Campbell City (part 10 of 13)

1244, foll. The lines are an expansion partly of partly of dei, the notions of space and time being confused. Cp. Hdt. 3. 114, 'Amo* KAwvopevns 4.7.A. where locality is signified in words expressing the time of day. 'Some from the region of the sunset, some with the break of day, some through the meridian brightness, some coming with the blasts of night.' The last expression has been variously interpreted. The Scholiast speaks of the Rhipaean mountains, which, he adds, were towards the west, and quotes a line of Alcman, finds peAaivas The north rather than the west is the region of midnight. But it is not likely that after speaking so simply of morning, noon, and evening, the poet would have perplexed his reference to night with an obscure allusion to a remote locality. (2) Some modern interpreters compare El. finds, and would render, 'From the twinkling fires of night,' or, 'From the glimmerings of night" Cp. in Plat. Rep. 6. 508 C. But this gives no distinct image, and the antithesis to does not improve the sense. (3) Hermann with more probability says, ' De ventis, quos noctu maxime auribus percipimus, intelligenda vox Cp. Apollonius Rhodius, 1. 1015, | | : Ib. 4. | Perhaps with the image of the winds is associated some idea of impulse. 'The powers or influences of night.'

1248. The slight change recommended by Lachmann seems necessary in order to secure a probable rhythm. 'The substitution of the single for the double v or is one of the most frequent errors in L. And the Schol. says Cp. ll. 4; 5 of the epode. The line4 + GR, - - doesnot make a harmonious

1250 ff. 'Here comes, as it would seem, the man from Argos, shedding copious tears : - and, father, it is indeed no other - . For cp. esp. supr. 81, and note. ' Here we have approaching to disturb us.' ye podvos] (1) Some appear to take this with ' Weeping, unlike other men.' ' Praeter morem virorum. (Hermann.) But, besides the poverty of such a sense, the weeping of men is not uncommon in Greek poetry, or even in Greek history. Others (Schndw.) take = ' Without companions,' referring to the apprehension expressed in 1206, 7. This is rightly rejected by Dindorf. Antigone does not at once name Polynices, for fear of offending her father, but she cannot help ejaculating 'It is indeed no other;' i.e. than Polynices, whom you supposed him to be (1. 1171). Cp. supra 321, (' Ismene and no other'), 319, Tr. 261, 355, povos : 531, The imperfect expression makes the question of Oedipus more natural, ; ' Whom do you mean?'

1255. is in the same construction with governed by but is also governed by which is added epexegetically.

1258, foll. 'In such raiment, whose hateful soilure hath grown old and settled on his aged frame, withering his side" The conjectural emendation

1263, 4. 'And of a piece with these miseries, as it would seem, is the piovision for the poor belly's nourishment which he carries with him.' The word taken in connection with the preceding context, shows that the remark of Polynices refers to the appearance of the scrip or wallet in which Oedipus, like the Telephus of Euripides, carried the 'scanted gifts' which he received. (I. 3.)

1265, 6. 'And I declare that thy neglected condition proves me basest of men. Ask not others about me.' For the correction, cp. 1225, The confusion of w and AA would easily occur with following. For the meaning of see Essay on L. § 52. p. 97; and for the dative ib. 14. p. 21 (2).

1269, 70. 'For while it is possible to remedy the errors that have been committed, to add to them is now impossible;' i.e. We can restore you to some comforts, but you cannot be made more miserable. For the expression, cp. Aesch. Eum. 645,

This accentuation was retained by Elmsley from previous editions. Thestressin the first clause is on in the second on

has rather a reciprocal than either an active or a passive meaning. Cp. Phil. 1353, mpoonyopos ; Eur. Alc. 195, dv Cp. supr. 1141 and note. For To excite to speech,' cp. Plat. Rep. 329 D, QUTOV

1279. ye] The second pe was rightly rejected by Turnebus. The second ye, on the other hand, gives an intelligible emphasis to which is further explained by

1281, 2. 'Forspeech, when lengthened out, may either by gratifying some fancy, or by awakening some impatience or some pity. .' For the causative use of and which is assisted by the active preceding, see Essay on L. § 53. p. 98, and cp. the passive in Eur. I. A. 686. The more usual meaning, 'By expressing anger or pity,' is unsuited to the circumstances (Polynices was not likely to move Oedipus by expressing anger or pity), and affords no suitable connection with the following line.

1297. 1.6. Cp. Aesch. Ag. 532, K.T.X. The first may be suppressed because of preceding. But Hermann's conj., is not improbable.

1300. The reading of L is more distinct than that of Par. A, but there is still some degree of inexactness in the language. For does not oppose Polynices' own opinion to the words of the prophets, but the anger of Oedipus to other causes of disaster at Thebes.

1301. The connection shows that the are the soothsayers of his new army, who had obtained information of the oracle given to the from Thebes: infr. 1331, 2, cp. supr. 387 ff.

1305. .. The article is probably used by anachronism: i. 6. 'The well-known expedition of the seven chieftains.' Cp. supra 1066, and note. For the adj. cep. infr, 1311.

1206. travdixkws| 'Might either die and make an end, as is fitting" The latter part of the compound is subordinate, but supplies a certain notion of fitness, 1. 6. -- ws The same thought is present as in Aj. 479, 80, |

Ant. 106, 141, 2. (1) The uplifted spear of each leader is singled out for special mention as that to which all eyes would turn for the signal to march, etc. Cp. Trach. 856, Adyxa Aesch, Eum. 766, Although like is sometimes used collectively, could never mean 'seven heavy-armed battalions.' (2) If might have the special meaning of 'a troop of cavalry,' it might be proposed to read for

1321. 'Called so, because the late offspring of a mother, who beforetime was long a virgin.' The genitive is governed partly by and partly by which is added epexegetically. Cp. supra 1255, and note. Essay on L. § 43. p. 82.

1322. 'Steadfast' Ant. 671. An ormamental epithet, suitably applied by Polynices to one of his faithful com-

1226. To make his supplication more impressive Polynices represents the whole army, which he has described, as joining in it. Cp. O. T. 326, 7, |

' By these thy children, and by thy life.' This rare use of is to be explained by the notion of equivalence. 'At the price of your children; i.e. As you love them. Cp. El. 537, ' But for his brother's sake.'

1328. 'To yield your wrath.' The construction is singupanions. Cp. infra 1395. lar, but -- Essay on L. 1323-5. Polynices ends § p. 23. VOL, I. Dd od 1340

1330. The accusative would be an equally regular construction, but the genitive is preferred because admitting of a construction with both verbs.

1331, 2. 'For, if any event is to be believed in as issuing from prophecy, the God declared the victory to be with those whom you support. xpyoryplov, sc. sc. or the like. Cp. Hdt. 2. 160,

1333. 'Now, bythe wells and by the Gods of our race." Although dpoyviev adheres closely to the same idea is extended to 'The wells of which our fathers drank.' The v. r., deserves attention.

there is a similar doubt between and and the MSS. are strongly in favour of For which is equally probable, cp. El. 760.

1340, 1. Whose forces I will scatter to the winds. Eteocles stands for his power, as Polynices for his in Ant.

1340. THEA. . 'If you will side with me. For this periphrasis, cp. Ant. 1015, Tis : ib. 1063, .. Tr. 538, Ths

1241. ' With little effort and in brief time." is originally 'bulk' or 'mass.' Hence it has the two secondary senses of (1) 'importance, (2) 'effort.' Cp. Eur. Troad. 107, 8, | Virg. Aen.1. 37, 'Tantae molis erat Romanam condere gentem.' For cp. supra 620, Ant. 287,

1350. For the amplification of the phrase with cp. Phil. gor, ; Eur. Hipp. 1327,

1352. etor] " But now this shall be vouchsafed him ere he go; yea, and he shall hear words that shall in nowise cheer his path of life: thine, O thou wretch,' etc.

1361. 'Whatever my life may be.' Cp. Hom. Od. 17. 586, ovK Some take in this place for (see Essay on L. § 28. p. 47), but such a use of is inadmissible. As above rendered, the words have an obvious reference to 1357-9, and to supr. 1625, 6, 'I ask not for your compassion ; whether I live happily or miserably, I shall equally regard you as my murderer.'

1363. 'In consequence of your acts." Essay on L. § 19. p. 28. According to Sophocles in this play, Polynices was the elder brother. Supr. 1205.

thee, not indeed as they will be by-andby, if once those battalions move towards the town of Thebes.' The curse of Oedipus is absolute: but its immediate execution depends on the action of Polynices. Antigone may be supposed to have these words in her mind when she entreats her brother to turn his army back. Infr. 1416 ff. The apodosis to which looks forward is absorbed in the relative clause, ws sc.

(2) Retaining from L, and supposing ws to bepleonastic as in various adverbial expressions (cp. esp. El. 1452, ws Tvpws: Phil. 58, ws oixov), a different turn may perhaps be given to the expression. 'Therefore the eye of Heaven regards thee, I do not say for immediate vengeance, since these battalions are on their march to Thebes.' Jn this case Oedipus contrasts the proud advance of Polynices at the head of the Argive host (cp. Ant. 119 ff.) with his impending ruin. For this momentary suspension of the curse, cp. Phil. 961, #.7.A. The deferred apodosis is resumed by implication in 1372 ff. with the indicative, suits better with (2): 'if, as you tell me.' This is a real example of tragic irony. In this case is slightly better than because assisting the ironical expression. 'Not, I suppose, for instant retribution, since your great host is still upon its way.' ws sc. i.e. In support of the above suggestion (2), it may be urged that rarely opposes future time to present, though it is occasionally so used by Plato (Gorg. 459 C, Rep. 495 C).

In the edition of Turnebus, aus is changed to on which Hermann justly remarks, ' Etiam si illa fortasse codicis alicujus scriptura est, non levis manet suspicio, ingenioso eam correctori potius quam ipsi poetae deberi, non quod épeiWers gravius verbum sit quam expectes, aut quod addi non opus fuerit; in hujusmodi rebus enim non est argutandum: sed quod codicum et veterum editionum scriptura tantum abest ut sensu careat, ut propterea tantum, quia difficilior est, correctione opus habuisse videatur.' The interpretation of the passage turns on the associations surrounding the word (Cp. supra 837, 858.) Oedipus, in speaking to Polynices of Thebes, avoids the word and uses instead, because, as he says with a sort of angry logic, 'Thebes shall never more be a city to Polynices, who shall be as he is (1383). It is to be remembered that the words and were used by Greeks with the same affectionate familiarity, and the same consciousness of the privileges attaching to them, as the words and the like. This is not equally the case with which is rather the place, while is the commonwealth, 'furnished well with men.' Cp. Eur. Phoen. 613, IL. ET. és "Apyos On the use of the indefinite for the second personal pronoun, see Essay on L. § 22. p. 36. It may be further observed, against the reading of Turnebus, that Oedipus, who is looking forward to the defeat of the Thebans at his grave, is not likely thus to emphasize the impregnable strength of their city.

1375. Viz. the curse of mutual slaughter. Sophocles here returns to the old legend, which he had altered so as to give a dramatic and ethical propriety to the curse of Oedipus. See Introd. p. 269. The curse thus solemnly recalled is the original curse of the old story, and not a mere accidental utterance like that in supra 421, foll.

1378. et] 'And may not think it a light matter that ye have been such sons to your blind father.' c. inf. in Eur. 608, 9, is 'to neglect a duty.' Hence here means 'to persist in making light of a sin." For the compound, cp. See E. on L. p. ror.

to frustrate thy supplication and thy claim upon the throne.' 'They,' viz. (1) 'my curses,' which are the main subject, the reflection aide... being inserted parenthetically. For this, cp. Phil. 351, : 668, 1034, supra 280, Otherwise (2), 'they,' viz. the daughters, whose virtues justify the repulse of the son: sc. But, although the verb is thus made to agree with the nearer subject, the words do not naturally bear this meaning.

has been interpreted to mean ' thine enthronement,' the whole line thus recalling the words of Polynices, supr. 1293, Tots But has been used twice previously of the supplication of Polynices (ll. 1160, 1179; cp. also 1163, 1166); and this meaning is here in point. Polynices has appealed not only to his right of primogeniture, but to the protection of Poseidon, from whose altar Theseus raised him with a solemn promise (supr. 1285-90, 1293, 4). dipus rejoins that both these claims are quashed. by the righteousness of his paternal curse, which is justified by the filial ingratitude of both his sons, appearing still darker when contrasted with the piety of Antigone and Ismene.

1381, 2. 'If the righteousness of which old legends tell presides in the immemorial rule of Zeus.' Demosth. 772, 25, The latter part of the compound 15 subordinate, so that it is little more than but with an association from cp. Tr. 823; Hes. Op. 257. The 'laws of Zeus' are personified, like the in O. T. 866. But the eternal laws are here imagined rather as ruling over events than as claiming the allegiance of the heart: in their retributive more than their directive aspect. Cp. Ant. 604, ff, Zed, ; ..767 | vopos

1383. 'Disowned, ay, and abhorred by me.' Essay on L. § 41. p. 78, 8, from following, is probably to be supplied with For the genitive of respect after the privative, see Essay on L. § p. 16.

1385. oot Kadotpar] 'Which I invoke on thee.' Cp. infr. 1389, 1391. The force of the middle voice here is to mark the intensely personal nature of the act: 'which I invoke on them from my very soul.' In supr. 1376 it is rather, ' which being my own, I summon to my aid.' is dative of direct reference. Essay on L. 12. p. 18.

1387, 8. i.e. 'With brother's hand to slay and to be slain" and belong equally to both the infinitives. The phrase ig' is a formal amplification, giving greater solemnity. Forthelegend, see Pind. Isthm. 7. (6.) Io.

1389, go. 'And I invoke the hated gloom of the abyss to carry thee away to his place. is obscure. Either (1), there is an allusion to the curse upon the Labdacidae, 'I invoke on thee the horrid gloom of Erebus, thy sole inheritance from our sire: ' or (2) simply, 'where my father is:' or (3), is used as an epithet of Tartarus, to mark off a special function; cp. etc. 'The gloom of the nethermost abyss, that avenges fathers.' 'The dreadful hell that waits upon a father's curse.' Taken either way conveys more of horror than Nauck's or Meineke's Tdprapos, like "OAupmos, is less definite in Sophocles than in earlier poetry,

1201. Oedipus invokes the Eumenides against Polynices, as against Creon supr. 1oto ff., rather as his patron deities than in their primary Character as Erinyes. See Introd. p. 281, and contrast Ajax' invocation of the same deities, Aj. 843.

1397. For the indirect mode of expression, see Essay on L. § 42. p. 72, and cp. Eur. Med. 136,

' By reason of your journies hitherto ;' with special reference to the journey to Argos: supr. 378. See Essay on L. § 14. 21, § 51.

| "Apyous The accusative may be accounted for in one of two ways: either (1) as the accusative of motion transferred to time, or (2) as an accusative in apposition with the action of the verb - expressing the result of the action. The latter is probably right. We set forth from Argos, with what a consummation of our enterprise!' Essay on L. p. 22, § 17. p. 25.

1403. Cp. infr. 1416, The sentence has passed out of the construction with The object of is easily supplied. Cp. Hdt. 4. 43,

1404. «.7.A.] The positive notion is here elicited from the negative (see Essay on L. p. 64); 1. 6. these words depend on implied in Cp. esp. O. T. 816-18.

1405, 'O my own sisters, daughters of this my father.' Against explaining as = it is enough to urge that there is no other instance in Sophocles in which this pronoun stands alone for the first person.

In the only two places where it is so used substantively (Tr. 305, 1012, it is immediately followed by a participle in agreement with it. In there is no reference (as in 331) to the incestuous birth, an allusion which, though in character with Oedipus, supr. 328, would not be in character with Polynices here. Cp. infr. 1772: Ant. 512. 3.

1406, occurs three timesin these three lines, and seems to be required to complete It may seem justifiable therefore to read for in this line. But it may be observed that a certain amount of iteration of the dominant thought is natural to the broken language of such an entreaty. See esp. ll. 1407-9, and cp. Phil. 473 ff. The thought of his father has a terrible fascination for Polynices at this moment.

1410, 'But yourselves lay me in the tomb, and afford me funeral rites.' is placed in construction with in a slightly different sense, = See Essay on L. pp. 60, 65, 2. The middle voice: in is subjective, i. 6. it emphasises +

1411. 'And the praise you now receive from him for your labours in his behalf shall have added unto it another praise moreover for the service done to me.' For the turn of expression, cp. O.T. 666, 7, And for the use of Aj. 293,

1414. The two trisyllabic feet coming together at the beginning of the line ' produce a singular effect, corresponding to the trembling eagerness of Antigone.

1415. Some MSS. have which Hermann admitted. But if Par. A. has preserved the true reading, wot was not unlikely to be conjectured to supply the syllable which was lost in L. On the other hand, expresses greater tenderness. But 12 a point of such uncertainty, even a

1416. ye, qualifying the whole sentence, marks the earnestness of the entreaty. Essay on L. § 26. p. 44. Meineke conj. In this case is infin. active. As the text stands, it is either (1) infin, active (for imperative), or (2) imperative middle, i.e. TO

on L. § 27. p. 45, (2), and gives an awkward position, but makes no difference to the sense. Antigone meant 'Give up the expedition" But this idea can find no entrance to Polynices' mind. He only thinks of the possibility of a temporary yielding, like that of a general who meets with some unfavourable omen. And against this he argues, 'I cannot go back now, for if I did, my attempt falls through entirely. I could no longer command the army, which must sooner or later be led by me against Thebes.'

1420. 'But why need you again suffer your wrath to rise?' Antigone vainly tries to reason against the fixed idea in Polynices' mind, and assumes that his passion may cool, and not be kindled again. echoes in 1418.

1424. 'Seest thou, then, how his prophecies advance unchecked to their certain end?' ' Vides ergo ut hujus vaticinia ad eventum ruunt.' (Herm.) pes, the conjecture of Tyrwhitt, certainly deserves notice, and is supported by Pind. Nem. 4. 60, 1, TO But the image of the prophecy moving on steadily to the event is more impressive. For the absolute use of cp. Tr. 824, reAcopnvos | Swdexaros dporos.

1426. The existence of a verb from suggested by the scholiast here, is questionable. See Eur. Hel. 516. At all events, the common meaning of is suitable here. Antigone speaks of the curse of Oedipus as a prophecy: Polynices avoids her inference by arguing that it would be weak to yield to a mere outburst of wilfulness, 'He speaks

1429. (1) we will not tell.' adversative, arguing against the suggestion of Antigone. Or, (2) ' We will not even report bad news,' i.e. and so they will not act upon them.

1433, 4. 'Rendered ill-starred and disastrous by this my father and his avenging spirit.' For apdés, cp. Ant. 51, Polynices here, and supra 1299, speaks in the Homeric manner of his father's Erinyes, without any reference to the Erinyes at whose sacred place he is standing. Cp. supr. 1391 and note.

you may Zeus prepare a prosperous way.' Cp. Hdt. 6. 73, és which shows that is properly followed by the dative of the person as well as the accusative of the thing. In the present case an accusative (e.g. is easily supplied. Hence the correction is unnecessary, and the conjecture besides being unnecessary, destroys a beautiful image, and the connection with 1432.

1436. To avoid the unusual elision of the dative, this has been explained as an accusative, by a change of construction; cp. El. 479, Aesch. Pers. 913, 14, | : 410, But it should probably be admitted that here and in Trach. 677, there is an elision of the as well as in Eur. Alc. 1118. Topyov' ws where however the conj. xaparopov in not improbable, and in any case the licence is taken with a proper name. After some general word like is to be supplied from

Not but some more general notion of paying the tribute of affection, is to be supplied. The inexactness of this is similar to that noticed in 1410. Elmsley's conjecture, is therefore unnecessary, as

1440. Cp. Pind. Nem. 9. 21, speaking of the same expedition, dp és (because of the adverse omens at their setting forth): Aesch. Prom. 1073, 4, 5, | ws eis |

1443. For the subjunctive with see Essay on L. 27. p. 44. Here the supposition is more definite than with and the optative, and more general than with and the subjunctive, and the form of expression is therefore more suited to the expression of intense feeling.

.. 'But this is in the power of God, and may come to pass either in this way, or in some other.' It rests with the ' Divinity that shapes our ends.' Cp. Shak. Hamlet, §. 2, 'Not a whit, we defy augury: there's a - special providence in the falling of a sparrow: Hom. I. 12. 235-43.

1444, 5. 'For you I pray to heaven that ye may never encounter woe.' The conjectures (Triclinius), and (Scaliger and Elmsiley), are both unnecessary. Of the two, that of Triclinlus is the more probable,='I pray that evil may never cross your path.' For cp. Phil. 446.

1447, foll. Polynices departs, and the end is near. The chorus are reflecting on the new horror created by the curse of Oedipus, when a sound of thunder is heard, which awakens all their superstition, and is recognized by Oedipus as the promised summons. He calls for Theseus, and the chorus repeat his call. This part of the play consists of two strophes, divided by three sets of five iambic trimeters, each consisting of two couplets spoken by Oedipus, with a line between them. The prevailing metre 1s dochmiac, with iambic and trochaic movements interspersed. The dochmiacs, with frequent long syllables, increase in the second strophe.

1447. These are the reflections of the chorus after hearing the woe pronounced on Polynices. The remarks of the Scholiast show a curious perception of ancient Greek feeling: [6 Ths 77s

1450. Polynices (1426) referred the curse to his father's caprice: Antigone (1424, 1440) to some higher inspiration. The chorus waver between the two suggestions. 'Coming from the blind stranger: if this be not haply the hand of fate.' The Homeric expression or is here left without a distinct object. The Scholiast suggests judas: later critics : and some have rendered, ' Evil comes to me from the stranger, unless his fate overtake him now.' Cp. 1]. 22. 436, viv But the emphasis is on and the verb is used absolutely. Lit. ' Unless it be Fate who in some respect attains her aim." as cognate accusative in part supplies the place of the regular object. This explanation harmonizes with the next line.

1454, 5. Either (1) 'Time ever keeps this' (the execution of the Divine Will) 'in view, one day making some things rise and grow, and other things again on the day following.' For this interpretation, cp. Aj. 646, 6.. xpdvos Ib. 131, 2, ws | Tr. 132 ff.: Hdt. 1.5, And for infr. 1567, this interpretation is supposed to be used after the analogy of And this is hardly admissible, if the usage, .. Bre .. is to be explained, as seems most probable, by the original identity of the relative with the demonstrative. Cp. ds .. ds

(2) To meet the difficulty Canter conjectured i.e. 'In yonder case.' Others have supposed that is the corruption of a verb or participle. The words in the confused note of the Scholiast, have suggested (Schndw., who reads in the antistrophe), 1.6. 'turning backward:' is nearer to the MSS, but the indicative could not be followed by a participle with coming between). But although Eur. fr. 540 says ws the word is less natural here. Another conj., which gives the same general meaning without altering the rhythm, is dveis, 'letting go' - the opposite of or :--- ping some things, and lifting others on high.' Cp. Aj. 1214, : Pind. Pyth. 2. 89, Erépois

(3) The above conjectures suppose an alteration of the antistrophe. The con]. suggested in our former edition, requires no further change, and, in common with that of Schndw., gives the rhythm V4 U4

(4) It has been suggested to give the meaning of 'bad,' ' sinister,' as in Pind. Pyth. 3. 34, 5, érepos | és But this does not help us to a clear context.

(8) The MS. reading can be rendered metrical by the simple insertion of ye: ye But is not a natural expression, whether a succession of miseries is spoken of, as in Aesch. Cho. 1020, or is imagined to mean 'to cure misfortune. Although the text is uncertain, the general meaning probably is, Time casts down some things, and others that yesterday were mean, to-day he glorifies. Cp. Aj. 131, 2, |

1457. Some critics, including Elmsley, have imagined that the thunder is heard immediately on the departure of Oedipus. But a more natural connection is preserved if the chorus are supposed first to express the gloomy forebodings with which the curse of Oedipus has filled their minds, and then to be panic-stricken on hearing the thunder. Ifit had already thundered, this would in some way have been clearly announced. See Schol. on 1. 1450, pot And on 1456,

For thismeaning of in which there is a feeling of its etymological connection with wépos, moped, infr. 1476, cp. Hom. Tl. 9. 513, 6. 228, ('May bring in my way'). See Essay on L. p. 99.

1459. tatiwpa.| 'The intention ; i.e. TH Note the recurrence of the word after 1451. 1462. 'Lo! now again.' emphasizing the repetition, as in cp. Aesch. Cho. 870, 5. o. T. 915, Pers. 1045, ot Hdt. 1. 181,

'There comes mightily crashing down the unutterable roar of the Zeus-hurled bolt.' As in supra, the thunder has the attributes of the lightning. of an overwhelming sensation, as in O. T. 1314, vépos..

1464. (1) " And fear hath crept even to the very hair of my head.' adverbial. Or (2) 'to the very tips of my hair;' with a suggestion of the hair standing on end.

The MS. reading which is metrically indefensible, can be best accounted for as a mistaken gloss on ovpavod, which, however, is not really a descriptive genitive (like in El. 19), but =' from heaven,' 'from the region of the sky.' Meineke conj. i.e. 'Lights up the heaven.' The reading of 1, 1454 being uncertain, it is better not to alter this, the corresponding line, forthe sake of the metre only, seeing that >. , 2 -

/ VUUL - SUuUg is not an impossible rhythm. Hence it is better to retain which has a good meaning and also gives a reason for the neuter gender of

1469, 70. " For it never goes forth resultless, never without grave issues." For the repetition of see Essay on L. § 29. p. 48. Heath conj.

1473. 'And there is no avoiding it, now it is come.' here and Eur. Fr. 447 is not a place of refuge, but has the primary verbal sense.

1474. There are two strong reasons for giving this and ]. 1488 to Antigone: (1) The speeches of Oedipus are addressed to her and Ismene (1457, 1472, 1486, 1490, 3rd person: (2) The antistrophic nature of the passage leads us to expect an entire correspondence with 1, 1459. It may be added that the chorus are at present too much occupied with their own sensations to attend to Oedipus.

'Envelopes me.' Cp. Hom. Od. 17. 261, HAVO | 444, : I. 352, Phil. 1263, Bors; Eur. Her. 73, ;

1481. adeyyés} 'Gloomy,' i.e. 'Of dark significance.' The epithet is perhaps suggested by the lowering sky. (Schneidewin.) Cp.Shakespeare, Macbeth, 2. 4, 'Thou seest the heavens, as troubled with man's act, | Threaten his bloody stage: by the clock 'tis day. | And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp: | Is it night's predominance, or the day's shame, | That darkness doth the face of earth entomb, | When living light should kiss it?'

1482. (1) Reading (see v. rr.), sc. translate : 'May I meet with a righteous man, and not from having seen an accursed man, partake in some way of his unenvied recompence. The construction of with the genitive follows the analogy of or (2) Reading : 'May T share the fortune of the righteous.'

For 'abominable,' cp. 1]. 22. 261. The Scholiast on 1. 1447 understands this also (as well as supr. 1447 ff.) of Polynices. But although suggested by recent impressions this reflection of the chorus is probably quite general. Such a reference to Oedipus at this point is certainly out of the question.

1488. 'And what is it that you would have thus steadfastly rooted in your mind?' Lit. 'What is the steadfast purpose,' etc.; but is proleptic.

in in order to elicit from him the cause of his agitation ; and asks him for what special reason he wishes to have his mind clear when Theseus comes.

1489, 90. 'In return for their kindness (J desire) to pay them in full the promise which I made at the time of my obtaining my petition.' Cp. Plato, Legg. 11. 730 A, Tos : Hdt. 1. 213, .. ib. 5. 23, from which it appears that was used in reference to a suppliant, of obtaining a request. Cp. also Pind. Pyth. 3. 103, 4, | here is -- xavov or The older explanation (as old as stathius) that = vrocxopuevos, besides making an imperfect tense equivalent to an aorist, makes an unmeaning addition to the line. The correspondence in tense of and is a reason in favour of the explanation given above.

mon meaning need create no difficulty, when 1. 1488 is given to Antigone. The case of supr. 547 is different, because the participle there is emphatic. For the communication of the secret to Theseus was the bestowal of a boon on the whole people. Cp. infr. 1496. *apoBab. was approved by Elmsley and Hermann, and secures correspondence with the strophe. 6 Bog yap Schol. Observe the recurrence of in 1464, 1491, and of in 1491, 1493. *Ho! my son, come on thy way (from Athens), or if thou now art consecrating to Poseidon, God of Sea, the altar with its hollow surface that crowns the height,' or (2) (' that crowns the hill, above the hollow place,') " come hither!' 'Chorus sic loquitur, ut qui domi esse Theseum putat: sed deinde ei in mentem venit, a sacris faciendis avocatum fuisse, ut Ipse v. 1158 (1159) dixerat, et nunc fortasse in lis peragendis esse occupatum.' Herm. Cp. O. T. 517, 1104. is suited to express the uncertainty where Theseus is. indicates the position of the altar of Poseidon on the top of Colonus. is either (1) a descriptive epithet, referring to the concave surface of the altar, or (2) means 'above the hollow place,' referring to some peculiarity of the ground, which is no longer visible. The agency of the Earthshaker may have been recognised in some rift of the rock of Colonus, near which his altar was placed. The reading may have arisen from being written over thea of the Doricform.

the first time. It was in a manner consecrated afresh for every sactifice. 1496-9. For the accusatives after the notion of benefiting, see Essay on L. § 16. p. 23. They are however first governed of 'The stranger honours thee, and thy city, and thy friends, claiming to render you a just meed for good received' i. 6. Athens and the Coloniatae. See Introd. The lacuna (=7olyap or was filled up by Tricilimius with Elmsley, reading dao', notes the absence of three syllables. ' Verbum deest in antiquis libris, additum in Triclinianis. Id cur recentiores critici vel damnaverint, quum non ineptum sit, zec sclamus non esse e codicibus sumptum, vel posthabuerint deterioribus conjecturis, non assequor. Herm, 1500, Schol. Cp. the reading of L supr. 843. The phrase in 1499 might be with more probability assigned to Oedipus, or he may be supposed to join init. But his voice in 1457 and the othcr senarii

1501. Theseus does not confuse the chorus and Oedipus in one address. He turns first to the chorus, and in proceeding to speak of Oedipus he uses a modification of the common idiom : cp. supra 559.

1502. ph tis 'Is it that a bolt from Zeus is fallen, or that some hail-shower has come dashing down? For one may imagine anything to have happened in such a storm as this. The construction is Tis ; being equivalent to ris ; Cp. 122, ..oipwydy; Essay on L. § 42. p. 81. For the nomirative, cp. Od. 5. 476, 7, | 6 is here used in the vague sense in which the Athenians referred the changes of the weather to a divine agency. Cp. Xen. Cyn. 8. 1, Geds.

gard of thy coming hither; 1. 6. Has brought thee hither for a happy end. Cp. Tr. 26, The unaugmented form in the middle of the verse is doubtful. Some have read others for which cp. Il. 1. 479, For the habit of the MSS. in frequently omitting the augment, cp. supr. 438.

Is07. véoprov :] 'And what is the new emergency?' Theseus anticipates some fresh incident, like the arrival of Creon or of Polynices.

1508. po:| 1.6. The dative depends on the verbal notion in 'It is my life that is verging to the grave.' In O. T. 961, which has been compared with this line, has an active meaning.

I510. 'On what sign of thine approaching end dost thou rely ?' from meaning to 'lie,' obtains the more general notion of 'resting,' which is here used metaphorically with the preposition Cp. the use of in Dem. 294. 23, Trois 'He lays great

1512, . . 'Failing me in none of the appointed signs' Cp. supra 94, 8, | Bpov- The omission of the article is poetical. Essay on L. § 21. p. 32. 1. 12.

1514. at Sc. ow Here, as in 1502, the nominative is brought in without any exact connection with what precedes, as though the words ' What signs of this appear?' had preceded. There is no reasonable doubt that is the true reading. 'The frequent thunderings.' For other instances of adverbs attached to substantives, see Essay on L. § 24. p. 41. are to be joined in one expression, ' Prolonged thunderings.' .

I515. *ortpdipavra . . 'Flashing from the invincible hand?' The form occurs in Apollon. Rhod. For a similar corruption, cp. O.T. 375, and v. rr.

1516. Theseus has perceived the impression which the prophecies of Oedipus have made, and that none of his words are allowed to fall to the ground,

1525. Of the two explanations of given by the Scholiast, Baputéves, (1) (2) 6 the latter is preferable, and agrees with the point of view maintained throughout the play, in which Colonus is regarded, not as a part of Athens, but as a neighbouring dependency. as obj. gen. is too far from But (3) with it gives a proper sense, suggesting the natural feeling of the insecurity of an alliance with neighbours. And although the hero Oedipus might be said the word is not used with equal propriety of his grave.

'And may not be profaned by speech.' is partly generic or hypothetical, and partly prohibitive. Essay on L. p. 48. 1.6. A. =' And is of a nature not to be spoken of" Cp. infra 1643, | For cp. supra 624, O.'T. 354.

1531. Elmsley observes that the imperf. makes better sense than the aor., besides being essential to the metre. 'When you are on the point of coming.' 'When you are coming to the end of life." The words probably refer to some custom unknown to us. The ceremonies at the grave of Oedipus may have been performed by the Archon Basileus, to whom, as Plato says, certain solemn traditional rites were entrusted: Polit. 290 E, Kal Cp Lys. adv. Andoc. p. 103. Plutarch, Mor. p. 578 B, says that the tomb of Dirce was only known to the chief magistrate for the tim being at Thebes. '

1534. aw instead of because of the privative notion in as if it were 'This city of thine shall be free from the ravages of the children of the dragon's teeth.' Cp. Pind. Fr. H. 1, : Isthm. 6 (7). : at 1. 6. 'But any one of the numberless states that are.' There is here a trace of that conception of the number and variety of civil communities which played such an important part in Greek political speculation. Cp. Plat. Polit. 302 A: Eur. Hec. 306, ai méAes,

1835. is a vague subject, with allusion to Theseus and Athens. Cp. Thuc. 3.2, el Tis : i.e. The allusion to Athens accounts for which is properly applicable to a city.

is generally found in construction with an accusative or genitive. Hence it has probably here an implied object which is most easily supplied from tis. 'A city, no matter where, may lightly insult even one who dwells circumspectly.' Oedipus again touches lightly on the apparent improbability of Thebes becoming hostile (sapr. 606, foll.), while Athens was governed prudently. -- Kpov : i.e. Be as politic as you will, you cannot avoid wars with your neighbours. Scholiast, In the more recent explanations (e.g. Hermann's ' pleraeque civitates, etiam si quis eas bene regat, proclives sunt ad temeritatem') is made equivalent to For of a city, cp. Thuc. 3. 39, ais

1536, 7. . ' For the Gods mark well, although they visit late, when men abandon reverence and become tmfatuated.' This also has reference to Thebes. The impious quarrel of the brothers will bring a late retribution when Thebes shall invade Attica to her own defeat. For cp. O. T.

1538, 9. Oedipus, after thus alluding to the impiety of his sons, delicately hints to Theseus, in a single line, that such a warning is an additional reason for keeping his sacred promise inviolate. He then in the following line apologises for having said even so much as this.

'What God now sends;" i. 6, The disturbance of the elements and the inward intimation or as Socrates would have said, under the influence of which Oedipus is speaking. See note onl. 97.

1541. " And mot turn backward.' Reisig's conjecture, 'and let us no longer delay,' rests on the explanation of the Scholiast (comparing évTpo- which is not satisfactory. The ordinary meaning of 'To regard with respect or awe,' is also inadmissible. For Oedipus is demanding attention to the sacred goal, which he himself is thinking of with reverence, though not with fear. If can mean to turn aside from a greater object out of regard for lesser ones (the thunder, etc.), the reading may be defended, (1) in this sense, or again, (2) with a reciprocal meaning, ' Let us not be paying regard to one another, but follow the leading of the god.' Cp. Polybius, 31. 12. 6 (quoted by L. and S.), éavtois. If not, it will be better to read 'and let us not look back,' for which, cp. Hat. 3. 156, émorpepduevos, Thisisadopted in the text. For another conj. cp. Ar. Plut. 837,

1549. dbeyyes}] light unseen, once I saw thee. and now for the last time my body feels thee." The Greek love of sunlight is touchingly manifested in this valediction of the blind Oedipus te the light of day. In his first passionate despair he had prayed never more to see the light, on which, in his softened mood, he now 'casts one lingering look behind.' O T. 1183, The edd. befere Brunck read which is interpreted as expressing a feeling of exultation, that he who was blind now had the true sight. ' Formerly where wast thou?' (i.e. Thad thee not): but now at the last 1 feel thee.' " Erewhile methinks thou wast indeed mine.' In saying this he throws a momentary glance on the splendour of his former fortunes. Cp. O. T. 1282, 3.

1551. 'To end my life, and hide it in the dwelling of the unseen.' Musgrave's conjecture, yap | Kpt- tap is ingenious, but unnecessary. For, as Elmsley says, ' Recte se habet haud dubie vulgata, licet loquendi genus novum videatur.' Death is frequently spoken of in Sophocles rather as the entrance to a new state of existence than as an abrupt termination of the present one. Cp. Eur. Ion 1067, dAAas popdds : Bacch. 1237, és The words express rather the passing of Oedipus, than his death. Cp. 103 .. 1508. The last scene of his life (supra 583, AoloOt . . Biov) may be described as hidden with the God of death. The verbal contradiction is analogous to that in another -expression which has given trouble to interpreters, Phil. 1443, A, Bpotois | Kav 1.6. Follows them into the grave.

1553. *' And thy followers... :' the same who are called Onceida, supra 1066 (cp. 1103), and some of whom are surrounding Theseus at this moment. The "Ayyedos in the next scene'is one of them.

1554. Kaw' i.e. ' And take occasion from your good fortune to remember me.' Elmsley's conjecture, (optative), though not necessary, has the merit of harmonizing with and Cp. Od.13.44-6, ..

The apparent anti-climax, ' Beloved of heaven,' .. 'Fortunate, may be defended by comparing Hdt. 1. 32, where Solon prefers to all else.

15506, foll. In a single strophe and antistrophe, the chorus address a solemn invocation to the powers of the lower world, Hades, Persephone, the Erinyes, the dog Cerberus, and Death, that Oedipus may ' have quiet consummation,' and pass without molestation to the Stygian home.

Reminiscences of the dochmiac movements of the last commation are mingled with iambic, trochaic, and glyconic measures. On this combination, see Christ, Metrik, § 477. The antistrophe is distinguished by the frequency of spondaic endings. This apparent irregularity may be removed by conjectural emendation, but it may possibly have been due to a purposed, retardation of the rhythm. For - Gv, + cp.

supr. 412. For dochmiacs mixed with cretics and iambics in a similar place, cp. El. 1385 ff. and, for a recurrence of the paeonic rhythm, infr. 1682, 1709.

1560. Thishas been changed to for the sake of the metre. Such a use of the subjunctive in the Ist pers. sing. can scarcely be paralleled from Attic Greek. But besides securing the correspondence of metre, it agrees with the context, and is not contrary to analogy.

1561. The omission of the first pyre, which Seidler proposed, restores the metre without disturbing the sense. Cp. Aesch. Ag. 532, yap, Ajjs

is treated by the Scholiast (see also v. rr.) as the Doric form of Bapunxet, a word which occurs several times, whereas there is only one doubtful instance, Aesch. Eum. 145, mé@os dvoayés, of a compound derivative of The chorus, who have been frightened by the thunder, may be supposed to pray that the end of Oedipus may be neither painful nor alarming. In the report of the messenger they are reassured on this very point. Infra 1658, yap Tis For a similar feeling about evOavacia, cp. Plat. Phaedo, 117 E, (2) But the metre is in favour of which, to avoid tautology, must be explained to mean 'causing severe sorrow. 'By no painful, by no lamentable doom.' Cp. infr. 1663, 4, ov For the redundant see Essay on L. § IQ. p. 27.

1562. A correction which presupposes corruption both in strophe and antistrophe must necessarily bedoubtful. 'in accordance with his presentiment.' Cp. 1585. For the metre, cp. El. 1384=1391. Others (with Musgr.) read and Adyos

1565-7. 'For even although many sorrows have been coming on thee without bringing any good, it may be that a just Deity will again exalt thee.' For kat with a participle in the genitive absolute, having the ferce of cp. El. 657, | is in the imperfect tense, and the force of dv extends to both parts of the sentence, as if it were ik- The chorus now express their belief in the possibility of what Ismene had said, supra 394, dp- Gover, S It is doubtful whether means (1) 'causelessly,' as some have explained it, or (2) 'without result,' i.e. bringing no good after them. The latter is more probable; i.e. Though no such result has been. produced as yet. oe has been unnecessarily changed to ode. The apostrophe gives liveliness to what would otherwise be a frigid sentiment. The change from the 3rd person to the 2nd isnot more violent than the change a few lines below from the 2nd to the ard, 1568, @..oWpa.. Onpds,.... 1574, Cp.also O. T. 1202, ff.

is not, however, a conclusive reason against her being here again addressed with Demeter. Cp. O. T. 190, foll., 206, foll., where Artemis is twice invoked.

1569. 'Of whom they say that thou hast thy lair in the jolished gateway, and whom rumour ever declares to be snarling from thy den, a guardian invincible of Hades' hall.'

1570, The conjecture is more convenient for the metre, and gives an apt enough sense. On the other hand, ' Burnished,' is a picturesque epithet for a gateway: and the tendency to spondaic endings in this antistrophe has been already noticed.

1573. 'Report constantly avers of thee.' As the metre is doubtful (the corresponding verse in the strophe being corrupt), it appears unsafe to follow Tricilinius in altering which looks idiomatic, to for which, however, cp. supra 674, and note, Hdt. 7. 26, For the similar use of a compound of cp. Pind. Pyth. I. 96, paris. And for dvéyw, cp. Pind. Nem. 7. 89, The correspondence of metre is kept by reading in the strophe.

1574. Vas These words are addressed not to Cerberus, but in all probability to Death, who is invoked as a person more than once in Sophocles (Phil. 797, Aj. 854), cp. infr. 1578 and note. In what sense could Cerberus be called the child of Earth? In Hes. Theog. 211, foll., Death is the Child of Night, without a father, and Cerberus, ib. 310, is the son of Echidna and Typhon. But in these genealogies the poets used considerable freedom. And in the same spirit in which Sophocles calls the Erinyes daughters of Earth and Darkness, Death may be apostrophized as the son of Earth, who receives the bodies of the Dead, and Tartarus, which (cp. supra 1389), like 'Olympus,' has less of a special and local meaning in Sophocles than in Homer. The name of Death is omitted, like that of Persephone, the Erinyes, and Cerberus, while the kingly title is given to Hades. Cp. supra 1548, and note.

1575. Bava] (1) 'To move in a clear space,' i.e. to leave the way clear: A marked instance of oxymoron: cp. Aj. 640, and see Essay on L. 37. p. 70. Or (2) taking in the sense of 'departing' as in Ant. 120, T.A., and as proleptic, 'To go away and leave the coast clear' =éxmoddv

earliest corrector of L, has sufficient authority, especially when recommended by the metre. aiéy dumvoy would certainly be applicable to Cerberus. and might be suggested by the words map But the address to Death, as the God of the Eternal Sleep, is a more fitting termination of this ode.

1579. One of the companions of Theseus supra 1553) returning before the rest, reports all that will ever be known, except to Theseus and his successors, of the departure of Oedipus.

"1 might best succeed in brevity by saying Oedipus is gone.' The adverb contains the predicate. Essay on L. § 24. p. 40. The participial construction with is noticeable; cp. O. T. 465 and note.

1581. supposes a simple clause, such as which, by the introduction of the antithesis between and is expanded into what follows.

1584. The most probable interpretation of these words is that which separates them from and supplies The expression is then equivalent to és Cp. supra 1400, dp #.T.»., where has the force of és TéAos. For the omission of xpdvoyr, see Essay on L. § 39. p. 74, and cp. infra 1701, El. 1075, Tr. 80, which are best explained by supposing a simular ellipse, which, if in accordance with a vernacular conversational idiom, would not occasion ambiguity, notwithstanding the nearness of here and infr. 1701.

The other interpretations: ' His life, such as it ever was' (Herm.), 'His long-continued life,' ' His lingering age' (Schol. Eustath.), are inadmissible. :

1586. the reading of Par. A, is preferred to the reading of L, because the pronoun appears from its position to be the subject of and not merely the object of

belonging to the whole clause, emphasizes the manner of the death of Oedipus as distinguished from the fact, which has been already told, and the previous circumstances, which are known to all. 'Ay, this it is which may well move your wonder.'

1590. 'The precipitous threshold, rooted in earth with foundations of brass.' The (supra 57) is probably the entrance to a cleft in the native rock, and is called because supposed to lead directly down to Tartarus. The are probably not a literal staircase, but, like the epithet supr. 57, recal the ovdds of Homer's description. See Introduction. For this meaning of in the plural, cp. Eur. Tro. 47, w..m7ddis..700' and for cp. Od. 13. 163, of the ship changed by Poseidon to an islet,

1592. This conjecture of Heath's has been universally accepted. Cp. Plato. Phaed. ic8 A. The word was no doubt descriptive of the paths actually converging towards the and the language indicates the precision with which the blind Oedipus followed the guidance of the God.

agitur, lapideus fuisse videtur, ut illi, quorum mentio fit v. 472. It may have been fabled that this bowl received the blood of the sacrifice which confirmed the league of Theseus and Pirithous, and some record of their agreement may have been engraven on it. Cp. Eur. Suppl. 1202, * Where the compact of Theseus and Pirithous is registered, never to be annulled. The bowl was probably at the entrance to one of the cavities in the rock.

1595, 6. 'Midway between this and the fragment of rock from Vhoricus, and the hollow pear-tree and the sarcophagus of stone" The traditional text may mean, 'Right opposite to this and the Thorician rock, away from the hollow pear-tree and stone tomb.' But Brunck's easy correction makes a better context. The object is to define accurately the exact position of Oedipus when last seen, corresponding probably to the place where rites were since performed in his honour. Cp. supr. 1532 and note, and 477.

1600, 1. There does not appear to be sufficient reason for construing these words with Hermann, 'The hill which commands a view of the temple of

Demeter Chloe.': Although the temple near the Acropolis, mentioned by Pausanias and the Scholiast, cannot be meant, there may well have been other places in the neighbourhood sacred tothe same Goddess. Transl. ' The eminence, full in view, of Demeter, who makes the tender blade to grow. The knoll, a quarter of a mile to the east of Colonus, has some remains of buildings, and is plentifully supplied with water at the present day. See Introd. p. 283.

1603. (1) 'As is customary,' sc. in immediate prospect of death. Cp. Eur. Alc. 158, Hobe | Or (2) 'Such raiment as is customary,' viz. at the shrine of the Eumenides. The would supply what was necessary : supra 500,

1604. 'And when ail was doing to his heart's content, and no part of his desire was now neglected.' Spa@vTos is a singular instance of the abstract use of the active participle, noticed in the Essay on L. 30. p. 51. Cp. supra 1220, Tov etc. This is the only satisfactory explanation of the passage. As often happens, the second line, Kove «.7.A., states negatively what is affirmed in the first,

1606, The rumbling noise beneath the earth accompanying an earthquake is attributed to Hades, as the thunder to Zeus. For this name of Hades, cp. Hom. IL. 9. 457, Hes. Op. 465: Aesch. Suppl. 157. And for Aesch. Prom. 993, 4, Eur. Hipp. 1201, Phoen. 1181, 2,

1608. ' And ceased not from.' Cp.l. 1610. Mr. Palmer takes the words differently. In his note on 1. 1636, he says, 'It was unbecoming ina man of any nobleness of spirit to give way to loud lamentation; therefore it is said even of the daughters, K.7...' But the moment for silence and reserve is not yet come, and the natural feelings are for the time unchecked (cp. 1620, foll.). Compare Hom. Od. 16. 213, foll. dpa gas | | | | aiyumol | &s iw eBoy. It is to be remembered, too, that this scene is only reported, not represented on the stage. That has probably a dif ferent meaning in T. 1277, is no objection to the above rendering.

1614. . 'The sad laborious nursing ye have spent on me. is here used actively, as in El.1143, | |

1615. is added in apposition, and is then opposed with to what follows. 'It has been troublesome, that I know well, my daughters: butthen the oneword "love" has power to cancel all this trouble. And love ye have had from none in greater

1624. 'Urged him with shouting.' The omission of the augment in this case with a consonant preceding makes it probable that in the other cases in this speech, e. g. 1606, 1607, 1608, the augment is dropped Epicé and not elided after the preceding vowel. The MSS. omit the augments very frequently. Cp. supr. 438 and v. rr. For the construction, cp. supra 1598,

1624, 5. .. tpixas| 'So that the hair of all stogd up in the alarm of sudden fear." belongs both to the participle and the verb, and the dative is in construction with both. Cp. Tr. 175, 6,

tributing to the subject, as the of his actions, even mechanical and unconscious processes. Cp. supr. 149, and note. Essay on L. 30. p. 52.

Ar. Lys. 606, In the present case not Charon but Hermes, cp. supr. 1848, or the of Oedipus, is probably meant. The absence of any name, as in several of the concludiug passages of this play, adds to the solemnity of the effect.

1632. "T' pray thee give to my children thy right hand, that time-honoured pledge.' Various meanings have been given to ' dicit, quae firma maneat, olim antiqua futura. Sic Aeschylus, Agam. §78, ydvos. (Ferm.) Antiquam, spectatam.' oi! of L. 1634. L. LL. (Dind.) die alte, bisher bewiesene (nach 632 f.).". (Schneidewin } tt is simpler and better to explain the epithet as a general one; i.e. The right hand, which from time immemorial has been a solemn pledge amongst mankind. Cp. Eur. Med. 23, 2. Legg. 7,793 B. See also Tr. £181,

1636, ' Without giving way to grief;' 1.e. With no weak expression of feeling, which would have been of evil omen for Athens. Aesch. S.c. 51, otros ws OF the conjectures (which are quite unnecessary) (Musegr.) is preferable to

and cp. Ant. 546, K.T.X, _ 1643. 6 here, as in J. 288 supra, has the general sense of 'sovereign,' and also a particular reference to the case in point =' Whose right herein is perfect.' 'We saw, as from afar off" Schol.

1649. The anacoluthon helps to mark the suddenness of the disappearance. The messenger begins as if he were speaking of Oedipus, he then corrects himself to say that Oedipus was no more seen, but Theseus only, who was holding his hand before his eyes. Fora similar turn of sentence, cp Hom Od. 5. 265, fol., of |

\ 'A 3 A IAN 2 ~ GAN 1665

1661, 2. 'But either a guardian from the gods, or the lower part of earth that holds the dead, opening kindly for him, where there is no more pain.' has been generally taken causatively to mean 'Without giving him pain;' but even if this meaning were admissible, which is doubtful, there would be an awkwardness in having two secondary predicates, and The position of the word indicates that it is to be taken as attributive. 'unillumined,' the marginal reading of L, may possibly be right. Elmsley, who was doubtful on this point, gives the above meaning, 'Free from pain, to Tis. Cp. supra 955,

1662, 3. and have been explained to mean ' Groaning' and 'Suffering pain" But the more usual meaning gives a better and more coa- sistent sense. 'An object of mourning.' 'Giving pain to others.' Cp. O.T.1237, 8, | ' His departure was not accompanied with mourning, nor with sickness, so as to be a spectacle of pain, but it was a spectacle of admiration, unsurpassed. Cp. Plato, Phaedo, 59 A, por ws GAN'

1666. 'I do not care to gain the assent of those who think me unwise in this ;' i.e. Tam contented to hold my own opinion. Cp. Aj. 1038, 9, | rade. And for with accusative, meaning 'To obtain the consent of,' cp. Plat. Legg. 742 B, xovras: 951 A,

1667. yot ;7 Sc. The plural might refer to Theseus alone (supra 1087, and note), but probably includes his attendants, with the exception of the "AyyeAos.

1670, foll. The metres of the following lament are rendered difficult by the corruptions, which in this, as in other Greek plays. are more frequent toward the end, whether from the weariness of the scribe, the rubbing of the outside leaf, or, in a case like the present, from one or both of these causes combined with the obscurity of style and metre.

This commos, like that in supr. 117- 253, consists of two principal parts, of which the latter is wilder and more broken. In the former of these dactylic measures resembling supr. 229 ff. are combined with trochaic, iambic, and cretic rhythms; the latter is trochaic and iambic.

Tcr Orc Eoc Eos

happy! on all accounts to mourn our father's fatal blood running in our veins. For him we had erewhile that long incessant toil, and at the last we have to tell of things beyond the reach of thought, which we have seen and suffered.' For ob py, cp. Eur. Phoen. 1641, AN. | GAA'

1672. is here primarily ' Bloodrelationship,' with perhaps a secondary association (pointed by the word from the other meaning of ' Blood-guiltiness.' Cp. O. T. 1400, af |

1673. The form (= is rare, and Badham has conjectured But the dative properly expresses the connection between the two parts of the sentence. Essay on L. § 12.p.18. And Elmsley has quoted Eur. Hipp. 903, 76 | : Arist. Pax 1278,

Vol, 1

1677. Although (see v. rr.) may be explained with reference to the manner of the end, which was inconceivable, it is more natural that Antigone should say here, ' You may guess what has happened,' i.e. the main fact that he is gone. By merely omitting ove with Hermann, we obtain a line like Aj. 951 (which conveys a similar feeling),

MSS. may be so scanned (see v. rr. on p- 436): but not without too great a stress upon the augment before mp in It is on the whole more likely that in 1677 15. a corruption of and that has dropped out in 1704. Another conjecture, which secures a pure iambic line, is X. éorw; A. Cp. also O. T. 1308, foll.

1678 ff. 'Cho. Heis gone? Ant, Even as heart could wish. What more could be desired for him, whom neither war nor the sea hath smitten, but viewless regions carried off and rapt in some mysterious doom? While on our helpless eyes a horror of night is fallen. For how shall we maintain our life in misery unendurable? Wandering in some far (or southern) land or (roaming) over ocean's billow .. 1, 6. Ad- Bots 'As you would above all choose the mode of your departure if you could choose by desire.' For the use of cp. Aj. 265, ei Tis aipeow, AdBos ; For cp. supra 1106, yap Canter's conjecture is very plausible, but not necessary.

1682. *hepopevar] 'Carrying him away, is adopted as the simplest alteration of the text which satisfies the metre, while giving a recognized form. The middle voice, for which see Essay on L. § 31, p. 53, is better than the passive

1685. Either (x) 'Distant,' the word being here used in a different sense from that in 1. 1303, "Arias | although the quantity is the same, whereas it is short in Hom. Od. 7. 25, admins Or (2) may mean 'somewhere in the Peloponnese,' Antigone thinking of Argos as a possible refuge.

1689 ff. Modern editors rightly give these, and also the corresponding verses, 1715 ff. to Ismene, with whose character they agree. Cp. Ant.

544, 5, 548. A new movement commences, which serves as to the preceding. Thesame doubt occurs here as in supr. 182ff., 197 ff, whether the two sets of lines, 1689-95, 1715-22, like those which precede and follow them, are to be regarded as strictly antistrophic. That the doubt occurs in two places so nearly similar, is of itself a ground for caution. And both 76 in 1693 and in 1694 are idiomatic Greek.

1690. 'To Jie in death with my aged father.' Cp. Phil. 1443, By changing to (cp. O. T. 887, Aj. 397), we obtain an Ionic rhythm, not unsuited to the person of Ismene.

1692. Tricl. and several editors read This is the slightest of at least six changes which have been made in Il. 1689-95, 1715--22, to secure a metrical correspondence which remains defective.

1693. TO pew 'You must bear with fortitude the lot whose direction is from heaven.' as in the frequent eis, expresses tendency or intention. occurs only here; but cp. Eur. I. A. 69, 'Adpo- Sirns Hdt. 1. 159, For the rare form of verse, troch. trim. brachycat., cp. Aesch. 977, 790, supr.1240, and Eur. Hel. 243, H. F.120, where the rst arsis 1s resolved, as here.

1695. 'You have no cause to complain of your lot.' More literally, ' The point at which you have arrived is not to be found fault with.' The chorus mean to say, 'You, and your father's memory, are safe in the hands of Theseus.' Cp. infr. 1727-40. For the transference of the verb of motion, more frequent, however, with the adjective than the adverb, see Essay on L. p. 97, and cp. El. 979,

1697. 'Ant. Then' (if to be thus is well) 'there is such a thing as longing for that which is not well;' i.e. ' Then it is possible to wish evil back again, for even what in itself was nowise loveable, was yet beloved, whilst I held him too in my arms.'

1702. «.7.A.| 'Even old as thou wert (or art) thou shalt never be forgotten by ourlove.' Cp. supra 1600, yepaiw. It has been observed (on 1. 1371 of the O. T.) that the soul in Hades was imagined as having all the characteristics of the person at the time of death : and nothing can be more natural than that Antigone in the first moment of her sorrow should speak of _her father as if he still needed tendance and care. This touch ofnature extends to modern lifeand poetry. Shak. King John, 3. 4, 'Cost. But now shall cankersorrow eat my bud| And chase the native beauty from his cheek, | And he will look as hollow as a ghost, | As dim and meagre as an ague's fit, | And so he'll die; and, rising soagain | When I shall meet him in the court of heaven | I shall not know him: therefore never, never | Shall I behold my pretty Arthur more.' His age did not lessen their affection in life, nor should it diminish their mourning for him in

1704. Elmsley's ; AN. patev is preferable to XO. ; AN. (the emendation of Triclinius), (1) because preserving an exact correspondence to 1. 1677 in the division of the line between the persons: (2) because introducing no unnecessary word: (3) the additional emphasis in the reply is in keeping with the mood ef Antigone. Cp. Aj. 968, av |

suum posse, quod ne tumulus quidem patris sibi relictus sit, optat ut ille ne quaesivisset hanc apud exteres mertem, sed obiisset potius ita desertus ignotusque, ut ante cum ipsa per terras vagus errabat, que saltem sepelire eum et justa facere in tumulo posset.' This interpretation supposes the use of with an historical tense of the indicative to express a strong negative wish, as has been already suggested in the note on supra 540, I. Cp. Aesch. Cho. 363 ff. This unconamen use would be here softened by suggesting 541 was suggestive of @peres. On the other hand, the words in 1714, especially when compared with 1717, Plat. Phaedo, 58 C, may very naturally mean, 'As it is, thou diedst unattended by me,' while the positive expression of a wish by tke past tense is more doubtful than the negative. And Mr. Palmer, reading iw gives this tur to the sentence: 'Ah me! thou didst desire to die in a foreign land; yet thou hast thus died deserted by me.' So also Schneidewin, omitting But such a resumption of the beginning of the speech is teo inartistic and abrupt for Sopkecles. It is therefore better to fellow Hermann and render, ' Would that theu hadst not cared to die in a strange land, but hadst died as thou wert, all alone upen my hands.'

1716-19. Seev.rr. These three lines, which are defaced by the evident interpolation from 1735 infra (first struck out by Lachmann, cp. supr. 769 v. rr.), have been given by the editors to Ismene. The MSS. eften mix the persons in this play.

1737. The interchange in strophe 8' was between Antigone and Ismene: in the antistrophe it is between single members of the chorus and Antigone. The number of interlocutions assigned to the chorus, 15 counting from 1667, shows that here as in other the choreutae took part successively in the dialogue, but in what order they did so can haidly be determined.

which can only be that the solemn promise of Theseus guarantees them from all ill, And Hermann's conjecture, XO. AN. XO. gives subject to preserves the same distribution of the persons as in the strophe, and avoids the inverted order of ph,

E. on L. § 18. pp. 26, 7. There is no need of any change; and the conjecture is based on a misconception of the meaning required. Hermann objects that there cannot be degrees of thinking ; but this is hypercritical : ep. Plat. Theaet. 165 Qy. TOVELS

1744. See v. rr. Thewords imight perhaps be explained to mean xpovos) But as a syllable is required, it is reasonable to suppose some corruption, and Wunder's conjecture adopted in the text is not improbable. Cp. El. 517. 'Erewhile, too, ye were oppressed by weariness.' See L. and 5. s. v. VI. 2,

1745. 'It was then beyond my strength, but now it overwhelms me.' The language anticipates the metaphor of a 'sea of troubles,' which appears in the next line. For cp. Kpas, supr. 1242.

1747. The words in the MSS. here, see v. rr., have nothing to correspond to them in the strophe. Dind. justly supposes them to have arisen from the corruption of AN, at ai into AN. val vai, and subsequent interpolations.

1748. Schndw. ingeniously conj. 3), comparing El. 958, | ; But agrees better with the tone of 1749, 50, which is rather one of distraction than of impatience.

1751 ff. These three anapaestic lines make the transition from the :commos to the exodos, which begins with the return of Theseus, and consists of four anapaestic systems, 1754-8, 1759-67, 1768-75, and 1776-8. The anapaests are of the freer kind; see esp. 1577, 8, 1760,1771,1776. Theseus and his Athe-

1747. AN. 1748. L. Followed by space for six letters, L. 7} B. om. Vat. 1751. LA. - L. AC', and so on to 1759.

1751. The genitive is the harder reading, and the absolute use of the imperative is more forcible. Cp. Phil. 1275, wave,

ois (1) ' Foritis wrong to make Jamentation amongst those for whom the favour of the dead is laid up in store as a public benefit. That may well provoke their anger.' ois ois; i.e. the blessing which Oedipus has left for the Athenians is not to be 'disturbed by violent mourning in their presence. For cp. Pind. Isthm. 8. 46, | Kat Or (2), the meaning may be more general, 'It is wrong and provocative of Wrath to continue mourning in a case where the favour of the powers beneath rests with the dead.' For sc. cp. Aj. 577, And, for 141, 2, | For the sentiment, cp. supr. 1550 ff., 1663 ff. But the former explanation (1) is more pointed in connection with the approach of Theseus and his train. Cp. supr. 633.

an > BA 4 , 460 : 1760

1758. Dindorf, following Bothe, rejects these words. But the break made by the paroemiac has a good effect, giving room for the pause of astonishment caused by the decisive words of Theseus.

1762, " And that no mortal voice should violate the place of holy rest where he is laid.' Cp. qy. pndevi?

1772. Partly dative of direct reference after (Essay on L. § 12. p. 18), partly of remote reference after 'In the hope of averting the bloody death which menaces our brothers: and, 'In the hope of averting from our brothers the death which threatens them.' or pleasure to him below who is just gone, I ought not to weary.' The emendation of Hermann, who omits yap before rests on the observation that an anapaestic speech immediately before the final words of the chorus naturally ends with a paroemiac. Phil. 1468, Aj. 1476, alib. It may be further remarked that the resumption (Essay on L. p. 64, is more harmonious than the new sentence beginning in the last line, and the full pause after is unrhythmical.

great beauty of the Antigone has been recognized by scholars and poets in every age, from the Alexandrian grammarian, who described it as 'one of the finest' of the many dramas of Sophocles which he knew, to Shelley, who wrote to his friend, 'Some of us have in a prior existence been in love with an Antigone, and that makes us find no full content in any mortal tie.' |

In recent times the appreciation of this beauty.has been somewhat hindered by the tendency to dwell more upon the ethical than on the purely human aspect of the situation. The poet's object was not to set forth a moral antinomy, but to make the spectators feel with and for Antigone, and in a less degree for the self-wrought misery of Creon. The supreme triumph of his art consists not in the clearness with which truth is conveyed, but in the intensity with which a profoundly tragic subject has been fe' This first principle of all Sophoclean interpretation is not to be ignored, because the man 'who saw life steadily and saw it whole' is found to have had clear thoughts as well as profound emotions, so that in giving form to his conceptions he could not fail to teach great truths.

But it is none the less necessary for the modern reader of the Antigone to apprehend clearly the point of view from which the action was intellectually regarded by the poet.

The vindictive exposure of the corpses of enemies, the importance of the rite of sepulture, and the closeness of the fraternal tie, are characteristic features of primitive Greek society, and appear constantly in the Iliad. We see from the Ajax how hard it was for an ordinary Greek to recognise the duty of allowing burial to an enemy, and especially to a rebel; and from the Electra (1. 1487), how natural was the suggestion to cast out a hated corpse to the dogs and birds. The struggle of affection against this savagery was probably the chief interest of the original story of the Antigone (as of the 23rd Book of the Iliad), but in the time of Sophocles it also evoked a contrast of wider significance. It is obvious to the student of Thucydides, how continually in that age individuals must have been distracted between their obligation to the state and sentiments which seemed to have an ethical and religious sanction, and which, if not absolutely universal, had become deeply implanted in the heart of every Greek. That which in public discussion was the opposition of and must often have been felt by individuals as a conflict of feeling against public duty. The religious Spartan, who, at the command of his generals, put to the sword the Plataeans who were suppliants at his own fathers' tombs (Thuc. B. 3.); the Ionian in Sicily taking part with Dorians against his own race (Thuc. B. 6.); the high-born Corcyrean compelled to do battle against the mother-state (Thuc. B. 1.); the religious Athenian, if there were any such, at Melos (Thuc. B. 5.); the Spartans who slew the enfranchised Helots after they had been presented crowned at the temples, must have experienced scruples which were more or less deeply rooted in the Hellenic nature. When Callicratidas refused to put Greek prisoners to death, his act must have called out some such division of sentiment amongst his troops. Such experiences may have helped to strengthen the idea, which was already growing amongst thoughtful men, of a universal law, not imposed by the will of a particular state, but, like the will of Zeus, having force everywhere; not graven on pillars in the market-place, but written in the heart of man. What was once the solitary speculation of a Heraclitus or Empedocles was sinking into the general mind. Not that there was anything like a distinct conception of the law of duty. The voice of the heart and conscience was indissolubly associated with the tradition of ages, and was still rather positive than moral in its demands. But the notion of unwritten laws which carry with them an acknowledged reverence (Thuc. 2. 37), which know no difference of place and date from immemorial time, must always be regarded as one of the most important stages in the growth of ethical ideas. In the story of Antigone, as often in Greek history, this notion comes into sharp conflict with one scarcely less vivid in the Greek mind, that of the duty of obedience to the ruler Thuc. 2. 37) as the representative of the state. It was not the vocation of the dramatist, or of his age, to harmonize these opposites. He has represented both feelings in their passionate working, leading on both sides, like all unmixed passion, to a tragic end. Yet, although the conflict of duties is not reconciled, but simply fought out, it is not left dubious that the ' unwritten' sanction is the higher, and that the state and its rulers, no less than the individual citizen, are bound to do it reverence.

The incident in the tale of Thebes which forms the groundwork of this tragedy appears first in the concluding of the 'Seven against Thebes' of Aeschylus (ll. 1005-1077). There Antigone and Ismene accompany the corpses of their two brothers newly slain, and when the herald announces the decree of the ' probuli, that Eteocles shall be buried and Polynices exposed, Antigone declares that she will disobey the edict, and carry the earth for her brother's burial in her lap She is supported in this resolution by one half of the chorus of maidens, the other half (with Ismene ?) being deterred by the expressed will of the citizens. It is probable that Aeschylus drew this and other incidents of the tale of Thebes from some earlier source, to which Sophocles also had access. We cannot determine accurately how much of the fable, as the latter presents it to us, is of his own invention.

But the chief difference between the two accounts is in agreement with the greater concentration of the later poet. According to both, Antigone defies what has been proclaimed as the law of the city: but in Sophocles this law is the edict of a single ruler, whose position at the head of a victorious army gives him an unquestioned authority. Thus the contention arises between two individual wills: the one wholly dauntless, the other only yielding when it is too late. And the struggle is further embittered by the relation in which the two chief persons stand to one another, as the nearest of surviving kindred. It is manifest how much is gained by this, although it may perhaps be thought that the despair of Creon in the catastrophe, from the very vividness with which it appeals to the imagination, tends to a distraction of our sympathies like that which is more strongly felt in the Trachiniae. And certainly the subject did not admit of such perfect continuity of handling as that which meets us in the Oedipus Tyrannus', But when the action is regarded as a whole, the harmony of parts is not less admirable than the spirit with which every part alike is wrought.

Antigone is in the first flower of her youth: not worn and embittered, like Electra, by long years of oppression and neglect, of dull pain and hope deferred, but, with the intuition of a strong and noble nature, keenly realizing all the wrongs and sorrows of her kindred. She is not insensible to the joys of life. Her recent betrothal to Haemon, in whose sincerity she finds a response to her enthusiasm, has filled her with bright visions of married happiness and cares. But she inherits from her father an ardent impetuous temperament, a passionate will that is equally sudden and unfaltering in its resolve. And in her woman's nature this is called forth most surely in the interests of affection. Love, and especially the love of kindred, is the moving-spring of her whole being, making her capable of any act of courage. And of all natural feelings, the strongest in a Greek woman seems to have been fraternal love (cp. the Electra), while of all tributes of affection, the performance of the last offices for the dead was the most sacred: Ant. 905-15; Hdt. 3. 1109.