Sophocles, Oedipus Tyrannus, Lewis Campbell (Translator), 28

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We thought of that. But Laius being dead,

We found no helper in our miseries.

Oedipus Tyrannus. Sophocles. Lewis Campbell (Translator). London, New York and Toronto. 1906.

Current edition Experimental

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) (English) (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906))

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (2)

Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 28 focus

σκήψας ἐλαύνει, λοιμὸς ἔχθιστος, πόλιν,

Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 1-150 focus

Οἰδίπους

ὦ τέκνα, Κάδμου τοῦ πάλαι νέα τροφή,
1

τίνας ποθʼ ἕδρας τάσδε μοι θοάζετε

ἱκτηρίοις κλάδοισιν ἐξεστεμμένοι;

πόλις δʼ ὁμοῦ μὲν θυμιαμάτων γέμει,

ὁμοῦ δὲ παιάνων τε καὶ στεναγμάτων·
5

ἁγὼ δικαιῶν μὴ παρʼ ἀγγέλων, τέκνα,

ἄλλων ἀκούειν αὐτὸς ὧδʼ ἐλήλυθα,

ὁ πᾶσι κλεινὸς Οἰδίπους καλούμενος.

ἀλλʼ ὦ γεραιέ, φράζʼ, ἐπεὶ πρέπων ἔφυς

πρὸ τῶνδε φωνεῖν, τίνι τρόπῳ καθέστατε,
10

δείσαντες ἢ στέρξαντες; ὡς θέλοντος ἂν

ἐμοῦ προσαρκεῖν πᾶν· δυσάλγητος γὰρ ἂν

εἴην τοιάνδε μὴ οὐ κατοικτίρων ἕδραν.

Ἱερεύς

ἀλλʼ ὦ κρατύνων Οἰδίπους χώρας ἐμῆς,

ὁρᾷς μὲν ἡμᾶς ἡλίκοι προσήμεθα
15

βωμοῖσι τοῖς σοῖς· οἱ μὲν οὐδέπω μακρὰν

πτέσθαι σθένοντες, οἱ δὲ σὺν γήρᾳ βαρεῖς,

ἱερῆς, ἐγὼ μὲν Ζηνός, οἵδε τʼ ᾐθέων

λεκτοί· τὸ δʼ ἄλλο φῦλον ἐξεστεμμένον

ἀγοραῖσι θακεῖ πρός τε Παλλάδος διπλοῖς
20

ναοῖς, ἐπʼ Ἰσμηνοῦ τε μαντείᾳ σποδῷ.

πόλις γάρ, ὥσπερ καὐτὸς εἰσορᾷς, ἄγαν

ἤδη σαλεύει κἀνακουφίσαι κάρα

βυθῶν ἔτʼ οὐχ οἵα τε φοινίου σάλου,

φθίνουσα μὲν κάλυξιν ἐγκάρποις χθονός,
25

φθίνουσα δʼ ἀγέλαις βουνόμοις τόκοισί τε

ἀγόνοις γυναικῶν· ἐν δʼ ὁ πυρφόρος θεὸς

σκήψας ἐλαύνει, λοιμὸς ἔχθιστος, πόλιν,

ὑφʼ οὗ κενοῦται δῶμα Καδμεῖον, μέλας δʼ

Ἅιδης στεναγμοῖς καὶ γόοις πλουτίζεται.
30

θεοῖσι μέν νυν οὐκ ἰσούμενόν σʼ ἐγὼ

οὐδʼ οἵδε παῖδες ἑζόμεσθʼ ἐφέστιοι,

ἀνδρῶν δὲ πρῶτον ἔν τε συμφοραῖς βίου

κρίνοντες ἔν τε δαιμόνων συναλλαγαῖς·

ὅς γʼ ἐξέλυσας ἄστυ Καδμεῖον μολὼν
35

σκληρᾶς ἀοιδοῦ δασμὸν ὃν παρείχομεν,

καὶ ταῦθʼ ὑφʼ ἡμῶν οὐδὲν ἐξειδὼς πλέον

οὐδʼ ἐκδιδαχθείς, ἀλλὰ προσθήκῃ θεοῦ

λέγει νομίζει θʼ ἡμὶν ὀρθῶσαι βίον·

νῦν τʼ, ὦ κράτιστον πᾶσιν Οἰδίπου κάρα,
40

ἱκετεύομέν σε πάντες οἵδε πρόστροποι

ἀλκήν τινʼ εὑρεῖν ἡμίν, εἴτε του θεῶν

φήμην ἀκούσας εἴτʼ ἀπʼ ἀνδρὸς οἶσθά του·

ὡς τοῖσιν ἐμπείροισι καὶ τὰς ξυμφορὰς

ζώσας ὁρῶ μάλιστα τῶν βουλευμάτων.
45

ἴθʼ, ὦ βροτῶν ἄριστʼ, ἀνόρθωσον πόλιν,

ἴθʼ, εὐλαβήθηθʼ· ὡς σὲ νῦν μὲν ἥδε γῆ

σωτῆρα κλῄζει τῆς πάρος προθυμίας·

ἀρχῆς δὲ τῆς σῆς μηδαμῶς μεμνώμεθα

στάντες τʼ ἐς ὀρθὸν καὶ πεσόντες ὕστερον.
50

ἀλλʼ ἀσφαλείᾳ τήνδʼ ἀνόρθωσον πόλιν·

ὄρνιθι γὰρ καὶ τὴν τότʼ αἰσίῳ τύχην

παρέσχες ἡμῖν, καὶ τανῦν ἴσος γενοῦ.

ὡς εἴπερ ἄρξεις τῆσδε γῆς, ὥσπερ κρατεῖς,

ξὺν ἀνδράσιν κάλλιον ἢ κενῆς κρατεῖν·
55

ὡς οὐδέν ἐστιν οὔτε πύργος οὔτε ναῦς

ἔρημος ἀνδρῶν μὴ ξυνοικούντων ἔσω.

Οἰδίπους

ὦ παῖδες οἰκτροί, γνωτὰ κοὐκ ἄγνωτά μοι

προσήλθεθʼ ἱμείροντες· εὖ γὰρ οἶδʼ ὅτι

νοσεῖτε πάντες, καὶ νοσοῦντες, ὡς ἐγὼ
60

οὐκ ἔστιν ὑμῶν ὅστις ἐξ ἴσου νοσεῖ.

τὸ μὲν γὰρ ὑμῶν ἄλγος εἰς ἕνʼ ἔρχεται

μόνον καθʼ αὑτὸν κοὐδένʼ ἄλλον, ἡ δʼ ἐμὴ

ψυχὴ πόλιν τε κἀμὲ καὶ σʼ ὁμοῦ στένει.

ὥστʼ οὐχ ὕπνῳ γʼ εὕδοντά μʼ ἐξεγείρετε,
65

ἀλλʼ ἴστε πολλὰ μέν με δακρύσαντα δή,

πολλὰς δʼ ὁδοὺς ἐλθόντα φροντίδος πλάνοις·

ἣν δʼ εὖ σκοπῶν ηὕρισκον ἴασιν μόνην,

ταύτην ἔπραξα· παῖδα γὰρ Μενοικέως

Κρέοντʼ, ἐμαυτοῦ γαμβρόν, ἐς τὰ Πυθικὰ
70

ἔπεμψα Φοίβου δώμαθʼ, ὡς πύθοιθʼ ὅ τι

δρῶν ἢ τί φωνῶν τήνδε ῥυσαίμην πόλιν.

καί μʼ ἦμαρ ἤδη ξυμμετρούμενον χρόνῳ

λυπεῖ τί πράσσει· τοῦ γὰρ εἰκότος πέρα

ἄπεστι πλείω τοῦ καθήκοντος χρόνου.
75

ὅταν δʼ ἵκηται, τηνικαῦτʼ ἐγὼ κακὸς

μὴ δρῶν ἂν εἴην πάνθʼ ὅσʼ ἂν δηλοῖ θεός.

Ἱερεύς

ἀλλʼ εἰς καλὸν σύ τʼ εἶπας οἵδε τʼ ἀρτίως

Κρέοντα προσστείχοντα σημαίνουσί μοι.

Οἰδίπους

ὦναξ Ἄπολλον, εἰ γὰρ ἐν τύχῃ γέ τῳ
80

σωτῆρι βαίη λαμπρὸς ὥσπερ ὄμματι

Ἱερεύς

ἀλλʼ εἰκάσαι μέν, ἡδύς· οὐ γὰρ ἂν κάρα

πολυστεφὴς ὧδʼ εἷρπε παγκάρπου δάφνης.

Οἰδίπους

τάχʼ εἰσόμεσθα· ξύμμετρος γὰρ ὡς κλύειν.

ἄναξ, ἐμὸν κήδευμα, παῖ Μενοικέως,
85

τίνʼ ἡμὶν ἥκεις τοῦ θεοῦ φήμην φέρων;

Κρέων

ἐσθλήν· λέγω γὰρ καὶ τὰ δύσφορʼ, εἰ τύχοι

κατʼ ὀρθὸν ἐξελθόντα, πάντʼ ἂν εὐτυχεῖν.

Οἰδίπους

ἔστιν δὲ ποῖον τοὔπος; οὔτε γὰρ θρασὺς

οὔτʼ οὖν προδείσας εἰμὶ τῷ γε νῦν λόγῳ.
90

Κρέων

εἰ τῶνδε χρῄζεις πλησιαζόντων κλύειν,

ἕτοιμος εἰπεῖν, εἴτε καὶ στείχειν ἔσω.

Οἰδίπους

ἐς πάντας αὔδα· τῶνδε γὰρ πλέον φέρω

τὸ πένθος ἢ καὶ τῆς ἐμῆς ψυχῆς πέρι.

Κρέων

λέγοιμʼ ἂν οἷʼ ἤκουσα τοῦ θεοῦ πάρα.
95

ἄνωγεν ἡμᾶς Φοῖβος ἐμφανῶς ἄναξ

μίασμα χώρας, ὡς τεθραμμένον χθονὶ

ἐν τῇδʼ, ἐλαύνειν μηδʼ ἀνήκεστον τρέφειν.

Οἰδίπους

ποίῳ καθαρμῷ; τίς ὁ τρόπος τῆς ξυμφορᾶς;

Κρέων

ἀνδρηλατοῦντας ἢ φόνῳ φόνον πάλιν
100

λύοντας, ὡς τόδʼ αἷμα χειμάζον πόλιν.

102

Οἰδίπους

ποίου γὰρ ἀνδρὸς τήνδε μηνύει τύχην;

Κρέων

ἦν ἡμίν, ὦναξ, Λάϊός ποθʼ ἡγεμὼν

γῆς τῆσδε, πρὶν σὲ τήνδʼ ἀπευθύνειν πόλιν.

Οἰδίπους

ἔξοιδʼ ἀκούων· οὐ γὰρ εἰσεῖδόν γέ πω.
105

Κρέων

τούτου θανόντος νῦν ἐπιστέλλει σαφῶς

τοὺς αὐτοέντας χειρὶ τιμωρεῖν τινας.

Οἰδίπους

οἳ δʼ εἰσὶ ποῦ γῆς; ποῦ τόδʼ εὑρεθήσεται

ἴχνος παλαιᾶς δυστέκμαρτον αἰτίας;

Κρέων

ἐν τῇδʼ ἔφασκε γῇ· τὸ δὲ ζητούμενον
110

ἁλωτόν, ἐκφεύγειν δὲ τἀμελούμενον.

Οἰδίπους

πότερα δʼ ἐν οἴκοις ἢ ʼν ἀγροῖς ὁ Λάϊος

ἢ γῆς ἐπʼ ἄλλης τῷδε συμπίπτει φόνῳ;

Κρέων

θεωρός, ὡς ἔφασκεν, ἐκδημῶν, πάλιν

πρὸς οἶκον οὐκέθʼ ἵκεθʼ, ὡς ἀπεστάλη.
115

Οἰδίπους

οὐδʼ ἄγγελός τις οὐδὲ συμπράκτωρ ὁδοῦ

κατεῖδʼ, ὅτου τις ἐκμαθὼν ἐχρήσατʼ ἄν;

Κρέων

θνῄσκουσι γάρ, πλὴν εἷς τις, ὃς φόβῳ, φυγὼν

ὧν εἶδε πλὴν ἓν οὐδὲν εἶχʼ εἰδὼς φράσαι.

Οἰδίπους

τὸ ποῖον; ἓν γὰρ πόλλʼ ἂν ἐξεύροι μαθεῖν,
120

ἀρχὴν βραχεῖαν εἰ λάβοιμεν ἐλπίδος.

Κρέων

λῃστὰς ἔφασκε συντυχόντας οὐ μιᾷ

ῥώμῃ κτανεῖν νιν, ἀλλὰ σὺν πλήθει χερῶν.

Οἰδίπους

πῶς οὖν ὁ λῃστής, εἴ τι μὴ ξὺν ἀργύρῳ

ἐπράσσετʼ ἐνθένδʼ, ἐς τόδʼ ἂν τόλμης ἔβη;
125

Κρέων

δοκοῦντα ταῦτʼ ἦν· Λαΐου δʼ ὀλωλότος

οὐδεὶς ἀρωγὸς ἐν κακοῖς ἐγίγνετο.

Οἰδίπους

κακὸν δὲ ποῖον ἐμποδών, τυραννίδος

οὕτω πεσούσης, εἶργε τοῦτʼ ἐξειδέναι;

Κρέων

ἡ ποικιλῳδὸς Σφὶγξ τὸ πρὸς ποσὶν σκοπεῖν
130

μεθέντας ἡμᾶς τἀφανῆ προσήγετο.

132

Οἰδίπους

ἀλλʼ ἐξ ὑπαρχῆς αὖθις αὔτʼ ἐγὼ φανῶ·

ἐπαξίως γὰρ Φοῖβος, ἀξίως δὲ σὺ

πρὸ τοῦ θανόντος τήνδʼ ἔθεσθʼ ἐπιστροφήν·

ὥστʼ ἐνδίκως ὄψεσθε κἀμὲ σύμμαχον
135

γῇ τῇδε τιμωροῦντα τῷ θεῷ θʼ ἅμα.

ὑπὲρ γὰρ οὐχὶ τῶν ἀπωτέρω φίλων,

ἀλλʼ αὐτὸς αὑτοῦ τοῦτʼ ἀποσκεδῶ μύσος.

ὅστις γὰρ ἦν ἐκεῖνον ὁ κτανών, τάχʼ ἂν

κἄμʼ ἂν τοιαύτῃ χειρὶ τιμωροῦνθʼ ἕλοι.
140

κείνῳ προσαρκῶν οὖν ἐμαυτὸν ὠφελῶ.

ἀλλʼ ὡς τάχιστα, παῖδες, ὑμεῖς μὲν βάθρων

ἵστασθε, τούσδʼ ἄραντες ἱκτῆρας κλάδους,

ἄλλος δὲ Κάδμου λαὸν ὧδʼ ἀθροιζέτω,

ὡς πᾶν ἐμοῦ δράσοντος· ἢ γὰρ εὐτυχεῖς
145

σὺν τῷ θεῷ φανούμεθʼ ἢ πεπτωκότες.

Ἱερεύς

ὦ παῖδες, ἱστώμεσθα· τῶνδε γὰρ χάριν

καὶ δεῦρʼ ἔβημεν ὧν ὅδʼ ἐξαγγέλλεται.

Φοῖβος δʼ ὁ πέμψας τάσδε μαντείας ἅμα

σωτήρ δʼ ἵκοιτο καὶ νόσου παυστήριος.
150

Translations (4)

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 14 focus

Nun denn, Beherrscher meines Landes, Dedipus,

Von jedem Alter siehst du hier gelagert uns
15

An deinen Herden: Kinder, die zu weitem Flug¹

Noch nicht erstarkt sind, Priester, die das Alter beugt, -

Zeus' Diener, mich, - hier auserles'ne Jünglinge;

Wie wir, geschmückt mit Zweigen, sizt das andre Volk

Kings auf den Märkten, um die beiden Tempel dort²
20

Der Pallas und Ismenos' Seherherd zunächst.

Die Stadt, du siehst es selber ja, schwankt ungestüm

Im Wogenaufruhr und vermag nicht mehr das Haupt

Emporzuheben aus dem Meer der Todesflut,

Hinsterbend hier im fruchtbeschwerten Keim der Flur,
25

Hinsterbend dort in Rinderheerden und der Frau'n

Noch ungebor'nen Kindern; hergestürmt mit Glut,

Verwüstet grimmvoll unsre Stadt der Seuche Gott,

Daß Kadmos Haus verödet und das dunkle Land³

Der Schatten reicher an Gestöhn und Klagen wird.
30

Drum lagr' ich samt den Kindern hier um deinen Herd;

Zwar nicht den Göttern achten wir dich gleich, o Herr,

Doch als der Menschen Ersten bei den Schickungen

Der Götter und auf wechselvoller Lebensbahn;

Denn du, gelangt zu Kadmos' Burg, erlöstest uns
35

Vom Zinse, den wir dargebracht der grausen Sphinx,⁴

Und ohne daß dir weitre Kunde ward von uns,

Noch Unterweisung; nein, mit Götterhülse nur,

So sagt und glaubt man, schirmtest du das Leben uns.

Auch jezt, du hochgewaltig Haupt des Dedipus,
40

Fleh'n dir wir alle, lagernd hier zu deinen Knie'n,

Uns Hülfe wo zu finden, ob ein Gottesspruch,

Ob eines Menschen Wissen sie dir offenbart.

Denn wohl erkenn' ich, daß des Vielerfahrenen

Kathschlüsse stets ein segenvolles Ende krönt.
45

Auf, bester aller Menschen, richt' empor die Stadt!

Auf, walte sorgsam! Heute nennt dich Retter noch

Dies Land für Liebe, die du treu vordem bewährt;

Doch deiner Herrschaft dächten wir nie mehr hinfort,

Wenn sie zuerst uns steigen, dann versinken ließ.
50

Auf sichrem Grunde richte denn die Stadt empor!

Dich führten gute Götter, als du früher uns

Das Glück erschusest: zeige nun auch also dich!

Denn willst du Herr sein, wie du's bist, in diesem Reich,

Ist's über Menschen schöner, als im öden Land.
55

Denn wahrlich Nichts ist weder Schiff noch feste Burg,

Beraubt der Männer, die zuvor darin gewohnt.

Oedipus.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 28 focus

Chorus

O king ! thy imprecations unappalled

I hear, and join thee, guiltless of the crime.

Nor knowing who committed it. The god

Alone, who gave the oracle, must clear

Its doubtful sense, and point out the offender.

divine

To speak their hidden purpose?

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 28 focus

Chorus
151

But for myself, this execrable guilt

Be it my care to crush: for the same hand,

That murder'd him, may soon be raised to plunge

With the same rage the falchion in my breast;

159

Therefore avenging him I guard myself.

But rise, my children, from your lowly seats

With speed, and bear these suppliant branches hence.

Hither th' assembled sons of Thebes convene:

169

My pow'r shall be exerted; and once more

Will we, confiding in the favouring god,

Together prosper, or together fall.

Let us arise, my sons: our sovereign grants

179

The grace we came to ask; and may the god,

Who sent this answer from his hallow'd shrine,

Preserve us, and this wasting pest avert!

Thou oracle of Jove, what fate

190

From Pytho's golden shrine

Brings to th' illustrious Theban state

Thy sweet-breathed voice divine ?

My trembling heart what terror rends,

While dread suspense on thee attends,

fian, that murdered Laius, might, if he were permitted to go unpunished,

203

murder him. Βγ τῶν ἀπωτέρω φίλων, " some distant friend," he points to

Laius; the expression is indeed indefinite, but it was neither necessary nor

proper that it should be more distinctly marked; with regard to Laius thus

far Edipus had been very cold and indifferent.

Greef-soothing god of wine and joy;

Wave thy bright torch, and with its flame

276

This god, to gods an odious name,

This lurid Pest destroy !

English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 1-150 focus

Before the palace of Oedipus in Thebes . Suppliants of all ages are seated on the steps of the altars. Oedipus enters, in the robes of a king: for a moment he gazes silently on the groups at the altars, then speaks.

Oedipus

My children, latest-born wards of old Cadmus, why do you sit before me like this with wreathed branches of suppliants, while the city reeks with incense,
1

rings with prayers for health and cries of woe? I thought it unbefitting, my children, to hear these things from the mouths of others, and have come here myself, I, Oedipus renowned by all. Tell me, then, venerable old man—since it is proper that you
5

speak for these—in what mood you sit here, one of fear or of desire? Be sure that I will gladly give you all my help. I would be hard-hearted indeed if I did not pity such suppliants as these.
10

Priest of Zeus

Oedipus, ruler of my land, you see the age of those who sit

on your altars—some, nestlings still too tender for flight, others, bowed with age, priests, like me of Zeus, and some, these here, the chosen youth. The rest of the folk sit
15

with wreathed branches in the market-place, and before the shrines of Pallas, and where Ismenus gives answer by fire. For the city, as you yourself see, is now sorely vexed, and can no longer lift her head from beneath the angry waves of death.
20

A blight has fallen on the fruitful blossoms of the land, the herds among the pastures, the barren pangs of women. And the flaming god, the malign plague, has swooped upon us, and ravages the town: he lays waste to the house of Cadmus, but enriches Hades with
25

groans and tears. It is not because we rank you with the gods that I and these children are suppliants at your hearth, but because we deem you the first among men in life’s common fortunes and in dealings with the divinities:
30

when you came to the city of the Cadmeans, you freed us from the tax that we rendered to the hard songstress, and that when you knew no more than anyone else, nor had you been taught, but rather by the assistance of a god, as the story goes, you uplifted our life.
35

Now, Oedipus, king glorious in our eyes, we, your suppliants, beseech you to find some defence for us, whether you hear it from some divine omen, or learn of it from some mortal. For I see that the outcome of the councils of experienced men
40

most often have effect. On, best of mortals, uplift our state! On, guard your fame, since now this land calls you savior on account of your former zeal. Let us not remember of your reign that
45

we were first restored and then cast down: lift this state so that it falls no more! With good omen you provided us that past happiness: show yourself the same now too, since if you are to rule this land just as you do now, it is better to be lord of men than of a wasteland.
50

Neither walled town nor ship is anything, if it is empty and no men dwell within.
55

Oedipus

My piteous children, I know quite well the desires with which you have come: I know well that

you all are sick, and though you are sick I know well that there is not one of you who is as sick as I. Your pain comes on each of you for himself alone, and for no other, but my soul is in pain at once for the city, for myself, and for you.
60

Thus you are not awakening me from sleep: no, be sure that I have wept many tears, wandered far and wide in my thought. I have made use of the only remedy which I could find after close consideration: I sent my relative
65

Creon, Menoeceus’ son, to Apollo’s Pythian residence to learn what we might do or say to protect this city. And now, when the lapse of days is reckoned, I am troubled about what he is doing, for he has been away an unreasonably long time
70

beyond what is fitting. But when he arrives, I would be no true man if did not perform all that the god reveals.
75

Priest

You have spoken opportunely, since at this time these people here indicate that Creon is drawing near.

Oedipus

Lord Apollo, may he come to us in the brightness of saving fortune, even as his face is bright!
80

Priest

He seems to bring comfort, since otherwise he would not be coming crowned so thickly with berry-laden bay.

Oedipus

We will soon know: he is within hearing-range.

To Creon.

Prince, my kinsman, child of Menoeceus, what news have you brought us from the god?
85

Creon

Good news. I tell you that even troubles hard to bear will end in perfect peace if they find the right issue.

Oedipus

But what is the oracle ? So far, your words

neither encourage nor frighten me.
90

Creon

If you want to hear in the presence of these people, I am ready to speak: otherwise we can go inside.

Oedipus

Speak to all. The sorrow that I bear for these is more than for my own life.

Creon

I will tell you what I heard from the god. Phoebus our lord clearly commands us to drive out the defilement which he said was harbored in this land, and not to nourish it so that it cannot be healed.
95

Oedipus

With what sort of purification? What is the manner of the misfortune?

Creon

By banishing the man, or by paying back bloodshed with bloodshed, since it is this blood which brings the tempest on our city.
100

102

Oedipus

And who is the man whose fate he thus reveals?

Creon

Laius, my lord, was the leader of our land before you assumed control of this state.

Oedipus

I know it well—by hearsay, for I never saw him.
105

Creon

He was slain, and the god now bids us to take vengeance on his murderers, whoever they are.

Oedipus

Where on earth are they? Where shall the dim track of this old crime be found?

Creon

In this land, the god said. What is sought for can be caught; only that which is not watched escapes.
110

Oedipus

Was it in the house, or in the field, or on foreign soil that Laius met his bloody end?

Creon

He left our land, as he said, on a mission to Delphi .

And once he had set forth, he never again returned.
115

Oedipus

And was there none to tell? Was there no travelling companion who saw the deed, from whom tidings might have been gained, and used?

Creon

All perished, save one who fled in fear, and he could tell with assurance only one thing of all that he saw.

Oedipus

And what was that? One thing might hold the clue to many, if we could only get a small beginning for hope.
120

Creon

He said that robbers fell upon them, not one man alone, but with a great force.

Oedipus

How then, unless some intrigue had been worked with bribes

from here in Thebes , would the robbers have been so bold?
125

Creon

Such things were surmised. But once Laius was slain no avenger arose in the midst of our troubles.

Oedipus

But when royalty had fallen in this way, what trouble prevented a full search?

Creon

The riddling Sphinx had forced us to let things that were obscure go, and to investigate the pressing trouble.
130

132

Oedipus

I will start afresh, and once more make dark things plain. Worthily has Phoebus Apollo—and worthily have you—bestowed this care on behalf of the dead. And so, as is fitting, you will find me allied with you

in seeking vengeance for this land, and for the god as well. I will dispel this taint not on behalf of far-off friends, but for my own benefit. For whoever killed Laius
135

might wish to take vengeance on me also with a hand as fierce. Avenging Laius, therefore, I serve myself. Come, my children, as quickly as possible rise from the altar-steps, and lift these suppliant boughs. Let someone summon here Cadmus’ people, warning them that I will leave nothing untried.
140

For with the god’s help our good fortune—or our ruin—will be made certain.
145

Priest

My children, let us rise. What we came to seek, this man promises of his own accord. And may Phoebus, who sent these oracles,

come to us as savior and deliverer from the pestilence.
150

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-94-1 δοκοῦντα … ἦν ¹

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

95-131. mvp-comment-65-1 This short dialogue is carefully constructed with a view to the plot. Oedipus had heard of Laius and of his death, but (as he imagines) certainly never saw him and never thought of inquiring into the circumstances of his murder. (An excuse for this improbability is suggested afterwards in ll. 220-221, οὐ γὰρ ἂν μακράν, κ.τ.λ.) One witness of the deed remains, but he being overcome with fear could only give even at the time a confused account of an assault by a band of robbers.

126. mvp-comment-88-1 δοκοῦντα ταῦτ᾽ ἦν So men surmised. Such suspicions were always rife in Greek states, and recur elsewhere in tragedy. Cp. Ant. 289-292; О. С. 1028-1030.

126. mvp-comment-88-2 Λαΐου is gen. abs. ἐν κακοῖς prevents Λαΐου from being taken as the genitive in regimen. We had the suspicion of treachery, but, when Laius was gone, there was no one to stand up for us in our misfortunes.

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CR We thought of that. But Laius being dead, We found no helper in our miseries.

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Ἱερεύς ἀλλʼ εἰς καλὸν σύ τʼ εἶπας οἵδε τʼ ἀρτίως Κρέοντα προσστείχοντα σημαίνουσί μοι.

Οἰδίπους ὦναξ Ἄπολλον, εἰ γὰρ ἐν τύχῃ γέ τῳ 80 σωτῆρι βαίη λαμπρὸς ὥσπερ ὄμματι

Ἱερεύς ἀλλʼ εἰκάσαι μέν, ἡδύς· οὐ γὰρ ἂν κάρα πολυστεφὴς ὧδʼ εἷρπε παγκάρπου δάφνης.

Οἰδίπους τάχʼ εἰσόμεσθα· ξύμμετρος γὰρ ὡς κλύειν. ἄναξ, ἐμὸν κήδευμα, παῖ Μενοικέως, 85 τίνʼ ἡμὶν ἥκεις τοῦ θεοῦ φήμην φέρων;

Κρέων ἐσθλήν· λέγω γὰρ καὶ τὰ δύσφορʼ, εἰ τύχοι κατʼ ὀρθὸν ἐξελθόντα, πάντʼ ἂν εὐτυχεῖν.

Οἰδίπους ἔστιν δὲ ποῖον τοὔπος; οὔτε γὰρ θρασὺς οὔτʼ οὖν προδείσας εἰμὶ τῷ γε νῦν λόγῳ. 90

Κρέων εἰ τῶνδε χρῄζεις πλησιαζόντων κλύειν, ἕτοιμος εἰπεῖν, εἴτε καὶ στείχειν ἔσω.

Οἰδίπους ἐς πάντας αὔδα· τῶνδε γὰρ πλέον φέρω τὸ πένθος ἢ καὶ τῆς ἐμῆς ψυχῆς πέρι.

Κρέων λέγοιμʼ ἂν οἷʼ ἤκουσα τοῦ θεοῦ πάρα. 95 ἄνωγεν ἡμᾶς Φοῖβος ἐμφανῶς ἄναξ μίασμα χώρας, ὡς τεθραμμένον χθονὶ ἐν τῇδʼ, ἐλαύνειν μηδʼ ἀνήκεστον τρέφειν.

Οἰδίπους ποίῳ καθαρμῷ; τίς ὁ τρόπος τῆς ξυμφορᾶς;

Κρέων ἀνδρηλατοῦντας ἢ φόνῳ φόνον πάλιν 100 λύοντας, ὡς τόδʼ αἷμα χειμάζον πόλιν.

Οἰδίπους ποίου γὰρ ἀνδρὸς τήνδε μηνύει τύχην;

Κρέων ἦν ἡμίν, ὦναξ, Λάϊός ποθʼ ἡγεμὼν γῆς τῆσδε, πρὶν σὲ τήνδʼ ἀπευθύνειν πόλιν.

Οἰδίπους ἔξοιδʼ ἀκούων· οὐ γὰρ εἰσεῖδόν γέ πω. 105

Κρέων τούτου θανόντος νῦν ἐπιστέλλει σαφῶς τοὺς αὐτοέντας χειρὶ τιμωρεῖν τινας.

Οἰδίπους οἳ δʼ εἰσὶ ποῦ γῆς; ποῦ τόδʼ εὑρεθήσεται ἴχνος παλαιᾶς δυστέκμαρτον αἰτίας;

Κρέων ἐν τῇδʼ ἔφασκε γῇ· τὸ δὲ ζητούμενον 110 ἁλωτόν, ἐκφεύγειν δὲ τἀμελούμενον.

Οἰδίπους πότερα δʼ ἐν οἴκοις ἢ ʼν ἀγροῖς ὁ Λάϊος ἢ γῆς ἐπʼ ἄλλης τῷδε συμπίπτει φόνῳ;

Κρέων θεωρός, ὡς ἔφασκεν, ἐκδημῶν, πάλιν πρὸς οἶκον οὐκέθʼ ἵκεθʼ, ὡς ἀπεστάλη. 115

Οἰδίπους οὐδʼ ἄγγελός τις οὐδὲ συμπράκτωρ ὁδοῦ κατεῖδʼ, ὅτου τις ἐκμαθὼν ἐχρήσατʼ ἄν;

Κρέων θνῄσκουσι γάρ, πλὴν εἷς τις, ὃς φόβῳ, φυγὼν ὧν εἶδε πλὴν ἓν οὐδὲν εἶχʼ εἰδὼς φράσαι.

Οἰδίπους τὸ ποῖον; ἓν γὰρ πόλλʼ ἂν ἐξεύροι μαθεῖν, 120 ἀρχὴν βραχεῖαν εἰ λάβοιμεν ἐλπίδος.

Κρέων λῃστὰς ἔφασκε συντυχόντας οὐ μιᾷ ῥώμῃ κτανεῖν νιν, ἀλλὰ σὺν πλήθει χερῶν.

Οἰδίπους πῶς οὖν ὁ λῃστής, εἴ τι μὴ ξὺν ἀργύρῳ ἐπράσσετʼ ἐνθένδʼ, ἐς τόδʼ ἂν τόλμης ἔβη; 125

Κρέων δοκοῦντα ταῦτʼ ἦν· Λαΐου δʼ ὀλωλότος οὐδεὶς ἀρωγὸς ἐν κακοῖς ἐγίγνετο.

Οἰδίπους κακὸν δὲ ποῖον ἐμποδών, τυραννίδος οὕτω πεσούσης, εἶργε τοῦτʼ ἐξειδέναι;

Κρέων ἡ ποικιλῳδὸς Σφὶγξ τὸ πρὸς ποσὶν σκοπεῖν 130 μεθέντας ἡμᾶς τἀφανῆ προσήγετο.

Oedipus.

Chorus O king ! thy imprecations unappalled I hear, and join thee, guiltless of the crime. Nor knowing who committed it. The god Alone, who gave the oracle, must clear Its doubtful sense, and point out the offender. divine To speak their hidden purpose?

Priest You have spoken opportunely, since at this time these people here indicate that Creon is drawing near.

Oedipus Lord Apollo, may he come to us in the brightness of saving fortune, even as his face is bright! 80

Priest He seems to bring comfort, since otherwise he would not be coming crowned so thickly with berry-laden bay.

Oedipus We will soon know: he is within hearing-range. To Creon. Prince, my kinsman, child of Menoeceus, what news have you brought us from the god? 85

Creon Good news. I tell you that even troubles hard to bear will end in perfect peace if they find the right issue.

Oedipus But what is the oracle ? So far, your words neither encourage nor frighten me. 90

Creon If you want to hear in the presence of these people, I am ready to speak: otherwise we can go inside.

Oedipus Speak to all. The sorrow that I bear for these is more than for my own life.

Creon I will tell you what I heard from the god. Phoebus our lord clearly commands us to drive out the defilement which he said was harbored in this land, and not to nourish it so that it cannot be healed. 95

Oedipus With what sort of purification? What is the manner of the misfortune?

Creon By banishing the man, or by paying back bloodshed with bloodshed, since it is this blood which brings the tempest on our city. 100

Oedipus And who is the man whose fate he thus reveals?

Creon Laius, my lord, was the leader of our land before you assumed control of this state.

Oedipus I know it well—by hearsay, for I never saw him. 105

Creon He was slain, and the god now bids us to take vengeance on his murderers, whoever they are.

Oedipus Where on earth are they? Where shall the dim track of this old crime be found?

Creon In this land, the god said. What is sought for can be caught; only that which is not watched escapes. 110

Oedipus Was it in the house, or in the field, or on foreign soil that Laius met his bloody end?

Creon He left our land, as he said, on a mission to Delphi . And once he had set forth, he never again returned. 115

Oedipus And was there none to tell? Was there no travelling companion who saw the deed, from whom tidings might have been gained, and used?

Creon All perished, save one who fled in fear, and he could tell with assurance only one thing of all that he saw.

Oedipus And what was that? One thing might hold the clue to many, if we could only get a small beginning for hope. 120

Creon He said that robbers fell upon them, not one man alone, but with a great force.

Oedipus How then, unless some intrigue had been worked with bribes from here in Thebes , would the robbers have been so bold? 125

Creon Such things were surmised. But once Laius was slain no avenger arose in the midst of our troubles.

Oedipus But when royalty had fallen in this way, what trouble prevented a full search?

Creon The riddling Sphinx had forced us to let things that were obscure go, and to investigate the pressing trouble. 130

Priest My children, let us rise. What we came to seek, this man promises of his own accord. And may Phoebus, who sent these oracles, come to us as savior and deliverer from the pestilence. 150

Commentary

Stable identifiers

CR

We thought of that. But Laius being dead,

We found no helper in our miseries.

Ἱερεύς

ἀλλʼ εἰς καλὸν σύ τʼ εἶπας οἵδε τʼ ἀρτίως

Κρέοντα προσστείχοντα σημαίνουσί μοι.

Οἰδίπους

ὦναξ Ἄπολλον, εἰ γὰρ ἐν τύχῃ γέ τῳ
80

σωτῆρι βαίη λαμπρὸς ὥσπερ ὄμματι

Ἱερεύς

ἀλλʼ εἰκάσαι μέν, ἡδύς· οὐ γὰρ ἂν κάρα

πολυστεφὴς ὧδʼ εἷρπε παγκάρπου δάφνης.

Οἰδίπους

τάχʼ εἰσόμεσθα· ξύμμετρος γὰρ ὡς κλύειν.

ἄναξ, ἐμὸν κήδευμα, παῖ Μενοικέως,
85

τίνʼ ἡμὶν ἥκεις τοῦ θεοῦ φήμην φέρων;

Κρέων

ἐσθλήν· λέγω γὰρ καὶ τὰ δύσφορʼ, εἰ τύχοι

κατʼ ὀρθὸν ἐξελθόντα, πάντʼ ἂν εὐτυχεῖν.

Οἰδίπους

ἔστιν δὲ ποῖον τοὔπος; οὔτε γὰρ θρασὺς

οὔτʼ οὖν προδείσας εἰμὶ τῷ γε νῦν λόγῳ.
90

Κρέων

εἰ τῶνδε χρῄζεις πλησιαζόντων κλύειν,

ἕτοιμος εἰπεῖν, εἴτε καὶ στείχειν ἔσω.

Οἰδίπους

ἐς πάντας αὔδα· τῶνδε γὰρ πλέον φέρω

τὸ πένθος ἢ καὶ τῆς ἐμῆς ψυχῆς πέρι.

Οἰδίπους

ποίῳ καθαρμῷ; τίς ὁ τρόπος τῆς ξυμφορᾶς;

Κρέων

ἀνδρηλατοῦντας ἢ φόνῳ φόνον πάλιν
100

λύοντας, ὡς τόδʼ αἷμα χειμάζον πόλιν.

Οἰδίπους

ποίου γὰρ ἀνδρὸς τήνδε μηνύει τύχην;

Κρέων

ἦν ἡμίν, ὦναξ, Λάϊός ποθʼ ἡγεμὼν

γῆς τῆσδε, πρὶν σὲ τήνδʼ ἀπευθύνειν πόλιν.

Οἰδίπους

ἔξοιδʼ ἀκούων· οὐ γὰρ εἰσεῖδόν γέ πω.
105

Κρέων

τούτου θανόντος νῦν ἐπιστέλλει σαφῶς

τοὺς αὐτοέντας χειρὶ τιμωρεῖν τινας.

Οἰδίπους

οἳ δʼ εἰσὶ ποῦ γῆς; ποῦ τόδʼ εὑρεθήσεται

ἴχνος παλαιᾶς δυστέκμαρτον αἰτίας;

Κρέων

ἐν τῇδʼ ἔφασκε γῇ· τὸ δὲ ζητούμενον
110

ἁλωτόν, ἐκφεύγειν δὲ τἀμελούμενον.

Οἰδίπους

πότερα δʼ ἐν οἴκοις ἢ ʼν ἀγροῖς ὁ Λάϊος

ἢ γῆς ἐπʼ ἄλλης τῷδε συμπίπτει φόνῳ;

Κρέων

θεωρός, ὡς ἔφασκεν, ἐκδημῶν, πάλιν

πρὸς οἶκον οὐκέθʼ ἵκεθʼ, ὡς ἀπεστάλη.
115

Οἰδίπους

οὐδʼ ἄγγελός τις οὐδὲ συμπράκτωρ ὁδοῦ

κατεῖδʼ, ὅτου τις ἐκμαθὼν ἐχρήσατʼ ἄν;

Κρέων

θνῄσκουσι γάρ, πλὴν εἷς τις, ὃς φόβῳ, φυγὼν

ὧν εἶδε πλὴν ἓν οὐδὲν εἶχʼ εἰδὼς φράσαι.

Οἰδίπους

τὸ ποῖον; ἓν γὰρ πόλλʼ ἂν ἐξεύροι μαθεῖν,
120

ἀρχὴν βραχεῖαν εἰ λάβοιμεν ἐλπίδος.

Κρέων

λῃστὰς ἔφασκε συντυχόντας οὐ μιᾷ

ῥώμῃ κτανεῖν νιν, ἀλλὰ σὺν πλήθει χερῶν.

Οἰδίπους

πῶς οὖν ὁ λῃστής, εἴ τι μὴ ξὺν ἀργύρῳ

ἐπράσσετʼ ἐνθένδʼ, ἐς τόδʼ ἂν τόλμης ἔβη;
125

Κρέων

δοκοῦντα ταῦτʼ ἦν· Λαΐου δʼ ὀλωλότος

οὐδεὶς ἀρωγὸς ἐν κακοῖς ἐγίγνετο.

Οἰδίπους

κακὸν δὲ ποῖον ἐμποδών, τυραννίδος

οὕτω πεσούσης, εἶργε τοῦτʼ ἐξειδέναι;

Κρέων

ἡ ποικιλῳδὸς Σφὶγξ τὸ πρὸς ποσὶν σκοπεῖν
130

μεθέντας ἡμᾶς τἀφανῆ προσήγετο.

Chorus

O king ! thy imprecations unappalled

I hear, and join thee, guiltless of the crime.

Nor knowing who committed it. The god

Alone, who gave the oracle, must clear

Its doubtful sense, and point out the offender.

divine

To speak their hidden purpose?

Priest

You have spoken opportunely, since at this time these people here indicate that Creon is drawing near.

Oedipus

Lord Apollo, may he come to us in the brightness of saving fortune, even as his face is bright!
80

Priest

He seems to bring comfort, since otherwise he would not be coming crowned so thickly with berry-laden bay.

Oedipus

We will soon know: he is within hearing-range.

To Creon.

Prince, my kinsman, child of Menoeceus, what news have you brought us from the god?
85

Creon

Good news. I tell you that even troubles hard to bear will end in perfect peace if they find the right issue.

Oedipus

But what is the oracle ? So far, your words

neither encourage nor frighten me.
90

Creon

If you want to hear in the presence of these people, I am ready to speak: otherwise we can go inside.

Oedipus

Speak to all. The sorrow that I bear for these is more than for my own life.

Creon

I will tell you what I heard from the god. Phoebus our lord clearly commands us to drive out the defilement which he said was harbored in this land, and not to nourish it so that it cannot be healed.
95

Oedipus

With what sort of purification? What is the manner of the misfortune?

Creon

By banishing the man, or by paying back bloodshed with bloodshed, since it is this blood which brings the tempest on our city.
100

Oedipus

And who is the man whose fate he thus reveals?

Creon

Laius, my lord, was the leader of our land before you assumed control of this state.

Oedipus

I know it well—by hearsay, for I never saw him.
105

Creon

He was slain, and the god now bids us to take vengeance on his murderers, whoever they are.

Oedipus

Where on earth are they? Where shall the dim track of this old crime be found?

Creon

In this land, the god said. What is sought for can be caught; only that which is not watched escapes.
110

Oedipus

Was it in the house, or in the field, or on foreign soil that Laius met his bloody end?

Creon

He left our land, as he said, on a mission to Delphi .

And once he had set forth, he never again returned.
115

Oedipus

And was there none to tell? Was there no travelling companion who saw the deed, from whom tidings might have been gained, and used?

Creon

All perished, save one who fled in fear, and he could tell with assurance only one thing of all that he saw.

Oedipus

And what was that? One thing might hold the clue to many, if we could only get a small beginning for hope.
120

Creon

He said that robbers fell upon them, not one man alone, but with a great force.

Oedipus

How then, unless some intrigue had been worked with bribes

from here in Thebes , would the robbers have been so bold?
125

Creon

Such things were surmised. But once Laius was slain no avenger arose in the midst of our troubles.

Oedipus

But when royalty had fallen in this way, what trouble prevented a full search?

Creon

The riddling Sphinx had forced us to let things that were obscure go, and to investigate the pressing trouble.
130

Priest

My children, let us rise. What we came to seek, this man promises of his own accord. And may Phoebus, who sent these oracles,

come to us as savior and deliverer from the pestilence.
150