ANTIGONE 173
Of all that rightly judge, the deed was good ;
1 had not done it had I come to be
A mother with hei" children, — had not dared,
Though 't were a husband dead that mouldered there,
Against my country's will to bear this toil. 976
And am I asked what law constrained me thus ?
I answer, had I lost a husband dear,
I might have had another ; other sons
By other spouse, if one were lost to me : 9βο
But when my father and my mother sleep
In Hades, then no brother more can come.
And therefore, giving thee the foremost place,
I seemed in Creon's eyes, Ο brother dear,
To sin in boldest daring. Therefore now oes
He leads me, having taken me by force,
Cut off from marriage bed and marriage song, —
Untasting wife's true joy, or mother's bliss.
With infant at her breast, — but all forlorn,
Bereaved of friends, in utter misery, 990
Alive, I tread the chambers of the dead.]
What law of Heaven have I transgressed against ?
AVhat use for me, ill-starred one, still to look
To any God for succor, or to call
On any friend for aid ? For holiest deed 995
I bear this charge of rank unholiness.
If acts like these the Gods on high approve,
We, taught by pain, shall own that we have sinned ;
But if these sin {looking at Creon], 1 pray they suffer
not Worse evils than the wrongs they do to me. 1000
Chorus. Still do the same wild blasts Vex her who standeth there.
Creon. Therefore shall these her guards Weep sore for this delay.
