A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers - Pennsylvania State ...

and in this life, as we may, without signing our death-warrant.
Let us see if we cannot stay here, where He has put us,
on his own conditions. Does not his law reach as far as his
light? The expedients of the nations clash with one another,
only the absolutely right is expedient for all.
There are some passages in the Antigone of Sophocles, well
known to scholars, of which I am reminded in this connection.
Antigone has resolved to sprinkle sand on the dead body
of her brother Polynices, notwithstanding the edict of King
Creon condemning to death that one who should perform
this service, which the Greeks deemed so important, for the
enemy of his country; but Ismene, who is of a less resolute
and noble spirit, declines taking part with her sister in this
work, and says,—
“I, therefore, asking those under the earth to consider
me, that I am compelled to do thus, will obey those
who are placed in office; for to do extreme things is not
wise.”
Henry David Thoreau
103
ANTIGONE
“I would not ask you, nor would you, if you still wished,
do it joyfully with me. Be such as seems good to you. But
I will bury him. It is glorious for me doing this to die. I
beloved will lie with him beloved, having, like a criminal,
done what is holy; since the time is longer which it is necessary
for me to please those below, than those here, for
there I shall always lie. But if it seems good to you, hold in
dishonor things which are honored by the gods.”
ISMENE
“I indeed do not hold them in dishonor; but to act in
opposition to the citizens I am by nature unable.”
Antigone being at length brought before King Creon, he
asks,—
“Did you then dare to transgress these laws?”
ANTIGONE