That is not what I meant—the guards for the corpse are already in place.ChorusThen what is this other command that you would give?CreonThat you not give way to the breakers of my commands.ChorusThere is no one so foolish as to crave death.CreonI assure you, that is the wage for disobedience. Yet by just the hope of it, money has many times corrupted men.Enter Guard.GuardMy king, I will not say that I arrive breathless because of speed, or from the action of a swift foot. For often I brought myself to a stop because of my thoughts, and wheeled round in my path to return. My mind was telling me many things: Fool, why do you go to where your arrival will mean your punishment? Idiot, are you dallying again? If Creon learns it from another, must you not suffer for it? So debating, I made my way unhurriedly, slow, and thus a short road was made long. At last, however, the view prevailed that I should come here—to you. Even if my report brings no good, still will I tell you, since I come with a good grip on one hope, that I can suffer nothing except what is my fate.CreonAnd what is it that so disheartens you?GuardI want to tell you first about myself—I did not do the deed, nor did I see the doer, so it would be wrong that I should come to any harm.CreonLike a bowman you aim well at your target from a distance, and all around you hedge yourself off well from the deed. It is clear that you have some unheard-of thing to tell.GuardThat I do, for terrible news imposes great hesitation.CreonThen tell it, will you, and so unburdened go away?GuardWell, here it is. The corpse—some one has just given it burial and disappeared after sprinkling thirsty dust on the flesh and performing the other rites that piety demands.CreonWhat are you saying? What man dared do this?