Page:Masterpieces of Greek Literature (1902).djvu/203

173 ANTIGONE 173

Of all that rightly judge, the deed was good ;

1 had not done it had I come to be

A mother with hei" children, — had not dared,

Though 't were a husband dead that mouldered there,

Against my country's will to bear this toil. 976

And am I asked what law constrained me thus ?

I answer, had I lost a husband dear,

I might have had another ; other sons

By other spouse, if one were lost to me : 9βο

But when my father and my mother sleep

In Hades, then no brother more can come.

And therefore, giving thee the foremost place,

I seemed in Creon's eyes, Ο brother dear,

To sin in boldest daring. Therefore now oes

He leads me, having taken me by force,

Cut off from marriage bed and marriage song, —

Untasting wife's true joy, or mother's bliss.

With infant at her breast, — but all forlorn,

Bereaved of friends, in utter misery, 990

Alive, I tread the chambers of the dead.]

What law of Heaven have I transgressed against ?

AVhat use for me, ill-starred one, still to look

To any God for succor, or to call

On any friend for aid ? For holiest deed 995

I bear this charge of rank unholiness.

If acts like these the Gods on high approve,

We, taught by pain, shall own that we have sinned ;

But if these sin {looking at Creon], 1 pray they suffer

not Worse evils than the wrongs they do to me. 1000

Chorus. Still do the same wild blasts Vex her who standeth there.

Creon. Therefore shall these her guards Weep sore for this delay.