第2章

Soletherappealasshewilltothemajestyofkindredblood。 IfIamtonurturemineownkindredinnaughtiness，needsmustI bearwithitinaliens。HewhodoeshisdutyinhisownhouseholdwillbefoundrighteousintheStatealso。Butifanyonetransgresses，anddoesviolencetothelaws，orthinkstodictatetohisrulers，suchanonecanwinnopraisefromme。No，whomsoeverthecitymayappoint，thatmanmustbeobeyed，inlittlethingsandgreat，injustthingsandunjust；andIshouldfeelsurethatonewhothusobeyswouldbeagoodrulernolessthanagoodsubject，andinthestormofspearswouldstandhisgroundwherehewasset，loyalanddauntlessathiscomrade’sside。 Butdisobedienceistheworstofevils。Thisitisthatruinscities；thismakeshomesdesolate；bythis，theranksofalliesarebrokenintohead—longrout；but，oftheliveswhosecourseisfair，thegreaterpartowessafetytoobedience。Thereforewemustsupportthecauseoforder，andinnowisesufferawomantoworstus。 Bettertofallfrompower，ifwemust，byaman’shand；thenweshouldnotbecalledweakerthanawoman。 LEADER Tous，unlessouryearshavestolenourwit，thouseemesttosaywiselywhatthousayest。 HAEMON Father，thegodsimplantreasoninmen，thehighestofallthingsthatwecallourown。Notminetheskill—farfrommebethequest！—tosaywhereinthouspeakestnotaright；andyetanotherman，too，mighthavesomeusefulthought。Atleast，itismynaturalofficetowatch，onthybehalf，allthatmensay，ordo，orfindtoblame。 Forthedreadofthyfrownforbidsthecitizentospeaksuchwordsaswouldoffendthineear；butcanhearthesemurmursinthedark，thesemoaningsofthecityforthismaiden；’nowoman，’theysay，’evermeritedherdoomless，—noneeverwastodiesoshamefullyfordeedssogloriousashers；who，whenherownbrotherhadfalleninbloodystrife，wouldnotleavehimunburied，tobedevouredbycarriondogs，orbyanybird：—deservesnotshethemeedofgoldenhonour？’ Suchisthedarklingrumourthatspreadsinsecret。Forme，myfather，notreasureissopreciousasthywelfare。What，indeed，isanoblerornamentforchildrenthanaprosperingsire’sfairfame，orforsirethanson’s？Wearnot，then，onemoodonlyinthyself； thinknotthatthyword，andthinealone，mustberight。Forifanymanthinksthathealoneiswise，—thatinspeech，orinmind，hehathnopeer，—suchasoul，whenlaidopen，iseverfoundempty。 No，thoughamanbewise，’tisnoshameforhimtolearnmanythings，andtobendinseason。Seestthou，besidethewintrytorrent’scourse，howthetreesthatyieldtoitsaveeverytwig，whilethestiff—neckedperishrootandbranch？Andeventhushewhokeepsthesheetofhissailtaut，andneverslackensit，upsetshisboat，andfinisheshisvoyagewithkeeluppermost。 Nay，foregothywrath；permitthyselftochange。ForifI，ayoungerman，mayoffermythought，itwerefarbest，Iween，thatmenshouldbeall—wisebynature；but，otherwise—andoftthescaleinclinesnotso—’tisgoodalsotolearnfromthosewhospeakaright。 LEADER Sire，’tismeetthatthoushouldestprofitbyhiswords，ifhespeaksaughtinseason，andthou，Haemon，bythyfather’s；foronbothpartstherehathbeenwisespeech。 CREON Menofmyageareweindeedtobeschooled，then，bymenofhis？ HAEMON Innothingthatisnotright；butifIamyoung，thoushouldestlooktomymerits，nottomyyears。 CREON Isitamerittohonourtheunruly？ HAEMON Icouldwishnoonetoshowrespectforevil—doers。 CREON Thenisnotshetaintedwiththatmalady？ HAEMON OurThebanfolk，withonevoice，deniesit。 CREON ShallThebesprescribetomehowImustrule？ HAEMON See，therethouhastspokenlikeayouthindeed。 CREON AmItorulethislandbyotherjudgmentthanmineown？ HAEMON Thatisnocitywhichbelongstooneman。 CREON Isnotthecityheldtobetheruler’s？ HAEMON Thouwouldstmakeagoodmonarchofadesert。 CREON Thisboy，itseems，isthewoman’schampion。 HAEMON Ifthouartawoman；indeed，mycareisforthee。 CREON Shameless，atopenfeudwiththyfather！ HAEMON Nay，Iseetheeoffendingagainstjustice。 CREON DoIoffend，whenIrespectmineownprerogatives？ HAEMON Thoudostnotrespectthem，whenthoutramplestonthegods’ honours，CREON Odastardnature，yieldingplacetowoman！ HAEMON Thouwiltneverfindmeyieldtobaseness。 CREON Allthywords，atleast，pleadforthatgirl。 HAEMON Andforthee，andforme，andforthegodsbelow。 CREON Thoucanstnevermarryher，onthissidethegrave。 HAEMON Thenshemustdie，andindeathdestroyanother。 CREON How！doththyboldnessruntoopenthreats？ HAEMON Whatthreatisit，tocombatvainresolves？ CREON Thoushaltruethywitlessteachingofwisdom。 HAEMON Wertthounotmyfather，Iwouldhavecalledtheeunwise。 CREON Thouwoman’sslave，usenotwheedlingspeechwithme。 HAEMON Thouwouldestspeak，andthenhearnoreply？ CREON Sayestthouso？Now，bytheheavenaboveus—besureofit—thoushaltsmartfortauntingmeinthisopprobriousstrain。Bringforththathatedthing，thatshemaydieforthwithinhispresence—beforehiseyes—atherbridegroom’sside！ HAEMON No，notatmyside—neverthinkit—shallsheperish；norshaltthoueverseteyesmoreuponmyface：—rave，then，withsuchfriendsascanendurethee。 （ExitHAEMON） LEADER Themanisgone，Oking，inangryhaste；ayouthfulmind，whenstung，isfierce。 CREON Lethimdo，ordream，morethanman—goodspeedtohim！—Butheshallnotsavethesetwogirlsfromtheirdoom。 LEADER Dostthouindeedpurposetoslayboth？ CREON Notherwhosehandsarepure：thousayestwell。 LEADER Andbywhatdoommean’stthoutoslaytheother？ CREON Iwilltakeherwherethepathisloneliest，andhideher，living，inrockyvault，withsomuchfoodsetforthaspietyprescribes，thatthecitymayavoidapublicstain。Andthere，prayingtoHades，theonlygodwhomsheworships，perchanceshewillobtainreleasefromdeath；orelsewilllearn，atlast，thoughlate，thatitislostlabourtoreverethedead。 （CREONgoesintothepalace。） CHORUS（singing） stropheLove，unconqueredinthefight，Love，whomakesthavocofwealth，whokeepestthyvigilonthesoftcheekofamaiden；thouroamestoverthesea，andamongthehomesofdwellersinthewilds；noimmortalcanescapethee，noranyamongmenwhoselifeisforaday； andhetowhomthouhastcomeismad。 antistropheThejustthemselveshavetheirmindswarpedbytheetowrong，fortheirruin：’tisthouthathaststirredupthispresentstrifeofkinsmen；victoriousisthelove—kindlinglightfromtheeyesofthefairbride；itisapowerenthronedinswaybesidetheeternallaws； fortherethegoddessAphroditeisworkingherunconquerablewill。 （ANTIGONEisledoutofthepalacebytwoOfCREON’Sattendantswhoareabouttoconducthertoherdoom。） ButnowIalsoamcarriedbeyondtheboundsofloyalty，andcannomorekeepbackthestreamingtears，whenIseeAntigonethuspassingtothebridalchamberwhereallarelaidtorest。 （ThefollowinglinesbetweenANTIGONEandtheCHORUSarechantedresponsively。） ANTIGONE strophe1 Seeme，citizensofmyfatherland，settingforthonmylastway，lookingmylastonthesunlightthatisformenomore；no，HadeswhogivessleeptoallleadsmelivingtoAcheron’sshore；whohavehadnoportioninthechantthatbringsthebride，norhathanysongbeenmineforthecrowningofbridals；whomthelordoftheDarkLakeshallwed。 CHORUS systema1 Glorious，therefore，andwithpraise，thoudepartesttothatdeepplaceofthedead：wastingsicknesshathnotsmittenthee；thouhastnotfoundthewagesofthesword；no，mistressofthineownfate，andstillalive，thoushaltpasstoHades，asnootherofmortalkindhathpassed。 ANTIGONE antistrophe1 IhaveheardinotherdayshowdreadadoombefellourPhrygianguest，thedaughterofTantalus，ontheSipylianheights；Ihow，likeclingingivy，thegrowthofstonesubduedher；andtherainsfailnot，asmentell，fromherwastingform，norfailsthesnow，whilebeneathherweepinglidsthetearsbedewherbosom；andmostliketohersisthefatethatbringsmetomyrest。 CHORUS systema2 Yetshewasagoddess，thouknowest，andbornofgods；wearemortals，andofmortalrace。But’tisgreatrenownforawomanwhohathperishedthatsheshouldhavesharedthedoomofthegodlike，inherlife，andafterwardindeath。 ANTIGONE strophe2 Ah，Iammocked！Inthenameofourfathers’gods，canyenotwaittillIamgone，—mustyetauntmetomyface，Omycity，andye，herwealthysons？Ah，fountofDirce，andthouholygroundofThebewhosechariotsaremany；ye，atleast，willbearmewitness，inwhatsort，unweptoffriends，andbywhatlawsIpasstotherock—closedprisonofmystrangetomb，ahmeunhappy！whohavenohomeontheearthorintheshades，nohomewiththelivingorwiththedead。 CHORUS strophe3 Thouhastrushedforwardtotheutmostvergeofdaring；andagainstthatthronewherejusticesitsonhighthouhastfallen，mydaughter，withagrievousfall。Butinthisordealthouartpaying，haply，forthyfather’ssin。 ANTIGONE antistrophe2 Thouhasttouchedonmybitterestthought，—awakingtheever—newlamentformysireandforallthedoomgiventous，thefamedhouseofLabdacus。Alasforthehorrorsofthemother’sbed！alasforthewretchedmother’sslumberatthesideofherownson，—andmysire！ FromwhatmannerofparentsdidItakemymiserablebeing！AndtothemIgothus，accursed，unwed，tosharetheirhome。Alas，mybrother，ill—starredinthymarriage，inthydeaththouhastundonemylife！ CHORUS antistrophe3 Reverentactionclaimsacertainpraiseforreverence；butanoffenceagainstpowercannotbebrookedbyhimwhohathpowerinhiskeeping。Thyself—willedtemperhathwroughtthyruin。 ANTIGONE epodeUnwept，unfriended，withoutmarriage—song，Iamledforthinmysorrowonthisjourneythatcanbedelayednomore。Nolonger，haplessone，mayIbeholdyonday—star’ssacredeye；butformyfatenotearisshed，nofriendmakesmoan。 （CREONentersfromthepalace。） CREON Knowyenotthatsongsandwailingsbeforedeathwouldnevercease，ifitprofitedtoutterthem？Awaywithher—away！Andwhenyehaveenclosedher，accordingtomyword，inhervaultedgrave，leaveheralone，forlorn—whethershewishestodie，ortoliveaburiedlifeinsuchahome。Ourhandsarecleanastouchingthismaiden。Butthisiscertain—sheshallbedeprivedofhersojourninthelight。 ANTIGONE Tomb，bridal—chamber，eternalprisoninthecavernedrock，whithergotofindmineown，thosemanywhohaveperished，andwhomPersephonehathreceivedamongthedead！LastofallshallIpassthither，andfarmostmiserablyofall，beforethetermofmylifeisspent。ButIcherishgoodhopethatmycomingwillbewelcometomyfather，andpleasanttothee，mymother，andwelcome，brother，tothee；for，whenyedied，withmineownhandsIwashedanddressedyou，andpoureddrink—offeringsatyourgraves；andnow，Polyneices，’tisfortendingthycorpsethatIwinsuchrecompenseasthis。 AndyetIhonouredthee，asthewisewilldeem，rightly。Never，hadbeenamotherofchildren，orifahusbandhadbeenmoulderingindeath，wouldIhavetakenthistaskuponmeinthecity’sdespite。Whatlaw，yeask，ismywarrantforthatword？Thehusbandlost，anothermighthavebeenfound，andchildfromanother，toreplacethefirst—born：but，fatherandmotherhiddenwithHades，nobrother’slifecouldeverbloomformeagain。SuchwasthelawwherebyIheldtheefirstinhonour；butCreondeemedmeguiltyoferrortherein，andofoutrage，ahbrothermine！Andnowheleadsmethus，acaptiveinhishands；nobridalbed，nobridalsonghathbeenmine，nojoyofmarriage，noportioninthenurtureofchildren；butthus，forlornoffriends，unhappyone，Igolivingtothevaultsofdeath。 AndwhatlawofheavenhaveItransgressed？Why，haplessone，shouldIlooktothegodsanymore，—whatallyshouldIinvoke，—whenbypietyIhaveearnedthenameofimpious？Nay，then，ifthesethingsarepleasingtothegods，whenIhavesufferedmydoom，Ishallcometoknowmysin；butifthesiniswithmyjudges，Icouldwishthemnofullermeasureofevilthanthey，ontheirpart，metewrongfullytome。 CHORUS Stillthesametempestofthesoulvexesthismaidenwiththesamefiercegusts。 CREON Thenforthisshallherguardshavecausetoruetheirslowness。 ANTIGONE Ahme！thatwordhathcomeveryneartodeath。 CREON Icancheertheewithnohopethatthisdoomisnotthustobefulfilled。 ANTIGONE OcityofmyfathersinthelandofThebe！Oyegods，eldestofourrace！—theyleadmehenc——now，now—theytarrynot！Beholdme，princesofThebes，thelastdaughterofthehouseofyourkings，—seewhatIsuffer，andfromwhom，becauseIfearedtocastawaythefearofHeaven！ （ANTIGONEisledawaybytheguards。） CHORUS（singing） strophe1 EventhusenduredDanaeinherbeautytochangethelightofdayforbrass—boundwalls；andinthatchamber，secretasthegrave，shewasheldcloseprisoner；yetwassheofaproudlineage，Omydaughter，andchargedwiththekeepingoftheseedofZeus，thatfellinthegoldenrain。 Butdreadfulisthemysteriouspoweroffate：thereisnodeliverancefromitbywealthorbywar，byfencedcity，ordark，sea—beatenships。 antistrophe1 AndbondstamedthesonofDryas，swifttowrath，thatkingoftheEdonians；sopaidheforhisfrenziedtaunts，when，bythewillofDionysus，hewaspentinarockyprison。Therethefierceexuberanceofhismadnessslowlypassedaway。Thatmanlearnedtoknowthegod，whominhisfrenzyhehadprovokedwithmockeries；forhehadsoughttoquellthegod—possessedwomen，andtheBacchanalianfire；andheangeredtheMusesthatlovetheflute。 strophe2 AndbythewatersoftheDarkRocks，thewatersofthetwofoldsea，aretheshoresofBosporus，andThracianSalmydessus；whereAres，neighbourtothecity，sawtheaccurst，blindingwounddealttothetwosonsofPhineusbyhisfiercewife，—thewoundthatbroughtdarknesstothosevengeance—cravingorbs，smittenwithherbloodyhands，smittenwithhershuttleforadagger。 antistrophe2 Piningintheirmisery，theybewailedtheircrueldoom，thosesonsofamotherhaplessinhermarriage；butshetracedherdescentfromtheancientlineoftheErechtheidae；andinfar—distantcavesshewasnursedamidherfather’sstorms，thatchildofBoreas，swiftasasteedoverthesteephills，adaughterofgods；yetuponheralsothegrayFatesborehard，mydaughter。 （EnterTEIRESIAS，ledbyaBoy，onthespectators’right。） TEIRESIAS PrincesofThebes，wehavecomewithlinkedsteps，bothservedbytheeyesofone；forthus，byaguide’shelp，theblindmustwalk。 CREON Andwhat，agedTeiresias，arethytidings？ TEIRESIAS Iwilltellthee；anddothouhearkentotheseer。 CREON Indeed，ithasnotbeenmywonttoslightthycounsel。 TEIRESIAS Thereforedidstthousteerourcity’scoursearight。 CREON Ihavefelt，andcanattest，thybenefits。 TEIRESIAS Markthatnow，oncemore，thoustandestonfate’sfineedge。 CREON Whatmeansthis？HowIshudderatthymessage！ TEIRESIAS Thouwiltlearn，whenthouhearestthewarningsofmineart。AsItookmyplaceonmineoldseatofaugury，whereallbirdshavebeenwonttogatherwithinmyken，Iheardastrangevoiceamongthem； theywerescreamingwithdire，feverishrage，thatdrownedtheirlanguageinjargon；andIknewthattheywererendingeachotherwiththeirtalons，murderously；thewhirrofwingstoldnodoubtfultale。 Forthwith，infear，Iessayedburnt—sacrificeonadulykindledaltar：butfrommyofferingstheFire—godshowednoflame；adankmoisture，oozingfromthethigh—flesh，trickledforthupontheembers，andsmoked，andsputtered；thegallwasscatteredtotheair；andthestreamingthighslaybaredofthefatthathadbeenwrappedroundthem。 SuchwasthefailureoftheritesbywhichIvainlyaskedasign，asfromthisboyIlearned；forheismyguide，asIamguidetoothers。And’tisthycounselthathathbroughtthissicknessonourState。Forthealtarsofourcityandofourhearthshavebeentainted，oneandall，bybirdsanddogs，withcarrionfromthehaplesscorpse，thesonofOedipus：andthereforethegodsnomoreacceptprayerandsacrificeatourhands，ortheflameofmeat—offering； nordothanybirdgiveaclearsignbyitsshrillcry，fortheyhavetastedthefatnessofaslainman’sblood。 Think，then，onthesethings，myson。Allmenareliabletoerr； butwhenanerrorhathbeenmade，thatmanisnolongerwitlessorunblestwhohealstheillintowhichhehathfallen，andremainsnotstubborn。 Self—will，weknow，incursthechargeoffolly。Nay，allowtheclaimofthedead；stabnotthefallen；whatprowessisittoslaytheslainanew？Ihavesoughtthygood，andforthygoodIspeak：andneverisitsweetertolearnfromagoodcounsellorthanwhenhecounselsforthineowngain。 CREON Oldman，yeallshootyourshaftsatme，asarchersatthebutts；—Yemustneedspractiseonmewithseer—craftalso；—aye，theseer—tribehathlongtraffickedinme，andmademetheirmerchandise。Gainyourgains，driveyourtrade，ifyelist，inthesilver—goldofSardisandthegoldofIndia；butyeshallnothidethatmaninthegrave，—no，thoughtheeaglesofZeusshouldbearthecarrionmorselstotheirMaster’sthrone—no，notfordreadofthatdefilementwillIsufferhisburial：—forwellIknowthatnomortalcandefilethegods。—But，agedTeiresias，thewisestfallwithshamefulfall，whentheyclotheshamefulthoughtsinfairwords，forlucre’ssake。 TEIRESIAS Alas！Dothanymanknow，dothanyconsider…… CREON Whereof？Whatgeneraltruthdostthouannounce？ TEIRESIAS Howprecious，aboveallwealth，isgoodcounsel。 CREON Asfolly，Ithink，istheworstmischief。 TEIRESIAS Yetthouarttaintedwiththatdistemper。 CREON Iwouldnotanswertheseerwithataunt。 TEIRESIAS Butthoudost，insayingthatIprophesyfalsely。 CREON Well，theprophet—tribewaseverfondofmoney。 TEIRESIAS Andtheracebredoftyrantslovesbasegain。 CREON Knowestthouthatthyspeechisspokenofthyking？ TEIRESIAS Iknowit；forthroughmethouhastsavedThebes。 CREON Thouartawiseseer；butthoulovestevildeeds。 TEIRESIAS Thouwiltrousemetoutterthedreadsecretinmysoul。 CREON Outwithit！—Onlyspeakitnotforgain。 TEIRESIAS Indeed，methinks，Ishallnot，—astouchingthee。 CREON Knowthatthoushaltnottradeonmyresolve。 TEIRESIAS Thenknowthou—aye，knowitwell—thatthoushaltnotlivethroughmanymorecoursesofthesun’sswiftchariot，ereonebegottenofthineownloinsshallhavebeengivenbythee，acorpseforcorpses；becausethouhastthrustchildrenofthesunlighttotheshades，andruthlesslylodgedalivingsoulinthegrave；butkeepestinthisworldonewhobelongstothegodsinfernal，acorpseunburied，unhonoured，allunhallowed。Insuchthouhastnopart，norhavethegodsabove，butthisisaviolencedonetothembythee。 Thereforetheavengingdestroyerslieinwaitforthee，theFuriesofHadesandofthegods，thatthoumayestbetakeninthesesameills。 AndmarkwellifIspeakthesethingsasahireling。Atimenotlongtobedelayedshallawakenthewailingofmenandofwomeninthyhouse。Andatumultofhatredagainsttheestirsallthecitieswhosemangledsonshadtheburial—ritefromdogs，orfromwildbeasts，orfromsomewingedbirdthatboreapollutingbreathtoeachcitythatcontainsthehearthsofthedead。 Sucharrowsforthyheart—sincethouprovokestme—haveI launchedatthee，archer—like，inmyanger，—surearrows，ofwhichthoushaltnotescapethesmart。—Boy，leadmehome，thathemayspendhisrageonyoungermen，andlearntokeepatonguemoretemperate，andtobearwithinhisbreastabettermindthannowhebears。 （TheBoyleadsTEIRESIASOut。） LEADEROFTHECHORUS Themanhathgone，OKing，withdreadprophecies。And，sincethehaironthishead，oncedark，hathbeenwhite，Iknowthathehathneverbeenafalseprophettoourcity。 CREON I，too，knowitwell，andamtroubledinsoul。’Tisdiretoyield； but，byresistance，tosmitemypridewithruin—this，too，isadirechoice。 LEADER SonofMenoeceus，itbehovestheetotakewisecounsel。 CREON WhatshouldIdothen？SpeakandIwillobey。 LEADER Gothou，andfreethemaidenfromherrockychamber，andmakeatombfortheunburieddead。 CREON Andthisisthycounsel？Thouwouldsthavemeyield？ LEADER Yea，King，andwithallspeed；forswiftharmsfromthegodscutshortthefollyofmen。 CREON Ahme，’tishard，butIresignmycherishedresolve，—Iobey。Wemustnotwageavainwarwithdestiny。 LEADER Go，thou，anddothesethings；leavethemnottoothers。 CREON EvenasIamI’llgo：—on，on，myservants，eachandallofyou，—takeaxesinyourhands，andhastentothegroundthatyeseeyonder！Sinceourjudgmenthathtakenthisturn，Iwillbepresenttounlooseher，asmyselfboundher。Myheartmisgivesme，’tisbesttokeeptheestablishedlaws，eventolife’send。 （CREONandhisservantshastenoutonthespectators’left。） CHORUS（singing） strophe1 Othouofmanynames，gloryoftheCadmeianbride，offspringofloud—thunderingZeus！thouwhowatchestoverfamedItalia，andreignest，whereallguestsarewelcomed，intheshelteredplainofEleusinianDeo！OBacchus，dwellerinThebe，mother—cityofBacchants，bythesoftly—glidingstreamofIsmenus，onthesoilwherethefiercedragon’steethweresown！ antistrophe1 Thouhastbeenseenwheretorch—flamesglarethroughsmoke，abovethecrestsofthetwinpeaks，wheremovetheCoryciannymphs，thyvotaries，hardbyCastalia’sstream。 Thoucomestfromtheivy—mantledslopesofNysa’shills，andfromtheshoregreenwithmany—clusteredvines，whilethynameislifteduponstrainsofmorethanmortalpower，asthouvisitestthewaysofThebe： strophe2 Thebe，ofallcities，thouholdestfirstinhonour，thouandthymotherwhomthelightningsmote；andnow，whenallourpeopleiscaptivetoaviolentplague，comethouwithhealingfeetovertheParnassianheight，oroverthemoaningstrait！ antistrophe2 Othouwithwhomthestarsrejoiceastheymove，thestarswhosebreathisfire；Omasterofthevoicesofthenight；sonbegottenofZeus；appear，Oking，withthineattendantThyiads，whoinnight—longfrenzydancebeforethee，thegiverofgoodgifts，Iacchus！ （EnterMESSENGER，onthespectators’left。） MESSENGER DwellersbythehouseofCadmusandofAmphion，thereisnoestateofmortallifethatIwouldeverpraiseorblameassettled。FortuneraisesandFortunehumblestheluckyorunluckyfromdaytoday，andnoonecanprophesytomenconcerningthosethingswhichareestablished。ForCREONwasblestonce，asIcountbliss；hehadsavedthislandofCadmusfromitsfoes；hewasclothedwithsoledominionintheland； hereigned，theglorioussireofprincelychildren。Andnowallhathbeenlost。Forwhenamanhathforfeitedhispleasures，Icounthimnotasliving，—Iholdhimbutabreathingcorpse。Heapuprichesinthyhouse，ifthouwilt；liveinkinglystate；yet，iftherebenogladnesstherewith，Iwouldnotgivetheshadowofavapourforalltherest，comparedwithjoy。 LEADEROFTHECHORUS Andwhatisthisnewgriefthatthouhasttotellforourprinces？ MESSENGER Death；andthelivingareguiltyforthedead。 LEADER Andwhoistheslayer？Whothestricken？Speak。 MESSENGER Haemonhathperished；hisbloodhathbeenshedbynostranger。 LEADER Byhisfather’shand，orbyhisown？ MESSENGER Byhisown，inwrathwithhissireforthemurder。 LEADER Oprophet，howtrue，then，hastthouprovedthyword！ MESSENGER Thesethingsstandthus；yemustconsideroftherest。 LEADER Lo，IseethehaplessEurydice，Creon’swife，approaching；shecomesfromthehousebychance，haply，—orbecausesheknowsthetidingsofherson。 （EnterEURYDICEfromthepalace。） EURYDICE PeopleofThebes，IheardyourwordsasIwasgoingforth，tosalutethegoddessPallaswithmyprayers。EvenasIwasloosingthefasteningsofthegate，toopenit，themessageofahouseholdwoesmoteonmineear：Isankback，terror—stricken，intothearmsofmyhandmaids，andmysensesfled。Butsayagainwhatthetidingswere； Ishallhearthemasonewhoisnostrangertosorrow。 MESSENGER Dearlady，IwillwitnessofwhatIsaw，andwillleavenowordofthetruthuntold。Why，indeed，shouldIsoothetheewithwordsinwhichmustpresentlybefoundfalse？Truthiseverbest。—Iattendedthylordashisguidetothefurthestpartoftheplain，wherethebodyofPolyneices，tornbydogs，stilllayunpitied。Weprayedthegoddessoftheroads，andPluto，inmercytorestraintheirwrath； wewashedthedeadwithholywashing；andwithfreshly—pluckedboughswesolemnlyburnedsuchrelicsastherewere。Weraisedahighmoundofhisnativeearth；andthenweturnedawaytoenterthemaiden’snuptialchamberwithrockycouch，thecavernedmansionofthebrideofDeath。And，fromafaroff，oneofusheardavoiceofloudwailingatthatbride’sunhallowedbower；andcametotellourmasterCreon。 Andasthekingdrewnearer，doubtfulsoundsofabittercryfloatedaroundhim；hegroaned，andsaidinaccentsofanguish，’WretchedthatIam，canmyforebodingbetrue？AmIgoingonthewofullestwaythateverIwent？Myson’svoicegreetsme。—Go，myservants，—hasteyenearer，andwhenyehavereachedthetomb，passthroughthegap，wherethestoneshavebeenwrenchedaway，tothecell’sverymouth，—andlook。andseeif’tisHaemon’svoicethatI know，orifmineearischeatedbythegods。’ Thissearch，atourdespairingmaster’sword，wewenttomake；andinthefurthestpartofthetombwedescriedherhangingbytheneck，slungbyathread—wroughthalteroffinelinen：whilehewasembracingherwitharmsthrownaroundherwaist，bewailingthelossofhisbridewhoiswiththedead，andhisfather’sdeeds，andhisownill—starredlove。 Buthisfather，whenhesawhim，criedaloudwithadreadcryandwentin，andcalledtohimwithavoiceofwailing：—’Unhappy，whatdeedhastthoudone！Whatthoughthathcometothee？Whatmannerofmischancehathmarredthyreason？Comeforth，mychild！Ipraythee—Iimplore！’Buttheboyglaredathimwithfierceeyes，spatinhisface，and，withoutawordofanswer，drewhiscross—hiltedsword：—ashisfatherrushedforthinflight，hemissedhisaim；—then，haplessone，wrothwithhimself，hestraightwayleanedwithallhisweightagainsthissword，anddroveit，halfitslength，intohisside；and，whilesenselingered，heclaspedthemaidentohisfaintembrace，and，ashegasped，sentforthonherpalecheektheswiftstreamoftheoozingblood。 Corpseenfoldingcorpsehelies；hehathwonhisnuptialrites，pooryouth，nothere，yetinthehallsofDeath；andhehathwitnessedtomankindthat，ofallcurseswhichcleavetoman，illcounselisthesovereigncurse。 （EURYDICEretiresintothehouse。） LEADER Whatwouldstthouaugurfromthis？Theladyhathturnedback，andisgone，withoutaword，goodorevil。 MESSENGER I，too，amstartled；yetInourishthehopethat，atthesesoretidingsofherson，shecannotdeigntogivehersorrowpublicvent，butintheprivacyofthehousewillsetherhandmaidstomournthehouseholdgrief。Forsheisnotuntaughtofdiscretion，thatsheshoulderr。 LEADER Iknownot；buttome，atleast，astrainedsilenceseemstoportendperil，nolessthanvainabundanceoflament。 MESSENGER Well，Iwillenterthehouse，andlearnwhetherindeedsheisnothidingsomerepressedpurposeinthedepthsofapassionateheart。 Yea，thousayestwell：excessofsilence，too，mayhaveaperilousmeaning。 （TheMESSENGERgoesintothepalace。EnterCREON，onthespectators’ left，withattendants，carryingtheshroudedbodyofHAEMONonbier。ThefollowinglinesbetweenCREONandtheCHORUSarechantedresponsively。） CHORUS Lo，yonderthekinghimselfdrawsnear，bearingthatwhichtellstooclearatale，—theworkofnostranger’smadness，—ifwemaysayit，—butofhisownmisdeeds。 CREON strophe1 Woeforthesinsofadarkenedsoul，stubbornsins，fraughtwithdeath！Ah，yebeholdus，thesirewhohathslain，thesonwhohathperished！Woeisme，forthewretchedblindnessofmycounsels！ Alas，myson，thouhastdiedinthyyouth，byatimelessdoom，woeisme！—thyspirithathfled，—notbythyfolly，butbymineown！ CHORUS strophe2 Ahme，howalltoolatethouseemesttoseetheright！ CREONAhme，Ihavelearnedthebitterlesson！Butthen，methinks，ohthen，somegodsmotemefromabovewithcrushingweight，andhurledmeintowaysofcruelty，woeisme，—overthrowingandtramplingonmyjoy！Woe，woe，forthetroubloustoilsofmen！ （EnterMESSENGERfromthehouse。） MESSENGER Sire，thouhastcome，methinks，asonewhosehandsarenotempty，butwhohathstorelaidupbesides；thoubearestyonderburdenwiththee—andthouartsoontolookuponthewoeswithinthyhouse。 CREON Andwhatworseillisyettofollowuponills？ MESSENGER Thyqueenhathdied，truemotherofyoncorpse—ah，haplessladybyblowsnewlydealt。 CREON antistrophe1 OhHades，all—receivingwhomnosacrificecanappease！Hastthou，then，nomercyforme？Othouheraldofevil，bittertidings，whatworddostthouutter？Alas，Iwasalreadyasdead，andthouhastsmittenmeanew！Whatsayestthou，myson？Whatisthisnewmessagethatthoubringest—woe，woeisme！—Ofawife’sdoom—ofslaughterheadedonslaughter？ CHORUS Thoucanstbehold：’tisnolongerhiddenwithin。 （Thedoorsofthepalaceareopened，andthecorpseofEURYDICEisdisclosed。） CREON antistrophe2 Ahme，—yonderIbeholdanew，asecondwoe！Whatdestiny，ahwhat，canyetawaitme？Ihavebutnowraisedmysoninmyarms，—andthere，again，Iseeacorpsebeforeme！Alas，alas，unhappymother！ Alas，mychild！ MESSENGER There，atthealtar，self—stabbedwithakeenknife，shesufferedherdarkeningeyestoclose，whenshehadwailedforthenoblefateofMegareuswhodiedbefore，andthenforhisfatewholiesthere，—andwhen，withherlastbreath，shehadinvokedevilfortunesuponthee，theslayerofthysons。 CREON strophe3 Woe，woe！Ithrillwithdread。Istherenonetostrikemetotheheartwithtwo—edgedsword？—OmiserablethatIam，andsteepedinmiserableanguish！ MESSENGER Yea，boththisson’sdoom，andthatother’s，werelaidtothychargebyherwhosecorpsethouseest。 CREON Andwhatwasthemanneroftheviolentdeedbywhichshepassedaway？ MESSENGER Herownhandstruckhertotheheart，whenshehadlearnedherson’ssorelylamentedfate。 CREON strophe4 Ahme，thisguiltcanneverbefixedonanyotherofmortalkind，formyacquittal！I，evenI，wasthyslayer，wretchedthatI am—Iownthetruth。Leadmeaway，Omyservants，leadmehencewithallspeed，whoselifeisbutasdeath！ CHORUS Thycounselsaregood，iftherecanbegoodwithills；briefestisbest，whentroubleisinourpath。 CREON antistrophe3 Oh，letitcome，letitappear，thatfairestoffatesforme，thatbringsmylastday，—aye，bestfateofall！Oh，letitcome，thatImayneverlookuponto—morrow’slight。 CHORUS Thesethingsareinthefuture；presenttasksclaimourcare： theorderingofthefuturerestswhereitshouldrest。 CREON Allmydesires，atleast，weresummedinthatprayer。 CHORUS Praythounomore；formortalshavenoescapefromdestinedwoe。 CREON antistrophe4 Leadmeaway，Iprayyou；arash，foolishman；whohaveslainthee，ahmyson，unwittingly，andthee，too，mywife—unhappythatI am！IknownotwhichwayIshouldbendmygaze，orwhereIshouldseeksupport；forallisamisswiththatwhichisinmyhands，—andyonder，again，acrushingfatehathleaptuponmyhead。 （AsCREONisbeingconductedintothepalace，theLEADEROFTHE CHORUSspeakstheclosingverses。） LEADER Wisdomisthesupremepartofhappiness；andreverencetowardsthegodsmustbeinviolate。Greatwordsofpridefulmenareeverpunishedwithgreatblows，and，inoldage，teachthechastenedtobewise。