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。