Antigone

Sophocles

Sophocles the plays and fragments, Part 3: The Antigone. Jebb, Richard Claverhouse, Sir, translator. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1891.

  1. And you recommend this? You think that I should yield?
Chorus
  1. Yes, my king, and with all possible speed. For harms sent from the gods swiftly cut short the follies of men.
Creon
  1. Ah, it is a struggle, but I depart from my heart’s resolve and obey. We must not wage vain wars with necessity.
Chorus
  1. Go, do these things and do not leave their performance to others.
Creon
  1. Right away I will go. Go, go, my servants, each and all of you! Take axes in your hands,
  2. and hurry to that place there in view! But since my judgment has taken this turn, I will be there to set her free, as I myself confined her. I am held by the fear that it is best to keep the established laws to life’s very end.
Chorus
  1. God of many names, glory of the Cadmeian bride and offspring of loud-thundering Zeus, you who watch over far-famed Italy and reign