φέρει κόνιν. A difficulty presents itself. The essence of the symbolical rite was the sprinkling of dust. She had done that (245). Was it not, then, done once for all? In Horace (C. 1. 28. 35) the passer-by is free when the dust has been thrown; he can go his way. I have never seen this question put or answered. The only answer which I can suggest is that, at her first visit, she had not brought the “χοαί”. (Cp. on 245 ff.) Perhaps the rite was considered complete only if the “χοαί” were poured while the dust still covered the corpse.
This text is part of:
Sophocles: The Plays and Fragments, with critical notes, commentary, and translation in English prose. Part III: The Antigone. Sir Richard C. Jebb. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press. 1900.
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