The Phoenician Women

Euripides

Euripides. The Plays of Euripides, Translated into English Prose from the Text of Paley. Vol. II. Coleridge, Edward P., translator. London: George Bell and Sons, 1891.

  1. I will bury him, although the state forbids.
Creon
  1. Do so, and you will be making your own grave by his.
Antigone
  1. A noble end, for two so near and dear to lie side by side!
Creon
  1. Seize and take her inside.
Antigone
  1. Oh, no! For I will not let go of this corpse.
Creon
  1. These are the god’s decrees, my girl, not what seems good to you.
Antigone
  1. And this has been decreed, not to insult the dead.
Creon
  1. Be sure that no one will sprinkle over the corpse the moistened dust.
Antigone
  1. O Creon, by my mother Jocasta, I implore you!
Creon
  1. Your labor is in vain; you will not gain your prayer.
Antigone
  1. Let me only bathe the dead body.
Creon
  1. That would be part of what is forbidden by the city.
Antigone
  1. At least let me bandage the cruel wounds.
Creon
  1. No; you will never pay honor to this corpse.
Antigone
  1. O my dearest! At least I will kiss your mouth.
Creon
  1. Do not let this mourning bring disaster on your marriage.
Antigone
  1. Marriage! Do you think I will marry your son while I am alive?
Creon
  1. Indeed you must; how will you escape the match?
Antigone
  1. Then that night will find in me another Danaid bride!
Creon
  1. Do you see how boldly she reproaches me?