Chorus: Look for thyself. She lies for all to view.
Creon: Antistrophe 2
Alas! another added woe I see. What more remains to crown my agony? A minute past I clasped a lifeless son, And now another victim Death hath won. Unhappy mother, most unhappy son!
Second Messenger: Beside the altar on a keen-edged sword She fell and closed her eyes in night, but erst She mourned for Megareus who nobly died Long since, then for her son; with her last breath She cursèd thee, the slayer of her child.
Creon: Strophe 3
I shudder with affright O for a two-edged sword to slay outright A wretch like me, Made one with misery.
Second Messenger: ’Tis true that thou wert charged by the dead Queen As author of both deaths, hers and her son’s.
Creon: In what wise was her self-destruction wrought?
Second Messenger: Hearing the loud lament above her son With her own hand she stabbed herself to the heart.
Creon: Strophe 4
I am the guilty cause. I did the deed, Thy murderer. Yea, I guilty plead. My henchmen, lead me hence, away, away, A cipher, less than nothing; no delay!
Chorus: Well said, if in disaster aught is well: His past endure demand the speediest cure.
Creon: Antistrophe 3
Come, Fate, a friend at need, Come with all speed! Come, my best friend, And speed my end! Away, away! Let me not look upon another day!
Chorus: This for the morrow; to us are present needs That they whom it concerns must take in hand.
Creon: I join your prayer that echoes my desire.
Chorus: O pray not, prayers are idle; from the doom Of fate for mortals refuge is there none.
Creon: Antistrophe 4
Away with me, a worthless wretch who slew Unwitting thee, my son, thy mother too. Whither to turn I know not; every way Leads but astray, And on my head I feel the heavy weight Of crushing Fate.
Chorus: Of happiness the chiefest part Is a wise heart: And to defraud the gods in aught With peril’s fraught. Swelling words of high-flown might Mightily the gods do smite. Chastisement for errors past Wisdom brings to age at last.