δεῖται κολαστοῦ μᾶλλον ἢ τὰ τοῦδ᾽ ἔπη.
Oedipus Tyrannus. Sophocles. ed. Lewis Campbell. Oxford. 1879.
Table of Contents
Search the Perseus Catalog for:
Search the Perseus Catalog for:
Current edition Experimental
Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Greek) (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879))
Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.
Editions (1)
Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 1110-1185 focus
Οἰδίπους
εἰ χρή τι κἀμὲ μὴ συναλλάξαντά πω,
1110
πρέσβεις, σταθμᾶσθαι, τὸν βοτῆρʼ ὁρᾶν δοκῶ,
ὅνπερ πάλαι ζητοῦμεν· ἔν τε γὰρ μακρῷ
γήρᾳ ξυνᾴδει τῷδε τἀνδρὶ σύμμετρος,
ἄλλως τε τοὺς ἄγοντας ὥσπερ οἰκέτας
ἔγνωκʼ ἐμαυτοῦ· τῇ δʼ ἐπιστήμῃ σύ μου
1115
προύχοις τάχʼ ἄν που, τὸν βοτῆρʼ ἰδὼν πάρος.
εἰ χρή τι κἀμὲ μὴ συναλλάξαντά πω,
1110
πρέσβεις, σταθμᾶσθαι, τὸν βοτῆρʼ ὁρᾶν δοκῶ,
ὅνπερ πάλαι ζητοῦμεν· ἔν τε γὰρ μακρῷ
γήρᾳ ξυνᾴδει τῷδε τἀνδρὶ σύμμετρος,
ἄλλως τε τοὺς ἄγοντας ὥσπερ οἰκέτας
ἔγνωκʼ ἐμαυτοῦ· τῇ δʼ ἐπιστήμῃ σύ μου
1115
προύχοις τάχʼ ἄν που, τὸν βοτῆρʼ ἰδὼν πάρος.
Χορός
ἔγνωκα γάρ, σάφʼ ἴσθι· Λαΐου γὰρ ἦν
εἴπερ τις ἄλλος πιστὸς ὡς νομεὺς ἀνήρ.
ἔγνωκα γάρ, σάφʼ ἴσθι· Λαΐου γὰρ ἦν
εἴπερ τις ἄλλος πιστὸς ὡς νομεὺς ἀνήρ.
Οἰδίπους
σὲ πρῶτʼ ἐρωτῶ, τὸν Κορίνθιον ξένον, ἦ τόνδε φράζεις;
σὲ πρῶτʼ ἐρωτῶ, τὸν Κορίνθιον ξένον, ἦ τόνδε φράζεις;
Ἄγγελος
τοῦτον, ὅνπερ εἰσορᾷς.
1120
τοῦτον, ὅνπερ εἰσορᾷς.
1120
Οἰδίπους
οὗτος σύ, πρέσβυ, δεῦρό μοι φώνει βλέπων
ὅσʼ ἄν σʼ ἐρωτῶ. Λαΐου ποτʼ ἦσθα σύ;
οὗτος σύ, πρέσβυ, δεῦρό μοι φώνει βλέπων
ὅσʼ ἄν σʼ ἐρωτῶ. Λαΐου ποτʼ ἦσθα σύ;
Θεράπων
ἦ δοῦλος οὐκ ὠνητός, ἀλλʼ οἴκοι τραφείς.
ἦ δοῦλος οὐκ ὠνητός, ἀλλʼ οἴκοι τραφείς.
Οἰδίπους
ἔργον μεριμνῶν ποῖον ἢ βίον τινά;
ἔργον μεριμνῶν ποῖον ἢ βίον τινά;
Θεράπων
ποίμναις τὰ πλεῖστα τοῦ βίου συνειπόμην.
1125
ποίμναις τὰ πλεῖστα τοῦ βίου συνειπόμην.
1125
Οἰδίπους
χώροις μάλιστα πρὸς τίσι ξύναυλος ὤν;
χώροις μάλιστα πρὸς τίσι ξύναυλος ὤν;
Θεράπων
ἦν μὲν Κιθαιρών, ἦν δὲ πρόσχωρος τόπος.
ἦν μὲν Κιθαιρών, ἦν δὲ πρόσχωρος τόπος.
Οἰδίπους
τὸν ἄνδρα τόνδʼ οὖν οἶσθα τῇδέ που μαθών;
τὸν ἄνδρα τόνδʼ οὖν οἶσθα τῇδέ που μαθών;
Θεράπων
τί χρῆμα δρῶντα; ποῖον ἄνδρα καὶ λέγεις;
τί χρῆμα δρῶντα; ποῖον ἄνδρα καὶ λέγεις;
Οἰδίπους
τόνδʼ ὃς πάρεστιν· ἢ ξυναλλάξας τί πω;
1130
τόνδʼ ὃς πάρεστιν· ἢ ξυναλλάξας τί πω;
1130
Θεράπων
οὐχ ὥστε γʼ εἰπεῖν ἐν τάχει μνήμης ἄπο.
οὐχ ὥστε γʼ εἰπεῖν ἐν τάχει μνήμης ἄπο.
Ἄγγελος
κοὐδέν γε θαῦμα, δέσποτʼ· ἀλλʼ ἐγὼ σαφῶς
ἀγνῶτʼ ἀναμνήσω νιν. εὖ γὰρ οἶδʼ ὅτι
κάτοιδεν, ἦμος τῷ Κιθαιρῶνος τόπῳ,
ὁ μὲν διπλοῖσι ποιμνίοις, ἐγὼ δʼ ἑνί,
1135
ἐπλησίαζον τῷδε τἀνδρὶ τρεῖς ὅλους
ἐξ ἦρος εἰς ἀρκτοῦρον ἑκμήνους χρόνους·
χειμῶνα δʼ ἤδη τἀμά τʼ εἰς ἔπαυλʼ ἐγὼ
ἤλαυνον οὗτός τʼ εἰς τὰ Λαΐου σταθμά.
λέγω τι τούτων ἢ οὐ λέγω πεπραγμένον;
1140
1141
κοὐδέν γε θαῦμα, δέσποτʼ· ἀλλʼ ἐγὼ σαφῶς
ἀγνῶτʼ ἀναμνήσω νιν. εὖ γὰρ οἶδʼ ὅτι
κάτοιδεν, ἦμος τῷ Κιθαιρῶνος τόπῳ,
ὁ μὲν διπλοῖσι ποιμνίοις, ἐγὼ δʼ ἑνί,
1135
ἐπλησίαζον τῷδε τἀνδρὶ τρεῖς ὅλους
ἐξ ἦρος εἰς ἀρκτοῦρον ἑκμήνους χρόνους·
χειμῶνα δʼ ἤδη τἀμά τʼ εἰς ἔπαυλʼ ἐγὼ
ἤλαυνον οὗτός τʼ εἰς τὰ Λαΐου σταθμά.
λέγω τι τούτων ἢ οὐ λέγω πεπραγμένον;
1140
Θεράπων
λέγεις ἀληθῆ, καίπερ ἐκ μακροῦ χρόνου.
λέγεις ἀληθῆ, καίπερ ἐκ μακροῦ χρόνου.
Ἄγγελος
φέρʼ εἰπὲ νῦν, τότʼ οἶσθα παῖδά μοί τινα
δούς, ὡς ἐμαυτῷ θρέμμα θρεψαίμην ἐγώ;
φέρʼ εἰπὲ νῦν, τότʼ οἶσθα παῖδά μοί τινα
δούς, ὡς ἐμαυτῷ θρέμμα θρεψαίμην ἐγώ;
Θεράπων
τί δʼ ἔστι; πρὸς τί τοῦτο τοὔπος ἱστορεῖς;
τί δʼ ἔστι; πρὸς τί τοῦτο τοὔπος ἱστορεῖς;
Ἄγγελος
ὅδʼ ἐστίν, ὦ τᾶν, κεῖνος ὃς τότʼ ἦν νέος.
1145
ὅδʼ ἐστίν, ὦ τᾶν, κεῖνος ὃς τότʼ ἦν νέος.
1145
Θεράπων
οὐκ εἰς ὄλεθρον; οὐ σιωπήσας ἔσει;
οὐκ εἰς ὄλεθρον; οὐ σιωπήσας ἔσει;
Οἰδίπους
ἆ, μὴ κόλαζε, πρέσβυ, τόνδʼ, ἐπεὶ τὰ σὰ
δεῖται κολαστοῦ μᾶλλον ἢ τὰ τοῦδʼ ἔπη.
ἆ, μὴ κόλαζε, πρέσβυ, τόνδʼ, ἐπεὶ τὰ σὰ
δεῖται κολαστοῦ μᾶλλον ἢ τὰ τοῦδʼ ἔπη.
Θεράπων
τί δʼ, ὦ φέριστε δεσποτῶν, ἁμαρτάνω;
τί δʼ, ὦ φέριστε δεσποτῶν, ἁμαρτάνω;
Οἰδίπους
οὐκ ἐννέπων τὸν παῖδʼ ὃν οὗτος ἱστορεῖ.
1150
οὐκ ἐννέπων τὸν παῖδʼ ὃν οὗτος ἱστορεῖ.
1150
Θεράπων
λέγει γὰρ εἰδὼς οὐδέν, ἀλλʼ ἄλλως πονεῖ.
λέγει γὰρ εἰδὼς οὐδέν, ἀλλʼ ἄλλως πονεῖ.
Οἰδίπους
σὺ πρὸς χάριν μὲν οὐκ ἐρεῖς, κλαίων δʼ ἐρεῖς.
σὺ πρὸς χάριν μὲν οὐκ ἐρεῖς, κλαίων δʼ ἐρεῖς.
Θεράπων
μὴ δῆτα, πρὸς θεῶν, τὸν γέροντά μʼ αἰκίσῃ.
μὴ δῆτα, πρὸς θεῶν, τὸν γέροντά μʼ αἰκίσῃ.
Οἰδίπους
οὐχ ὡς τάχος τις τοῦδʼ ἀποστρέψει χέρας;
οὐχ ὡς τάχος τις τοῦδʼ ἀποστρέψει χέρας;
Θεράπων
δύστηνος, ἀντὶ τοῦ; τί προσχρῄζων μαθεῖν;
1155
δύστηνος, ἀντὶ τοῦ; τί προσχρῄζων μαθεῖν;
1155
Οἰδίπους
τὸν παῖδʼ ἔδωκας τῷδʼ ὃν οὗτος ἱστορεῖ;
τὸν παῖδʼ ἔδωκας τῷδʼ ὃν οὗτος ἱστορεῖ;
Θεράπων
ἔδωκʼ· ὀλέσθαι δʼ ὤφελον τῇδʼ ἡμέρᾳ.
ἔδωκʼ· ὀλέσθαι δʼ ὤφελον τῇδʼ ἡμέρᾳ.
Οἰδίπους
ἀλλʼ εἰς τόδʼ ἥξεις μὴ λέγων γε τοὔνδικον.
ἀλλʼ εἰς τόδʼ ἥξεις μὴ λέγων γε τοὔνδικον.
Θεράπων
πολλῷ γε μᾶλλον, ἢν φράσω, διόλλυμαι.
πολλῷ γε μᾶλλον, ἢν φράσω, διόλλυμαι.
Οἰδίπους
ἁνὴρ ὅδʼ, ὡς ἔοικεν, ἐς τριβὰς ἐλᾷ.
1160
ἁνὴρ ὅδʼ, ὡς ἔοικεν, ἐς τριβὰς ἐλᾷ.
1160
Θεράπων
οὐ δῆτʼ ἔγωγʼ, ἀλλʼ εἶπον, ὡς δοίην, πάλαι.
οὐ δῆτʼ ἔγωγʼ, ἀλλʼ εἶπον, ὡς δοίην, πάλαι.
Οἰδίπους
πόθεν λαβών; οἰκεῖον ἢ ʼξ ἄλλου τινός;
πόθεν λαβών; οἰκεῖον ἢ ʼξ ἄλλου τινός;
Θεράπων
ἐμὸν μὲν οὐκ ἔγωγʼ, ἐδεξάμην δέ του.
ἐμὸν μὲν οὐκ ἔγωγʼ, ἐδεξάμην δέ του.
Οἰδίπους
τίνος πολιτῶν τῶνδε κἀκ ποίας στέγης;
τίνος πολιτῶν τῶνδε κἀκ ποίας στέγης;
Θεράπων
μὴ πρὸς θεῶν, μή, δέσποθʼ, ἱστόρει πλέον.
1165
μὴ πρὸς θεῶν, μή, δέσποθʼ, ἱστόρει πλέον.
1165
Οἰδίπους
ὄλωλας, εἴ σε ταῦτʼ ἐρήσομαι πάλιν.
ὄλωλας, εἴ σε ταῦτʼ ἐρήσομαι πάλιν.
Θεράπων
τῶν Λαΐου τοίνυν τις ἦν γεννημάτων.
τῶν Λαΐου τοίνυν τις ἦν γεννημάτων.
Οἰδίπους
ἦ δοῦλος ἢ κείνου τις ἐγγενὴς γεγώς;
ἦ δοῦλος ἢ κείνου τις ἐγγενὴς γεγώς;
Θεράπων
οἴμοι, πρὸς αὐτῷ γʼ εἰμὶ τῷ δεινῷ λέγειν.
οἴμοι, πρὸς αὐτῷ γʼ εἰμὶ τῷ δεινῷ λέγειν.
Οἰδίπους
κἄγωγʼ ἀκούειν· ἀλλʼ ὅμως ἀκουστέον.
1170
1171
κἄγωγʼ ἀκούειν· ἀλλʼ ὅμως ἀκουστέον.
1170
Θεράπων
κείνου γέ τοι δὴ παῖς ἐκλῄζεθʼ· ἡ δʼ ἔσω
κάλλιστʼ ἂν εἴποι σὴ γυνὴ τάδʼ ὡς ἔχει.
κείνου γέ τοι δὴ παῖς ἐκλῄζεθʼ· ἡ δʼ ἔσω
κάλλιστʼ ἂν εἴποι σὴ γυνὴ τάδʼ ὡς ἔχει.
Οἰδίπους
ἦ γὰρ δίδωσιν ἥδε σοι;
ἦ γὰρ δίδωσιν ἥδε σοι;
Θεράπων
μάλιστʼ, ἄναξ.
μάλιστʼ, ἄναξ.
Οἰδίπους
ὡς πρὸς τί χρείας;
ὡς πρὸς τί χρείας;
Θεράπων
ὡς ἀναλώσαιμί νιν.
ὡς ἀναλώσαιμί νιν.
Οἰδίπους
τεκοῦσα τλήμων;
1175
τεκοῦσα τλήμων;
1175
Θεράπων
θεσφάτων γʼ ὄκνῳ κακῶν.
θεσφάτων γʼ ὄκνῳ κακῶν.
Οἰδίπους
ποίων;
ποίων;
Θεράπων
κτενεῖν νιν τοὺς τεκόντας ἦν λόγος.
κτενεῖν νιν τοὺς τεκόντας ἦν λόγος.
Οἰδίπους
πῶς δῆτʼ ἀφῆκας τῷ γέροντι τῷδε σύ;
πῶς δῆτʼ ἀφῆκας τῷ γέροντι τῷδε σύ;
Θεράπων
κατοικτίσας, ὦ δέσποθʼ, ὡς ἄλλην χθόνα
δοκῶν ἀποίσειν, αὐτὸς ἔνθεν ἦν· ὁ δὲ
κάκʼ εἰς μέγιστʼ ἔσωσεν. εἰ γὰρ οὗτος εἶ
1180
ὅν φησιν οὗτος, ἴσθι δύσποτμος γεγώς.
κατοικτίσας, ὦ δέσποθʼ, ὡς ἄλλην χθόνα
δοκῶν ἀποίσειν, αὐτὸς ἔνθεν ἦν· ὁ δὲ
κάκʼ εἰς μέγιστʼ ἔσωσεν. εἰ γὰρ οὗτος εἶ
1180
ὅν φησιν οὗτος, ἴσθι δύσποτμος γεγώς.
Οἰδίπους
ἰοὺ ἰού· τὰ πάντʼ ἂν ἐξήκοι σαφῆ.
ὦ φῶς, τελευταῖόν σε προσβλέψαιμι νῦν,
ὅστις πέφασμαι φύς τʼ ἀφʼ ὧν οὐ χρῆν, ξὺν οἷς τʼ
οὐ χρῆν ὁμιλῶν, οὕς τέ μʼ οὐκ ἔδει κτανών.
1185
ἰοὺ ἰού· τὰ πάντʼ ἂν ἐξήκοι σαφῆ.
ὦ φῶς, τελευταῖόν σε προσβλέψαιμι νῦν,
ὅστις πέφασμαι φύς τʼ ἀφʼ ὧν οὐ χρῆν, ξὺν οἷς τʼ
οὐ χρῆν ὁμιλῶν, οὕς τέ μʼ οὐκ ἔδει κτανών.
1185
Translations (2)
German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 1141 focus
Du sagst die Wahrheit; freilich ist es lange her.
1110
Du sagst die Wahrheit; freilich ist es lange her.
1110
Der Bote.
Nun sage, weißt du, wie du dort ein kleines Kind
Mir gabst, es aufzuziehen als mein eigenes?
Nun sage, weißt du, wie du dort ein kleines Kind
Mir gabst, es aufzuziehen als mein eigenes?
Der Hirte.
Was ist es? Weßhalb fragst du mich um dieses aus?
Was ist es? Weßhalb fragst du mich um dieses aus?
Der Bote.
Der ist es, Freund, er war das neugeborne Kind.
Der ist es, Freund, er war das neugeborne Kind.
Der Hirte.
Du bist des Todes! Schweigst du nicht zur Stelle jezt?
1115
Du bist des Todes! Schweigst du nicht zur Stelle jezt?
1115
Oedipus.
Ha, diesen, Alter, strafe nicht; denn mehr gebührt
Die Strafe deinen Worten, als den seinigen.
Ha, diesen, Alter, strafe nicht; denn mehr gebührt
Die Strafe deinen Worten, als den seinigen.
Der Hirte.
Doch was, o bester aller Herrn, verbrach ich denn?
Doch was, o bester aller Herrn, verbrach ich denn?
Oedipus.
Das Kind, nach welchem dieser fragt, verläugnest du?
Das Kind, nach welchem dieser fragt, verläugnest du?
Der Hirte.
Ganz ohne Kenntniß spricht er, müht umsonst sich ab.
1120
Ganz ohne Kenntniß spricht er, müht umsonst sich ab.
1120
Oedipus.
Du sagst es nicht in Güte; weinend sagst du's denn!
Du sagst es nicht in Güte; weinend sagst du's denn!
Der Hirte.
Mißhandle, bei den Göttern, nicht mich alten Mann!
(zu den Dienern)
Mißhandle, bei den Göttern, nicht mich alten Mann!
Oedipus.
Auf, bindet ihm die Hände gleich am Rücken fest!
1
Auf, bindet ihm die Hände gleich am Rücken fest!
1
Der Hirte.
Wofür? Ich Armer! Was zu wissen wünschest du?
Wofür? Ich Armer! Was zu wissen wünschest du?
Oedipus.
Das Kind, nach welchem dieser fragt, du gabst es ihm?
1125
Das Kind, nach welchem dieser fragt, du gabst es ihm?
1125
Der Hirte.
Ich gab's. O raffte jenes Tags der Tod mich hin!
Ich gab's. O raffte jenes Tags der Tod mich hin!
Oedipus.
Der wird dir heute, wenn du nicht das Wahre sagst.
Der wird dir heute, wenn du nicht das Wahre sagst.
Der Hirte.
Viel eher, wenn ich's sagen muß, trifft mich der Tod.
Viel eher, wenn ich's sagen muß, trifft mich der Tod.
Oedipus.
Ausflüchte (wohl erkenn' ich's) sucht der Alte nur.
Ausflüchte (wohl erkenn' ich's) sucht der Alte nur.
Der Hirte.
Ich nicht; ich sagte lange schon: ich gab es ihm.
1130
Ich nicht; ich sagte lange schon: ich gab es ihm.
1130
Oedipus.
Woher bekamst du's? War es dein, war's Andrer Kind?
Woher bekamst du's? War es dein, war's Andrer Kind?
Der Hirte.
Nicht meines war es; ich empfing's von fremder Hand.
Nicht meines war es; ich empfing's von fremder Hand.
Oedipus.
Von welchem unsrer Bürger und aus welchem Haus?
Von welchem unsrer Bürger und aus welchem Haus?
Der Hirte.
Bei allen Göttern, weiter forsche nicht, o Herr!
Bei allen Göttern, weiter forsche nicht, o Herr!
Oedipus.
Du bist des Todes, frag' ich das zum andernmal!
1135
König. Dedipus.
Du bist des Todes, frag' ich das zum andernmal!
1135
Der Hirte.
Nun denn, in Laïos' Hause war das Kind erzeugt.
Nun denn, in Laïos' Hause war das Kind erzeugt.
Oedipus.
Von einem Sklaven? Oder war's verwandt mit ihm?
Von einem Sklaven? Oder war's verwandt mit ihm?
Der Hirte.
Weh, weh mir! Sagen soll ich's nun, das Schreckliche!
Weh, weh mir! Sagen soll ich's nun, das Schreckliche!
Oedipus.
Und ich es hören: aber hören muß ich's doch.
Und ich es hören: aber hören muß ich's doch.
Der Hirte.
English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 1110-1185 focus
Oedipus
Elders, if it is right for me, who have never met the man, to guess, I think I see the herdsman we have been looking for for a long time. In his venerable old age he tallies with this stranger’s years, and moreover I recognize those who bring him, I think, as servants of mine.
1110
But perhaps you have an advantage in knowledge over me, if you have seen the herdsman before.
1115
Elders, if it is right for me, who have never met the man, to guess, I think I see the herdsman we have been looking for for a long time. In his venerable old age he tallies with this stranger’s years, and moreover I recognize those who bring him, I think, as servants of mine.
1110
But perhaps you have an advantage in knowledge over me, if you have seen the herdsman before.
1115
Chorus
Yes, I know him, be sure. He was in the service of Laius—trusty as any shepherd.
The herdsman is brought in.
Yes, I know him, be sure. He was in the service of Laius—trusty as any shepherd.
Oedipus
I ask you first, Corinthian stranger, if this is the man you mean.
I ask you first, Corinthian stranger, if this is the man you mean.
Messenger
He is, the one you are looking at.
1120
He is, the one you are looking at.
1120
Oedipus
You, old man—look this way and answer all that I ask—were you once in the service of Laius?
You, old man—look this way and answer all that I ask—were you once in the service of Laius?
Servant
I was—not a bought slave, but reared in his house.
I was—not a bought slave, but reared in his house.
Oedipus
Employed in what labor, or what way of life?
Employed in what labor, or what way of life?
Servant
For the better part of my life I tended the flocks.
1125
For the better part of my life I tended the flocks.
1125
Oedipus
And what regions did you most frequently haunt?
And what regions did you most frequently haunt?
Servant
Sometimes Cithaeron, sometimes the neighboring ground.
Sometimes Cithaeron, sometimes the neighboring ground.
Oedipus
Are you aware of ever having seen this man in these parts?
Are you aware of ever having seen this man in these parts?
Servant
Doing what? What man do you mean?
Doing what? What man do you mean?
Oedipus
This man here. Have you ever met him before?
1130
This man here. Have you ever met him before?
1130
Servant
Not so that I could speak at once from memory.
Not so that I could speak at once from memory.
Messenger
And no wonder, master. But I will bring clear recollection to his ignorance. I am sure he knows well of the time we dwelled in the region of Cithaeron
for six month periods, from spring to Arcturus, he with two flocks, and I, his comrade, with one. And then for the winter I used to drive my flock to my own fold, and he took his to the fold of Laius.
1135
Did any of this happen as I tell it, or did it not?
1140
1141
And no wonder, master. But I will bring clear recollection to his ignorance. I am sure he knows well of the time we dwelled in the region of Cithaeron
for six month periods, from spring to Arcturus, he with two flocks, and I, his comrade, with one. And then for the winter I used to drive my flock to my own fold, and he took his to the fold of Laius.
1135
Did any of this happen as I tell it, or did it not?
1140
Servant
You speak the truth, though it was long ago.
You speak the truth, though it was long ago.
Messenger
Come, tell me now: do you remember having given me a boy in those days, to be reared as my own foster-son?
Come, tell me now: do you remember having given me a boy in those days, to be reared as my own foster-son?
Servant
What now? Why do you ask the question?
What now? Why do you ask the question?
Messenger
This man, my friend, is he who then was young.
1145
This man, my friend, is he who then was young.
1145
Servant
Damn you! Be silent once and for all!
Damn you! Be silent once and for all!
Oedipus
Do not rebuke him, old man. Your words need rebuking more than his.
Do not rebuke him, old man. Your words need rebuking more than his.
Servant
And in what way, most noble master, do I offend?
And in what way, most noble master, do I offend?
Oedipus
In not telling of the boy about whom he asks.
1150
In not telling of the boy about whom he asks.
1150
Servant
He speaks without knowledge, but is busy to no purpose.
He speaks without knowledge, but is busy to no purpose.
Oedipus
You will not speak with good grace, but will in pain.
You will not speak with good grace, but will in pain.
Servant
No, in the name of the gods, do not mistreat an old man.
No, in the name of the gods, do not mistreat an old man.
Oedipus
Someone, quick—tie his hands him this instant!
Someone, quick—tie his hands him this instant!
Servant
Alas, why? What do you want to learn?
1155
Alas, why? What do you want to learn?
1155
Oedipus
Did you give this man the child about whom he asks?
Did you give this man the child about whom he asks?
Servant
I did. Would that I had perished that day!
I did. Would that I had perished that day!
Oedipus
Well, you will come to that, unless you tell the honest truth.
Well, you will come to that, unless you tell the honest truth.
Servant
But if I speak I will be destroyed all the more.
But if I speak I will be destroyed all the more.
Oedipus
This man is bent, I think, on more delays.
1160
This man is bent, I think, on more delays.
1160
Servant
No, no! I said before that I gave it to him.
No, no! I said before that I gave it to him.
Oedipus
Where did you get it from? From your own house, or from another?
Where did you get it from? From your own house, or from another?
Servant
It was not my own: I received it from another.
It was not my own: I received it from another.
Oedipus
From whom of the citizens here? From what home?
From whom of the citizens here? From what home?
Servant
For the love of the gods, master, ask no more!
1165
For the love of the gods, master, ask no more!
1165
Oedipus
You are dead if I have to question you again.
You are dead if I have to question you again.
Servant
It was a child, then, of the house of Laius.
It was a child, then, of the house of Laius.
Oedipus
A slave? Or one of his own clan?
A slave? Or one of his own clan?
Servant
Alas! I am on the brink of speaking the dreaded words.
Alas! I am on the brink of speaking the dreaded words.
Oedipus
And I of hearing: I must hear nevertheless.
1170
1171
And I of hearing: I must hear nevertheless.
1170
Servant
You must know then, that it was said to be his own child. But your lady within could say best how these matters lie.
You must know then, that it was said to be his own child. But your lady within could say best how these matters lie.
Oedipus
How? Did she give it to you?
How? Did she give it to you?
Servant
Yes, my lord.
Yes, my lord.
Oedipus
For what purpose?
For what purpose?
Servant
That I should do away with it.
That I should do away with it.
Oedipus
Her own child, the wretched woman?
1175
Her own child, the wretched woman?
1175
Servant
Yes, from fear of the evil prophecies.
Yes, from fear of the evil prophecies.
Oedipus
What were they?
What were they?
Servant
The tale ran that he would slay his father.
The tale ran that he would slay his father.
Oedipus
Why, then, did you give him to this old man?
Why, then, did you give him to this old man?
Servant
Out of pity, master, thinking that he would carry him to another land, from where he himself came. But he saved him for the direst woe.
For if you are what this man says, be certain that you were born ill-fated.
1180
Out of pity, master, thinking that he would carry him to another land, from where he himself came. But he saved him for the direst woe.
For if you are what this man says, be certain that you were born ill-fated.
1180
Oedipus
Oh, oh! All brought to pass, all true. Light, may I now look on you for the last time—I who have been found to be accursed in birth,
accursed in wedlock, accursed in the shedding of blood.
He rushes into the palace.
1185
Oh, oh! All brought to pass, all true. Light, may I now look on you for the last time—I who have been found to be accursed in birth,
accursed in wedlock, accursed in the shedding of blood.
He rushes into the palace.
1185