Speech and thought fast as
the wind and the moods that
give order to a city he has taught himself, and how to flee the arrows
of the inhospitable frost under clear skies and the arrows of the
storming rain. He has resource for
everything. Lacking resource in nothing he strides towards what must
come. From Death alone he shall procure no escape, but from baffling
diseases he has devised flights.
ChorusPossessing resourceful skill, a
subtlety beyond expectation he moves now to evil, now to good. When he
honors the laws of the land and the justice of the gods to which he is
bound by oath, his city prospers.
But banned from his city is he who, thanks to his rashness, couples with
disgrace. Never may he share my home, never think my thoughts, who does these things!
Enter the Guard, on the spectators’ left, leading in
Antigone.ChorusWhat marvel sent by the gods is this?—I am
bewildered! I know her. How can I deny that this girl is Antigone? O
unhappy child of your unhappy father, of Oedipus! What can this
mean? What! Surely they are not bringing you captive for disobeying
the King’s laws and being caught in lunacy?
GuardHere is she, the one who did the deed. We caught this one burying him. Where is Creon?Enter Creon from the palace.ChorusThere, he is coming from the house again at our need.CreonWhat is it? What has happened that makes my coming timely?GuardMy king, there is nothing that a man can rightly swear he
will not do. For second thought belies one’s first intent. I could have vowed that I would not ever come here
again, because of your threats by which I had just been storm-tossed.
But since this joy that exceeds and oversteps my hopes can be compared
in fulness to no other pleasure, I am back—though it is contrary to my
sworn oath— bringing this girl who
was caught giving burial honors to the dead. This time there was no
casting of lots. No, this piece of luck has fallen to me, and me alone.
And now, my king, as it pleases you, take her yourself, question her and
convict her. But justice would see me released free and clear from this trouble.CreonYour prisoner here—how and where did you take her?