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155 ANTIGONE 155

And run her down, nought terrified at us.

And then we charged hei• with the former deed,

As well as this. And nothing she denied. 470

But this to me both bitter is and sweet,

For to escape one's self from ill is sweet,

But to bring friends to trouble, this is hard

And painful. Yet my nature bids me count

Above all these things safety for myself. 475

Creon. _To Antigone.] Thou, then — yes, thou, who bend'st thy face to earth — Confessest thou, or dost deny the deed ?

Antigone. I own I did it, and will not deny.

Creon. [_To Guard.] Go thou thy way, where'er thy will may choose. Freed from a weighty charge. ^Exit Guard.

[Γο Antigone.] And now for thee. 48o

Say in few words, not lengthening out thy speech, Knew'st thou the edicts which forbade these thing's?

Antigone. I knew them. Could I fail ? Full clear were they.

Creon. And thou didst dare to disobey these laws ?

Antigone. Yes, for it was not Zeus who gave them forth, 485

Nor Justice, dwelling with the Gods below, Who traced these laws for all the sons of men ; Nor did I deem thy edicts strong enough. That thou, a mortal man, shouldst overpass The unwritten laws of God that know not change. 490 They are not of to-day nor yesterday. But live forever, nor can man assign When first they sprang to being. Not through fear Of any man's resolve was I prepared Before the Gods to bear the penalty 495

Of sinning against these. That I should die