University of Virginia Library


20

Antistrophe II

Thus gifted with a shrewd inventive skill
Beyond belief, now makes he for the right,
Now for the wrong. And first of all the state
Is he who honors most the nation's law
And the sworn justice of the gods; but he
Becomes an outcast whom rash folly binds
In evil fellowship, nor shall he dwell
With me, nor think with me, whose action thus...

The Ox breaks this line—you do not. I like it better broken, but can easily change it. How do the anchorites agree upon it? Perhaps this will go.

I marvel at this portent of the gods!

Knowing her as I do can I deny
The maid Antigone?—O wretched girl—
Child of a wretched father, Œdipus,
Tell me!—they surely cannot lead you here
Captured in this wild work against the king!