Eksodos
Chorus Leader
But hark! I see Creon on his way here to the house with clouded brow, and so I will cease my present lamentations.
Creon
Ah me! what shall I do? Am I to mourn with tears myself or my city, which has a cloud around it as if it went through Acheron? My son has died for his country, bringing glory to his name, but grievous woe to me.
1310
His body I have just now taken from the dragon’s rocky lair and sadly carried the self-slain victim here in my arms; and the house is filled with weeping; but now I have come for my sister Jocasta, age seeking age, that she may bathe my child’s corpse and lay it out.
1315
For those who are not dead must reverence the god below by paying honor to the dead.
1320
Chorus Leader
Your sister, Creon, has gone out, and her daughter Antigone went with her.
Creon
Where did she go? What happened? Tell me.
Chorus Leader
She heard that her sons were about to engage in single combat for the royal house.
1325
Creon
What do you mean? In my tenderness to my dead son, I was not able to learn this.
Chorus Leader
It is some time, Creon, since your sister’s departure,
and I expect the struggle for life and death is already decided by the sons of Oedipus.
1330
Creon
Alas! I see a sign there, the gloomy look and face of the messenger coming to tell us the whole matter.
[Episode]
Ah, woe is me! What story can I tell, what lament can I make?
1335
Creon
We are lost; your opening words have no fair appearance.
Messenger
Ah, woe is me! I say again; for I am bringing great horrors.
Creon
In addition to the other sorrowful deeds. What is your tale?
Messenger
Your sister’s sons are now no more, Creon.
Creon
Alas! you have a great tale of woe for me and the city.
1340
O house of Oedipus, have you heard these tidings of sons slain by the same fate?
Chorus Leader
A tale to make it weep, if it were endowed with sense.
Creon
Oh! most grievous stroke of fate! :Alas for my sorrows! Oh, alas!
1345
Messenger
If you only know the sorrows other than those!
Creon
How can they be more hard to bear than these?
Messenger
Your sister has died, with her two sons.