Sophocles, Oedipus Tyrannus, ed. Lewis Campbell, 572

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ὁθούνεκʼ, εἰ μὴ σοὶ ξυνῆλθε, τὰς ἐμὰς

Oedipus Tyrannus. Sophocles. ed. Lewis Campbell. Oxford. 1879.

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)) — 513-648 focus

Κρέων

ἄνδρες πολῖται, δείνʼ ἔπη πεπυσμένος

κατηγορεῖν μου τὸν τύραννον Οἰδίπουν,

πάρειμʼ ἀτλητῶν. εἰ γὰρ ἐν ταῖς ξυμφοραῖς
515

ταῖς νῦν νομίζει πρός γʼ ἐμοῦ πεπονθέναι

λόγοισιν εἴτʼ ἔργοισιν εἰς βλάβην φέρον,

οὔτοι βίου μοι τοῦ μακραίωνος πόθος,

φέροντι τήνδε βάξιν. οὐ γὰρ εἰς ἁπλοῦν

ἡ ζημία μοι τοῦ λόγου τούτου φέρει,
520

ἀλλʼ ἐς μέγιστον, εἰ κακὸς μὲν ἐν πόλει,

κακὸς δὲ πρὸς σοῦ καὶ φίλων κεκλήσομαι.

Χορός

ἀλλʼ ἦλθε μὲν δὴ τοῦτο τοὔνειδος τάχʼ ἂν

ὀργῇ βιασθὲν μᾶλλον ἢ γνώμῃ φρενῶν.

Κρέων

τοὔπος δʼ ἐφάνθη, ταῖς ἐμαῖς γνώμαις ὅτι
525

πεισθεὶς ὁ μάντις τοὺς λόγους ψευδεῖς λέγοι;

Χορός

ηὐδᾶτο μὲν τάδʼ, οἶδα δʼ οὐ γνώμῃ τίνι.

Κρέων

ἐξ ὀμμάτων δʼ ὀρθῶν τε κἀξ ὀρθῆς φρενὸς

κατηγορεῖτο τοὐπίκλημα τοῦτό μου;

Χορός

οὐκ οἶδʼ· ἃ γὰρ δρῶσʼ, οἱ κρατοῦντες οὐχ ὁρῶ.
530

αὐτὸς δʼ ὅδʼ ἤδη δωμάτων ἔξω περᾷ.

Οἰδίπους

οὗτος σύ, πῶς δεῦρʼ ἦλθες; ἦ τοσόνδʼ ἔχεις

τόλμης πρόσωπον ὥστε τὰς ἐμὰς στέγας

ἵκου, φονεὺς ὢν τοῦδε τἀνδρὸς ἐμφανῶς

λῃστής τʼ ἐναργὴς τῆς ἐμῆς τυραννίδος;
535

φέρʼ εἰπὲ πρὸς θεῶν, δειλίαν ἢ μωρίαν

ἰδών τινʼ ἔν μοι ταῦτʼ ἐβουλεύσω ποεῖν;

ἢ τοὔργον ὡς οὐ γνωριοῖμί σου τόδε

δόλῳ προσέρπον ἢ οὐκ ἀλεξοίμην μαθών;

ἆρʼ οὐχὶ μῶρόν ἐστι τοὐγχείρημά σου,
540

ἄνευ τε πλήθους καὶ φίλων τυραννίδα

θηρᾶν, ὃ πλήθει χρήμασίν θʼ ἁλίσκεται;

543

Κρέων

οἶσθʼ ὡς πόησον; ἀντὶ τῶν εἰρημένων

ἴσʼ ἀντάκουσον, κᾆτα κρῖνʼ αὐτὸς μαθών.

Οἰδίπους

λέγειν σὺ δεινός, μανθάνειν δʼ ἐγὼ κακὸς
545

σοῦ· δυσμενῆ γὰρ καὶ βαρύν σʼ ηὕρηκʼ ἐμοί.

Κρέων

τοῦτʼ αὐτὸ νῦν μου πρῶτʼ ἄκουσον ὡς ἐρῶ.

Οἰδίπους

τοῦτʼ αὐτὸ μή μοι φράζʼ, ὅπως οὐκ εἶ κακός.

Κρέων

εἴ τοι νομίζεις κτῆμα τὴν αὐθαδίαν

εἶναί τι τοῦ νοῦ χωρίς, οὐκ ὀρθῶς φρονεῖς.
550

Οἰδίπους

εἴ τοι νομίζεις ἄνδρα συγγενῆ κακῶς

δρῶν οὐχ ὑφέξειν τὴν δίκην, οὐκ εὖ φρονεῖς.

Κρέων

ξύμφημί σοι ταῦτʼ ἔνδικʼ εἰρῆσθαι· τὸ δὲ

πάθημʼ ὁποῖον φὴς παθεῖν, δίδασκέ με.

Οἰδίπους

ἔπειθες ἢ οὐκ ἔπειθες, ὡς χρείη μʼ ἐπὶ
555

τὸν σεμνόμαντιν ἄνδρα πέμψασθαί τινα;

Κρέων

καὶ νῦν ἔθʼ αὑτός εἰμι τῷ βουλεύματι.

Οἰδίπους

πόσον τινʼ ἤδη δῆθʼ ὁ Λάϊος χρόνον

Κρέων

δέδρακε ποῖον ἔργον; οὐ γὰρ ἐννοῶ.

Οἰδίπους

ἄφαντος ἔρρει θανασίμῳ χειρώματι;
560

Κρέων

μακροὶ παλαιοί τʼ ἂν μετρηθεῖεν χρόνοι.

Οἰδίπους

τότʼ οὖν ὁ μάντις οὗτος ἦν ἐν τῇ τέχνῃ;

Κρέων

σοφός γʼ ὁμοίως κἀξ ἴσου τιμώμενος.

Οἰδίπους

ἐμνήσατʼ οὖν ἐμοῦ τι τῷ τότʼ ἐν χρόνῳ;

Κρέων

οὔκουν ἐμοῦ γʼ ἑστῶτος οὐδαμοῦ πέλας.
565

Οἰδίπους

ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἔρευναν τοῦ κτανόντος ἔσχετε;

Κρέων

παρέσχομεν, πῶς δʼ οὐχί; κοὐκ ἠκούσαμεν.

Οἰδίπους

πῶς οὖν τόθʼ οὗτος ὁ σοφὸς οὐκ ηὔδα τάδε;

Κρέων

οὐκ οἶδʼ· ἐφʼ οἷς γὰρ μὴ φρονῶ σιγᾶν φιλῶ.

Οἰδίπους

τοσόνδε γʼ οἶσθα καὶ λέγοις ἂν εὖ φρονῶν.
570

Κρέων

ποῖον τόδʼ; εἰ γὰρ οἶδά γʼ, οὐκ ἀρνήσομαι.

Οἰδίπους

ὁθούνεκʼ, εἰ μὴ σοὶ ξυνῆλθε, τάσδʼ ἐμὰς

οὐκ ἄν ποτʼ εἶπε Λαΐου διαφθοράς.

Κρέων

εἰ μὲν λέγει τάδʼ, αὐτὸς οἶσθʼ· ἐγὼ δὲ σοῦ

μαθεῖν δικαιῶ ταὔθʼ ἅπερ κἀμοῦ σὺ νῦν.
575

Οἰδίπους

ἐκμάνθανʼ· οὐ γὰρ δὴ φονεὺς ἁλώσομαι.

Κρέων

τί δῆτʼ; ἀδελφὴν τὴν ἐμὴν γήμας ἔχεις;

Οἰδίπους

ἄρνησις οὐκ ἔνεστιν ὧν ἀνιστορεῖς.

Κρέων

ἄρχεις δʼ ἐκείνῃ ταὐτὰ γῆς ἴσον νέμων;

Οἰδίπους

ἃν ᾖ θέλουσα πάντʼ ἐμοῦ κομίζεται.
580

Κρέων

οὔκουν ἰσοῦμαι σφῷν ἐγὼ δυοῖν τρίτος;

Οἰδίπους

ἐνταῦθα γὰρ δὴ καὶ κακὸς φαίνει φίλος.

583

Κρέων

οὔκ, εἰ διδοίης γʼ ὡς ἐγὼ σαυτῷ λόγον.

σκέψαι δὲ τοῦτο πρῶτον, εἴ τινʼ ἂν δοκεῖς

ἄρχειν ἑλέσθαι ξὺν φόβοισι μᾶλλον ἢ
585

ἄτρεστον εὕδοντʼ, εἰ τά γʼ αὔθʼ ἕξει κράτη.

ἐγὼ μὲν οὖν οὔτʼ αὐτὸς ἱμείρων ἔφυν

τύραννος εἶναι μᾶλλον ἢ τύραννα δρᾶν,

οὔτʼ ἄλλος ὅστις σωφρονεῖν ἐπίσταται.

νῦν μὲν γὰρ ἐκ σοῦ πάντʼ ἄνευ φόβου φέρω,
590

εἰ δʼ αὐτὸς ἦρχον, πολλὰ κἂν ἄκων ἔδρων.

πῶς δῆτʼ ἐμοὶ τυραννὶς ἡδίων ἔχειν

ἀρχῆς ἀλύπου καὶ δυναστείας ἔφυ;

οὔπω τοσοῦτον ἠπατημένος κυρῶ

ὥστʼ ἄλλα χρῄζειν ἢ τὰ σὺν κέρδει καλά.
595

νῦν πᾶσι χαίρω, νῦν με πᾶς ἀσπάζεται,

νῦν οἱ σέθεν χρῄζοντες ἐκκαλοῦσί με·

τὸ γὰρ τυχεῖν αὐτοῖσι πᾶν ἐνταῦθʼ ἔνι.

πῶς δῆτʼ ἐγὼ κεῖνʼ ἂν λάβοιμʼ ἀφεὶς τάδε;

οὐκ ἂν γένοιτο νοῦς κακὸς καλῶς φρονῶν.
600

ἀλλʼ οὔτʼ ἐραστὴς τῆσδε τῆς γνώμης ἔφυν

οὔτʼ ἂν μετʼ ἄλλου δρῶντος ἂν τλαίην ποτέ.

καὶ τῶνδʼ ἔλεγχον τοῦτο μὲν Πυθώδʼ ἰὼν

πεύθου τὰ χρησθέντʼ εἰ σαφῶς ἤγγειλά σοι·

τοῦτʼ ἄλλʼ, ἐάν με τῷ τερασκόπῳ λάβῃς
605

κοινῇ τι βουλεύσαντα, μή μʼ ἁπλῇ κτάνῃς

ψήφῳ, διπλῇ δέ, τῇ τʼ ἐμῇ καὶ σῇ, λαβών·

γνώμῃ δʼ ἀδήλῳ μή με χωρὶς αἰτιῶ.

οὐ γὰρ δίκαιον οὔτε τοὺς κακοὺς μάτην

χρηστοὺς νομίζειν οὔτε τοὺς χρηστοὺς κακούς.
610

φίλον γὰρ ἐσθλὸν ἐκβαλεῖν ἴσον λέγω

καὶ τὸν παρʼ αὑτῷ βίοτον, ὃν πλεῖστον, φιλεῖ.

ἀλλʼ ἐν χρόνῳ γνώσει τάδʼ ἀσφαλῶς, ἐπεὶ

χρόνος δίκαιον ἄνδρα δείκνυσιν μόνος·

κακὸν δὲ κἂν ἐν ἡμέρᾳ γνοίης μιᾷ.
615

616

Χορός

καλῶς ἔλεξεν εὐλαβουμένῳ πεσεῖν,

ἄναξ· φρονεῖν γὰρ οἱ ταχεῖς οὐκ ἀσφαλεῖς.

Οἰδίπους

ὅταν ταχύς τις οὑπιβουλεύων λάθρᾳ

χωρῇ, ταχὺν δεῖ κἀμὲ βουλεύειν πάλιν·

εἰ δʼ ἡσυχάζων προσμενῶ, τὰ τοῦδε μὲν
620

πεπραγμένʼ ἔσται, τἀμὰ δʼ ἡμαρτημένα.

Κρέων

τί δῆτα χρῄζεις; ἦ με γῆς ἔξω βαλεῖν;

Οἰδίπους

ἥκιστα· θνῄσκειν, οὐ φυγεῖν σε βούλομαι.

ὡς ἂν προδείξῃς οἷόν ἐστι τὸ φθονεῖν.

Κρέων

ὡς οὐχ ὑπείξων οὐδὲ πιστεύσων λέγεις;
625

Οἰδίπους

Κρέων

οὐ γὰρ φρονοῦντά σʼ εὖ βλέπω.

Οἰδίπους

τὸ γοῦν ἐμόν.

Κρέων

ἀλλʼ ἐξ ἴσου δεῖ κἀμόν.

Οἰδίπους

ἀλλʼ ἔφυς κακός.

Κρέων

εἰ δὲ ξυνίης μηδέν;

Οἰδίπους

ἀρκτέον γʼ ὅμως.

Κρέων

οὔτοι κακῶς γʼ ἄρχοντος.

Οἰδίπους

ὦ πόλις πόλις.

Κρέων

κἀμοὶ πόλεως μέτεστιν, οὐχί σοι μόνῳ.
630

Χορός

παύσασθʼ, ἄνακτες· καιρίαν δʼ ὑμῖν ὁρῶ

τήνδʼ ἐκ δόμων στείχουσαν Ἰοκάστην, μεθʼ ἧς

τὸ νῦν παρεστὸς νεῖκος εὖ θέσθαι χρεών.

634

Ἰοκάστη

τί τὴν ἄβουλον, ὦ ταλαίπωροι, στάσιν

γλώσσης ἐπήρασθʼ οὐδʼ ἐπαισχύνεσθε γῆς
635

οὕτω νοσούσης ἴδια κινοῦντες κακά;

οὐκ εἶ σύ τʼ οἴκους σύ τε, Κρέων, κατὰ στέγας,

καὶ μὴ τὸ μηδὲν ἄλγος εἰς μέγʼ οἴσετε;

Κρέων

ὅμαιμε, δεινά μʼ Οἰδίπους ὁ σὸς πόσις

δρᾶσαι δικαιοῖ δυοῖν ἀποκρίνας κακοῖν
640

ἢ γῆς ἀπῶσαι πατρίδος ἢ κτεῖναι λαβών.

Οἰδίπους

ξύμφημι· δρῶντα γάρ νιν, ὦ γύναι, κακῶς

εἴληφα τοὐμὸν σῶμα σὺν τέχνῃ κακῇ.

Κρέων

μή νυν ὀναίμην, ἀλλʼ ἀραῖος, εἴ σέ τι

δέδρακʼ, ὀλοίμην, ὧν ἐπαιτιᾷ με δρᾶν.
645

Ἰοκάστη

ὦ πρὸς θεῶν πίστευσον, Οἰδίπους, τάδε,

μάλιστα μὲν τόνδʼ ὅρκον αἰδεσθεὶς θεῶν,

ἔπειτα κἀμὲ τούσδε θʼ οἳ πάρεισί σοι.

Translations (2)

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 583 focus

Nicht, wenn du ruhig prüftest, so wie ich gethan.

Erwäge dies vor Allem: glaubst du, daß ein Mann

Mit Sorgen lieber herrschen wird, als ohne Harm

In Frieden schlummern, wenn die gleiche Macht ihm ward?

Auch ich empfinde keine größ're Lust in mir,
580

Der Herr zu heißen, als dem Herrn es gleich zu thun,

Wie jeder Andre, welcher klug zu sein gelernt.

Denn jezt erlang' ich Alles ohne Furcht von dir;

Als Herrscher müßt' ich Manches unfreiwillig thun.¹

Wie sollte mir nun süßer sein der Königsthron,
585

Als kummerfreies Walten, als harmlose Macht?

Noch hat mich Thorheit nicht berückt, mir Anderes

Zu wünschen, als das Schöne mit dem Nüzlichen.

Nun grüßt mich Ieder, nun bewillkommt Alles mich;

Nun muß mir Ieder schmeicheln, wer nach dir verlangt;²
590

Denn ihr Gelingen ruht allein in meiner Hand.

Wie hascht' ich doch nach Jenem und verschmähte Dies?³

Wohl nicht zu Schlechtem wendet sich ein edler Sinn.

Nein, solchen Plan zu hegen kam mir nimmer ein,

Noch böt' ich Andern meinen Arm zu solcher That.
595

Und dies zu prüfen, frage selbst in Pytho nach,

Ob ich dir wahrhaft kundgethan des Gottes Wort:

Dann, wenn du findest, daß ich mit dem Zauberer

Geheimen Rath pflog; nicht verdammt durch Einen Spruch,

Durch zweie gib mir dann den Tod, von mir und dir.
600

Doch klage nicht nach dunklem Wahne bloß mich an:

Unbillig ist es, ohne Grund den schlechten Mann

Für redlich achten und für schlecht den redlichen.

Und wer den edlen Freund verstößt, der, mein' ich, stößt

Von sich das eigne Leben, das sein Höchstes ist.
605

Doch mit der Zeit erkennst du dieses sicher, weil

Die Zeit allein den tadellosen Mann bewährt;

Den Lasterhaften kennst du wohl in Einem Tag.

Der Chor.

English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 513-646 focus

Creon

Fellow citizens, having learned that Oedipus the king lays dire charges against me, I have come in indignation.

If he thinks that in the present troubles he has suffered from me, by word or by deed, anything harmful, truly I do not desire my full term of years, when I must bear such blame as this. The wrong of this rumor
515

touches me not in one point alone, but has the largest scope, if I am to be called a traitor in the city, a traitor by you and by my friends.
520

Chorus

But perhaps this taunt came under the stress of anger, rather than from the purpose of his heart.

Creon

Was the opinion given that my counsels had brought the seer to utter his falsehoods?
525

Chorus

Such things were said—I do not know with what meaning.

Creon

And was this charge laid against me with steady eyes and steady mind?

Chorus

I do not know. I see not what my masters do. But here comes our lord from the house.
530

Oedipus enters.

Oedipus

You, how did you get here? Are you so boldfaced that you have come to my house, you who are manifestly the murderer of its master,

the palpable thief of its crown? Come, tell me, in the name of the gods, was it cowardice or folly which you saw in me and which led you to plot this thing? Did you think that I would not notice this deed of yours creeping upon me by stealth, or that if I became aware of it I would not ward it off?
535

Is your attempt not foolish, to seek the throne without followers or friends—a prize which followers and wealth must win?
540

543

Creon

Mark me now: hear a fair reply in answer to your words, and then judge for yourself on the basis of knowledge.

Oedipus

You are apt in speech, but I have a poor wit for lessons, since I have found you a malignant foe.
545

Creon

Now hear first how I will explain this very thing.

Oedipus

One thing—that you are not false—do not bother to explain to me.

Creon

If you think that stubbornness

without sense is a virtue, you are not wise.
550

Oedipus

If you think you can wrong a kinsman and escape the penalty, you are not sane.

Creon

Justly said, I grant you: but tell me what the wrong is that you say you are suffering at my hands.

Oedipus

Did you, or did you not, advise me to send for that reverend seer?
555

Creon

Even now I am of the same mind.

Oedipus

How long is it, then, since Laius . . .

Creon

Did what? I do not understand.

Oedipus

was swept out of sight by deadly violence?
560

Creon

The count of years would run far into the past.

Oedipus

Did this seer possess this skill in those days?

Creon

He was wise as now, and held in equal honor.

Oedipus

Did he make mention of me at that time?

Creon

Never, certainly, when I was within hearing.
565

Oedipus

Did you never investigate the murder?

Creon

Due search we made, of course, though we learned nothing.

Oedipus

And how was it that this sage did not tell this story then.

Creon

I do not know: where I lack insight it is my custom to be silent.

Oedipus

This much, at least, you know, and could declare with insight enough.
570

Creon

What is that? If I know it, I will not deny it.

Oedipus

That, if he had not conferred with you, he would not have named me as Laius’ slayer.

Creon

If he says this, you know best: but I deem it just

to learn from you as much as you have from me now.
575

Oedipus

Learn your fill. I will never be found guilty of the bloodshed.

Creon

Say, then—have you married my sister?

Oedipus

The question allows no denial.

Creon

And you rule the land as she does, with equal sway.

Oedipus

She obtains from me all that she wishes.
580

Creon

And do I not rank as a third peer of you two?

Oedipus

It is just in this that you are seen to be a false friend.

583

Creon

Not so, if you would reason with your heart as I do with mine. Weigh this first—whether you think that anyone would

choose to rule amid terrors rather than in unruffled peace, granted that he is to have the same powers. Now I, for one, have by nature no yearning to rule as a king rather than to do kingly deeds, and neither does any man I know who has a sound mind.
585

For now I attain all everything from you without fear, but, if I were ruler myself, I would have to do much that went against my own pleasure.
How, then, could royalty be sweeter to me to have than painless rule and influence? I am not yet so misguided
590

that I desire other honors than those which bring profit. Now, every man has a greeting for me; now, all that have a request of you crave to speak with me, since in me lies all their hope of success. Why then should I give up these things and take those others?
595

No mind will become false while it is wise. No, I am no lover of such a policy, and if another put it into action, I could never bear to go along with him. And, in proof of this, first go to Pytho , and ask whether I brought a true report of the oracle.
600

Then next, if you have found that I have planned anything in concert with the soothsayer, take and slay me, by the sentence not of one mouth, but of two—by my own no less than yours. But do not assume my guilt on unproven inference. It is not just to judge bad men good at random,
605

or good men bad. I think that casting off a true friend is for a man like casting away the life in his own bosom, which he most loves. You will surely learn about these affairs in time, since time alone reveals a just man.
610

But you can discern a bad man even in one day alone.
615

616

Chorus

He has spoken well, my king, for one who is taking care not to fall: those who are quick in counsel are not sure.

Oedipus

When the stealthy plotter is moving on me quickly, I, too, must be quick in my counterplot.

If I await him in repose, his ends will have been gained, and mine lost.
620

Creon

What do you want then? To banish me from the land?

Oedipus

Hardly. I desire your death, not your exile, so that I might show what a thing envy is.

Creon

Are you resolved not to yield or believe?
625

Oedipus

No, for you persuade me that you are unworthy of trust.

Creon

No, for I see you are not sane.

Oedipus

Sane, at least, in my own interest.

Creon

But you should be so in mine also.

Oedipus

You are false.

Creon

But if you understand nothing?

Oedipus

Still I must rule.

Creon

Not if you rule badly.

Oedipus

Hear him, city of Thebes !

Creon

The city is mine too, not yours alone.
630

Chorus

Cease, lords. In good time I see Iocasta coming from the house, with whose help you should resolve your present feud.

634 Iocasta enters.

Iocasta

Misguided men, why have you raised

such a foolish argument? Are you not ashamed, while the land is so sick, to stir up troubles of your own? Come, go into the house—and you, Creon, go to yours—and stop making so much of a petty grief.
635

Creon

Kinswoman, Oedipus, your husband,

wants to do one of two terrible things to me, either to thrust me from the land of my fathers or to arrest and slay me.
640

Oedipus

Yes indeed, for I have caught him, lady, working evil against my person with his wicked craft.

Creon

May I derive no benefit,

but perish accursed, if I have done any of the things of which you charge me.
645

Iocasta

In the name of the gods, believe it, Oedipus, first for the sake of this awful oath to the gods, then for my sake and for the sake of those who stand before you.

Commentary

Commentary (R. C. Jebb) (OCR draft) (Commentary (R. C. Jebb))

mvp-comment-376-1 The simple answer would have been: —“that you prompted him to make his present charge”: but this becomes: —“that, if you had not prompted him, he would never have made it.” ξυνῆλθε ¹

mvp-comment-376-2 τὰς ἐμὰς ² τάσδ’ ἐμὰς ³

mvp-comment-376-3 οὐκ ἂν εἶπε τὰς ἐμὰς Λαΐου διαφθοράς ⁴ διαφθοράς ⁵

Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) focus

572. mvp-comment-339-1 τὰς ἐμάς The article refers to Teiresias' words, 362, φονέα σε φημί, κ.τ.λ. He would not have spoken, as he did, of my being Laius murderer.' Cp Eur. (?) Rhes. 438, σὺ κομπεῖς τὰς ἐμὰς ἀμύστιδας. The poet may also have intended the expression to be ambiguous, and to mean in the ear of the spectator, he would not have told of my murder of Laius. For the plural, ср. О. С. 962, ὅστις φόνους μοι καὶ γάμους καὶ συμφοράς, κ.τ.λ.

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Χορός ἀλλʼ ἦλθε μὲν δὴ τοῦτο τοὔνειδος τάχʼ ἂν ὀργῇ βιασθὲν μᾶλλον ἢ γνώμῃ φρενῶν.

Κρέων τοὔπος δʼ ἐφάνθη, ταῖς ἐμαῖς γνώμαις ὅτι 525 πεισθεὶς ὁ μάντις τοὺς λόγους ψευδεῖς λέγοι;

Χορός ηὐδᾶτο μὲν τάδʼ, οἶδα δʼ οὐ γνώμῃ τίνι.

Κρέων ἐξ ὀμμάτων δʼ ὀρθῶν τε κἀξ ὀρθῆς φρενὸς κατηγορεῖτο τοὐπίκλημα τοῦτό μου;

Χορός οὐκ οἶδʼ· ἃ γὰρ δρῶσʼ, οἱ κρατοῦντες οὐχ ὁρῶ. 530 αὐτὸς δʼ ὅδʼ ἤδη δωμάτων ἔξω περᾷ.

Κρέων οἶσθʼ ὡς πόησον; ἀντὶ τῶν εἰρημένων ἴσʼ ἀντάκουσον, κᾆτα κρῖνʼ αὐτὸς μαθών.

Οἰδίπους λέγειν σὺ δεινός, μανθάνειν δʼ ἐγὼ κακὸς 545 σοῦ· δυσμενῆ γὰρ καὶ βαρύν σʼ ηὕρηκʼ ἐμοί.

Κρέων τοῦτʼ αὐτὸ νῦν μου πρῶτʼ ἄκουσον ὡς ἐρῶ.

Οἰδίπους τοῦτʼ αὐτὸ μή μοι φράζʼ, ὅπως οὐκ εἶ κακός.

Κρέων εἴ τοι νομίζεις κτῆμα τὴν αὐθαδίαν εἶναί τι τοῦ νοῦ χωρίς, οὐκ ὀρθῶς φρονεῖς. 550

Οἰδίπους εἴ τοι νομίζεις ἄνδρα συγγενῆ κακῶς δρῶν οὐχ ὑφέξειν τὴν δίκην, οὐκ εὖ φρονεῖς.

Κρέων ξύμφημί σοι ταῦτʼ ἔνδικʼ εἰρῆσθαι· τὸ δὲ πάθημʼ ὁποῖον φὴς παθεῖν, δίδασκέ με.

Οἰδίπους ἔπειθες ἢ οὐκ ἔπειθες, ὡς χρείη μʼ ἐπὶ 555 τὸν σεμνόμαντιν ἄνδρα πέμψασθαί τινα;

Κρέων καὶ νῦν ἔθʼ αὑτός εἰμι τῷ βουλεύματι.

Οἰδίπους πόσον τινʼ ἤδη δῆθʼ ὁ Λάϊος χρόνον

Κρέων δέδρακε ποῖον ἔργον; οὐ γὰρ ἐννοῶ.

Οἰδίπους ἄφαντος ἔρρει θανασίμῳ χειρώματι; 560

Κρέων μακροὶ παλαιοί τʼ ἂν μετρηθεῖεν χρόνοι.

Οἰδίπους τότʼ οὖν ὁ μάντις οὗτος ἦν ἐν τῇ τέχνῃ;

Κρέων σοφός γʼ ὁμοίως κἀξ ἴσου τιμώμενος.

Οἰδίπους ἐμνήσατʼ οὖν ἐμοῦ τι τῷ τότʼ ἐν χρόνῳ;

Κρέων οὔκουν ἐμοῦ γʼ ἑστῶτος οὐδαμοῦ πέλας. 565

Οἰδίπους ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἔρευναν τοῦ κτανόντος ἔσχετε;

Κρέων παρέσχομεν, πῶς δʼ οὐχί; κοὐκ ἠκούσαμεν.

Οἰδίπους πῶς οὖν τόθʼ οὗτος ὁ σοφὸς οὐκ ηὔδα τάδε;

Κρέων οὐκ οἶδʼ· ἐφʼ οἷς γὰρ μὴ φρονῶ σιγᾶν φιλῶ.

Οἰδίπους τοσόνδε γʼ οἶσθα καὶ λέγοις ἂν εὖ φρονῶν. 570

Κρέων ποῖον τόδʼ; εἰ γὰρ οἶδά γʼ, οὐκ ἀρνήσομαι.

Οἰδίπους ὁθούνεκʼ, εἰ μὴ σοὶ ξυνῆλθε, τάσδʼ ἐμὰς οὐκ ἄν ποτʼ εἶπε Λαΐου διαφθοράς.

Κρέων εἰ μὲν λέγει τάδʼ, αὐτὸς οἶσθʼ· ἐγὼ δὲ σοῦ μαθεῖν δικαιῶ ταὔθʼ ἅπερ κἀμοῦ σὺ νῦν. 575

Οἰδίπους ἐκμάνθανʼ· οὐ γὰρ δὴ φονεὺς ἁλώσομαι.

Κρέων τί δῆτʼ; ἀδελφὴν τὴν ἐμὴν γήμας ἔχεις;

Οἰδίπους ἄρνησις οὐκ ἔνεστιν ὧν ἀνιστορεῖς.

Κρέων ἄρχεις δʼ ἐκείνῃ ταὐτὰ γῆς ἴσον νέμων;

Οἰδίπους ἃν ᾖ θέλουσα πάντʼ ἐμοῦ κομίζεται. 580

Κρέων οὔκουν ἰσοῦμαι σφῷν ἐγὼ δυοῖν τρίτος;

Οἰδίπους ἐνταῦθα γὰρ δὴ καὶ κακὸς φαίνει φίλος.

Χορός καλῶς ἔλεξεν εὐλαβουμένῳ πεσεῖν, ἄναξ· φρονεῖν γὰρ οἱ ταχεῖς οὐκ ἀσφαλεῖς.

Κρέων τί δῆτα χρῄζεις; ἦ με γῆς ἔξω βαλεῖν;

Οἰδίπους ἥκιστα· θνῄσκειν, οὐ φυγεῖν σε βούλομαι. ὡς ἂν προδείξῃς οἷόν ἐστι τὸ φθονεῖν.

Κρέων ὡς οὐχ ὑπείξων οὐδὲ πιστεύσων λέγεις; 625

Οἰδίπους

Κρέων οὐ γὰρ φρονοῦντά σʼ εὖ βλέπω.

Οἰδίπους τὸ γοῦν ἐμόν.

Κρέων ἀλλʼ ἐξ ἴσου δεῖ κἀμόν.

Οἰδίπους ἀλλʼ ἔφυς κακός.

Κρέων εἰ δὲ ξυνίης μηδέν;

Οἰδίπους ἀρκτέον γʼ ὅμως.

Κρέων οὔτοι κακῶς γʼ ἄρχοντος.

Οἰδίπους ὦ πόλις πόλις.

Κρέων κἀμοὶ πόλεως μέτεστιν, οὐχί σοι μόνῳ. 630

Χορός παύσασθʼ, ἄνακτες· καιρίαν δʼ ὑμῖν ὁρῶ τήνδʼ ἐκ δόμων στείχουσαν Ἰοκάστην, μεθʼ ἧς τὸ νῦν παρεστὸς νεῖκος εὖ θέσθαι χρεών.

Κρέων ὅμαιμε, δεινά μʼ Οἰδίπους ὁ σὸς πόσις δρᾶσαι δικαιοῖ δυοῖν ἀποκρίνας κακοῖν 640 ἢ γῆς ἀπῶσαι πατρίδος ἢ κτεῖναι λαβών.

Οἰδίπους ξύμφημι· δρῶντα γάρ νιν, ὦ γύναι, κακῶς εἴληφα τοὐμὸν σῶμα σὺν τέχνῃ κακῇ.

Κρέων μή νυν ὀναίμην, ἀλλʼ ἀραῖος, εἴ σέ τι δέδρακʼ, ὀλοίμην, ὧν ἐπαιτιᾷ με δρᾶν. 645

Ἰοκάστη ὦ πρὸς θεῶν πίστευσον, Οἰδίπους, τάδε, μάλιστα μὲν τόνδʼ ὅρκον αἰδεσθεὶς θεῶν, ἔπειτα κἀμὲ τούσδε θʼ οἳ πάρεισί σοι.

Der Chor.

Chorus But perhaps this taunt came under the stress of anger, rather than from the purpose of his heart.

Creon Was the opinion given that my counsels had brought the seer to utter his falsehoods? 525

Chorus Such things were said—I do not know with what meaning.

Creon And was this charge laid against me with steady eyes and steady mind?

Chorus I do not know. I see not what my masters do. But here comes our lord from the house. 530

Creon Mark me now: hear a fair reply in answer to your words, and then judge for yourself on the basis of knowledge.

Oedipus You are apt in speech, but I have a poor wit for lessons, since I have found you a malignant foe. 545

Creon Now hear first how I will explain this very thing.

Oedipus One thing—that you are not false—do not bother to explain to me.

Creon If you think that stubbornness without sense is a virtue, you are not wise. 550

Oedipus If you think you can wrong a kinsman and escape the penalty, you are not sane.

Creon Justly said, I grant you: but tell me what the wrong is that you say you are suffering at my hands.

Oedipus Did you, or did you not, advise me to send for that reverend seer? 555

Creon Even now I am of the same mind.

Oedipus How long is it, then, since Laius . . .

Creon Did what? I do not understand.

Oedipus was swept out of sight by deadly violence? 560

Creon The count of years would run far into the past.

Oedipus Did this seer possess this skill in those days?

Creon He was wise as now, and held in equal honor.

Χορός

ἀλλʼ ἦλθε μὲν δὴ τοῦτο τοὔνειδος τάχʼ ἂν

ὀργῇ βιασθὲν μᾶλλον ἢ γνώμῃ φρενῶν.

Κρέων

τοὔπος δʼ ἐφάνθη, ταῖς ἐμαῖς γνώμαις ὅτι
525

πεισθεὶς ὁ μάντις τοὺς λόγους ψευδεῖς λέγοι;

Χορός

ηὐδᾶτο μὲν τάδʼ, οἶδα δʼ οὐ γνώμῃ τίνι.

Κρέων

ἐξ ὀμμάτων δʼ ὀρθῶν τε κἀξ ὀρθῆς φρενὸς

κατηγορεῖτο τοὐπίκλημα τοῦτό μου;

Χορός

οὐκ οἶδʼ· ἃ γὰρ δρῶσʼ, οἱ κρατοῦντες οὐχ ὁρῶ.
530

αὐτὸς δʼ ὅδʼ ἤδη δωμάτων ἔξω περᾷ.

Κρέων

οἶσθʼ ὡς πόησον; ἀντὶ τῶν εἰρημένων

ἴσʼ ἀντάκουσον, κᾆτα κρῖνʼ αὐτὸς μαθών.

Οἰδίπους

λέγειν σὺ δεινός, μανθάνειν δʼ ἐγὼ κακὸς
545

σοῦ· δυσμενῆ γὰρ καὶ βαρύν σʼ ηὕρηκʼ ἐμοί.

Κρέων

τοῦτʼ αὐτὸ νῦν μου πρῶτʼ ἄκουσον ὡς ἐρῶ.

Οἰδίπους

τοῦτʼ αὐτὸ μή μοι φράζʼ, ὅπως οὐκ εἶ κακός.

Κρέων

εἴ τοι νομίζεις κτῆμα τὴν αὐθαδίαν

εἶναί τι τοῦ νοῦ χωρίς, οὐκ ὀρθῶς φρονεῖς.
550

Οἰδίπους

εἴ τοι νομίζεις ἄνδρα συγγενῆ κακῶς

δρῶν οὐχ ὑφέξειν τὴν δίκην, οὐκ εὖ φρονεῖς.

Κρέων

ξύμφημί σοι ταῦτʼ ἔνδικʼ εἰρῆσθαι· τὸ δὲ

πάθημʼ ὁποῖον φὴς παθεῖν, δίδασκέ με.

Οἰδίπους

ἔπειθες ἢ οὐκ ἔπειθες, ὡς χρείη μʼ ἐπὶ
555

τὸν σεμνόμαντιν ἄνδρα πέμψασθαί τινα;

Κρέων

καὶ νῦν ἔθʼ αὑτός εἰμι τῷ βουλεύματι.

Οἰδίπους

πόσον τινʼ ἤδη δῆθʼ ὁ Λάϊος χρόνον

Κρέων

δέδρακε ποῖον ἔργον; οὐ γὰρ ἐννοῶ.

Οἰδίπους

ἄφαντος ἔρρει θανασίμῳ χειρώματι;
560

Κρέων

μακροὶ παλαιοί τʼ ἂν μετρηθεῖεν χρόνοι.

Οἰδίπους

τότʼ οὖν ὁ μάντις οὗτος ἦν ἐν τῇ τέχνῃ;

Κρέων

σοφός γʼ ὁμοίως κἀξ ἴσου τιμώμενος.

Οἰδίπους

ἐμνήσατʼ οὖν ἐμοῦ τι τῷ τότʼ ἐν χρόνῳ;

Κρέων

οὔκουν ἐμοῦ γʼ ἑστῶτος οὐδαμοῦ πέλας.
565

Οἰδίπους

ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἔρευναν τοῦ κτανόντος ἔσχετε;

Κρέων

παρέσχομεν, πῶς δʼ οὐχί; κοὐκ ἠκούσαμεν.

Οἰδίπους

πῶς οὖν τόθʼ οὗτος ὁ σοφὸς οὐκ ηὔδα τάδε;

Κρέων

οὐκ οἶδʼ· ἐφʼ οἷς γὰρ μὴ φρονῶ σιγᾶν φιλῶ.

Οἰδίπους

τοσόνδε γʼ οἶσθα καὶ λέγοις ἂν εὖ φρονῶν.
570

Κρέων

ποῖον τόδʼ; εἰ γὰρ οἶδά γʼ, οὐκ ἀρνήσομαι.

Οἰδίπους

ὁθούνεκʼ, εἰ μὴ σοὶ ξυνῆλθε, τάσδʼ ἐμὰς

οὐκ ἄν ποτʼ εἶπε Λαΐου διαφθοράς.

Κρέων

εἰ μὲν λέγει τάδʼ, αὐτὸς οἶσθʼ· ἐγὼ δὲ σοῦ

μαθεῖν δικαιῶ ταὔθʼ ἅπερ κἀμοῦ σὺ νῦν.
575

Οἰδίπους

ἐκμάνθανʼ· οὐ γὰρ δὴ φονεὺς ἁλώσομαι.

Κρέων

τί δῆτʼ; ἀδελφὴν τὴν ἐμὴν γήμας ἔχεις;

Οἰδίπους

ἄρνησις οὐκ ἔνεστιν ὧν ἀνιστορεῖς.

Κρέων

ἄρχεις δʼ ἐκείνῃ ταὐτὰ γῆς ἴσον νέμων;

Οἰδίπους

ἃν ᾖ θέλουσα πάντʼ ἐμοῦ κομίζεται.
580

Κρέων

οὔκουν ἰσοῦμαι σφῷν ἐγὼ δυοῖν τρίτος;

Οἰδίπους

ἐνταῦθα γὰρ δὴ καὶ κακὸς φαίνει φίλος.

Χορός

καλῶς ἔλεξεν εὐλαβουμένῳ πεσεῖν,

ἄναξ· φρονεῖν γὰρ οἱ ταχεῖς οὐκ ἀσφαλεῖς.

Κρέων

τί δῆτα χρῄζεις; ἦ με γῆς ἔξω βαλεῖν;

Οἰδίπους

ἥκιστα· θνῄσκειν, οὐ φυγεῖν σε βούλομαι.

ὡς ἂν προδείξῃς οἷόν ἐστι τὸ φθονεῖν.

Κρέων

ὡς οὐχ ὑπείξων οὐδὲ πιστεύσων λέγεις;
625

Κρέων

οὐ γὰρ φρονοῦντά σʼ εὖ βλέπω.

Οἰδίπους

τὸ γοῦν ἐμόν.

Κρέων

ἀλλʼ ἐξ ἴσου δεῖ κἀμόν.

Οἰδίπους

ἀλλʼ ἔφυς κακός.

Κρέων

εἰ δὲ ξυνίης μηδέν;

Οἰδίπους

ἀρκτέον γʼ ὅμως.

Κρέων

οὔτοι κακῶς γʼ ἄρχοντος.

Οἰδίπους

ὦ πόλις πόλις.

Κρέων

κἀμοὶ πόλεως μέτεστιν, οὐχί σοι μόνῳ.
630

Χορός

παύσασθʼ, ἄνακτες· καιρίαν δʼ ὑμῖν ὁρῶ

τήνδʼ ἐκ δόμων στείχουσαν Ἰοκάστην, μεθʼ ἧς

τὸ νῦν παρεστὸς νεῖκος εὖ θέσθαι χρεών.

Κρέων

ὅμαιμε, δεινά μʼ Οἰδίπους ὁ σὸς πόσις

δρᾶσαι δικαιοῖ δυοῖν ἀποκρίνας κακοῖν
640

ἢ γῆς ἀπῶσαι πατρίδος ἢ κτεῖναι λαβών.

Οἰδίπους

ξύμφημι· δρῶντα γάρ νιν, ὦ γύναι, κακῶς

εἴληφα τοὐμὸν σῶμα σὺν τέχνῃ κακῇ.

Κρέων

μή νυν ὀναίμην, ἀλλʼ ἀραῖος, εἴ σέ τι

δέδρακʼ, ὀλοίμην, ὧν ἐπαιτιᾷ με δρᾶν.
645

Ἰοκάστη

ὦ πρὸς θεῶν πίστευσον, Οἰδίπους, τάδε,

μάλιστα μὲν τόνδʼ ὅρκον αἰδεσθεὶς θεῶν,

ἔπειτα κἀμὲ τούσδε θʼ οἳ πάρεισί σοι.

Chorus

But perhaps this taunt came under the stress of anger, rather than from the purpose of his heart.

Creon

Was the opinion given that my counsels had brought the seer to utter his falsehoods?
525

Chorus

Such things were said—I do not know with what meaning.

Creon

And was this charge laid against me with steady eyes and steady mind?

Chorus

I do not know. I see not what my masters do. But here comes our lord from the house.
530

Creon

Mark me now: hear a fair reply in answer to your words, and then judge for yourself on the basis of knowledge.

Oedipus

You are apt in speech, but I have a poor wit for lessons, since I have found you a malignant foe.
545

Creon

Now hear first how I will explain this very thing.

Oedipus

One thing—that you are not false—do not bother to explain to me.

Creon

If you think that stubbornness

without sense is a virtue, you are not wise.
550

Oedipus

If you think you can wrong a kinsman and escape the penalty, you are not sane.

Creon

Justly said, I grant you: but tell me what the wrong is that you say you are suffering at my hands.

Oedipus

Did you, or did you not, advise me to send for that reverend seer?
555

Creon

Even now I am of the same mind.

Oedipus

How long is it, then, since Laius . . .

Creon

Did what? I do not understand.

Oedipus

was swept out of sight by deadly violence?
560

Creon

The count of years would run far into the past.

Oedipus

Did this seer possess this skill in those days?

Creon

He was wise as now, and held in equal honor.

Oedipus

Did he make mention of me at that time?

Creon

Never, certainly, when I was within hearing.
565

Oedipus

Did you never investigate the murder?

Creon

Due search we made, of course, though we learned nothing.

Oedipus

And how was it that this sage did not tell this story then.