Haemon

While she was engaged in this act of devotion, she was seen by the soldiers of Creon, who dragged her at once into the presence of the king.

Although Antigone was one of his own family, and was also the promised wife of his son Haemon, the relentless monarch condemned her to death.

Haemon pleaded with his father to spare the life of his betrothed, since her deed, though in defiance of the king's order, had been one of praiseworthy devotion.

But Creon would not revoke his decision and condemned Antigone to the most horrible of deaths, that of being buried alive.

While this inhuman sentence was being carried out, Haman leapt into the grave where Antigone was kneeling and declared that he would die by her side.

Creon, wives that are vile I love not for my sons.

Ismene, oh dearest Haman, how thy father shames thee.

Creon, thou with that marriage dost but vex my soul.

chorus and wilt thou rob thy son of her he loved creon tis death not i shall break the marriage off chorus her doom is fixed it seems then she must die creon fixed yes by me and thee no more delay lead them within ye slaves these must be kept henceforth as women suffered not to roam for even boldest natures shrink in fear when they see hades overshadowing life exeunt guards with antigone and ismene strophe i chorus blessed are those whose life no woe doth taste for unto those whose house the gods have shaken nothing fails of curse or woe that creeps to generations far e'en thus a wave-wind spreads with blasts from thracian coasts the darkness of the deep up from the sea's abyss hither and thither rolls the black sand on and every jutting peak swept by the storm winds strength lashed by the fierce wild waves re-echoes with the far resounding roar antistrophe i i see the woes that smote in ancient days the seed of labdacus who perished long ago with grief on grief still falling nor does this age rescue that some god still smites it down nor have they any end for now there rose a gleam over the last weak shoots that sprang from out the race of oedipus yet this the blood-stained scythe of those that reign below cuts off relentlessly in maddened speech and frenzied rage of heart strophe too thy power o zeus what haughtiness of man yea what can hold in check which neither sleep that maketh all things old nor the long months of gods that never fail can for a moment seize but still as lord supreme waxing not old with time thou dwellest in thy sheen of radiancy on far olympus height through future near or far as through the past one law holds ever good naught comes to life of man unscathed throughout by woe antistrophe too for hope to many comes in wanderings wild a solace and support to many as it cheat of fond desires and creepeth still on him who knows it not until he burn his foot within the scorching flame full well spake one of old that evil ever seems to be as good to those whose thoughts of heart god leadeth unto woe and without woe he spends but short a space of time and here comes hymn last of all thy sons comes he bewailing sore the fate of her who should have been his bride the maid antigone grieving o'er vanished joys enter hymn creon soon we shall know much more than seers can surely thou dost not come my son to rage against thy father hearing his decree fixing her doom who should have been thy bride or dost thou love us still whate'er we do hymn my father i am thine and thou dost guide with thy wise counsels which i gladly follow no marriage weighs one moment in the scales with me while thou dost guide my steps aright creon this thought my son should dwell within thy breast that all things stand below a father's will for so men pray that they may rear and keep obedient offspring by their hearths and homes that they may both requite their father's foes and pay with him like honours to his friend but he who reareth sons that profit not what could one say of him but this that he breeds his own sorrow laughter to his foes lose not thy reason then my son or come by pleasure for a woman's sake but know a cold embrace is that to have at home a worthless wife the partner of thy bed what ulcerous sore is worse than one we love who proves all worthless no with loathing scorn as hateful to thee let that girl go wed espoused in hades taken in the act i found her her alone of all the state rebellious and i will not make myself false to the state she dies so let her call on zeus the lord of kindred if i rear of mine own stock things foul and orderless i shall have work enough with those without for he who in the life of home is good will still be seen as just in things of state i should be sure that man would govern well and know well to be governed and would stand in war's wild storm on his appointed post a just and good defender but the man who by transgressions violates the laws or thinks to bid the powers that be obey he must not hope to gather praise from me no we must follow whom the state appoints in things who are just and trivial or may be the opposite of these for anarchy is our worst evil brings our commonwealth to utter ruin lays whole houses low in battle strife hurls firm allies in flight but they who yield to guidance these shall find obedience saves most men thus help should come to what our rulers order least of all ought men to bow before a woman's sway far better if it must be so to fall by a man's hand than thus to bear reproach by woman conquered

Grainger.

For the ones who get it done.

chorus unto us o king unless our years have robbed us of our wit thou seemest to say wisely what thou sayest hymn the gods my father have bestowed on man his reason noblest of all earthly gifts and that thou speakest wrongly these thy words i cannot say god grant i ne'er know how such things to utter yet another's thoughts may have some reason tis my lot to watch what each man says or does or blames in thee for dread thy face to one of low estate who speaks what thou wilt not rejoice to hear but i can hear the things in darkness said how the whole city wails this maiden's fate as one who of all women most unjustly for noblest deed must die the foulest death who her own brother fallen in the fray would neither leave unburied nor exposed to carrion dogs or any bird of prey may she not claim the meed of golden praise such is the whisper that in secret runs all darkling and for me my father naught is dearer than thy welfare what can be a nobler prize of honour for the son than a sire's glory or for sire than sons i pray thee then wear not one mood alone that what thou sayest is right and naught but that for he who thinks that he alone is wise his mind and speech above what others have such men when searched are mostly empty-found but for a man to learn though he be wise yea to learn much and know the time to yield brings no disgrace when winter floods the streams thou seest the trees that bend before the storm save their last twigs while those that will not yield perish with root and branch and when one hauls too tight the mainsail rope and will not slack he has to end his voyage with deck o'erturned do thou then yield permit thyself to change young though i be if any prudent thought be with me i at least will dare assert the higher worth of one who come what will is full of knowledge if that may not be for nature is not wont to take that bent tis good to learn from those who counsel well chorus my king tis fit that thou shouldst learn from him if he speaks words in season and in turn that thou to haman shouldst learn of him for both speak well creon shall we at our age stoop to learn from him young as he is the lesson to be wise haman learn not thou shouldst not learn and if i am young thou shouldst my deeds and not my years consider Is that thy deed to reverence rebel souls? Hymen, I would bid none waste reverence on the base.

Creon, has not that girl been seized with that disease? Hymen, the men of Thebes with one accord say no.

I will have no evil wives for my sons, said the king.

Then cried Antigone, O Haemon, whom I love, how thy father wrongeth thee! Then the king bade the guards lead the two into the palace.

But scarcely had they gone, when there came to the palace the prince Haemon, the king's son.

who was betrothed to the maiden Antigone.

And when the king saw him, he said, Art thou content, my son, with thy father's judgment? And the young man answered, My father, I would follow thy counsels in all things.

For he that would rule a city must first deal justly with his own kindred.

And as for obedience, this it is that maketh a city to stand both in peace and in war.

To this Prince Haemon made answer, What thou sayest, my father, I do not judge.

She is here no more.

ism and wilt thou slay thy son's betrothed bride creon full many a field there is which he may plough ism none like that plighted troth twixt him and her creon wives that are vile i love not for my sons ism oh dearest haemon how thy father shames thee creon thou with that marriage dost but vex my soul chorus and wilt thou rob thy son of her he loved creon tis death not i shall break the marriage off chorus her doom is fixed it seems then she must die creon fixed yes by me and thee no more delay lead them within ye slaves these must be kept henceforth as women suffered not to roam for even boldest natures shrink in fear when they see hades overshadowing life exeunt guards with antigone and ismene strophe i chorus blessed are those whose life no woe doth taste for unto those whose house the gods have shaken nothing fails of curse or woe that creeps to generations far e'en thus a wave-wind spreads with blasts from thracian coasts the darkness of the deep up from the sea's abyss hither and thither rolls the black sand on and every jutting peak swept by the storm winds strength lashed by the fierce wild waves re-echoes with the far resounding roar antistrophe i i see the woes that smote in ancient days the seed of labdacus who perished long ago with grief on grief still falling nor does this age rescue that some god still smites it down nor have they any end for now there rose a gleam over the last weak shoots that sprang from out the race of oedipus yet this the blood-stained scythe of those that reign below cuts off relentlessly in maddened speech and frenzied rage of heart strophe too thy power o zeus what haughtiness of man yea what can hold in check which neither sleep that maketh all things old nor the long months of gods that never fail can for a moment cease but still as lord supreme waxing not old with time thou dwellest in thy sheen of radiancy on far olympus height through future near or far as through the past one law holds ever good naught comes to life of man unscathed throughout by woe anti strophe too for hope to many comes in wanderings wild a solace and support to many as a cheat of fond desires and creepeth still on him who knows it not until he burn his foot within the scorching flame full well spake one of old that evil ever seems to be as good to those whose thoughts of heart god leadeth unto woe and without woe he spends but short a space of time and here comes hymn last of all thy sons comes he bewailing sore the fate of her who should have been his bride the maid antigone grieving o'er vanished joys enter hymn creon soon we shall know much more than seers can surely thou dost not come my son to rage against thy father hearing his decree fixing her doom who should have been thy bride or dost thou love us still whate'er we do hymn my father i am thine and thou dost guide with thy wise counsels which i gladly follow no marriage weighs one moment in the scales with me while thou dost guide my steps aright creon this thought my son should dwell within thy breast that all things stand below a father's will for so men pray that they may rear and keep obedient offspring by their hearths and homes that they may both requite their father's foes and pay with him like honours to his friend but he who reareth sons that profit not what could one say of him but this that he breeds his own sorrow laughter to his foes lose not thy reason then my son or come by pleasure for a woman's sake but know a cold embrace is that to have at home a worthless wife the partner of thy bed what ulcerous sore is worse than one we love who proves all worthless no with loathing scorn as hateful to thee let that girl go wed espoused in hades taken in the act i found her her alone of all the state rebellious and i will not make myself false to the state she dies so let her call on zeus the lord of kindred if i rear of mine own stock things foul and orderless i shall have work enough with those without for he who in the life of home is good will still be seen as just in things of state i should be sure that man would govern well and know well to be governed and would stand in war's wild storm on his appointed post a just and good defender but the man who by transgressions violates the laws or thinks to bid the powers that be obey he must not hope to gather praise from me no we must follow whom the state appoints in things who are just and trivial or may be the opposite of these for anarchy is our worst evil brings our commonwealth to utter ruin lays whole houses low in battle-strife hurls firm allies in flight but they who yield to guidance these shall find obedience saves most men thus help should come to what our rulers order least of all ought men to bow before a woman's sway far better if it must be so to fall by a man's hand than thus to bear reproach by woman conquered chorus unto us o king unless our years have robbed us of our wit thou seemest to say wisely what thou sayest hymn the gods my father have bestowed on man his reason noblest of all earthly gifts and that thou speakest wrongly these thy words i cannot say god grant i ne'er know how such things to utter yet another's thoughts may have some reason tis my lot to watch what each man says or does or blames in thee for dread thy face to one of low estate who speaks what thou wilt not rejoice to hear but i can hear the things in darkness said how the whole city wails this maiden's fate as one who of all women most unjustly for noblest deed must die the foulest death who her own brother fallen in the fray would neither leave unburied nor exposed to carrion dogs or any bird of prey may she not claim the meed of golden praise such is the whisper that in secret runs all darkling and for me my father naught is dearer than thy welfare what can be a nobler prize of honour for the son than a sire's glory or for sire than sons i pray thee then wear not one mood alone that what thou sayest is right and naught but that for he who thinks that he alone is wise his mind and speech above what others have such men when searched are mostly empty-found but for a man to learn though he be wise yea to learn much and know the time to yield brings no disgrace when winter floods the streams thou seest the trees that bend before the storm save their last twigs while those that will not yield perish with root and branch and when one hauls too tight the mainsail rope and will not slack he has to end his voyage with deck o'erturned do thou then yield permit thyself to change young though i be if any prudent thought be with me i at least will dare assert the higher worth of one who come what will is full of knowledge if that may not be for nature is not wont to take that bent tis good to learn from those who counsel well chorus my king tis fit that thou shouldst learn from him if he speaks words in season and in turn that thou to haman shouldst learn of him for both speak well creon shall we at our age stoop to learn from him young as he is the lesson to be wise haman learn not thou shouldst not learn and if i am young thou shouldst my deeds and not my years consider Is that thy deed to reverence rebel souls? Haimon, I would bid none waste reverence on the base.

Creon, has not that girl been seized with that disease? Haimon, the men of Thebes with one accord say no.

Creon, and will my subjects tell us how to rule? Haimon, dost thou not see thou speakest like a boy? Creon, must I then rule for others than myself? hymn that is no state which hangs on one man's will creon is not the state deemed his who governs it hymn brave rule alone and o'er an empty land creon this boy it seems will be his bride's ally hymn if thou art she for thou art all my care creon basest of base against thy father pleading hymn yea for i see thee sin a grievous sin creon and do i sin revering mine own sway hymn thou show'st no reverence trampling on god's laws creon o guilty soul by woman's craft beguiled hymn thou wilt not find me slave unto the base creon thy every word is still on her behalf yea and on thine and mine and theirs below creon be sure thou shalt not wed her while she lives hymn then she must die and dying others slay creon and dost thou dare to come to me with threats hymn is it a threat against vain thoughts to speak creon thou to thy cost shalt teach me wisdom's ways thyself in wisdom wanting hymn i would say thou wast unwise if thou wert not my father creon thou woman slave i say prate on no more hymn wilt thou then speak and speaking listen not creon nay by olympus thou shalt not go free to flout me with reproaches lead her out whom my soul hates that she may die forthwith before mine eyes and near her bridegroom here hymn no think it not near me she shall not die and thou shalt never see my face alive that thou may storm at those who like to yield exit hymn Chorus The man has gone, O king, in hasty mood.

A mind distressed in youth is hard to bear.

Creon Let him do what he will, and bear himself as more than man.

Thou hast no part or lot in this matter, for thou hast chosen life, and I have chosen death, and even so shall it be." And when Ismena saw that she prevailed nothing with her sister, she turned to the king and said, "Wilt thou slay the bride of thy son?" "Ay," said he, "there are other brides to win." "But none," she made reply, "that accord so well with him." "I will have no evil wives for my sons," said the king.

Then cried Antigone, "O Haemon, whom I love, how thy father wrongeth thee!" Then the king bade the guards lead the two into the palace.

But scarcely had they gone when there came to the palace the prince Haemon, the king's son, who was betrothed to the maiden Antigone.

And when the king saw him, he said, "Art thou content, my son, with thy father's judgment?" And the young man answered, "My father, I would follow thy counsels in all things." Then said the king, "'Tis well spoken, my son.

This is a thing to be desired that a man should have obedient children.

Nor shall it profit her to claim kinship with me.

For he that would rule a city must first deal justly with his own kindred.

And as for obedience, this it is that maketh a city to stand both in peace and in war." To this Prince Haemon made answer, "What thou sayest, my father, I do not judge.

Any door, the right support.

chorus unto us o king unless our years have robbed us of our wit thou seemest to say wisely what thou sayest hymn the gods my father have bestowed on man his reason noblest of all earthly gifts and that thou speakest wrongly these thy words i cannot say god grant i ne'er know how such things to utter yet another's thoughts may have some reason tis my lot to watch what each man says or does or blames in thee for dread thy face to one of low estate who speaks what thou wilt not rejoice to hear but i can hear the things in darkness said how the whole city wails this maiden's fate as one who of all women most unjustly for noblest deed must die the foulest death who her own brother fallen in the fray would neither leave unburied nor exposed to carrion dogs or any bird of prey may she not claim the meed of golden praise such is the whisper that in secret runs all darkling and for me my father naught is dearer than thy welfare what can be a nobler prize of honour for the son than a sire's glory or for sire than sons i pray thee then wear not one mood alone that what thou sayest is right and naught but that for he who thinks that he alone is wise his mind and speech above what others have such men when searched are mostly empty-found but for a man to learn though he be wise yea to learn much and know the time to yield brings no disgrace when winter floods the streams thou seest the trees that bend before the storm save their last twigs while those that will not yield perish with root and branch and when one hauls too tight the mainsail rope and will not slack he has to end his voyage with deck o'erturned do thou then yield permit thyself to change young though i be if any prudent thought be with me i at least will dare assert the higher worth of one who come what will is full of knowledge if that may not be for nature is not wont to take that bent tis good to learn from those who counsel well chorus my king tis fit that thou shouldst learn from him if he speaks words in season and in turn that thou to haman shouldst learn of him for both speak well creon shall we at our age stoop to learn from him young as he is the lesson to be wise haman learn not thou shouldst not learn and if i am young thou shouldst my deeds and not my years consider Is that thy deed to reverence rebel souls? Haimon, I would bid none waste reverence on the base.

Creon, has not that girl been seized with that disease? Haimon, the men of Thebes with one accord say no.

Creon, and will my subjects tell us how to rule? Haimon, dost thou not see thou speakest like a boy? Creon, must I then rule for others than myself? hymn that is no state which hangs on one man's will creon is not the state deemed his who governs it hymn brave rule alone and o'er an empty land creon this boy it seems will be his bride's ally hymn if thou art she for thou art all my care creon basest of base against thy father pleading hymn yea for i see thee sin a grievous sin creon and do i sin revering mine own sway hymn thou show'st no reverence trampling on god's laws creon o guilty soul by woman's craft beguiled hymn thou wilt not find me slave unto the base creon thy every word is still on her behalf yea and on thine and mine and theirs below creon be sure thou shalt not wed her while she lives hymn then she must die and dying others slay creon and dost thou dare to come to me with threats hymn is it a threat against vain thoughts to speak creon thou to thy cost shalt teach me wisdom's ways thyself in wisdom wanting hymn i would say thou wast unwise if thou wert not my father creon thou woman slave i say prate on no more hymn wilt thou then speak and speaking listen not creon nay by olympus thou shalt not go free to flout me with reproaches lead her out whom my soul hates that she may die forthwith before mine eyes and near her bridegroom here hymn no think it not near me she shall not die and thou shalt never see my face alive that thou may storm at those who like to yield exit hymn Chorus The man has gone, O king, in hasty mood.

A mind distressed in youth is hard to bear.

Creon Let him do what he will, and bear himself as more than man.

Unto us, O King, unless our years have robbed us of our wit, thou seemest to say wisely what thou sayest.

hymn the gods my father have bestowed on man his reason noblest of all earthly gifts and that thou speakest wrongly these thy words i cannot say god grant i ne'er know how such things to utter yet another's thoughts may have some reason tis my lot to watch what each man says or does or blames in thee for dread thy face to one of low estate who speaks what thou wilt not rejoice to hear but i can hear the things in darkness said how the whole city wails this maiden's fate as one who of all women most unjustly for noblest deed must die the foulest death who her own brother fallen in the fray would neither leave unburied nor exposed to carrion dogs or any bird of prey may she not claim the meed of golden praise such is the whisper that in secret runs all darkling and for me my father naught is dearer than thy welfare what can be a nobler prize of honour for the son than a sire's glory or for sire than sons i pray thee then wear not one mood alone that what thou sayest is right and naught but that for he who thinks that he alone is wise his mind and speech above what others have such men when searched are mostly empty-found but for a man to learn though he be wise yea to learn much and know the time to yield brings no disgrace when winter floods the streams thou seest the trees that bend before the storm save their last twigs while those that will not yield perish with root and branch and when one hauls too tight the mainsail rope and will not slack he has to end his voyage with deck o'erturned do thou then yield permit thyself to change young though i be if any prudent thought be with me i at least will dare assert the higher worth of one who come what will is full of knowledge if that may not be for nature is not wont to take that bent tis good to learn from those who counsel well chorus my king tis fit that thou shouldst learn from him if he speaks words in season and in turn that thou to haman shouldst learn of him for both speak well creon shall we at our age stoop to learn from him young as he is the lesson to be wise haman learn not thou shouldst not learn and if i am young thou shouldst my deeds and not my years consider Is that thy deed to reverence rebel souls? Haimon, I would bid none waste reverence on the base.

Creon, has not that girl been seized with that disease? Haimon, the men of Thebes with one accord say no.

Creon, and will my subjects tell us how to rule? Haimon, dost thou not see thou speakest like a boy? Creon, must I then rule for others than myself? hymn that is no state which hangs on one man's will creon is not the state deemed his who governs it hymn brave rule alone and o'er an empty land creon this boy it seems will be his bride's ally hymn if thou art she for thou art all my care creon basest of base against thy father pleading hymn yea for i see thee sin a grievous sin creon and do i sin revering mine own sway hymn thou show'st no reverence trampling on god's laws creon o guilty soul by woman's craft beguiled hymn thou wilt not find me slave unto the base creon thy every word is still on her behalf yea and on thine and mine and theirs below creon be sure thou shalt not wed her while she lives hymn then she must die and dying others slay creon and dost thou dare to come to me with threats hymn is it a threat against vain thoughts to speak creon thou to thy cost shalt teach me wisdom's ways thyself in wisdom wanting hymn i would say thou wast unwise if thou wert not my father creon thou woman slave i say prate on no more hymn wilt thou then speak and speaking listen not creon nay by olympus thou shalt not go free to flout me with reproaches lead her out whom my soul hates that she may die forthwith before mine eyes and near her bridegroom here hymn no think it not near me she shall not die and thou shalt never see my face alive that thou may storm at those who like to yield exit hymn Chorus The man has gone, O king, in hasty mood.

A mind distressed in youth is hard to bear.

Creon Let him do what he will, and bear himself as more than man.