Page:Masterpieces of Greek Literature (1902).djvu/207

177 ANTIGONE 177

That they were tearing each the other's flesh

With bloody talons, for their whirring wings

Made that cjuite clear : and straightway I, in fear,

Made trial of the sacrifice that laj-

On fiery altar. And Hephaestos' flame loso

Shone not from out the offering ; but there oozed

Upon the ashes, trickling from the bones,

A moisture, and it smouldered, and it spat,

And, lo I the gall was scattered to the air.

And forth from out the fat that wrapped them round

The thigh bones fell. Such omens of decay loee

From holy sacrifice I learnt from him.

This boy, who now stands here, for he is still

A guide to me, as I to others am.

And all this evil falls upon the State, 1090

From out thy counsels ; for our altars all,

Our sacred hearths are full of food for doffs

And birds unclean, the flesh of that poor wretch

AVho fell, the son of Oedipus. And so

The Gods no more hear prayers of sacrifice, 1095

Nor own the flame that burns the victim's limbs ;

Nor do the birds give cry of omen good,

But feed on carrion of a slaughtered corpse.

Think thou on this, my son : to err. indeed.

Is common unto all, but having erred, uoo

He is no longer reckless or unblest,

Who, having fallen into e, seeks

For healing, nor continues still unmoved.

Self-will must bear the charge of stubbornness :

Yield to the dead, and outrage not a corpse. vm

What prowess is it fallen foes to slay ?

Good counsel give I, planning good for thee,

And of all joys the sweetest is to learn

From one who speaketh well, should that bring gain.