οὐχὶ ξυνῆκας πρόσθεν; ἢ ἐκπειρᾷ *λόγῳ;
360
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)) — 463-511 focus
Χορός
τίς ὅντινʼ ἁ θεσπιέπεια Δελφὶς εἶπε πέτρα
ἄρρητʼ ἀρρήτων τελέσαντα φοινίαισι χερσίν;
465
ὥρα νιν ἀελλάδων
ἵππων σθεναρώτερον
φυγᾷ πόδα νωμᾶν.
ἔνοπλος γὰρ ἐπʼ αὐτὸν ἐπενθρῴσκει
πυρὶ καὶ στεροπαῖς ὁ Διὸς γενέτας,
470
δειναὶ δʼ ἅμʼ ἕπονται
κῆρες ἀναπλάκητοι
τίς ὅντινʼ ἁ θεσπιέπεια Δελφὶς εἶπε πέτρα
ἄρρητʼ ἀρρήτων τελέσαντα φοινίαισι χερσίν;
465
ὥρα νιν ἀελλάδων
ἵππων σθεναρώτερον
φυγᾷ πόδα νωμᾶν.
ἔνοπλος γὰρ ἐπʼ αὐτὸν ἐπενθρῴσκει
πυρὶ καὶ στεροπαῖς ὁ Διὸς γενέτας,
470
δειναὶ δʼ ἅμʼ ἕπονται
κῆρες ἀναπλάκητοι
Χορός
ἔλαμψε γὰρ τοῦ νιφόεντος ἀρτίως φανεῖσα
φάμα Παρνασοῦ τὸν ἄδηλον ἄνδρα πάντʼ ἰχνεύειν.
φοιτᾷ γὰρ ὑπʼ ἀγρίαν
475
ὕλαν ἀνά τʼ ἄντρα καὶ
πέτρας ἰσόταυρος
μέλεος μελέῳ ποδὶ χηρεύων,
τὰ μεσόμφαλα γᾶς ἀπονοσφίζων
480
μαντεῖα· τὰ δʼ ἀεὶ
ζῶντα περιποτᾶται.
ἔλαμψε γὰρ τοῦ νιφόεντος ἀρτίως φανεῖσα
φάμα Παρνασοῦ τὸν ἄδηλον ἄνδρα πάντʼ ἰχνεύειν.
φοιτᾷ γὰρ ὑπʼ ἀγρίαν
475
ὕλαν ἀνά τʼ ἄντρα καὶ
πέτρας ἰσόταυρος
μέλεος μελέῳ ποδὶ χηρεύων,
τὰ μεσόμφαλα γᾶς ἀπονοσφίζων
480
μαντεῖα· τὰ δʼ ἀεὶ
ζῶντα περιποτᾶται.
Χορός
δεινὰ μὲν οὖν, δεινὰ ταράσσει σοφὸς οἰωνοθέτας
οὔτε δοκοῦντʼ οὔτʼ ἀποφάσκονθʼ· ὅ τι λέξω δʼ ἀπορῶ.
485
πέτομαι δʼ ἐλπίσιν οὔτʼ, ἐνθάδʼ ὁρῶν οὔτʼ ὀπίσω.
τί γὰρ ἢ Λαβδακίδαις
ἢ τῷ Πολύβου νεῖκος ἔκειτʼ, οὔτε πάροιθέν ποτʼ ἔγωγʼ
490
ἔμαθον, πρὸς ὅτου δὴ βασανίζων βασάνῳ
ἐπὶ τὰν ἐπίδαμον φάτιν εἶμʼ Οἰδιπόδα Λαβδακίδαις
ἐπίκουρος ἀδήλων θανάτων.
495
δεινὰ μὲν οὖν, δεινὰ ταράσσει σοφὸς οἰωνοθέτας
οὔτε δοκοῦντʼ οὔτʼ ἀποφάσκονθʼ· ὅ τι λέξω δʼ ἀπορῶ.
485
πέτομαι δʼ ἐλπίσιν οὔτʼ, ἐνθάδʼ ὁρῶν οὔτʼ ὀπίσω.
τί γὰρ ἢ Λαβδακίδαις
ἢ τῷ Πολύβου νεῖκος ἔκειτʼ, οὔτε πάροιθέν ποτʼ ἔγωγʼ
490
ἔμαθον, πρὸς ὅτου δὴ βασανίζων βασάνῳ
ἐπὶ τὰν ἐπίδαμον φάτιν εἶμʼ Οἰδιπόδα Λαβδακίδαις
ἐπίκουρος ἀδήλων θανάτων.
495
Χορός
ἀλλʼ ὁ μὲν οὖν Ζεὺς ὅ τʼ Ἀπόλλων ξυνετοὶ καὶ τὰ βροτῶν
εἰδότες· ἀνδρῶν δʼ ὅτι μάντις πλέον ἢ ʼγὼ φέρεται,
500
κρίσις οὔκ ἔστιν ἀλαθής· σοφίᾳ δʼ ἂν σοφίαν
παραμείψειεν ἀνήρ.
ἀλλʼ οὔποτʼ ἔγωγʼ ἄν, πρὶν ἴδοιμʼ ὀρθὸν ἔπος, μεμφομένων ἂν καταφαίην.
505
φανερὰ γὰρ ἐπʼ αὐτῷ, πτερόεσσʼ ἦλθε κόρα
ποτέ, καὶ σοφὸς ὤφθη βασάνῳ θʼ ἁδύπολις τῷ ἀπʼ ἐμᾶς
510
φρενὸς οὔποτʼ ὀφλήσει κακίαν.
ἀλλʼ ὁ μὲν οὖν Ζεὺς ὅ τʼ Ἀπόλλων ξυνετοὶ καὶ τὰ βροτῶν
εἰδότες· ἀνδρῶν δʼ ὅτι μάντις πλέον ἢ ʼγὼ φέρεται,
500
κρίσις οὔκ ἔστιν ἀλαθής· σοφίᾳ δʼ ἂν σοφίαν
παραμείψειεν ἀνήρ.
ἀλλʼ οὔποτʼ ἔγωγʼ ἄν, πρὶν ἴδοιμʼ ὀρθὸν ἔπος, μεμφομένων ἂν καταφαίην.
505
φανερὰ γὰρ ἐπʼ αὐτῷ, πτερόεσσʼ ἦλθε κόρα
ποτέ, καὶ σοφὸς ὤφθη βασάνῳ θʼ ἁδύπολις τῷ ἀπʼ ἐμᾶς
510
φρενὸς οὔποτʼ ὀφλήσει κακίαν.
Translations (4)
English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 360 focus
OED
Gave you this man the child of whom he asks you?
Gave you this man the child of whom he asks you?
German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 354 focus
So kühn, so schamlos schüttest du dies Wort heraus,
355
Und wähnst vielleicht, du werdest meiner Nach' entflieh'n?
So kühn, so schamlos schüttest du dies Wort heraus,
355
Und wähnst vielleicht, du werdest meiner Nach' entflieh'n?
Teiresias.
Ich bin entfloh'n. Die Kraft der Wahrheit pfleg' ich ja.
Ich bin entfloh'n. Die Kraft der Wahrheit pfleg' ich ja.
Oedipus.
Von wem belehrt denn? Schwerlich doch von deiner Kunst!
Von wem belehrt denn? Schwerlich doch von deiner Kunst!
Teiresias.
Von dir: ich sag's ungerne, doch du zwangest mich.
Von dir: ich sag's ungerne, doch du zwangest mich.
Oedipus.
Welch Wort? Noch Einmal sage mir's und deutlicher.
360
Welch Wort? Noch Einmal sage mir's und deutlicher.
360
Teiresias.
Verstand'st du's nicht schon? Prüfst du mich, suchst mich zu fah'n?
Verstand'st du's nicht schon? Prüfst du mich, suchst mich zu fah'n?
Oedipus.
Nicht, daß ich's klar erkannte; wiederhol' es denn.
1
Nicht, daß ich's klar erkannte; wiederhol' es denn.
1
Teiresias.
Du bist des Mannes Mörder, den du suchen gingſt.
Du bist des Mannes Mörder, den du suchen gingſt.
Oedipus.
Dir nicht zur Freude lästerst du zum zweitenmal!
Dir nicht zur Freude lästerst du zum zweitenmal!
Teiresias.
So soll ich Andres sagen, daß du mehr ergrimmst?
365
So viel dich lüstet; ungehört verhallt dein Wort.
Unwissend, sag' ich, pflegst du mit den Theuersten
Ruchlosen Umgang, siehest nicht, wie tief du sankst.
So soll ich Andres sagen, daß du mehr ergrimmst?
365
So viel dich lüstet; ungehört verhallt dein Wort.
Unwissend, sag' ich, pflegst du mit den Theuersten
Ruchlosen Umgang, siehest nicht, wie tief du sankst.
Oedipus.
Und so zu reden denkst du stets mit frohem Muth?
Und so zu reden denkst du stets mit frohem Muth?
Teiresias.
Sa, wenn der Wahrheit irgend Kraft beschieden ist.
370
Sa, wenn der Wahrheit irgend Kraft beschieden ist.
370
Oedipus.
Sie ward ihr, aber nicht in dir; dir blieb sie fremd,
Der blind an Ohren und an Geist und Augen ist.
Sie ward ihr, aber nicht in dir; dir blieb sie fremd,
Der blind an Ohren und an Geist und Augen ist.
Teiresias.
Bejammernswerther, daß du schmähen magst an mir,
Womit in Kurzem Jeder hier dich schmähen wird!
Bejammernswerther, daß du schmähen magst an mir,
Womit in Kurzem Jeder hier dich schmähen wird!
Oedipus.
Dich bindet ewigdunkle Nacht, daß weder mir
375
Du schaden kannst noch Andern, die zum Lichte schau'n.
Dich bindet ewigdunkle Nacht, daß weder mir
375
Du schaden kannst noch Andern, die zum Lichte schau'n.
Teiresias.
Von mir zu fallen ist ja nicht dein Loos; genügt
Doch Phöbos' Macht hier, dem die Sorg' obliegt dafür.
Von mir zu fallen ist ja nicht dein Loos; genügt
Doch Phöbos' Macht hier, dem die Sorg' obliegt dafür.
Oedipus.
Hat Kreon oder hast du selbst dies ausgedacht?
Hat Kreon oder hast du selbst dies ausgedacht?
Teiresias.
Nicht Kreon schafft dir Leides, nein, du schaffst dir's selbst.
380
Nicht Kreon schafft dir Leides, nein, du schaffst dir's selbst.
380
Oedipus.
English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 360 focus
Oedipus
To him how can I speak ? from him what grace
With justice can I hope? for he before
Found me injurious, and in all things vile.
I come not to insult thee, Edipus,
Nor to reproach thee for thy former wrongs.
But you, respecting mortals if you feel
No touch of shame, revere th' all-feeding flame
Of yon imperial sun; nor thus expose
Unveil'd such dire pollution, which nor earth,
Nor sacred water, nor heav'n's light receives.
But quickly bear him hence, beneath this roof
Conceal'd; for piety demands that those
By blood allied alone should see, should hear
The ills of those from the same blood derived.
To him how can I speak ? from him what grace
With justice can I hope? for he before
Found me injurious, and in all things vile.
I come not to insult thee, Edipus,
Nor to reproach thee for thy former wrongs.
But you, respecting mortals if you feel
No touch of shame, revere th' all-feeding flame
Of yon imperial sun; nor thus expose
Unveil'd such dire pollution, which nor earth,
Nor sacred water, nor heav'n's light receives.
But quickly bear him hence, beneath this roof
Conceal'd; for piety demands that those
By blood allied alone should see, should hear
The ills of those from the same blood derived.
English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 463-510 focus
Chorus
Who is he of whom the divine voice from the Delphian rock has said
to have wrought with blood-red hands horrors that no tongue can tell? It is time that he ply in flight a foot stronger than the feet of storm-swift steeds.
465
The son of Zeus is springing upon him with fiery lightning, and with him come the dread unerring Fates.
470
Who is he of whom the divine voice from the Delphian rock has said
to have wrought with blood-red hands horrors that no tongue can tell? It is time that he ply in flight a foot stronger than the feet of storm-swift steeds.
465
The son of Zeus is springing upon him with fiery lightning, and with him come the dread unerring Fates.
470
Chorus
Recently the message has flashed forth from snowy
Parnassus
ordering all to search for the unknown man. He wanders under cover of the wild wood, among caves and rocks, fierce as a bull, wretched and forlorn on his joyless path, still seeking to separate himself from the doom revealed at the central shrine of the earth.
475
But that doom lives forever, forever flits around him.
480
Recently the message has flashed forth from snowy
Parnassus
ordering all to search for the unknown man. He wanders under cover of the wild wood, among caves and rocks, fierce as a bull, wretched and forlorn on his joyless path, still seeking to separate himself from the doom revealed at the central shrine of the earth.
475
But that doom lives forever, forever flits around him.
480
Chorus
The wise augur moves me, neither approving nor denying, with dread, with dread indeed.
I am at a loss what to say. I am flustered in my expectations, seeing neither the present nor the future clearly. Never in past days or in these have I heard how the house of Labdacus or the son of Polybus had any quarrel with one another that
485
I could bring as proof in assailing the public reputation of Oedipus, seeking to avenge the line of Labdacus
490
for the undiscovered murder.
495
The wise augur moves me, neither approving nor denying, with dread, with dread indeed.
I am at a loss what to say. I am flustered in my expectations, seeing neither the present nor the future clearly. Never in past days or in these have I heard how the house of Labdacus or the son of Polybus had any quarrel with one another that
485
I could bring as proof in assailing the public reputation of Oedipus, seeking to avenge the line of Labdacus
490
for the undiscovered murder.
495
Chorus
Zeus and Apollo indeed are keen of thought and know the affairs of the earth.
But there is no sure test of whether a mortal seer attains more knowledge than I do, though man may surpass man in wisdom. But until I see the word made good, I will never assent when men blame Oedipus. Before all eyes the winged maiden came against him once upon a time, and he was seen to be wise,
500
and bore the test in welcome service to the state. Never, therefore, will he be adjudged guilty of evil.
510
Zeus and Apollo indeed are keen of thought and know the affairs of the earth.
But there is no sure test of whether a mortal seer attains more knowledge than I do, though man may surpass man in wisdom. But until I see the word made good, I will never assent when men blame Oedipus. Before all eyes the winged maiden came against him once upon a time, and he was seen to be wise,
500
and bore the test in welcome service to the state. Never, therefore, will he be adjudged guilty of evil.
510
Commentary
Commentary (R. C. Jebb) (OCR draft) (Commentary (R. C. Jebb))
Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) focus
356-361. mvp-comment-218-1 'I have escaped, for I keep in my bosom the might of truth.'-'By whom instructed? You never learnt this from your art.'-'By you; you prompted my unwilling tongue.'-'To utter έ λέγειν cett.
356-361. mvp-comment-218-2 προὐτρέψω C2A. προύγρ. ἦν ξυνῆκας ΑΕ. ἢ πειρᾷ Γ. (359-360 in mg. Vat. a.) what? Repeat, that I may better understand.'- Was my speech so dark, or are you tempting me in talk?' (or, reading λέγειν, ' to speak further').- I cannot say it was intelligible, speak it again.'
360. mvp-comment-219-1 λόγῳ is nearer to the first hand of L. than λέγειν, which has, however, considerable authority. For οὐχ ὥστε γ' εἰπεῖν, cp. 1128, (τὸν ἄνδρα .. οἶσθά που μαθών; οὐχ ὥστε γ' εἰπεῖν ἐν τάχει μνήμης ὕπο). The reply refers, as often elsewhere (supr. 100), to the former of the two alternative questions, i. e. I did not understand in such a sense as to say that I know. The words of Teiresias (350-353) were not obscure, but their meaning was too strange to be received at once, and Oedipus in his anger affects to treat them as a riddling utterance of the seer. The apparent platitude indicates the difficulty that Oedipus has in receiving the new idea. Cp. infr. 439, Τr. 184, τίν' εἶπας, ὦ γεραιέ, τόνδε μοι λόγον; Aesch. Agam. 268, πῶς φής; πέφευγε τούπος ἐξ ἀπιστίας. Oι οὐχ ὥστε, κ.τ.λ., may be otherwise explained, I am not likely to provoke you to an intelligible utterance. For the form γνωστόν, see on O. C. 1360.