Page:Tragedies of Sophocles (Plumptre 1878).djvu/236

138 These things from others? How wilt thou 'scape grief?"

Revolving thus, I came in haste, yet slow,

And thus a short way finds itself prolonged;

But, last of all, to come to thee prevailed.

And though I tell of nought, yet I will speak;

For this one hope I cling to, might and main,

That I shall suffer nought but destiny.

Creon. What is it then that causes such dismay?

Guard. First, for mine own share in it, this I say,

The deed I did not, do not know who did,

Νor should I rightly come to ill for it.

Creon. Thou feel'st thy way and fencest up thy deed

All round and round. 'Twould seem thou hast some news.

Guard. Yea, news of fear engenders long delay.

Creon. Wilt thou not speak, and then depart in peace?

Guard. Well, speak I will. The corpse Some  [sic]one has been

But now and buried it, a little dust

O'er the skin scattering, with the wonted rites.

Creon. What say'st thou? What man dared this deed of guilt?

Guard. I know not. Neither was there stroke of axe,

Nor earth cast up by mattock. All the soil

Was dry and hard, no track of chariot wheel;

But he who did it went and left no sign.

And when the first day-watchman showed it us,

The sight caused wonder and sore grief to all;

For he had disappeared: no tomb indeed

Was over him, but dust all lightly strown,

As by some hand that shunned defiling guilt;

And no sign was there of wild beast or dog

Having come and torn him. Evil words arose

Among us, guard to guard imputing blame,

Which might have come to blows, and none was there