But as for them that have done this deed
for hire, of a truth they shall not escape, for I say to thee, fellow,
if ye bring not here before my eyes the man that did this thing, I will
hang you up alive. So shall ye learn that ill gains bring no profit to a
man."

So the guard departed, but as he went he said to himself:

"Now may the gods grant that the man be found; but however this may be,
thou shalt not see me come again on such errand as this, for even now
have I escaped beyond all hope."

Notwithstanding, after a space he came back with one of his fellows; and
they brought with them the maiden Antigone, with her hands bound
together.

And it chanced that at the same time King Creon came forth from the
palace. Then the guard set forth the thing to him, saying:

"We cleared away the dust from the dead body, and sat watching it. And
when it was now noon, and the sun was at his height, there came a
whirlwind over the plain, driving a great cloud of dust. And when this
had passed, we looked, and lo! this maiden whom we have brought hither
stood by the dead corpse. And when she saw that it lay bare as before,
she sent up an exceeding bitter cry, even as a bird whose young ones
have been taken from the nest. Then she cursed them that had done this
deed, and brought dust and sprinkled it upon the dead man, and poured
water upon him three times. Then we ran and laid hold upon her and
accused her that she had done this deed; and she denied it not. But as
for me, 'tis well to have escaped from death, but it is ill to bring
friends into the same. Yet I hold that there is nothing dearer to a man
than his life."

Then said the king to Antigone:

"Tell me in a word, didst thou know my decree?"

"I knew it. Was it not plainly declared?"

"How daredst thou to transgress the laws?"

"Zeus made not such laws, nor Justice that dwelleth with the gods below.
I judged not that thy decrees had such authority that a man should
transgress for them the unwritten sure commandments of the gods. For
these, indeed, are not of today or yesterday, but they live forever, and
their beginning no man knoweth. Should I, for fear of thee, be found
guilty against them? That I should die I knew. Why not? All men must
die. And if I die before my time, what loss? He who liveth among many
sorrows even as I have lived, counteth it gain to die. But had I left my
own mother's son unburied, this had been loss indeed."

Then said the king:

"Such