Oedipus at Colonus
Sophocles
Sophocles the plays and fragments, Part 2: The Oedipus at Colonus. Jebb, Richard Claverhouse, Sir, translator. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1889.
- What is it, dearest Antigone? Speak!
- Turn your force back to Argos as quickly as may be, and do not destroy both yourself and your city.
- No, it is not possible. For how could I lead the same force again, when once I had shrunk back?
- But why, my brother, must your anger rise again? What profit will come to you from destroying your native land?
- It is shameful to be in exile, and to be mocked in this way by my brother, when I am eldest-born.
- Do you see to what sure fulfillment the prophecies of this man are leading,
- who declares mutual death for you two?
- Yes, for he wishes it. But I must not yield.
- Ah, wretched me! But who will dare follow you, when he hears what prophecies this man has uttered?
- I will not report ill-tidings; a good leader should tell the better news, and not the worse.
- Is this then your fixed decision, my brother?
- Yes, and do not detain me. This path now will be my destiny, ill-fated and evil, because of my father here and his Furies. But as for you two,
- may Zeus grant you good things, if you bring these things to completion for me when I am dead, since in life you will see me no more.
- Now release me, and farewell; for nevermore will you behold me living.
- Ah, wretched that I am!
- Do not mourn for me.
- And who would not mourn you, brother, when you are hurrying off
- to a death foreseen?
- If it is fated, then I must die.
- No, no, listen to my prayer!