Page:The Antigone of Sophocles (1911).djvu/63

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SOPHOCLES.
59

Ch. Leader. The man hath uttered dreadful prophecies,
My lord, and gone; and since these locks of mine,
Once dark, have turned all white with age, I know
Of not a single instance where the seer
Hath spoken falsely to the town of Thebes.

Creon. I know it too, and in my soul am troubled:
’T is hard to yield, but to resist and strike
My spirit with a curse is still more dire.

Ch. Leader. Son of Menœces, wisely shoutdst thou choose.

Creon. What must I do then? Speak and I obey.

Ch. Leader. Go, free the maiden from the prison-vault,
And lay th’ unburied body in the grave.

Creon. You really counsel thus, advise to yield?

Ch. Leader. As quickly as you can; for swift of foot
Runs Heaven’s vengeance after foolish men.

Creon. Oh, hard it is! But I obey and yield—
I cannot wage a war with Destiny.

Ch. Leader. Go then and do—entrust it not to others.

Creon. I ’ll go at once. Come, servants, one and all,
Get axes quickly, hasten to yon hill.
I mewed her up, and now that my resolve
Has changed, I ’ll come myself to give her freedom.
I see that justice which the gods uphold,
Should ever be the highest aim of life.

[Exit R.

CHORUS.

FIRST STROPHE.

Offspring of Zeus on high
That thunders so loud in the sky,
Glory, delight, beside,
Of the famed Cadmeian bride,
God of many a name and fair!
Thou that carest for all
Who on Bacchus in Italy call
And in Deo’s sheltered plain
Of Eleusis lord dost reign,

Whither worshippers repair!