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CHARACTERS IN THE PLAY JOCASTA, wife of OEDIPUS OLD SERVANT, an attendant of ANTIGONE ANTIGONE, daughter Of OEDIPUS CHORUS OF PHOENICIAN MAIDENS POLYNEICES, exiled son of OEDIPUS ETEOCLES, now King of Thebes; son of OEDIPUS CREON, brother of JOCASTA TEIRESIAS, a blind prophet MENOECEUS, son of CREON FIRST MESSENGER SECOND MESSENGER OEDIPUS, formerly King of Thebes Daughter of TEIRESIAS, guards, attendants
JOCASTA
O SUN-GOD, who cleavest thy way along the starry sky, mounted on
golden-studded car, rolling on thy path of flame behind fleet
coursers, how curst the beam thou didst shed on Thebes, the day that
Cadmus left Phoenicia's realm beside the sea and reached this land! He
it was that in days long gone wedded Harmonia, the daughter of Cypris,
and begat Polydorus from whom they say sprung Labdacus, and Laius from
him. I am known as the daughter of Menoeceus, and Creon is my
brother by the same mother. Men called me Jocasta, for so my father
named me, and I am married to Laius. Now when he was still childless
after being wedded to me a long time, he went and questioned
Phoebus, craving moreover that our love might be crowned with sons
born to his house. But the god said, "King of Thebes for horses famed!
seek not to beget children against the will of heaven; for if thou
beget a son, that child shall slay thee, and all thy house shall
wade through blood." But he, yielding to his lust in a drunken fit,
begat a son of me, and when his babe was born, conscious of his sin
and of the god's warning, he gave the child to shepherds to expose
in Hera's meadow on mount Cithaeron, after piercing his ankles with
iron spikes; whence it was that Hellas named him Oedipus. But the
keepers of the horses of Polybus finding him took him home and laid
him in the arms of their mistress. So she suckled the child that I had
borne and persuaded her husband she was its mother. Soon as my son was
grown to man's estate, the tawny beard upon his cheek, either
because he had guessed the fraud or learnt it from another, he set out
for the shrine of Phoebus, eager to know for certain who his parents
were; and likewise Laius, my husband, was on his way thither,
anxious to find out if the child he had exposed was dead. And they
twain met where the branching roads to Phocis unite; and the
charioteer of Laius called to him, "Out of the way, stranger, room for
my lord!" But he, with never a word, strode on in his pride; and the
horses with their hoofs drew blood from the tendons of his feet.
Then-but why need I tell aught beyond the sad issue?-son slew
father, and taking his chariot gave it to Polybus his foster-father.
Now when the Sphinx was grievously harrying our city after my
husband's death, my brother Creon proclaimed that he would wed me to
any who should guess the riddle of that crafty maiden. By some strange
chance, my own son, Oedipus, guessed the Sphinx's riddle, and so he
became king of this land and received its sceptre as his prize, and
married his mother, all unwitting, luckless wretch! nor did I his
mother know that I was wedded to my son; and I bore him two sons,
Eteocles and the hero Polyneices, and two daughters as well; the one
her father called Ismene, the other, which was the elder, I named
Antigone. Now when Oedipus, that awful sufferer, learnt that I his
wedded wife was his mother too, he inflicted a ghastly outrage upon
his eyes, tearing the bleeding orbs with a golden brooch. But since my
sons have grown to bearded men, they have confined their father
closely, that his misfortune, needing as it did full many a shift to
hide it, might be forgotten. He is still living in the palace, but his
misfortunes have so unhinged him that he imprecates the most unholy
curses on his sons, praying that they may have to draw the sword
before they share this house between them. So they, fearful that
heaven may accomplish his prayer if they dwell together, have made
an agreement, arranging that Polyneices, the younger, should first
leave the land in voluntary exile, while Eteocles should stay and hold
the sceptre for a year and then change places. But as soon as Eteocles
was seated high in power, he refused to give up the throne, and
drove Polyneices into exile from the kingdom; so Polyneices went to
Argos and married into the family of Adrastus, and having collected
a numerous force of Argives is leading them hither; and he is come
up against our seven-gated walls, demanding the sceptre of his
father and his share in the kingdom. Wherefore I, to end their strife,
have prevailed on one son to meet the other under truce, before
appealing to arms; and the messenger I sent tells me that he will
come. O Zeus, whose home is heaven's radiant vault, save us, and grant
that my sons may be reconciled! For thou, if thou art really wise,
must not suffer the same poor mortal to be for ever wretched.
(JOCASTA re-enters the palace, as the OLD SERVANT appears on the
roof.)
OLD SERVANT
Antigone, choice blossom in a father's house, although thy
mother allowed thee at thy earnest treaty to leave thy maiden
chamber for the topmost story of the house, thence to behold the
Argive host, yet a stay moment that I may first reconnoitre the
path, whether there be any of the citizens visible on the road, lest
reproach, little as it matters to a slave like me, fasten on thee,
my royal mistress; and when I am quite sure will tell thee
everything that I saw and heard from the Argives, when carried the
terms of the truce to and fro between this city and Polyneices. (After
a slight pause) No, there is no citizen approaching the palace; so
mount the ancient cedar steps, and view the plains that skirt
Ismenus and the fount of Dirce to see the mighty host of foemen.
(ANTIGONE appears beside him. She chants her replies to him.)
ANTIGONE
Stretch out thy hand to me from the stairs, the hand of age to
youth, helping me to mount.
OLD SERVANT
There! clasp it, my young mistress; thou art come at a lucky
moment; for Pelasgia's host is just upon the move, and their several
contingents are separating.
ANTIGONE
O Hecate, dread child of Latona! the plain is one blaze of bronze.
OLD SERVANT
Ah! this is no ordinary home-coming of Polyneices; with many a
knight and clash of countless arms he comes.
ANTIGONE
Are the gates fast barred, and the brazen bolts shot home into
Amphion's walls of stone?
OLD SERVANT
Never fear! all is safe within the town. But mark him who cometh
first, if thou wouldst learn his name.
ANTIGONE
Who is that with the white crest, who marches in the van,
lightly bearing on his arm a buckler all of bronze?
OLD SERVANT
A chieftain, lady-
ANTIGONE
Who is he? whose son? his name? tell me, old man.
OLD SERVANT
Mycenae claims him for her son; in Lerna's glens he dwells, the
prince Hippomedon.
ANTIGONE
Ah! how proud and terrible his mien! like to an earth-born giant
he moves, with stars engraved upon his targe, resembling not a child
of earth.
OLD SERVANT
Dost see yon chieftain crossing Dirce's stream?
ANTIGONE
His harness is quite different. Who is that?
OLD SERVANT
Tydeus, the son of Oeneus; true Aetolian spirit fires his breast.
ANTIGONE
Is this he, old man, who wedded a sister of the wife of
Polyneices? What a foreign look his armour has! a half-barbarian he!
OLD SERVANT
Yes, my child; all Aetolians carry shields, and are most
unerring marksmen with their darts.
ANTIGONE
How art thou so sure of these descriptions, old man?
OLD SERVANT
I carefully noted the blazons on their shields before when I
went with the terms of the truce to thy brother; so when I see them
now I know who carry them.
ANTIGONE
Who is that youth passing close to the tomb of Zethus, with long
flowing hair, but a look of fury in his eye? is he a captain? for
crowds of warriors follow at his heels.
OLD SERVANT
That is Parthenopaeus, Atalanta's son.
ANTIGONE
May Artemis, who hies o'er the hills with his mother, lay him
low with an arrow, for coming against my city to sack it!
OLD SERVANT
May it be so, my daughter; but with justice are they come
hither, and my fear is that the gods will take the rightful view,
ANTIGONE
Where is he who was born of the same mother as I was by a cruel
destiny? Oh! tell me, old friend, where Polyneices is.
OLD SERVANT
He is yonder, ranged next to Adrastus near the tomb of Niobe's
seven unwed daughters. Dost see him?
ANTIGONE
I see him, yes! but not distinctly; 'tis but the outline of his
form the semblance of his stalwart limbs I see. Would I could speed
through the sky, swift as a cloud before the wind, towards my own dear
brother, and throw my arms about my darling's neck, so long, poor boy!
an exile. How bright his golden weapons flash like the sun-god's
morning rays!
OLD SERVANT
He will soon be here, to fill thy heart with joy, according to the
truce.
ANTIGONE
Who is that, old man, on yonder car driving snow-white steeds?
OLD SERVANT
That, lady, is the prophet Amphiaraus; with him are the victims,
whose streaming blood the thirsty earth will drink.
ANTIGONE
Daughter of Latona with the dazzling zone, O moon, thou orb of
golden light! how quietly, with what restraint he drives, goading
first one horse, then the other! But where is Capaneus who utters
those dreadful threats against this city?
OLD SERVANT
Yonder he is, calculating how he may scale the towers, taking
the measure of our walls from base to summit.
ANTIGONE
O Nemesis, with booming thunder-peals of Zeus and blazing
levin-light, thine it is to silence such presumptuous boasting. Is
this the man, who says he will give the maids of Thebes as captives of
his spear to Mycenae's dames, to Lerna's Trident, and the waters of
Amymone, dear to Poseidon, when he has thrown the toils of slavery
round them? Never, never, Artemis, my queen revered, child of Zeus
with locks of gold, may I endure the yoke of slavery!
OLD SERVANT
My daughter, go within, and abide beneath the shelter of thy
maiden chamber, now that thou hast had thy wish and seen all that
thy heart desired; for I see a crowd of women moving toward the
royal palace, confusion reigning in the city. Now the race of women by
nature loves to find fault; and if they get some slight handle for
their talk they exaggerate it, for they seem to take a pleasure in
saying everything bad of one another.
(ANTIGONE and the OLD SERVANT descend into the palace, as the
CHORUS of PHOENICIAN MAIDENS enters.)
CHORUS (singing)
strophe 1
From the Tyrian main I come, an offering choice for Loxias from
Phoenician isle, to minister to Phoebus in his halls, where his fane
lies nestling 'neath the snow-swept peaks of Parnassus; over the
Ionian sea I rowed my course, for above the plains unharvested, that
fringe the coast of Sicily, the boisterous west-wind coursed, piping
sweetest music in the sky.
antistrophe 1
Chosen from my city as beauty's gift for Loxias, to the land of
Cadmus I came, sent thither to the towers of Laius, the home of my
kin, the famous sons of Agenor; and there I became the handmaid of
Phoebus, dedicated like his offerings of wrought gold. But as yet
the water of Castaly is waiting for me to bedew the maiden glory of my
tresses for the service of Phoebus.
epode
Hail! thou rock that kindlest bright fire above the twin-peaked
heights of Dionysus. Hail! thou vine, that, day by day, makest the
lush bunches of thy grapes to drip. Hail! awful cavern of the serpent,
and the god's outlook on the hills, and sacred mount by snow-storms
lashed! would I were now circling in the dance of the deathless god,
free from wild alarms, having left Dirce ere this for the vales of
Phoebus at the centre of the world!
strophe 2
But now I find the impetuous god of war is come to battle before
these walls, and hath kindled murder's torch in this city. God grant
he fail! for a friend's sorrows are also mine; and if this land with
its seven towers suffer any mischance, Phoenicia's realm must share
it. Ah me! our stock is one; all children we of Io, that horned
maid, whose sorrows I partake.
antistrophe 2
Around the city a dense array of serried shields is rousing the
spectre of bloody strife, whose issue Ares shall soon learn to his
cost, if he brings upon the sons of Oedipus the horrors of the
curse. O Argos, city of Pelasgia! I dread thy prowess and the
vengeance Heaven sends; for he who cometh against our home in full
panoply is entering the lists with justice on his side.
(POLYNEICES enters alone.)
POLYNEICES
Those who kept watch and ward at the gate admitted me so readily
within the walls that my only fear is, that now they have caught me in
their toils, they will not let me out unscathed; so I must turn my eye
in every direction, hither and thither, to guard against all
treachery. Armed with this sword, I shall inspire myself with the
trust that is born of boldness. (Starting) What ho! who goes there? or
is it an idle sound I fear? Everything seems a danger to venturous
spirits, when their feet begin to tread an enemy's country. Still I
trust my mother, and at the same time mistrust her for persuading me
to come hither under truce. Well, there is help at hand, for the
altar's hearth is close and there are people in the palace. Come,
let me sheath my sword in its dark scabbard and ask these maidens
standing near the house, who they are.
Ladies of another land, tell me from what country ye come to the
halls of Hellas.
LEADER OF THE CHORUS
Phoenicia is my native land where I was born and bred; and
Agenor's children's children sent me hither as a first-fruits of the
spoils of war foy Phoebus; but when the noble son of Oedipus was about
to escort me to the hallowed oracle and the altars of Loxias, came
Argives meantime against his city. Now tell me in return who thou
art that comes to this fortress of the Theban realm with its seven
gates.
POLYNEICES
My father was Oedipus, the son of Laius; my mother Jocasta,
daughter of Menoeceus; and I am called Polyneices by the folk of
Thebes.
CHORUS (chanting)
O kinsman of Agenor's race, my royal masters who sent me hither at
thy feet, prince, I throw myself, according to the custom of my
home. At last art thou come to thy native land; at last! Hail to thee!
all hail! Come forth, my honoured mistress, open wide the doors.
Dost hear, O mother of this chief? Why art thou delaying to leave
the sheltering roof to fold thy son in thy embrace?
(JOCASTA enters from the palace.)
JOCASTA (chanting)
Maidens, I hear you call in your Phoenician tongue, and my old
feet drag their tottering steps to meet my son. O my son, my son, at
last after many a long day I see thee face to face; throw thy arms
about thy mother's bosom; reach hither thy cheek to me and thy dark
locks of clustering hair, o'ershadowing my neck therewith. Hail to
thee! all hail! scarce now restored to thy mother's arms, when hope
and expectation both were dead. What can I say to thee? how recall
in every way, by word, by deed, the bliss of days long past,
expressing my joy in the mazy measures of the dance? Ah! my son,
thou didst leave thy father's halls desolate, when thy brother's
despite drove thee thence in exile. Truly thou wert missed alike by
thy friends and Thebes. This was why I cut off my silvered locks and
let them fall for grief with many a tear, not clad in robes of
white, my son, but instead thereof taking for my wear these sorry
sable tatters; while within the palace that aged one with sightless
orbs, ever nursing the sorrow of a double regret for the pair of
brethren estranged from their home, rushed to lay hands upon himself
with the sword or by the noose suspended o'er his chamber-roof,
moaning his curses on his sons; and now he buries himself in darkness,
weeping ever and lamenting. And thou, my child,-I hear thou hast taken
an alien to wife and art begetting children to thy joy in thy home;
they tell me thou art courting a foreign alliance, a ceaseless woe
to me thy mother and to Laius thy ancestor, to have this woeful
marriage foisted on us. 'Twas no hand of mine that lit for thee the
marriage-torch, as custom ordains and as a happy mother ought; no part
had Ismenus at thy wedding in supplying the luxurious bath; and
there was silence through the streets of Thebes, what time thy young
bride entered her home. Curses on them! whether it be the sword or
strife or thy sire that is to blame, or heaven's visitation that
hath burst so riotously upon the house of Oedipus; for on me is come
all the anguish of these troubles.
LEADER OF THE CHORUS
Wondrous dear to woman is the child of her travail, and all her
race hath some affection for its babes.
POLYNEICES
Mother, I have come amongst enemies wisely or foolishly; but all
men needs must love their native land; whoso saith otherwise is
pleased to say so but his thoughts are turned elsewhere. So fearful
was I and in such terror, lest my brother might slay me by treachery
that I made my way through the city sword in hand, casting my eyes all
round me. My only hope is the truce and thy plighted word which
induced me to enter my paternal walls; and many a tear I shed by the
way, seeing after a weary while my home and the altars of the gods,
the training ground, scene of my childhood, and Dirce's founts from
which I was unjustly driven to sojourn in a strange city, with tears
ever gushing from mine eyes. Yea, and to add to my grief I see thee
with hair cut short and clad in sable robe; woe is me for my sorrows!
How terrible, dear mother, is hatred 'twixt those once near and
dear; how hard it makes all reconciliation! What doth my aged sire
within the house, his light all darkness now? what of my sisters
twain? Ah! they, I know, bewail my bitter exile.
JOCASTA
Some god with fell intent is plaguing the race of Oedipus. Thus it
all began; I broke God's law and bore a son, and in an evil hour
married thy father and thou wert born. But why repeat these horrors?
what Heaven sends we have to bear. I am afraid to ask thee what I fain
would, for fear of wounding thy feelings; yet I long to.
POLYNEICES
Nay, question me, leave naught unsaid; for thy will, mother, is my
pleasure too.
JOCASTA
Well then, first I ask thee what I long to have answered. What
means exile from one's country? is it a great evil?
POLYNEICES
The greatest; harder to bear than tell.
JOCASTA
What is it like? what is it galls the exile?
POLYNEICES
One thing most of all; he cannot speak his mind.
JOCASTA
This is a slave's lot thou describest, to refrain from uttering
what one thinks.
POLYNEICES
The follies of his rulers must be bear.
JOCASTA
That too is bitter, to join in the folly of fools.
POLYNEICES
Yet to gain our ends we must submit against our nature.
JOCASTA
Hope, they say, is the exile's food.
POLYNEICES
Aye, hope that looks so fair; but she is ever in the future.
JOCASTA
But doth not time expose her futility?
POLYNEICES
She hath a certain winsome charm in misfortune.
JOCASTA
Whence hadst thou means to live, ere thy marriage found it for
thee?
POLYNEICES
One while I had enough for the day, and then maybe I had it not.
JOCASTA
Did not thy father's friends and whilom guests assist thee?
POLYNEICES
Seek to be prosperous; once let fortune lour, and the aid supplied
by friends is naught.
JOCASTA
Did not thy noble breeding exalt thy horn for thee?
POLYNEICES
Poverty is a curse; breeding would not find me food.
JOCASTA
Man's dearest treasure then, it seems, is his country.
POLYNEICES
No words of thine could tell how dear.
JOCASTA
How was it thou didst go to Argos? what was thy scheme?
POLYNEICES
I know not; the deity summoned me thither in accordance with my
destiny.
JOCASTA
He doubtless had some wise design; but how didst thou win thy
wife?
POLYNEICES
Loxias had given Adrastus an oracle.
JOCASTA
What was it? what meanest thou? I cannot guess.
POLYNEICES
That he should wed his daughters to a boar and a lion.
JOCASTA
What hadst thou, my son, to do with the name of beasts?
POLYNEICES
It was night when I reached the porch of Adrastus.
JOCASTA
In search of a resting-place, or wandering thither in thy exile?
POLYNEICES
Yes, I wandered thither; and so did another like me.
JOCASTA
Who was he? he too it seems was in evil plight.
POLYNEICES
Tydeus, son of Oeneus, was his name.
JOCASTA
But why did Adrastus liken you to wild beasts?
POLYNEICES
Because we came to blows about our bed.
JOCASTA
Was it then that the son of Talaus understood the oracle?
POLYNEICES
Yes, and he gave to us his daughters twain.
JOCASTA
Art thou blest or curst in thy marriage?
POLYNEICES
As yet I have no fault to find with it.
JOCASTA
How didst thou persuade an army to follow thee hither?
POLYNEICES
To me and to Tydeus who is my kinsman by marriage, Adrastus
sware an oath, even to the husbands of his daughters twain, that he
would restore us both to our country, but me the first. So many a
chief from Argos and Mycenae has joined me, doing me a bitter though
needful service, for 'tis against my own city I am marching. Now I
call heaven to witness, that it is not willingly I have raised my
arm against parents whom I love full well. But to thee, mother, it
belongs to dissolve this unhappy feud, and, by reconciling brothers in
love, to end my troubles and thine and this whole city's. 'Tis an
old-world maxim, but I will cite it for all that: "Men set most
store by wealth, and of all things in this world it hath the
greatest power." This am I come to secure at the head of my
countless host; for good birth is naught if poverty go with it.
LEADER
Lo! Eteocles comes hither to discuss the truce. Thine the task,
mother Jocasta, to speak such words as may reconcile thy sons.
(ETEOCLES and his retinue enter.)
ETEOCLES
Mother, I am here; but it was only to pleasure thee I came. What
am to do? Let some one begin the conference; for I stopped marshalling
the citizens in double lines around the walls, that I might hear thy
arbitration. between us; for it is under this truce that thou hast
persuaded me to admit this fellow within the walls.
JOCASTA
Stay a moment; haste never carries justice with it; but slow
deliberation oft attains a wise result. Restrain the fierceness of thy
look, that panting rage; for this is not the Gorgon's severed head but
thy own brother whom thou seest here. Thou too, Polyneices, turn and
face thy brother; for if thou and he stand face to face, thou wilt
adopt a kindlier tone and lend a readier ear to him. I fain would give
you both one piece of wholesome counsel; when a man that is angered
with his friend confronts him face to face, he ought only to keep in
view the object of his coming, forgetting all previous quarrels.
Polyneices my son, speak first, for thou art come at the head of a
Danaid host, alleging wrongful treatment; and may some god judge
betwixt us and reconcile the trouble.
POLYNEICES
The words of truth are simple, and justice needs no subtle
interpretations, for it hath a fitness in itself; but the words of
injustice, being rotten in themselves, require clever treatment. I
provided for his interests and mine in our father's palace, being
anxious to avoid the curse which Oedipus once uttered against us; of
my own free-will I left the land, allowing him to rule our country for
one full year, on condition that I should then take the sceptre in
turn, instead of plunging into deadly enmity and thereby doing
others hurt or suffering it myself, as is now the case. But he,
after consenting to this and calling the gods to witness his oath, has
performed none of his promises, but is still keeping the sovereignty
in his own hands together with my share of our heritage. Even now am I
ready to take my own and dismiss my army from this land, receiving
my house in turn to dwell therein, and once more restore it to him for
a like period instead of ravaging our country and planting
scaling-ladders against the towers, as I shall attempt to do if I do
not get my rights. Wherefore I call the gods to witness that spite
of my just dealing in everything I am being unjustly robbed of my
country by most godless fraud. Here, mother, have I stated the several
points on their own merits, without collecting words to fence them in,
but urging a fair case, I think, alike in the judgment of skilled or
simple folk.
LEADER
To me at least, albeit I was not born and bred in Hellas, thy
words seem full of sense.
ETEOCLES
If all were at one in their ideas of honour and wisdom, there
would have been no strife to make men disagree; but, as it is,
fairness and equality have no existence in this world beyond the name;
there is really no such thing. For instance, mother, I will tell
thee this without any concealment; I would ascend to the rising of the
stars and the sun or dive beneath the earth, were I able so to do,
to win a monarch's power, the chief of things divine. Therefore,
mother, I will never yield this blessing to another, but keep it for
myself; for it were a coward's act to lose the greater and to win
the less. Besides, I blush to think that he should gain his object
by coming with arms in his hand and ravaging the land; for this were
foul disgrace to glorious Thebes, if I should yield my sceptre up to
him for fear of Argive might. He ought not, mother, to have
attempted reconcilement by armed force, for words compass everything
that even the sword of an enemy might effect. Still, if on any other
terms he cares to dwell here, he may; but the sceptre will I never
willingly let go. Shall I become his slave, when I can be his
master? Never! Wherefore come fire, come sword! harness your steeds,
fill the plains with chariots, for I will not forego my throne for
him. For if we must do wrong, to do so for a kingdom were the
fairest cause, but in all else virtue should be our aim.
LEADER
Fair words are only called for when the deeds they crown are fair;
otherwise they lose their charm and offend justice.
JOCASTA
Eteocles, my child, it is not all evil that attends old age;
sometimes its experience can offer sager counsel than can youth. Oh
why, my son, art thou so set upon Ambition, that worst of deities?
Forbear; that goddess knows not justice; many are the homes and cities
once prosperous that she hath entered and left after the ruin of her
votaries; she it is thou madly followest. Better far, my son, prize
Equality that ever linketh friend to friend, city to city, and
allies to each other; for Equality is man's natural law; but the
less is always in opposition to the greater, ushering in the dayspring
of dislike. For it is Equality that hath set up for man measures and
divisions of weights and hath distinguished numbers; night's sightless
orb, and radiant sun proceed upon their yearly course on equal
terms, and neither of them is envious when it has to yield. Though sun
and gloom then both are servants in man's interests, wilt not thou
be content with thy fair share of thy heritage and give the same to
him? if not, why where is justice? Why prize beyond its worth the
monarch's power, injustice in prosperity? why think so much of the
admiring glances turned on rank? Nay, 'tis vanity. Or wouldst thou
by heaping riches in thy halls, heap up toil therewith? what advantage
is it? 'tis but a name; for the wise find that enough which suffices
for their wants. Man indeed hath no possessions of his own; we do
but hold a stewardship of the gods' property; and when they will, they
take it back again. Riches make no settled home, but are as
transient as the day. Come, suppose I put before thee two
alternatives, whether thou wilt rule or save thy city? Wilt thou say
"Rule"?
Again, if Polyneices win the day and his Argive warriors rout
the ranks of Thebes, thou wilt see this city conquered and many a
captive maid brutally dishonoured by the foe; so will that wealth thou
art so bent on getting become a grievous bane to Thebes; but still
ambition fills thee. This I say to thee; and this to thee, Polyneices;
Adrastus hath conferred a foolish favour on thee; and thou too hast
shown little sense in coming to lay thy city waste. Suppose thou
conquer this land (which Heaven forefend!) tell me, I conjure thee,
how wilt thou rear a trophy to Zeus? how wilt thou begin the sacrifice
after thy country's conquest or inscribe the spoils at the streams
of Inachus with "Polyneices gave Thebes to the flames and dedicated
these shields to the gods"? Oh! never, my son, be it thine to win such
fame from Hellas! If, on the other hand, thou art worsted and thy
brother's cause prevail, how shalt thou return to Argos, leaving
countless dead behind? Some one will be sure to say, "Out on thee!
Adrastus, for the evil bridegroom thou hast brought unto thy house;
thanks to one maid's marriage, ruin is come on us."
Towards two evils, my son, art thou hasting,-loss of influence
there and ruin in the midst of thy efforts here. Oh! my children,
lay aside your violence; two men's follies, once they meet, result
in very deadly evil.
LEADER
O heaven, avert these troubles and reconcile the sons of Oedipus
in some way!
ETEOCLES
Mother, the season for parley is past; the time we still delay
is idle waste; thy good wishes are of no avail, for we shall never
be reconciled except upon the terms already named, namely, that I
should keep the sceptre and be king of this land: wherefore cease
these tedious warnings and let me be. (Turning to POLYNEICES) And as
for thee, outside the walls, or die!
POLYNEICES
Who will slay me? who is so invulnerable as to plunge his sword in
my body without reaping the self-same fate?
ETEOCLES
Thou art near him, aye, very near; dost see my arm?
POLYNEICES
I see it; but wealth is cowardly, a craven too fond of life.
ETEOCLES
Was it then to meet a dastard thou camest with all that host to
war?
POLYNEICES
In a general caution is better than foolhardiness.
ETEOCLES
Relying on the truce, which saves thy life, thou turnest boaster.
POLYNEICES
Once more I ask thee to restore my sceptre and share in the
kingdom.
ETEOCLES
I have naught to restore; 'tis my own house, and I will dwell
therein.
POLYNEICES
What! and keep more than thy share?
ETEOCLES
Yes, I will. Begone!
POLYNEICES
O altars of my fathers' gods!-
ETEOCLES
Which thou art here to raze.
POLYNEICES
Hear me.
ETEOCLES
Who would hear thee after thou hast marched against thy
fatherland?
POLYNEICES
O temples of those gods that ride on snow-white steeds!
ETEOCLES
They hate thee.
POLYNEICES
I am being driven from my country.
ETEOCLES
Because thou camest to drive others thence.
POLYNEICES
Unjustly, O ye gods!
ETEOCLES
Call on the gods at Mycenae, not here.
POLYNEICES
Thou hast outraged right-
ETEOCLES
But I have not like thee become my country's foe.
POLYNEICES
By driving me forth without my portion.
ETEOCLES
And further I will slay thee.
POLYNEICES
O father, dost thou hear what I am suffering?
ETEOCLES
Yea, and he hears what thou art doing.
POLYNEICES
Thou too, mother mine?
ETEOCLES
Thou hast no right to mention thy mother.
POLYNEICES
O my city!
ETEOCLES
Get thee to Argos, and invoke the waters of Lerna.
POLYNEICES
I will; trouble not thyself; all thanks to thee though, mother
mine-
ETEOCLES
Forth from the land!
POLYNEICES
I go, yet grant me to behold my father.
ETEOCLES
Thou shalt not have thy wish.
POLYNEICES
At least then my tender sisters.
ETEOCLES
No! them too thou shalt never see.
POLYNEICES
Ah, sisters mine!
ETEOCLES
Why dost thou, their bitterest foe, call on them?
POLYNEICES
Mother dear, to thee at least farewell!
JOCASTA
A joyous faring mine in sooth, my son!
POLYNEICES
Thy son no more!
JOCASTA
Born to sorrow, endless sorrow, I!
POLYNEICES
'Tis because my brother treats me despitefully.
ETEOCLES
I am treated just the same.
POLYNEICES
Where wilt thou be stationed before the towers?
ETEOCLES
Why ask me this?
POLYNEICES
I will array myself against thee for thy death.
ETEOCLES
I too have the same desire.
JOCASTA
Woe is me! what will ye do, my sons?
POLYNEICES
The event will show.
JOCASTA
Oh, fly your father's curse!
(JOCASTA enters the palace.)
ETEOCLES
Destruction seize our whole house!
POLYNEICES
Soon shall my sword be busy, plunged in gore. But I call my native
land and heaven too to witness, with what contumely and bitter
treatment I am being driven forth, as though I were a slave, not a son
of Oedipus as much as he. If aught happen to thee, my city, blame him,
not me; for I came not willingly, and all unwillingly am I driven
hence. Farewell, king Phoebus, lord of highways; farewell palace and
comrades; farewell ye statues of the gods, at which men offer sheep;
for I know not if shall ever again address you, though hope is still
awake, which makes me confident that with heaven's help I shall slay
this fellow and rule my native Thebes.
(POLYNEICES departs.)
ETEOCLES
Forth from the land! 'twas a true name our father gave thee, when,
prompted by some god, he called thee Polyneices, a name denoting
strife.
CHORUS (singing)
strophe
To this land came Cadmus of Tyre, at whose feet an unyoked
heifer threw itself down, giving effect to an oracle on the spot where
the god's response bade him take up his abode in Aonia's rich
cornlands, where gushing Dirce's fair rivers of water pour o'er
verdant fruitful fields; here was born the Bromian god by her whom
Zeus made a mother, round whom the ivy twined its wreaths while he was
yet a babe, swathing him amid the covert of its green foliage as child
of happy destiny, to be a theme for Bacchic revelry among the maids
and wives inspired in Thebes.
antistrophe
There lay Ares' murderous dragon, a savage warder, watching with
roving eye the watered glens and quickening streams; him did Cadmus
slay with a jagged stone, when he came thither to draw him lustral
water, smiting that fell head with a blow of his death-dealing arm;
but by the counsel of Pallas, motherless goddess, he cast the teeth
upon the earth into deep furrows, whence sprang to sight mail-clad
host above the surface of the soil; but grim slaughter once again
united them to the earth they loved, bedewing with blood the ground
that had disclosed them to the sunlit breath of heaven.
epode
Thee too, Epaphus, child of Zeus, sprung from Io our ancestress,
call on in my foreign tongue; all hail to thee! hear my prayer uttered
in accents strange, and visit this land; 'twas in thy honour thy
descendants settled here, and those goddesses of twofold name,
Persephone and kindly Demeter or Earth the queen of all, that
feedeth every mouth, won it for themselves; send to the help of this
land those torch-bearing queens; for to gods all things are easy.
ETEOCLES (to an attendant)
Go, fetch Creon son of Menoeceus, the brother of jocasta my
mother; tell him I fain would confer with him on matters affecting our
public and private weal, before we set out to battle and the
arraying of our host. But lo! he comes and saves thee the trouble of
going; I see him on his way to my palace.
(CREON enters.)
CREON
To and fro have I been, king Eteocles, in my desire to see thee,
and have gone all round the gates and sentinels of Thebes in quest
of thee.
ETEOCLES
Why, and I was anxious to see thee, Creon; for I found the terms
of peace far from satisfactory, when I came to confer with Polyneices.
CREON
I hear that he has wider aims than Thebes, relying on his alliance
with the daughter of Adrastus and his army. Well, we must leave this
dependent on the gods; meantime I am come to tell thee our chief
obstacle.
ETEOCLES
What is that? I do not understand what thou sayest.
CREON
There is come one that was captured by the Argives.
ETEOCLES
What news does he bring from their camp?
CREON
He says the Argive army intend at once to draw a ring of troops
round the city of Thebes, about its towers.
ETEOCLES
In that case the city of Cadmus must lead out its troops.
CREON
Whither? art thou so young that thine eyes see not what they
should?
ETEOCLES
Across yon trenches for immediate action.
CREON
Our Theban forces are small, while theirs are numberless.
ETEOCLES
I well know they are reputed brave.
CREON
No mean repute have those Argives among Hellenes.
ETEOCLES
Never fear! I will soon fill the plain with their dead.
CREON
I could wish it so; but I see great difficulties in this.
ETEOCLES
Trust me, I will not keep my host within the walls.
CREON
Still victory is entirely a matter of good counsel.
ETEOCLES
Art anxious then that I should have recourse to any other scheme?
CREON
Aye to every scheme, before running the risk once for all.
ETEOCLES
Suppose we fall on them by night from ambuscade?
CREON
Good! provided in the event of defeat thou canst secure thy return
hither.
ETEOCLES
Night equalizes risks, though it rather favours daring.
CREON
The darkness of night is a terrible time to suffer disaster.
ETEOCLES
Well, shall I fall upon them as they sit at meat?
CREON
That might cause them fright, but victory is what we want.
ETEOCLES
Dirce's ford is deep enough to prevent their retreat.
CREON
No plan so good as to keep well guarded.
ETEOCLES
What if our cavalry make a sortie against the host of Argos?
CREON
Their troops too are fenced all round with chariots.
ETEOCLES
What then can I do? am I to surrender the city to the foe?
CREON
Nay, nay! but of thy wisdom form some plan.
ETEOCLES
Pray, what scheme is wiser than mine?
CREON
They have seven chiefs, I hear.
ETEOCLES
What is their appointed task? their might can be but feeble.
CREON
To lead the several companies and storm our seven gates.
ETEOCLES
What are we to do? I will not wait till every chance is gone.
CREON
Choose seven chiefs thyself to set against them at the gates.
ETEOCLES
To lead our companies, or to fight single-handed?
CREON
Choose our very bravest men to lead the troops.
ETEOCLES
I understand; to repel attempts at scaling our walls.
CREON
With others to share the command, for one man sees not everything.
ETEOCLES
Selecting them for courage or thoughtful prudence?
CREON
For both; for one is naught without the other.
ETEOCLES
It shall be done; I will away to our seven towers and post
captains at the gates, as thou advisest, pitting them man for man
against the foe. To tell thee each one's name were grievous waste of
time, when the foe is camped beneath our very walls. But I will go,
that my hands may no longer hang idle. May I meet my brother face to
face, and encounter him hand to hand, e'en to the death, for coming to
waste my country! But if I suffer any mischance, thou must see to
the marriage 'twixt Antigone my sister and Haemon, thy son; and now,
as I go forth to battle, I ratify their previous espousal. Thou art my
mother's brother, so why need I say more? take care of her, as she
deserves, both for thy own sake and mine. As for my sire he hath
been guilty of folly against himself in putting out his eyes; small
praise have I for him; by his curses maybe he will slay us too. One
thing only have we still to do, to ask Teiresias, the seer, if he
has aught to tell of heaven's will. Thy son Menoeceus, who bears thy
father's name, will I send to fetch Teiresias hither, Creon; for
with the he will readily converse, though I have ere now so scorned
his art prophetic to his face, that he has reasons to reproach me.
This commandment, Creon, I lay upon the city and thee; should my cause
prevail, never give Polyneices' corpse a grave in Theban soil, and
if so be some friend should bury him, let death reward the man. Thus
far to thee; and to my servants thus, bring forth my arms and coat
of mail, that I may start at once for the appointed combat, with right
to lead to victory. To save our city we will pray to Caution, the best
goddess to serve our end.
(ETEOCLES and his retinue go out.)
CHORUS (singing)
strophe
O Ares, god of toil and trouble! why, why art thou possessed by
love of blood and death, out of harmony with the festivals of Bromius?
'Tis for no crowns of dancers fair that thou dost toss thy youthful
curls to the breeze, singing the while to the lute's soft breath a
strain to charm the dancers' feet; but with warriors clad in mail thou
dost lead thy sombre revelry, breathing into Argive breasts lust for
Theban blood; with no wild waving of the thyrsus, clad in fawnskin
thou dancest, but with chariots and bitted steeds wheelest thy charger
strong of hoof. O'er the waters of Ismenus in wild career thou art
urging thy horses, inspiring Argive breasts with hate of the
earth-born race, arraying in brazen harness against these
stone-built walls a host of warriors armed with shields. Truly
Strife is a goddess to fear, who devised these troubles for the
princes of this land, for the much-enduring sons of Labdacus.
antistrophe
O Cithaeron, apple of the eye of Artemis, holy vale of leaves,
amid whose snows full many a beast lies couched, would thou hadst
never reared the child exposed to die, Oedipus the fruit of
Jocasta's womb, when as a babe he was cast forth from his home, marked
with golden brooch; and would the Sphinx, that winged maid, fell
monster from the hills, had never come to curse our land with
inharmonious strains; she that erst drew nigh our walls and snatched
the sons of Cadmus away in her taloned feet to the pathless fields
of light, a fiend sent by Hades from hell to plague the men of Thebes;
once more unhappy strife is bursting out between the sons of Oedipus
in city and home. For never can wrong be right, nor children of
unnatural parentage come as a glory to the mother that bears them, but
as a stain on the marriage of him who is father and brother at once.
epode
O earth, thou once didst bear,-so long ago I heard the story
told by foreigners in my own home,-a race which sprang of the teeth of
a snake with blood-red crest, that fed on beasts, to be the glory
and reproach of Thebes. In days gone by the sons of heaven came to the
wedding of Harmonia, and the walls of Thebes arose to the sound of the
lyre and her towers stood up as Amphion played, in the midst between
the double streams of Dirce, that watereth the green meadows
fronting the Ismenus; and Io, our horned ancestress was mother of
the kings of Thebes; thus our city through an endless succession of
divers blessings has set herself upon the highest pinnacle of
martial glory.
(TEIRESIAS enters, led by his daughter. They are accompanied by
MENOECEUS.)
TEIRESIAS
Lead on, my daughter; for thou art as an eye to my blind feet,
as certain as a star to mariners; lead my steps on to level ground;
then go before, that we stumble not, for thy father has no strength;
keep safe for me in thy maiden hand the auguries I took in the days
I observed the flight and cries of birds seated in my holy prophet's
chair. Tell me, young Menoeceus, son of Creon, how much further toward
the city is it ere reach thy father? for my knees grow weary, and I
can scarce keep up this hurried pace.
CREON
Take heart, Teiresias, for thou hast reached thy moorings and
art near thy friends; take him by the hand, my child; for just as
every carriage has to wait for outside help to steady it, so too
hath the step of age.
TEIRESIAS
Enough; I have arrived; why, Creon, dost thou summon me so
urgently?
CREON
I have not forgotten that; but first collect thyself and regain
breath, shaking off the fatigue of thy journey.
TEIRESIAS
I am indeed worn out, having arrived here only yesterday from
the court of the Erechtheidae; for they too were at war, fighting with
Eumolpus, in which contest I insured the victory of Cecrops' sons; and
I received the golden crown, which thou seest me wearing, as
first-fruits of the enemy's spoil.
CREON
I take thy crown of victory as an omen. We, as thou knowest, are
exposed to the billows of an Argive war, and great is the struggle for
Thebes. Eteocles, our king, is already gone in full harness to meet
Mycenae's champions, and hath bidden me inquire of thee our best
course to save the city.
TEIRESIAS
For Eteocles I would have closed my lips and refrained from all
response, but to thee I will speak, since 'tis thy wish to learn. This
country, Creon, has been long afflicted, ever since Laius became a
father in heaven's despite, begetting hapless Oedipus to be his own
mother's husband. That bloody outrage on his eyes was planned by
heaven as an ensample to Hellas; and the sons of Oedipus made a
gross mistake in wishing to throw over it the veil of time, as if
forsooth they could outrun the gods' decree; for by robbing their
father of his due honour and allowing him no freedom, they enraged
their luckless sire; so he, stung by suffering and disgrace as well,
vented awful curses against them; and I, because I left nothing undone
or unsaid to prevent this, incurred the hatred of the sons of Oedipus.
But death inflicted by each other's hands awaits them, Creon; and
the many heaps of slain, some from Argive, some from Theban
missiles, shall cause bitter lamentation in the land of Thebes.
Alas! for thee, poor city, thou art being involved in their ruin,
unless I can persuade one man. The best course was to prevent any
child of Oedipus becoming either citizen or king in this land, since
they were under a ban and would overthrow the city. But as evil has
the mastery of good, there is still one other way of safety; but
this it were unsafe for me to tell, and painful too for those whose
high fortune it is to supply their city witb the saving cure.
Farewell! I will away; amongst the rest must I endure my doom, if need
be; for what will become of me?
CREON
Stay here, old man.
TEIRESIAS
Hold me not.
CREON
Abide, why dost thou seek to fly?
TEIRESIAS
'Tis thy fortune that flies thee, not I.
CREON
Tell me what can save Thebes and her citizens.
TEIRESIAS
Though this be now thy wish, it will soon cease to be.
CREON
Not wish to save my country? how can that be?
TEIRESIAS
Art thou still eager to be told?
CREON
Yea; for wherein should I show greater zeal?
TEIRESIAS
Then straightway shalt thou hear my words prophetic. But first
would fain know for certain where Menoeceus is, who led me hither.
CREON
Here, not far away, but at thy side.
TEIRESIAS
Let him retire far from my prophetic voice.
CREON
He is my own son and will preserve due silence.
TEIRESIAS
Wilt thou then that I tell thee in his presence?
CREON
Yea, for he will rejoice to hear the means of safety.
TEIRESIAS
Then hear the purport of my oracle, the which if ye observe ye
shall save the city of Cadmus. Thou must sacrifice Menoeceus thy son
here for thy country, since thine own lips demand the voice of fate.
CREON
What mean'st thou? what is this thou hast said, old man?
TEIRESIAS
To that which is to be thou also must conform.
CREON
O the eternity of woe thy minute's tale proclaims!
TEIRESIAS
Yes to thee, but to thy country great salvation.
CREON
I shut my ears; I never listened; to city now farewell!
TEIRESIAS
Ha! the man is changed; he is drawing back.
CREON
Go in peace; it is not thy prophecy I need.
TEIRESIAS
Is truth dead, because thou art curst with woe?
CREON
By thy knees and honoured locks I implore thee!
TEIRESIAS
Why implore me? thou art craving a calamity hard to guard against.
CREON
Keep silence; tell not the city thy news.
TEIRESIAS
Thou biddest me act unjustly; I will not hold my peace.
CREON
What wilt thou then do to me? slay my child?
TEIRESIAS
That is for others to decide; I have but to speak.
CREON
Whence came this curse on me and my son?
TEIRESIAS
Thou dost right to ask me and to test what I have said. In
yonder lair, where the earth-born dragon kept watch and ward o'er
Dirce's springs, must this youth be offered and shed his life-blood on
the ground by reason of Ares' ancient grudge against Cadmus, who
thus avenges the slaughter of his earth-born snake. If ye do this,
ye shall win Ares as an ally; and if the earth receive crop for crop
and human blood for blood, ye shall find her kind again, that erst
to your sorrow reared from that dragon's seed a crop of warriors
with golden casques; for needs must one sprung from the dragon's teeth
be slain. Now thou art our only survivor of the seed of that sown
race, whose lineage is pure alike on mother's and on father's side,
thou and these thy sons. Haemon's marriage debars him from being the
victim, for he is no longer single; for even if he have not
consummated his marriage, yet is he betrothed; but this tender
youth, consecrated to the city's service, might by dying rescue his
country; and bitter will he make the return of Adrastus and his
Argives, flinging o'er their eyes death's dark pall, and will
glorify Thebes. Choose thee one of these alternatives; either save the
city or thy son.
Now hast thou all I have to say. Daughter, lead me home. A fool,
the man who practises the diviner's art; for if he should announce
an adverse answer, he makes himself disliked by those who seek to him;
while, if from pity he deceives those who are consulting him, he
sins against Heaven. Phoebus should have been man's only prophet,
for he fears no man.
(His daughter leads TEIRESIAS out.)
LEADER OF THE CHORUS
Why so silent, Creon, why are thy lips hushed and dumb? I too am
no less stricken with dismay.
CREON
Why, what could one say? 'Tis clear what my words must be. For
will never plunge myself so deeply into misfortune as to devote my son
to death for the city; for love of children binds all men to life, and
none would resign his own son to die. Let no man praise me into
slaying my children. I am ready to die myself-for I am ripe in
years-to set my country free. But thou, my son, ere the whole city
learn this, up and fly with all haste away from this land,
regardless of these prophets' unbridled utterances; for he will go
to the seven gates and the captains there and tell all this to our
governors and leaders; now if we can forestall him, thou mayst be
saved, but if thou art too late, we are undone and thou wilt die.
MENOECEUS
Whither can I fly? to what city? to which of our guest-friends?
CREON
Fly where thou wilt be furthest removed from this land.
MENOECEUS
'Tis for thee to name a place, for me to carry out thy bidding.
CREON
After passing Delphi-
MENOECEUS
Whither must I go, father?
CREON
To Aetolia.
MENOECEUS
Whither thence?
CREON
To the land of Thesprotia.
MENOECEUS
To Dodona's hallowed threshold?
CREON
Thou followest me.
MENOECEUS
What protection shall I find me there?
CREON
The god will send thee on thy way.
MENOECEUS
How shall I find the means?
CREON
I will supply thee with money.
MENOECEUS
A good plan of thine, father. So go; for I will to thy sister,
Jocasta, at whose breast I was suckled as a babe when reft of my
mother and left a lonely orphan, to give her kindly greeting and
then will I seek my safety. Come, come! be going, that there be no
hindrance on thy part.
(CREON departs.)
How cleverly, ladies, I banished my father's fears by crafty words
to gain my end; for he is trying to convey me hence, depriving the
city of its chance and surrendering me t
New mail on node CUCSCA from IN%"linguist@tamsun.tamu.edu" "The Linguist List"
o cowardice. Though an old man
may be pardoned, yet in my case there is no excuse for betraying the
country that gave me birth. So I will go and save the city, be assured
thereof, and give my life up for this land. For this were shame,
that they whom no oracles bind and who have not come under Fate's iron
law, should stand there, shoulder to shoulder, with never a fear of
death, and fight for their country before her towers, while I escape
the kingdom like a coward, a traitor to my father and brother and
city; and wheresoe'er I live, I shall appear a dastard. Nay, by Zeus
and all his stars, by Ares, god of blood, who 'stablished the
warrior-crop that sprung one day from earth as princes of this land,
that shall not be! but go I will, and standing on the topmost
battlements, will deal my own death-blow over the dragon's deep dark
den, the spot the seer described, and will set my country free. I have
spoken. Now I go to make the city a present of my life, no mean
offering, to rid this kingdom of its affliction. For if each were to
take and expend all the good within his power, contributing it to
his country's weal, our states would experience fewer troubles and
would for the future prosper.
(MENOECEUS goes out.)
CHORUS (singing)
strophe
Thou cam'st, O winged fiend, spawn of earth and hellish
viper-brood, to prey upon the sons of Cadmus, rife with death and
fraught with sorrow, half a monster, half a maid, a murderous prodigy,
with roving wings and ravening claws, that in days gone by didst catch
up youthful victims from the haunts of Dirce, with discordant note,
bringing a deadly curse, a woe of bloodshed to our native land. A
murderous god he was who brought all this to pass. In every house
was heard a cry of mothers wailing and of wailing maids, lamentation
and the voice of weeping, as each took up the chant of death from
street to street in turn. Loud rang the mourners' wail, and one
great cry went up, whene'er that winged maiden bore some victim out of
sight from the city.
antistrophe
At last came Oedipus, the man of sorrow, on his mission from
Delphi to this land of Thebes, a joy to them then but afterwards cause
of grief; for, when he had read the riddle triumphantly, he formed
with his mother an unhallowed union, woe to him! polluting the city;
and by his curses, luckless wight, he plunged his sons into a guilty
strife, causing them to wade through seas of blood. All reverence do
we feel for him, who is gone to his death in his country's cause,
bequeathing to Creon a legacy of tears, but destined to crown with
victory our seven fenced towers. May our motherhood be blessed with
such noble sons, O Pallas, kindly queen, who with well-aimed stone
didst spill the serpent's blood, rousing Cadmus as thou didst to brood
upon the task, whereof the issue was a demon's curse that swooped upon
this land and harried it.
(The FIRST MESSENGER enters.)
MESSENGER
Ho there! who is at the palace-gates? Open the door, summon
Jocasta forth. Ho there! once again I call; spite of this long delay
come forth; hearken, noble wife of Oedipus; cease thy lamentation
and thy tears of woe.
(JOCASTA enters from the palace in answer to his call.)
JOCASTA
Surely thou art not come, my friend, with the sad news of
Eteocles' death, beside whose shield thou hast ever marched, warding
from him the foeman's darts? What tidings art thou here to bring me?
Is my son alive or dead? Declare that to me.
MESSENGER
To rid thee of thy fear at once, he lives; that terror banish.
JOCASTA
Next, how is it with the seven towers that wall us in?
MESSENGER
They stand unshattered still; the city is not yet a prey.
JOCASTA
Have they been in jeopardy of the Argive spear?
MESSENGER
Aye, on the very brink; but our Theban warriors proved too
strong for Mycenae's might.
JOCASTA
One thing tell me, I implore; knowest thou aught of Polyneices, is
he yet alive? for this too I long to learn.
MESSENGER
As yet thy sons are living, the pair of them.
JOCASTA
God bless thee! How did you succeed in beating off from our
gates the Argive hosts, when thus beleaguered? Tell me, that I may
go within and cheer the old blind man, since our city is still safe.
MESSENGER
After Creon's son, who gave up life for country, had taken his
stand on the turret's top and plunged a sword dark-hilted through
his throat to save this land, thy son told off seven companies with
their captains to the seven gates to keep watch on the Argive
warriors, and stationed cavalry to cover cavalry, and infantry to
support infantry, that assistance might be close at hand for any
weak point in the walls. Then from our lofty towers we saw the
Argive host with their white shields leaving Teumessus, and, when near
the trench, they charged up to our Theban city at the double. In one
loud burst from their ranks and from our battlements rang out the
battle-cry and trumpet-call. First to the Neistian gate,
Parthenopaeus, son of the huntress maid, led a company bristling
with serried shields, himself with his own peculiar badge in the
centre of his targe, Atalanta slaying the Aetolian boar with an
arrow shot from far. To the gates of Proetus came the prophet
Amphiaraus, bringing the victims on a chariot; no vaunting blazon he
carried, but weapons chastely plain. Next, prince Hippomedon came
marching to the Ogygian port with this device upon his boss, Argus the
all-seeing with his spangled eyes upon the watch whereof some open
with the rising stars, while others he closes when they set, as one
could see after he was slain. At the Homoloian gates Tydeus was
posting himself, a lion's skin with shaggy mane upon his buckler,
while in his right hand he bore a torch, like Titan Prometheus, to
fire the town. Thy own son Polyneices led the battle 'gainst the
Fountain gate; upon his shield for blazon were the steeds of Potniae
galloping at frantic speed, revolving by some clever contrivance on
pivots inside the buckler close to the handle, so as to appear
distraught. At Electra's gate famed Capaneus brought up his company,
bold as Ares for the fray; this device his buckler bore upon its
iron back, an earth-born giant carrying on his shoulders a whole
city which he had wrenched from its base, hint to us of the fate in
store for Thebes. Adrastus was stationed at the seventh gate; a
hundred vipers filled his shield with graven work, as he bore on his
left arm that proud Argive badge, the hydra, and serpents were
carrying off in their jaws the sons of Thebes from within their very
walls. Now I was enabled to see each of them, as I carried the
watch-word along the line to the leaders of our companies. To begin
with, we fought with bows and thonged javelins, with slings that shoot
from far and showers of crashing stones; and as we were conquering,
Tydeus and thy son on sudden cried aloud, "Ye sons of Argos, before
being riddled by their fire, why delay to fall upon the gates with
might and main, the whole of you, light-armed and horse and
charioteers?" No loitering then, soon as they heard that call; and
many a warrior fell with bloody crown, and not a few of us thou
couldst have seen thrown to the earth like tumblers before the
walls, after they had given up the ghost, bedewing the thirsty
ground with streams of gore. Then Atalanta's son, who was not an
Argive but an Arcadian, hurling himself like a hurricane at the gates,
called for fire and picks to raze the town; but Periclymenus, son of
the ocean-god, stayed his wild career, heaving on his head a
waggon-load of stone, even the coping torn from the battlements; and
it shattered his head with the hair and crashed through the sutures of
the skull, dabbling with blood his cheek just showing manhood's flush;
and never shall he go back alive to his fair archer-mother, the maid
of Maenalus.
Thy son then, seeing these gates secure, went on to the next,
and I with him. There I saw Tydeus and his serried ranks of targeteers
hurling their Aetolian spears into the opening at the top of the
turrets, with such good aim that our men fled and left the beetling
battlements: but thy son rallied them once more, as a huntsman
cheers his hounds, and made them man the towers again. And then away
we hastened to other gates, after stopping the panic there. As for the
madness of Capaneus, how am I to describe it? There was he, carrying
with him a long scaling-ladder and loudly boasting that even the awful
lightning of Zeus would not stay him from giving the city to utter
destruction; and even as he spoke, he crept up beneath the hail of
stones, gathered under the shelter of his shield, mounting from rung
to rung on the smooth ladder; but, just as he was scaling the
parapet of the wall, Zeus smote him with a thunderbolt; loud the earth
re-echoed, and fear seized every heart; for his limbs were hurled from
the ladder far apart as from a sling, his head toward the sky, his
blood toward earth, while his legs and arms went spinning round like
Ixion's wheel, till his charred corpse fell to the ground. But when
Adrastus saw that Zeus was leagued against his army, he drew the
Argive troops outside the trench and halted them. Meantime our
horse, marking the lucky omen of Zeus, began driving forth their
chariots, and our men-at-arms charged into the thick of the Argives,
and everything combined to their discomfiture; men were falling and
hurled headlong from chariots, wheels flew off, axles crashed
together, while ever higher grew the heaps of slain; so for to-day
at least have we prevented the destruction of our country's
bulwarks; but whether fortune will hereafter smile upon this land,
that rests with Heaven; for, even as it is, it owes its safety to some
deity.
Victory is fair; and if the gods are growing kinder, it would be
well with me.
JOCASTA
Heaven and fortune smile; for my sons are yet alive and my country
hath escaped ruin. But Creon seems to have reaped the bitter fruit
of my marriage with Oedipus, by losing his son to his sorrow, a
piece of luck-for Thebes, but bitter grief to him. Prithee to thy tale
again and say what my two sons next intend.
MESSENGER
Forbear to question further; all is well with thee so far.
JOCASTA
Thy words but rouse my suspicions; I cannot leave it thus.
MESSENGER
Hast thou any further wish than thy sons' safety?
JOCASTA
Yea, I would learn whether in the sequel I am also blest.
MESSENGER
Let me go; thy son is left without his squire.
JOCASTA
There is some evil thou art hiding, veiling it in darkness.
MESSENGER
Maybe; I would not add ill news to the good thou hast heard.
JOCASTA
Thou must, unless thou take wings and fly away.
MESSENGER
Ah! why didst thou not let me go after announcing my good news,
instead of forcing me to disclose evil? Those two sons of thine are
resolved on deeds of shameful recklessness, a single combat apart from
the host, addressing to Argives and Thebans alike words I would they
had never uttered. Eteocles, taking his stand on a lofty tower,
after ordering silence to be proclaimed to the army, began on this
wise, "Ye captains of Hellas, chieftains of Argos here assembled,
and ye folk of Cadmus, barter not your lives for Polyneices or for me!
For I myself excuse you from this risk, and will engage my brother
in single combat; and if I slay him, will possess my palace without
rival, but if I am worsted I will bequeath the city to him. Ye men
of Argos, give up the struggle and return to your land, nor lose
your lives here; of the earth-sown folk as well there are dead
enough in those already slain."
So he; then thy son Polyneices rushed from the array and
assented to his proposal; and all the Argives and the people of Cadmus
shouted their approval, as though they deemed it just. On these
terms the armies made a truce, and in the space betwixt them took an
oath of each other for their leaders to abide by. Forthwith in
brazen mail those two sons of aged Oedipus were casing themselves; and
lords of Thebes with friendly care equipped the captain of this
land, while Argive chieftains armed the other. There they stood in
dazzling sheen, neither blenching, all eagerness to hurl their
lances each at the other. Then came their friends to their side, first
one, then another, with words of encouragement, to wit:
"Polyneices, it rests with thee to set up an image of Zeus as a
trophy, and crown Argos with fair renown."
Others hailed Eteocles: "Now art thou fighting for thy city;
now, if victorious, thou hast the sceptre in thy power."
So spake they, cheering them to the fray.
Meantime the seers were sacrificing sheep and noting the tongues
and forks of fire, the damp reek which is a bad omen, and the tapering
flame, which gives decisions on two points, being both a sign of
victory and defeat. But, if thou hast any power or subtle speech or
charmed spell, go, stay thy children from this fell affray, for
great is the risk they run. The issue thereof will be grievous
sorrow for thee, if to-day thou art reft of both thy sons.
(The MESSENGER departs in haste as ANTIGONE comes out of the palace.)
JOCASTA
Antigone, my daughter, come forth before the palace; this
heaven-sent crisis is no time for thee to be dancing or amusing
thyself with girlish pursuits. But thou and thy mother must prevent
two gallant youths, thy own brothers, from plunging into death and
falling by each other's hand.
ANTIGONE
Mother mine, what new terror art thou proclaiming to thy dear ones
before the palace?
JOCASTA
Daughter, thy brothers are in danger of their life.
ANTIGONE
What mean'st thou?
JOCASTA
They have resolved on single combat.
ANTIGONE
O horror! what hast thou to tell, mother?
JOCASTA
No welcome news; follow me.
ANTIGONE
Whither away from my maiden-bower?
JOCASTA
To the army.
ANTIGONE
I cannot face the crowd.
JOCASTA
Modesty is not for thee now.
ANTIGONE
But what can I do?
JOCASTA
Thou shalt end thy brothers' strife.
ANTIGONE
By what means, mother mine?
JOCASTA
By falling at their knees with me.
ANTIGONE
Lead on till we are 'twixt the armies; no time for lingering now.
JOCASTA
Haste, my daughter, haste! For, if I can forestall the onset of my
sons, may yet live; but if they be dead, I will lay me down and die
with them.
(JOCASTA and ANTIGONE hurriedly depart.)
CHORUS (singing)
strophe
Ah me! my bosom thrills with terror; and through my flesh there
passes a throb of pity for the hapless mother. Which of her two sons
will send the other to a bloody grave? ah, woe is me! O Zeus, O earth,
alas! brother severing brother's throat and robbing him of life,
cleaving through his shield to spill his blood? Ah me! ah me! which of
them will claim my dirge of death?
antistrophe
Woe unto thee, thou land of Thebes! two savage beasts, two
murderous souls, with brandished spears will soon be draining each his
fallen foeman's gore. Woe is them, that they ever thought of single
combat! in foreign accent will I chant a dirge of tears and wailing in
mourning for the dead. Close to murder stands their fortune; the
coming day will decide it. Fatal, ah! fatal will this slaughter be,
because of the avenging fiends.
But I see Creon on his way hither to the palace with brow
o'ercast; I will check my present lamentations.
(CREON enters. He is followed by attendants carrying the body of
MENOECEUS.)
CREON
Ah me! what shall I do? Am I to mourn with bitter tears myself
or my city, round which is settling a swarm thick enough to send us to
Acheron? My own son hath died for his country, bringing glory to his
name but grievous woe to me. His body I rescued but now from the
dragon's rocky lair and sadly carried the self-slain victim hither
in my arms; and my house is fallen with weeping: but now I come to
fetch my sister Jocasta, the living must reverence the nether god by
paying honour to the dead.
LEADER OF THE CHORUS
Thy sister, Creon, hath gone forth and her daughter Antigone
went with her.
CREON
Whither went she? and wherefore? tell me.
LEADER
She heard that her sons were about to engage in single combat
for the royal house.
CREON
What is this? I was paying the last honours to my dead son, and so
am late in learning this fresh sorrow.
LEADER
'Tis some time, Creon, since thy sister's departure, and I
expect the struggle for life and death is already decided by the
sons of Oedipus.
CREON
Alas! I see an omen there, the gloomy look and clouded brow of
yonder messenger coming to tell us the whole matter.
(The SECOND MESSENGER enters.)
MESSENGER
Ah, woe is me! what language can I find to tell my tale?
CREON
Our fate is sealed; thy opening words do naught to reassure us.
MESSENGER
Ah, woe is me! I do repeat; for beside the scenes of woe already
enacted I bring tidings of new horror.
CREON
What is thy tale?
MESSENGER
Thy sister's sons are now no more, Creon.
CREON
Alas! thou hast a heavy tale of woe for me and Thebes
LEADER
O house of Oedipus, hast thou heard these tidings?
CREON
Of sons slain by the self-same fate.
LEADER
A tale to make it weep, were it endowed with sense.
CREON
Oh! most grievous stroke of fate! woe is me for my sorrows! woe!
MESSENGER
Woe indeed! didst thou but know the sorrows still to tell.
CREON
How can they be more hard to bear than these?
MESSENGER
With her two sons thy sister has sought her death.
CHORUS (chanting)
Loudly, loudly raise the wail, and with white hands smite upon
your heads!
CREON
Ah! woe is thee, Jocasta! what an end to life and marriage hast
thou found the riddling of the Sphinx! But tell me how her two sons
wrought the bloody deed, the struggle caused by the curse of Oedipus.
MESSENGER
Of our successes before the towers thou knowest, for the walls are
not so far away as to prevent thy learning each event as it
occurred. Now when they, the sons of aged Oedipus, had donned their
brazen mail, they went and took their stand betwixt the hosts,
chieftains both and generals too, to decide the day by single
combat. Then Polyneices, turning his eyes towards Argos, lifted up a
prayer; "O Hera, awful queens-for thy servant I am, since I have
wedded the daughter of Adrastus and dwell in his land,-grant that I
may slay my brother, and stain my lifted hand with the blood of my
conquered foe. A shameful prize it is I ask, my own brother's
blood." And to many an eye the tear would rise at their sad fate,
and men looked at one another, casting their glances round.
But Eteocles, looking towards the temple of Pallas with the golden
shield, prayed thus, "Daughter of Zeus, grant that this right arm
may launch the spear of victory against my brother's breast and slay
him who hath come to sack my country." Soon as the Tuscan trumpet
blew, the signal for the bloody fray, like the torch that falls,' they
darted wildly at one another and, like boars whetting their savage
tusks, began the fray, their beards wet with foam; and they kept
shooting out their spears, but each crouched beneath his shield to let
the steel glance idly off; but if either saw the other's face above
the rim, he would aim his lance thereat, eager to outwit him.
But both kept such careful outlook through the spy-holes in
their shields, that their weapons found naught to do; while from the
on-lookers far more than the combatants trickled the sweat caused by
terror for their friends. Suddenly Eteocles, in kicking aside a
stone that rolled beneath his tread, exposed a limb outside his
shield, and Polyneices seeing a chance of dealing him a blow, aimed
a dart at it, and the Argive shaft went through his leg; whereat the
Danai, one and all, cried out for joy. But the wounded man, seeing a
shoulder unguarded in this effort, plunged his spear with all his
might into the breast of Polyneices, restoring gladness to the
citizens of Thebes, though he brake off the spear-head; and so, at a
loss for a weapon, he retreated foot by foot, till catching up
splintered rock he let it fly and shivered the other's spear; and
now was the combat equal, for each had lost his lance. Then
clutching their sword-hilts they closed, and round and round, with
shields close-locked, they waged their wild warfare. Anon Eteocles
introduced that crafty Thessalian trick, having some knowledge thereof
from his intercourse with that country; disengaging himself from the
immediate contest, he drew back his left foot but kept his eye closely
on the pit of the other's stomach from a distance; then advancing
his right foot he plunged his weapon through his navel and fixed it in
his spine. Down falls Polyneices, blood-bespattered, ribs and belly
contracting in his agony. But that other, thinking his victory now
complete, threw down his sword and set to spoiling him, wholly
intent thereon, without a thought for himself. And this indeed was his
ruin; for Polyneices, who had fallen first, was still faintly
breathing, and having in his grievous fall retained his sword, he made
last effort and drove it through the heart of Eteocles. There they
lie, fallen side by side, biting the dust with their teeth, without
having decided the mastery.
LEADER OF THE CHORUS
Ah, woe is thee! Oedipus, for thy sorrows! how I pity thee!
Heaven, it seems, has fulfilled those curses of thine.
MESSENGER
Now hear what further woes succeeded. Just as her two sons had
fallen and lay dying, comes their wretched mother on the scene, her
daughter with her, in hot haste; and when she saw their mortal wounds,
"Too late," she moaned, "my sons, the help I bring"; and throwing
herself on each in turn she wept and wailed, sorrowing o'er all her
toil in suckling them; and so too their sister, who was with her,
"Supporters of your mother's age I dear brothers, leaving me
forlorn, unwed!" Then prince Eteocles with one deep dying gasp,
hearing his mother's cry, laid on her his moist hand, and though he
could not say a word, his tear-filled eyes were eloquent to prove
his love. But Polyneices was still alive, and seeing his sister and
his aged mother he said, "Mother mine, our end is come; I pity thee
and my sister Antigone and my dead brother. For I loved him though
he turned my foe, I loved him, yes! in spite of all. Bury me, mother
mine, and thou, my sister dear, in my native soil; pacify the city's
wrath that may get at least that much of my own fatherland, although I
lost my home. With thy hand, mother, close mine eyes (therewith he
himself places her fingers on the lids); and fare ye well; for already
the darkness wraps me round."
So both at once breathed out their life of sorrow. But when
their mother saw this sad mischance, in her o'ermastering grief she
snatched from a corpse its sword and wrought an awful deed, driving
the steel right through her throat; and there she lies, dead with
the dead she loved so well, her arms thrown round them both.
Thereon the host sprang to their feet and fell to wrangling, we
maintaining that victory rested with my master, they with theirs;
and amid our leaders the contention raged, some holding that
Polyneices gave the first wound with his spear, others that, as both
were dead, victory rested with neither. Meantime Antigone crept away
from the host; and those others rushed to their weapons, but by some
lucky forethought the folk of Cadmus had sat down under arms; and by a
sudden attack we surprised the Argive host before it was fully
equipped. Not one withstood our onset, and they filled the plain
with fugitives, while blood was streaming from the countless dead
our spears had slain. Soon as victory crowned our warfare, some
began to rear an image to Zeus for the foe's defeat, others were
stripping the Argive dead of their shields and sending their spoils
inside the battlements; and others with Antigone are bringing her dead
brothers hither for their friends to mourn. So the result of this
struggle to our city hovers between the two extremes of good and
evil fortune.
(The MESSENGER goes out.)
CHORUS (chanting)
No longer do the misfortunes of this house extend to hearsay only;
three corpses of the slain lie here at the palace for all to see,
who by one common death have passed to their life of gloom.
(During the lament, ANTIGONE enters, followed by servants who hear
the bodies Of JOCASTA, ETEOCLES, and POLYNEICES.)
ANTIGONE (chanting)
No veil I draw o'er my tender cheek shaded with its clustering
curls; no shame I feel from maiden modesty at the hot blood mantling
'neath my eyes, the blush upon my face, as I hurry wildly on in
death's train, casting from my hair its tire and letting my delicate
robe of saffron hue fly loose, a tearful escort to the dead. Ah me!
Woe to thee, Polyneices! rightly named, I trow; woe to thee,
Thebes! no mere strife to end in strife was thine; but murder
completed by murder hath brought the house of Oedipus to ruin with
bloodshed dire and grim. O my home, my home! what minstrel can I
summon from the dead to chant a fitting dirge o'er my tearful fate, as
I bear these three corpses of my kin, my mother and her sons,
welcome sight to the avenging fiend that destroyed the house of
Oedipus, root and branch, in the hour that his shrewdness solved the
Sphinx's riddling rhyme and slew that savage songstress. Woe is me! my
father! what other Hellene or barbarian, what noble soul among the
bygone tribes of man's poor mortal race ever endured the anguish of
such visible afflictions?
Ah! poor maid, how piteous is thy plaint! What bird from its
covert 'mid the leafy oak or soaring pine-tree's branch will come to
mourn with me, the maid left motherless, with cries of woe, lamenting,
ere it comes, the piteous lonely life, that henceforth must be
always mine with tears that ever stream? On which of these corpses
shall I throw my offerings first, plucking the hair from my head? on
the breast of the mother that suckled me, or beside the ghastly
death-wounds of my brothers' corpses? Woe to thee, Oedipus, my aged
sire with sightless orbs, leave thy roof, disclose the misery of thy
life, thou that draggest out a weary existence within the house,
having cast a mist of darkness o'er thine eyes. Dost hear, thou
whose aged step now gropes its way across the court, now seeks
repose on wretched pallet couch?
(OEDIPUS enters from the palace. He chants the following lines
responsively with ANTIGONE.)
OEDIPUS
Why, daughter, hast thou dragged me to the light, supporting my
blind footsteps from the gloom of my chamber, where I lie upon my
bed and make piteous moan, a hoary sufferer, invisible as a phantom of
the air, or as a spirit from the pit, or as a dream that flies?
ANTIGONE
Father, there are tidings of sorrow for thee to bear; no more
thy sons behold the light, or thy wife who ever would toil to tend thy
blind footsteps as with a staff. Alas for thee, my sire!
OEDIPUS
Ah me, the sorrows I endure! I may well say that. Tell me,
child, what fate o'ertook those three, and how they left the light.
ANTIGONE
Not to reproach or mock thee say I this, but in all sadness;
'tis thy own avenging curse, with all its load of slaughter, fire, and
ruthless war, that is fallen on thy sons. Alas for thee, my sire!
OEDIPUS
Ah me!
ANTIGONE
Why dost thou groan?
OEDIPUS
'Tis for my sons.
ANTIGONE
Couldst thou have looked towards yon sun-god's four-horsed car and
turned the light of thine eyes on these corpses, it would have been
agony to thee.
OEDIPUS
'Tis clear enough how their evil fate o'ertook my sons; but she,
my poor wife tell me, daughter, how she came to die.
ANTIGONE
All saw her weep and heard her moan, as she rushed forth to
carry to her sons her last appeal, a mother's breast. But the mother
found her sons at the Electran gate, in a meadow where the lotus
blooms, fighting out their duel like lions in their lair, eager to
wound each other with spears, their blood already congealed, a
murderous libation to the Death-god poured out by Ares. Then,
snatching from corpse a sword of hammered bronze, she plunged it in
her flesh, and in sorrow for her sons fell with her arms around
them. So to-day, father, the god, whose'er this issue is, has gathered
to a head the sum of suffering for our house.
LEADER OF THE CHORUS
To-day is the beginning of many troubles to the house of
Oedipus; may he live to be more fortunate!
CREON
Cease now your lamentations; 'tis time we bethought us of their
burial. Hear what I have to say, Oedipus. Eteocles, thy son, left me
to rule this land, by assigning it as a marriage portion to Haemon
with the hand of thy daughter Antigone. Wherefore I will no longer
permit thee to dwell therein, for Teiresias plainly declared that
the city would never prosper so long as thou wert in the land. So
begone! And this I say not to flout thee, nor because I bear thee
any grudge, but from fear that some calamity will come upon the
realm by reason of those fiends that dog thy steps.
OEDIPUS
O destiny! to what a life of pain and sorrow didst thou bear me
beyond all men that ever were, e'en from the very first; yea for
when I was yet unborn, or ever I had left my mother's womb and seen
the light, Apollo foretold to Laius that I should become my father's
murderer; woe is me! So, as soon as I was born, my father tried to end
again the hapless life he had given, deeming me his foe, for it was
fated he should die at my hand; so he sent me still unweaned to make a
pitiful meal for beasts, but I escaped from that. Ah! would that
Cithaeron had sunk into hell's yawning abyss, in that it slew me
not! Instead thereof Fate made me a slave in the service of Polybus;
and I, poor wretch, after slaying my own father came to wed my
mother to her sorrow, and begat sons that were my brothers, whom
also I have destroyed, by bequeathing unto them the legacy of curses I
received from Laius. For nature did not make me so void of
understanding, that I should have devised these horrors against my own
eyes and my children's life without the intervention of some god.
Let that pass. What am I, poor wretch, to do? Who now will be my guide
and tend the blind man's step? Shall she, that is dead? Were she
alive, I know right well she would. My pair of gallant sons, then? But
they are gone from me. Am I still so young myself that I can find a
livelihood? Whence could I? O Creon, why seek thus to slay me utterly?
For so thou wilt, if thou banish me from the land. Yet will I never
twine my arms about thy knees and betray cowardice, for I will not
belie my former gallant soul, no! not for all my evil case.
CREON
Thy words are brave in refusing to touch my knees, and I am
equally resolved not to let thee abide in the land. For these dead,
bear one forth-with to the palace; but the other, who came with
stranger folk to sack his native town, the dead Polyneices, cast forth
unburied beyond our frontiers. To all the race of Cadmus shall this be
proclaimed, that whosoe'er is caught decking his corpse with wreaths
or giving it burial, shall be requited with death; unwept, unburied
let him lie, a prey to birds. As for thee, Antigone, leave thy
mourning for these lifeless three and betake thyself indoors to
abide there in maiden state until to-morrow, when Haemon waits to
wed thee.
ANTIGONE
O father, in what cruel misery are we plunged! For thee I mourn
more than for the dead; for in thy woes there is no opposite to
trouble, but universal sorrow is thy lot. As for thee, thou new-made
king, why, I ask, dost thou mock my father thus with banishment? Why
start making laws over a helpless corpse?
CREON
This was what Eteocles, not I, resolved.
ANTIGONE
A foolish thought, and foolish art thou for entertaining it!
CREON
What! ought I not to carry out his behests?
ANTIGONE
No; not if they are wrong and ill-advised.
CREON
Why, is it not just for that other to be given to the dogs?
ANTIGONE
Nay, the vengeance ye are exacting is no lawful one.
CREON
It is; for he was his country's foe, though not a foeman born.
ANTIGONE
Well, to fate he rendered up his destinies.
CREON
Let him now pay forfeit in his burial too.
ANTIGONE
What crime did he commit in coming to claim his heritage?
CREON
Be very sure of this, yon man shall have no burial.
ANTIGONE
I will bury him, although the state forbids.
CREON
Do so, and thou wilt be making thy own grave by his.
ANTIGONE
A noble end, for two so near and dear to be laid side by side!
CREON (to his servants)
Ho! seize and bear her within the palace.
ANTIGONE
Never! for I will not loose my hold upon this corpse.
CREON
Heaven's decrees, girl, fit not thy fancies.
ANTIGONE
Decrees! here is another, "No insult to the dead."
CREON
Be sure that none shall sprinkle over the corpse the moistened
dust.
ANTIGONE
O Creon, by my mother's corpse, by Jocasta, I implore thee!
CREON
'Tis but lost labour; thou wilt not gain thy prayer.
ANTIGONE
Let me but bathe the dead body-
CREON
Nay, that would be part of what the city is forbidden.
ANTIGONE
At least let me bandage the gaping wounds.
CREON
No; thou shalt never pay honour to this corpse.
ANTIGONE
O my darling! one kiss at least will I print upon thy lips.
CREON
Do not let this mourning bring disaster on thy marriage.
ANTIGONE
Marriage! dost think I will live to wed thy son?
CREON
Most certainly thou must; how wilt thou escape his bed?
ANTIGONE
Then if I must, our wedding-night will find another Danaid bride
in me.
CREON (turning to OEDIPUS)
Dost witness how boldly she reproached me?
ANTIGONE
Witness this steel, the sword by which I swear!
CREON
Why art so bent on being released from this marriage?
ANTIGONE
I mean to share my hapless father's exile.
CREON
A noble spirit thine but somewhat touched with folly.
ANTIGONE
Likewise will I share his death, I tell thee further.
CREON
Go, leave the land; thou shalt not murder son of mine.
(CREON goes out, followed by his attendants who carry with them
the body Of MENOECEUS.)
OEDIPUS
Daughter, for this loyal spirit I thank thee.
ANTIGONE
Were I to wed, then thou, my father, wouldst be alone in thy
exile.
OEDIPUS
Abide here and be happy; I will bear my own load of sorrow.
ANTIGONE
And who shall tend thee in thy blindness, father?
OEDIPUS
Where fate appoints, there will I lay me down upon the ground.
ANTIGONE
Where is now the famous Oedipus, where that famous riddle?
OEDIPUS
Lost for ever! one day made, and one day marred my fortune.
ANTIGONE
May not I too share thy sorrows?
OEDIPUS
To wander with her blinded sire were shame unto his child.
ANTIGONE
Not so, father, but glory rather, if she be a maid discreet.
OEDIPUS
Lead me nigh that I may touch thy mother's corpse.
ANTIGONE
So! embrace the aged form so dear to thee.
OEDIPUS
Woe is thee, thy motherhood, thy marriage most unblest!
ANTIGONE
A piteous corpse, a prey to every ill at once!
OEDIPUS
Where lies the corpse of Eteocles, and of Polyneices, where?
ANTIGONE
Both lie stretched before thee, side by side.
OEDIPUS
Lay the blind man's hand upon his poor sons' brows.
ANTIGONE
There then! touch the dead, thy children.
OEDIPUS
Woe for you! dear fallen sons, sad offspring of a sire as sad!
ANTIGONE
O my brother Polyneices, name most dear to me!
OEDIPUS
Now is the oracle of Loxias being fulfilled, my child.
ANTIGONE
What oracle was that? canst thou have further woes to tell?
OEDIPUS
That I should die in glorious Athens after a life of wandering.
ANTIGONE
Where? what fenced town in Attica will take thee in?
OEDIPUS
Hallowed Colonus, home of the god of steeds. Come then, attend
on thy blind father, since thou art minded to share his exile.
(OEDIPUS and ANTIGONE chant their remaining lines as they slowly
depart.)
ANTIGONE
To wretched exile go thy way; stretch forth thy hand, my aged
sire, taking me to guide thee, like a breeze that speedeth barques.
OEDIPUS
See, daughter, I am advancing; be thou my guide, poor child.
ANTIGONE
Ah, poor indeed! the saddest maid of all in Thebes.
OEDIPUS
Where am I planting my aged step? Bring my staff, child.
ANTIGONE
This way, this way, father mine! plant thy footsteps here, like
dream for all the strength thou hast.
OEDIPUS
Woe unto thee that art driving my aged limbs in grievous exile
from their land! Ah me! the sorrows I endure!
ANTIGONE
"Endure"! why speak of enduring? Justice regardeth not the
sinner and requiteth not men's follies.
OEDIPUS
I am he whose name passed into high songs of victory because I
guessed the maiden's baffling riddle.
ANTIGONE
Thou art bringing up again the reproach of the Sphinx. Talk no
more of past success. This misery was in store for thee all the while,
to become an exile from thy country and die thou knowest not where;
while I, bequeathing to my girlish friends tears of sad regret, must
go forth from my native land, roaming as no maiden ought.
Ah! this dutiful resolve will crown me with glory in respect of my
father's sufferings. Woe is me for the insults heaped on thee and on
my brother whose dead body is cast forth from the palace unburied;
poor boy! I will yet bury him secretly, though I have to die for it,
father.
OEDIPUS
To thy companions show thyself.
ANTIGONE
My own laments suffice.
OEDIPUS
Go pray then at the altars.
ANTIGONE
They are weary of my piteous tale.
OEDIPUS
At least go seek the Bromian god in his hallowed haunt amongst the
Maenads' hills.
ANTIGONE
Offering homage that is no homage in Heaven's eyes to him in whose
honour I once fringed my dress with the Theban fawn-skin and led the
dance upon the hills for the holy choir of Semele?
OEDIPUS
My noble fellow-countrymen, behold me; I am Oedipus, who solved
the famous riddle, and once was first of men, I who alone cut short
the murderous Sphinx's tyranny am now myself expelled the land in
shame and misery. Go to; why make this moan and bootless
lamentation? Weak mortal as I am, I must endure the fate that God
decrees.
CHORUS (chanting)
Hail majestic Victory! keep thou my life nor ever cease to crown
my song! -THE END-