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。