodothisdeed。Nothingsoevilasmoneyevergrewtobecurrentamongmen。Thislayscitieslow，thisdrivesmenfromtheirhomes，thistrainsandwarpshonestsoulstilltheysetthemselvestoworksofshame；thisstillteachesfolktopractisevillainies，andtoknoweverygodlessdeed。 Butallthemenwhowroughtthisthingforhirehavemadeitsurethat，soonorlate，theyshallpaytheprice。Now，asZeusstillhathmyreverence，knowthis—Itellittheeonmyoath：—Ifyefindnottheveryauthorofthisburial，andproducehimbeforemineeyes，deathaloneshallnotbeenoughforyou，tillfirst，hungupalive，yehaverevealedthisoutrage，—thathenceforthyemaythievewithbetterknowledgewhencelucreshouldbewon，andlearnthatitisnotwelltolovegainfromeverysource。Forthouwiltfindthatill—gottenpelfbringsmorementoruinthantoweal。 GUARD MayIspeak？OrshallIjustturnandgo？ CREON Knowestthounotthatevennowthyvoiceoffends？ GUARD Isthysmartintheears，orinthesoul？ CREON Andwhywouldstthoudefinetheseatofmypain？ GUARD Thedoervexesthymind，butI，thineears。 CREON Ah，thouartabornbabbler，’tiswellseen。 GUARD Maybe，butneverthedoerofthisdeed。 CREON Yea，andmore，—thesellerofthylifeforsilver。 GUARD Alas！’Tissad，truly，thathewhojudgesshouldmisjudge。 CREON Letthyfancyplaywith’judgment’asitwill；—but，ifyeshowmenotthedoersofthesethings，yeshallavowthatdastardlygainsworksorrows。 （CREONgoesintothepalace。） GUARD Well，mayhebefound！so’twerebest。But，behecaughtorbehenot—fortunemustsettlethat—trulythouwiltnotseemehereagain。 Saved，evennow，beyondhopeandthought，Iowethegodsgreatthanks。 （TheGUARDgoesoutonthespectators’left。） CHORUS（singing） strophe1 Wondersaremany，andnoneismorewonderfulthanman；thepowerthatcrossesthewhitesea，drivenbythestormysouth—wind，makingapathundersurgesthatthreatentoengulfhim；andEarth，theeldestofthegods，theimmortal，theunwearied，dothhewear，turningthesoilwiththeoffspringofhorses，astheploughsgotoandfrofromyeartoyear。 antistrophe1 Andthelight—heartedraceofbirds，andthetribesofsavagebeasts，andthesea—broodofthedeep，hesnaresinthemeshesofhiswoventoils，heleadscaptive，manexcellentinwit。Andhemastersbyhisartsthebeastwhoselairisinthewilds，whoroamsthehills；hetamesthehorseofshaggymane，heputstheyokeuponitsneck，hetamesthetirelessmountainbull。 strophe2 Andspeech，andwind—swiftthought，andallthemoodsthatmouldastate，hathhetaughthimself；andhowtofleethearrowsofthefrost，when’tishardlodgingundertheclearsky，andthearrowsoftherushingrain；yea，hehathresourceforall；withoutresourcehemeetsnothingthatmustcome：onlyagainstDeathshallhecallforaidinvain；butfrombafflingmaladieshehathdevisedescapes。 antistrophe2 Cunningbeyondfancy’sdreamisthefertileskillwhichbringshim，nowtoevil，nowtogood。Whenhehonoursthelawsoftheland，andthatjusticewhichhehathswornbythegodstouphold，proudlystandshiscity：nocityhathhewho，forhisrashness，dwellswithsin。Nevermayhesharemyhearth，neverthinkmythoughts，whodoththesethings！ （EntertheGUARDonthespectators’left，leadinginANTIGONE。） LEADEROFTHECHORUS Whatportentfromthegodsisthis？—mysoulisamazed。Iknowher—howcanIdenythatyonmaidenisAntigone？ Ohapless，andchildofhaplesssire，—OfOedipus！Whatmeansthis？ Thoubroughtaprisoner？—thou，disloyaltotheking’slaws，andtakeninfolly？ GUARD Heresheis，thedoerofthedeed：—caughtthisgirlburyinghim：—butwhereisCreon？ （CREONentershurriedlyfromthepalace。） LEADER Lo，hecomesforthagainfromthehouse，atourneed。 CREON Whatisit？Whathathchanced，thatmakesmycomingtimely？ GUARD Oking，againstnothingshouldmenpledgetheirword；fortheafter—thoughtbeliesthefirstintent。IcouldhavevowedthatI shouldnotsoonbehereagain，—scaredbythythreats，withwhichIhadjustbeenlashed：but，—sincethejoythatsurprisesandtranscendsourhopesislikeinfulnesstonootherpleasure，—Ihavecome，though’tisinbreachofmyswornoath，bringingthismaid；whowastakenshowinggracetothedead。Thistimetherewasnocastingoflots；no，thisluckhathfallentome，andtononeelse。Andnow，sire，takeherthyself，questionher，examineher，asthouwilt；butIhavearighttofreeandfinalquittanceofthistrouble。 CREON Andthyprisonerhere—howandwhencehastthoutakenher？ GUARD Shewasburyingtheman；thouknowestall。 CREON Dostthoumeanwhatthousayest？Dostthouspeakaright？ GUARD Isawherburyingthecorpsethatthouhadstforbiddentobury。Isthatplainandclear？ CREON Andhowwassheseen？howtakenintheact？ GUARD Itbefellonthiswise。Whenwehadcometotheplace，—withthosedreadmenacesofthineuponus，—wesweptawayallthedustthatcoveredthecorpse，andbaredthedankbodywell；andthensatusdownonthebrowofthehill，towindward，heedfulthatthesmellfromhimshouldnotstrikeus；everymanwaswideawake，andkepthisneighbouralertwithtorrentsofthreats，ifanyoneshouldbecarelessofthistask。 Sowentit，untilthesun’sbrightorbstoodinmidheaven，andtheheatbegantoburn：andthensuddenlyawhirlwindliftedfromtheearthstormofdust，atroubleintheskytheplain，marringalltheleafageofitswoods；andthewideairwaschokedtherewith：weclosedoureyes，andboretheplaguefromthegods。 Andwhen，afteralongwhile，thisstormhadpassed，themaidwasseen；andshecriedaloudwiththesharpcryofabirdinitsbitterness，—evenaswhen，withintheemptynest，itseesthebedstrippedofitsnestlings。Soshealso，whenshesawthecorpsebare，liftedupavoiceofwailing，andcalleddowncursesonthedoersofthatdeed。Andstraightwayshebroughtthirstydustinherhands；andfromashapelyewerofbronze，heldhigh，withthrice—poureddrink—offeringshecrownedthedead。 Werushedforwardwhenwesawit，andatoncedoseduponourquarry，whowasinnowisedismayed。Thenwetaxedherwithherpastandpresentdoings；andshestoodnotondenialofaught，—atoncetomyjoyandtomypain。Tohaveescapedfromillsone’sselfisagreatjoy；but’tispainfultobringfriendstoill。Howbeit，allsuchthingsareoflessaccounttomethanmineownsafety。 CREON Thou—thouwhosefaceisbenttoearth—dostthouavow，ordisavow，thisdeed？ ANTIGONE Iavowit；Imakenodenial。 CREON（toGUARD） Thoucanstbetaketheewhitherthouwilt，freeandclearofagravecharge。 （ExitGUARD） （ToANTIGONE）Now，tellmethou—notinmanywords，butbriefly—knewestthouthatanedicthadforbiddenthis？ ANTIGONE Iknewit：couldIhelpit？Itwaspublic。 CREON Andthoudidstindeeddaretotransgressthatlaw？ ANTIGONE Yes；foritwasnotZeusthathadpublishedmethatedict；notsucharethelawssetamongmenbythejusticewhodwellswiththegodsbelow；nordeemedIthatthydecreeswereofsuchforce，thatamortalcouldoverridetheunwrittenandunfailingstatutesofheaven。Fortheirlifeisnotofto—dayoryesterday，butfromalltime，andnomanknowswhentheywerefirstputforth。 NotthroughdreadofanyhumanpridecouldIanswertothegodsforbreakingthese。DieImust，—Iknewthatwell（howshouldI not？）—evenwithoutthyedicts。ButifIamtodiebeforemytime，I countthatagain：forwhenanyonelives，asIdo，compassedaboutwithevils，cansuchanonefindaughtbutgainindeath？ Soformetomeetthisdoomistriflinggrief；butifIhadsufferedmymother’ssontolieindeathanunburiedcorpse，thatwouldhavegrievedme；forthis，Iamnotgrieved。Andifmypresentdeedsarefoolishinthysight，itmaybethatafoolishjudgearraignsmyfolly。 LEADEROFTHECHORUS Themaidshowsherselfpassionatechildofpassionatesire，andknowsnothowtobendbeforetroubles。 CREON YetIwouldhavetheeknowthato’er—stubbornspiritsaremostoftenhumbled；’tisthestiffestiron，bakedtohardnessinthefire，thatthoushaltoftenestseesnappedandshivered；andIhaveknownhorsesthatshowtemperbroughttoorderbyalittlecurb；thereisnoroomforpridewhenthouartthyneighbour’sslave。—Thisgirlwasalreadyversedininsolencewhenshetransgressedthelawsthathadbeensetforth；and，thatdone，lo，asecondinsult，—tovauntofthis，andexultinherdeed。 NowverilyIamnoman，sheistheman，ifthisvictoryshallrestwithher，andbringnopenalty。No！beshesister’schild，ornearertomeinbloodthananythatworshipsZeusatthealtarofourhouse，—sheandherkinsfolkshallnotavoidadoommostdire；forindeedIchargethatotherwithalikeshareintheplottingofthisburial。 Andsummonher—forIsawhere’ennowwithin，—raving，andnotmistressofherwits。Sooft，beforethedeed，themindstandsself—convictedinitstreason，whenfolksareplottingmischiefinthedark。Butverilythis，too，ishateful，—whenonewhohathbeencaughtinwickednesthenseekstomakethecrimeaglory。 ANTIGONE Wouldstthoudomorethantakeandslayme？ CREON Nomore，indeed；havingthat，Ihaveall。 ANTIGONE Whythendostthoudelay？Inthydiscoursethereisnoughtthatpleasesme，—nevermaytherebe！—andsomywordsmustneedsbeunpleasingtothee。Andyet，forglory—whencecouldIhavewonanobler，thanbygivingburialtomineownbrother？Allherewouldownthattheythoughtitwell，werenottheirlipssealedbyfear。Butroyalty，blestinsomuchbesides，haththepowertodoandsaywhatitwill。 CREON ThoudifferestfromalltheseThebansinthatview。 ANTIGONE Thesealsoshareit；buttheycurbtheirtonguesforthee。 CREON Andartthounotashamedtoactapartfromthem？ ANTIGONE No；thereisnothingshamefulinpietytoabrother。 CREON Wasitnotabrother，too，thatdiedintheoppositecause？ ANTIGONE Brotherbythesamemotherandthesamesire。 CREON Why，then，dostthourenderagracethatisimpiousinhissight？ ANTIGONE Thedeadmanwillnotsaythathesodeemsit。 CREON Yea，ifthoumakesthimbutequalinhonourwiththewicked。 ANTIGONE Itwashisbrother，nothisslave，thatperished。 CREON Wastingthisland；whilehefellasitschampion。 ANTIGONE Nevertheless，Hadesdesirestheserites。 CREON Butthegooddesiresnotalikeportionwiththeevil。 ANTIGONE Whoknowsbutthisseemsblamelessintheworldbelow？ CREON Afoeisneverafriend—notevenindeath。 ANTIGONE Tisnotmynaturetojoininhating，butinloving。 CREON Pass，then，totheworldofthedead，and，itthoumustneedslove，lovethem。WhileIlive，nowomanshallruleme。 （EnterISMENEfromthehouse，ledinbytwoattendants。） CHORUS（chanting） Lo，yonderIsmenecomesforth，sheddingsuchtearsasfondsistersweep；aclouduponherbrowcastsitsshadowoverherdarkly—flushingface，andbreaksinrainonherfaircheek。 CREON Andthou，who，lurkinglikeaviperinmyhouse，wastsecretlydrainingmylife—blood，whileIknewnotthatIwasnurturingtwopests，toriseagainstmythrone—come，tellmenow，wiltthoualsoconfessthypartinthisburial，orwiltthouforswearallknowledgeofit？ ISMENE Ihavedonethedeed，—ifsheallowsmyclaim，—andsharetheburdenofthecharge。 ANTIGONE Nay，justicewillnotsuffertheetodothat：thoudidstnotconsenttothedeed，nordidIgivetheepartinit。 ISMENE But，nowthatillsbesetthee，Iamnotashamedtosailtheseaoftroubleatthyside。 ANTIGONE Whosewasthedeed，Hadesandthedeadarewitnesses：afriendinwordsisnotthefriendthatIlove。 ISMENE Nay，sister，rejectmenot，butletmediewiththee，anddulyhonourthedead。 ANTIGONE Sharenotthoumydeath，norclaimdeedstowhichthouhastnotputthyhand：mydeathwillsuffice。 ISMENE Andwhatlifeisdeartome，bereftofthee？ ANTIGONE AskCreon；allthycareisforhim。 ISMENE Whyvexmethus，whenitavailstheenought？ ANTIGONE Indeed，ifImock，’tiswithpainthatImockthee。 ISMENE Tellme，—howcanIservethee，evennow？ ANTIGONE Savethyself：Igrudgenotthyescape。 ISMENE Ah，woeisme！AndshallIhavenoshareinthyfate？ ANTIGONE Thychoicewastolive；mine，todie。 ISMENE Atleastthychoicewasnotmadewithoutmyprotest。 ANTIGONE Oneworldapprovedthywisdom；another，mine。 ISMENE Howbeit，theoffenceisthesameforbothofus。 ANTIGONE Beofgoodcheer；thoulivest；butmylifehathlongbeengiventodeath，thatsoImightservethedead。 CREON Lo，oneofthesemaidenshathnewlyshownherselffoolish，astheotherhathbeensinceherlifebegan。 ISMENE Yea，Oking，suchreasonasnaturemayhavegivenabidesnotwiththeunfortunate，butgoesastray。 CREON Thinedid，whenthouchosestviledeedswiththevile。 ISMENE WhatlifecouldIendure，withoutherpresence？ CREON Nay，speaknotofher’presence’；shelivesnomore。 ISMENE Butwiltthouslaythebetrothedofthineownson？ CREON Nay，thereareotherfieldsforhimtoplough。 ISMENE Buttherecanneverbesuchloveasboundhimtoher。 CREON Ilikenotanevilwifeformyson。 ANTIGONE Haemon，beloved！Howthyfatherwrongsthee！ CREON Enough，enoughoftheeandofthymarriage！ LEADEROFTHECHORUS Wiltthouindeedrobthysonofthismaiden？ CREON ’TisDeaththatshallstaythesebridalsforme。 LEADER ’Tisdetermined，itseems，thatsheshalldie。 CREON Determined，yes，fortheeandforme。—（Tothetwoattendants）Nomoredelay—servants，takethemwithin！Henceforththeymustbewomen，andnotrangeatlarge；forverilyeventheboldseektofly，whentheyseeDeathnowclosingontheirlife。 （Exeuntattendants，guardingANTIGONEandISMENE。—CREONremains。） CHORUS（singing） strophe1 Blestaretheywhosedayshavenottastedofevil。Forwhenahousehathoncebeenshakenfromheaven，therethecursefailsnevermore，passingfromlifetolifeoftherace；evenas，whenthesurgeisdrivenoverthedarknessofthedeepbythefiercebreathofThraciansea—winds，itrollsuptheblacksandfromthedepths，andthereissullenroarfromwind—vexedheadlandsthatfronttheblowsofthestorm。 antistrophe1 IseethatfromoldentimethesorrowsinthehouseoftheLabdacidaeareheapeduponthesorrowsofthedead；andgenerationisnotfreedbygeneration，butsomegodstrikesthemdown，andtheracehathnodeliverance。 FornowthathopeofwhichthelighthadbeenspreadabovethelastrootofthehouseofOedipus—thathope，inturn，isbroughtlow——bytheblood—staineddustduetothegodsinfernal，andbyfollyinspeech，andfrenzyattheheart。 strophe2 Thypower，OZeus，whathumantrespasscanlimit？ThatpowerwhichneitherSleep，theall—ensnaring，northeuntiringmonthsofthegodscanmaster；butthou，arulertowhomtimebringsnotoldage，dwellestinthedazzlingsplendourofOlympus。 Andthroughthefuture，nearandfar，asthroughthepast，shallthislawholdgood：Nothingthatisvastentersintothelifeofmortalswithoutacurse。 antistrophe2 Forthathopewhosewanderingsaresowideistomanymenacomfort，buttomanyafalselureofgiddydesires；andthedisappointmentcomesononewhoknowethnoughttillheburnhisfootagainstthehotfire。 Forwithwisdomhathsomeonegivenforththefamoussaying，thatevilseemsgood，soonorlate，tohimwhosemindthegoddrawstomischief；andbutforthebriefestspacedothhefarefreeofwoe。 LEADEROFTHECHORUS Butlo，Haemon，thelastofthysons；—Comeshegrievingforthedoomofhispromisedbride，Antigone，andbitterforthebaffledhopeofhismarriage？ （EnterHAEMON） CREON Weshallknowsoon，betterthanseerscouldtellus。—Myson，hearingthefixeddoomofthybetrothed，artthoucomeinrageagainstthyfather？OrhaveIthygoodwill，acthowImay？ HAEMON Father，Iamthine；andthou，inthywisdom，tracestformeruleswhichIshallfollow。Nomarriageshallbedeemedbymeagreatergainthanthygoodguidance。 CREON Yea，this，myson，shouldbethyheart’sfixedlaw，—inallthingstoobeythyfather’swill。’Tisforthisthatmenpraytoseedutifulchildrengrowuparoundthemintheirhomes，—thatsuchmayrequitetheirfather’sfoewithevil，andhonour，astheirfatherdoth，hisfriend。Buthewhobegetsunprofitablechildren—whatshallwesaythathehathsown，buttroublesforhimself，andmuchtriumphforhisfoes？Thendonotthou，myson，atpleasure’sbeck，dethronethyreasonforawoman’ssake；knowingthatthisisajoythatsoongrowscoldinclaspingarms，—anevilwomantosharethybedandthyhome。Forwhatwoundcouldstrikedeeperthanafalsefriend？Nay，withloathing，andasifshewerethineenemy，letthisgirlgotofindahusbandinthehouseofHades。ForsinceIhavetakenher，aloneofallthecity，inopendisobedience，Iwillnotmakemyselfaliartomypeople—Iwillslayher。