14G SOPHOCLES
I utterly despise him. I myself,
Zeus be my witness, who beholdeth all,
Would not keep silence, seeing danger come,
Instead of safety, to my subjects true.
Nor could I take as friend my country's foe ; 210
For this I know, that there our safety lies.
And sailing while the good ship holds her course,
We gather friends around us. By these rules
And such as these do I maintain the State.
And now I come, with edicts, close allied 215
To these in spirit, for my citizens.
Concerning those two sons of Oedipus ;
Eteocles, who died in deeds of might
Illustrious, fighting for our fatherland,
To honor him with sepulture, all rites 220
Duly performed that to the noblest dead
Of right belong. Not so his brother ; him
I speak of, Polyneices, who, returned
From exile, sought with fire to desolate
His father's city and the shrines of Gods, 225
Yea, sought to glut his rage with blood of men,
And lead them captives to the bondslave's doom ;
Him I decree that none shall dare entomb,
That none shall utter wail or loud lament.
But leave his corpse iinburied, by the dogs 230
And vultures mangled, foul to look upon.
Such is my purpose. Ne'er, if I can help,
Shall the vile have more honor than the just ;
But whoso shows himself my country's friend.
Living or dead, from me shall honor gain. 235
Chorus. This is thy pleasure, Ο Menoekeus' son, For him who hated, him who loved our State ; And thou hast power to make what laws thou wilt, Both for the dead and all of us who live.
