Antigone
Greek Drama--Antigone--Paean
PAEAN
Strophe 1
CHORAGOS: God of many names
CHORUS: O Iacchos
son
of Kadmeian Semele
O born of the Thunder!
Guardian of the West
Regent
of Eleusis' plain
O Prince of maenad Thebes
and the Dragon Field by rippling Ismenos: (5)
Antistrophe 1
CHORAGOS: God of many names
CHORUS: the flame of torches
flares on our hills
the nymphs of Iacchos
dance at the spring of Castalia
from the vine-close mountain
come ah come in ivy:
Evohé evohé! sings through the streets of Thebes (10)
Strophe 2
CHORAGOS: God of many names
CHORUS: Iacchos of Thebes
heavenly Child
of Semele bride of the Thunderer!
The shadow of plague is upon us:
come
with clement feet
oh come from Parnasos
down the long slopes
across the lamenting water (15)
Antistrophe 2
CHORAGOS: Io Fire! Chorister of the throbbing stars!
O purest among the voices of the night!
Thou son of God, blaze for us!
CHORUS: Come with choric rapture of circling Maenads
Who cry Io Iacche!
God of many names! (20)
Next: Antigone Exodus (or click here to go back to Reading assignments).
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