Sophocles, Oedipus Tyrannus, Thomas Francklin (Translator), 227

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Shepherd

of Corinth [pointing to CEdipus]. Behold him

here,

That very child.

Old Shep. Oh ! say it not : away !

1171

Perdition on thee !

Oedipus Tyrannus. Sophocles. Thomas Francklin (Translator). London. 1758–1759.

Current edition Experimental

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) (English) (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759))

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (2)

Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 227 focus

κεἰ μὲν φοβεῖται, τοὐπίκλημ᾽ ὑπεξελὼν

Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 216-462 focus

Οἰδίπους

αἰτεῖς· ἃ δʼ αἰτεῖς, τἄμʼ ἐὰν θέλῃς ἔπη

κλύων δέχεσθαι τῇ νόσῳ θʼ ὑπηρετεῖν,

ἀλκὴν λάβοις ἂν κἀνακούφισιν κακῶν·

ἁγὼ ξένος μὲν τοῦ λόγου τοῦδʼ ἐξερῶ,

ξένος δὲ τοῦ πραχθέντος· οὐ γὰρ ἂν μακρὰν
220

ἴχνευον αὐτός, μὴ οὐκ ἔχων τι σύμβολον,

νῦν δʼ ὕστερος γὰρ ἀστὸς εἰς ἀστοὺς τελῶ,

ὑμῖν προφωνῶ πᾶσι Καδμείοις τάδε·

ὅστις ποθʼ ὑμῶν Λάϊον τὸν Λαβδάκου

κάτοιδεν ἀνδρὸς ἐκ τίνος διώλετο,
225

τοῦτον κελεύω πάντα σημαίνειν ἐμοί·

κεἰ μὲν φοβεῖται, τοὐπίκλημʼ ὑπεξελεῖν

αὐτὸν καθʼ αὑτοῦ· πείσεται γὰρ ἄλλο μὲν

ἀστεργὲς οὐδέν. γῆς δʼ ἄπεισιν ἀσφαλής.

εἰ δʼ αὖ τις ἄλλον οἶδεν ἐξ ἄλλης χθονὸς
230

τὸν αὐτόχειρα, μὴ σιωπάτω· τὸ γὰρ

κέρδος τελῶ ʼγὼ χἠ χάρις προσκείσεται.

εἰ δʼ αὖ σιωπήσεσθε, καί τις ἢ φίλου

δείσας ἀπώσει τοὔπος ἢ χαὐτοῦ τόδε,

ἃκ τῶνδε δράσω, ταῦτα χρὴ κλύειν ἐμοῦ.
235

τὸν ἄνδρʼ ἀπαυδῶ τοῦτον, ὅστις ἐστί, γῆς

τῆσδʼ, ἧς ἐγὼ κράτη τε καὶ θρόνους νέμω,

μήτʼ εἰσδέχεσθαι μήτε προσφωνεῖν τινα,

μήτʼ ἐν θεῶν εὐχαῖσι μήτε θύμασιν

κοινὸν ποεῖσθαι, μήτε χέρνιβας νέμειν·
240

ὠθεῖν δʼ ἀπʼ οἴκων πάντας, ὡς μιάσματος

τοῦδʼ ἡμὶν ὄντος, ὡς τὸ Πυθικὸν θεοῦ

μαντεῖον ἐξέφηνεν ἀρτίως ἐμοί.

ἐγὼ μὲν οὖν τοιόσδε τῷ τε δαίμονι

τῷ τʼ ἀνδρὶ τῷ θανόντι σύμμαχος πέλω·
245

κατεύχομαι δὲ τὸν δεδρακότʼ, εἴτε τις

εἷς ὢν λέληθεν εἴτε πλειόνων μέτα,

κακὸν κακῶς νιν ἄμορον ἐκτρῖψαι βίον·

ἐπεύχομαι δʼ, οἴκοισιν εἰ ξυνέστιος

ἐν τοῖς ἐμοῖς γένοιτʼ ἐμοῦ συνειδότος,
250

παθεῖν ἅπερ τοῖσδʼ ἀρτίως ἠρασάμην.

ὑμῖν δὲ ταῦτα πάντʼ ἐπισκήπτω τελεῖν,

ὑπέρ τʼ ἐμαυτοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ τε τῆσδέ τε

γῆς ὧδʼ ἀκάρπως κἀθέως ἐφθαρμένης.

255

Οἰδίπους

οὐδʼ εἰ γὰρ ἦν τὸ πρᾶγμα μὴ θεήλατον,
255

ἀκάθαρτον ὑμᾶς εἰκὸς ἦν οὕτως ἐᾶν,

ἀνδρός γʼ ἀρίστου βασιλέως τʼ ὀλωλότος,

ἀλλʼ ἐξερευνᾶν· νῦν δʼ ἐπεὶ κυρῶ γʼ ἐγὼ

ἔχων μὲν ἀρχὰς ἃς ἐκεῖνος εἶχε πρίν,

ἔχων δὲ λέκτρα καὶ γυναῖχʼ ὁμόσπορον,
260

κοινῶν τε παίδων κοίνʼ ἄν, εἰ κείνῳ γένος

μὴ ʼδυστύχησεν, ἦν ἂν ἐκπεφυκότα·

νῦν δʼ ἐς τὸ κείνου κρᾶτʼ ἐνήλαθʼ ἡ τύχη·

ἀνθʼ ὧν ἐγὼ τάδʼ, ὡσπερεὶ τοὐμοῦ πατρός,

ὑπερμαχοῦμαι κἀπὶ πᾶν ἀφίξομαι,
265

ζητῶν τὸν αὐτόχειρα τοῦ φόνου λαβεῖν,

τῷ Λαβδακείῳ παιδὶ Πολυδώρου τε καὶ

τοῦ πρόσθε Κάδμου τοῦ πάλαι τʼ Ἀγήνορος.

καὶ ταῦτα τοῖς μὴ δρῶσιν εὔχομαι θεοὺς

μήτʼ ἄροτον αὐτοῖς γῆς ἀνιέναι τινὰ
270

μήτʼ οὖν γυναικῶν παῖδας, ἀλλὰ τῷ πότμῳ

τῷ νῦν φθερεῖσθαι κἄτι τοῦδʼ ἐχθίονι·

ὑμῖν δὲ τοῖς ἄλλοισι Καδμείοις, ὅσοις

τάδʼ ἔστʼ ἀρέσκονθʼ, ἥ τε σύμμαχος Δίκη

χοἰ πάντες εὖ ξυνεῖεν εἰσαεὶ θεοί.
275

276

Χορός

ὥσπερ μʼ ἀραῖον ἔλαβες, ὧδʼ, ἄναξ, ἐρῶ.

οὔτʼ ἔκτανον γὰρ οὔτε τὸν κτανόντʼ ἔχω

δεῖξαι. τὸ δὲ ζήτημα τοῦ πέμψαντος ἦν

Φοίβου τόδʼ εἰπεῖν, ὅστις εἴργασταί ποτε.

Οἰδίπους

δίκαιʼ ἔλεξας· ἀλλʼ ἀναγκάσαι θεοὺς
280

ἃν μὴ θέλωσιν οὐδʼ ἂν εἷς δύναιτʼ ἀνήρ.

Χορός

τὰ δεύτερʼ ἐκ τῶνδʼ ἂν λέγοιμʼ ἁμοὶ δοκεῖ.

Οἰδίπους

εἰ καὶ τρίτʼ ἐστί, μὴ παρῇς τὸ μὴ οὐ φράσαι.

Χορός

ἄνακτʼ ἄνακτι ταὔθʼ ὁρῶντʼ ἐπίσταμαι

μάλιστα Φοίβῳ Τειρεσίαν, παρʼ οὗ τις ἂν
285

σκοπῶν τάδʼ, ὦναξ, ἐκμάθοι σαφέστατα.

Οἰδίπους

ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἐν ἀργοῖς οὐδὲ τοῦτʼ ἐπραξάμην.

ἔπεμψα γὰρ Κρέοντος εἰπόντος διπλοῦς

πομπούς· πάλαι δὲ μὴ παρῶν θαυμάζεται.

Χορός

καὶ μὴν τά γʼ ἄλλα κωφὰ καὶ παλαίʼ ἔπη.
290

Οἰδίπους

τὰ ποῖα ταῦτα; πάντα γὰρ σκοπῶ λόγον.

Χορός

θανεῖν ἐλέχθη πρός τινων ὁδοιπόρων.

Οἰδίπους

ἤκουσα κἀγώ. τὸν δʼ ἰδόντʼ οὐδεὶς ὁρᾷ.

Χορός

ἀλλʼ εἴ τι μὲν δὴ δείματός γʼ ἔχει μέρος,

τὰς σὰς ἀκούων οὐ μενεῖ τοιάσδʼ ἀράς,
295

Οἰδίπους

ᾧ μή ʼστι δρῶντι τάρβος, οὐδʼ ἔπος φοβεῖ.

Χορός

ἀλλʼ οὑξελέγξων αὐτὸν ἔστιν· οἵδε γὰρ

τὸν θεῖον ἤδη μάντιν ὧδʼ ἄγουσιν, ᾧ

τἀληθὲς ἐμπέφυκεν ἀνθρώπων μόνῳ.

300

Οἰδίπους

ὦ πάντα νωμῶν Τειρεσία, διδακτά τε
300

ἄρρητά τʼ, οὐράνιά τε καὶ χθονοστιβῆ,

πόλιν μέν, εἰ καὶ μὴ βλέπεις, φρονεῖς δʼ ὅμως

οἵᾳ νόσῳ σύνεστιν· ἧς σὲ προστάτην

σωτῆρά τʼ, ὦναξ, μοῦνον ἐξευρίσκομεν.

Φοῖβος γάρ, εἴ τι μὴ κλύεις τῶν ἀγγέλων,
305

πέμψασιν ἡμῖν ἀντέπεμψεν, ἔκλυσιν

μόνην ἂν ἐλθεῖν τοῦδε τοῦ νοσήματος,

εἰ τοὺς κτανόντας Λάϊον μαθόντες εὖ

κτείναιμεν ἢ γῆς φυγάδας ἐκπεμψαίμεθα.

σύ νυν φθονήσας μήτʼ ἀπʼ οἰωνῶν φάτιν
310

μήτʼ εἴ τινʼ ἄλλην μαντικῆς ἔχεις ὁδόν,

ῥῦσαι σεαυτὸν καὶ πόλιν, ῥῦσαι δʼ ἐμέ,

ῥῦσαι δὲ πᾶν μίασμα τοῦ τεθνηκότος.

ἐν σοὶ γὰρ ἐσμέν· ἄνδρα δʼ ὠφελεῖν ἀφʼ ὧν

ἔχοι τε καὶ δύναιτο, κάλλιστος πόνων.
315

Τειρεσίας

φεῦ φεῦ, φρονεῖν ὡς δεινὸν ἔνθα μὴ τέλη

λύῃ φρονοῦντι· ταῦτα γὰρ καλῶς ἐγὼ

εἰδὼς διώλεσʼ· οὐ γὰρ ἂν δεῦρʼ ἱκόμην.

Οἰδίπους

τί δʼ ἔστιν; ὡς ἄθυμος εἰσελήλυθας.

Τειρεσίας

ἄφες μʼ ἐς οἴκους· ῥᾷστα γὰρ τὸ σόν τε σὺ
320

κἀγὼ διοίσω τοὐμόν, ἢν ἐμοὶ πίθῃ.

Οἰδίπους

οὔτʼ ἔννομʼ εἶπας οὔτε προσφιλῆ πόλει

τῇδʼ, ἥ σʼ ἔθρεψε, τήνδʼ ἀποστερῶν φάτιν.

Τειρεσίας

ὁρῶ γὰρ οὐδὲ σοὶ τὸ σὸν φώνημʼ ἰὸν

πρὸς καιρόν· ὡς οὖν μηδʼ ἐγὼ ταὐτὸν πάθω—
325

Οἰδίπους

μὴ πρὸς θεῶν φρονῶν γʼ ἀποστραφῇς, ἐπεὶ

πάντες σε προσκυνοῦμεν οἵδʼ ἱκτήριοι.

Τειρεσίας

πάντες γὰρ οὐ φρονεῖτʼ· ἐγὼ δʼ οὐ μή ποτε

τἄμʼ, ὡς ἂν εἴπω μὴ τὰ σʼ, ἐκφήνω κακά.

330

Οἰδίπους

τί φής; ξυνειδὼς οὐ φράσεις, ἀλλʼ ἐννοεῖς
330

ἡμᾶς προδοῦναι καὶ καταφθεῖραι πόλιν;

Τειρεσίας

ἐγὼ οὔτʼ ἐμαυτὸν οὔτε σʼ ἀλγυνῶ. τί ταῦτʼ

ἄλλως ἐλέγχεις; οὐ γὰρ ἂν πύθοιό μου.

Οἰδίπους

οὐκ, ὦ κακῶν κάκιστε, καὶ γὰρ ἂν πέτρου

φύσιν σύ γʼ ὀργάνειας, ἐξερεῖς ποτε,
335

ἀλλʼ ὧδʼ ἄτεγκτος κἀτελεύτητος φανεῖ;

Τειρεσίας

ὀργὴν ἐμέμψω τὴν ἐμήν, τὴν σὴν δʼ ὁμοῦ

ναίουσαν οὐ κατεῖδες, ἀλλʼ ἐμὲ ψέγεις.

Οἰδίπους

τίς γὰρ τοιαῦτʼ ἂν οὐκ ἂν ὀργίζοιτʼ ἔπη

κλύων, ἃ νῦν σὺ τήνδʼ ἀτιμάζεις πόλιν;
340

Τειρεσίας

ἥξει γὰρ αὐτά, κἂν ἐγὼ σιγῇ στέγω.

Οἰδίπους

οὐκοῦν ἅ γʼ ἥξει καὶ σὲ χρὴ λέγειν ἐμοί.

Τειρεσίας

οὐκ ἂν πέρα φράσαιμι. πρὸς τάδʼ, εἰ θέλεις,

θυμοῦ διʼ ὀργῆς ἥτις ἀγριωτάτη.

Οἰδίπους

καὶ μὴν παρήσω γʼ οὐδέν, ὡς ὀργῆς ἔχω,
345

ἅπερ ξυνίημʼ· ἴσθι γὰρ δοκῶν ἐμοὶ

καὶ ξυμφυτεῦσαι τοὔργον εἰργάσθαι θʼ, ὅσον

μὴ χερσὶ καίνων· εἰ δʼ ἐτύγχανες βλέπων,

καὶ τοὔργον ἂν σοῦ τοῦτʼ, ἔφην εἶναι μόνου.

Τειρεσίας

ἄληθες; ἐννέπω σὲ τῷ κηρύγματι
350

ᾧπερ προεῖπας ἐμμένειν, κἀφʼ ἡμέρας

τῆς νῦν προσαυδᾶν μήτε τούσδε μήτʼ ἐμέ,

ὡς ὄντι γῆς τῆσδʼ ἀνοσίῳ μιάστορι.

354

Οἰδίπους

οὕτως ἀναιδῶς ἐξεκίνησας τόδε

τὸ ῥῆμα; καὶ ποῦ τοῦτο φεύξεσθαι δοκεῖς;
355

Τειρεσίας

πέφευγα· τἀληθὲς γὰρ ἰσχῦον τρέφω.

Οἰδίπους

πρὸς τοῦ διδαχθείς; οὐ γὰρ ἔκ γε τῆς τέχνης.

Τειρεσίας

πρὸς σοῦ· σὺ γάρ μʼ ἄκοντα προυτρέψω λέγειν.

Οἰδίπους

ποῖον λόγον; λέγʼ αὖθις, ὡς μᾶλλον μάθω.

Τειρεσίας

οὐχὶ ξυνῆκας πρόσθεν; ἢ ʼκπειρᾷ λέγων;
360

Οἰδίπους

οὐχ ὥστε γʼ εἰπεῖν γνωστόν· ἀλλʼ αὖθις φράσον.

Τειρεσίας

φονέα σε φημὶ τἀνδρὸς οὗ ζητεῖς κυρεῖν.

Οἰδίπους

ἀλλʼ οὔ τι χαίρων δίς γε πημονὰς ἐρεῖς.

Τειρεσίας

εἴπω τι δῆτα κἄλλʼ, ἵνʼ ὀργίζῃ πλέον;

Οἰδίπους

ὅσον γε χρῄζεις· ὡς μάτην εἰρήσεται.
365

Τειρεσίας

λεληθέναι σε φημὶ σὺν τοῖς φιλτάτοις

αἴσχισθʼ ὁμιλοῦντʼ, οὐδʼ ὁρᾶν ἵνʼ εἶ κακοῦ.

Οἰδίπους

ἦ καὶ γεγηθὼς ταῦτʼ ἀεὶ λέξειν δοκεῖς;

Τειρεσίας

εἴπερ τί γʼ ἐστὶ τῆς ἀληθείας σθένος.

Οἰδίπους

ἀλλʼ ἔστι, πλὴν σοί· σοὶ δὲ τοῦτʼ οὐκ ἔστʼ ἐπεὶ
370

τυφλὸς τά τʼ ὦτα τόν τε νοῦν τά τʼ ὄμματʼ εἶ.

Τειρεσίας

σὺ δʼ ἄθλιός γε ταῦτʼ ὀνειδίζων, ἃ σοὶ

οὐδεὶς ὃς οὐχὶ τῶνδʼ ὀνειδιεῖ τάχα.

Οἰδίπους

μιᾶς τρέφει πρὸς νυκτός, ὥστε μήτʼ ἐμὲ

μήτʼ ἄλλον, ὅστις φῶς ὁρᾷ, βλάψαι ποτʼ ἄν.
375

Τειρεσίας

οὐ γάρ σε μοῖρα πρός γʼ ἐμοῦ πεσεῖν, ἐπεὶ

ἱκανὸς Ἀπόλλων, ᾧ τάδʼ ἐκπρᾶξαι μέλει.

Οἰδίπους

Κρέοντος ἢ σοῦ ταῦτα τἀξευρήματα;

Τειρεσίας

Κρέων δέ σοι πῆμʼ οὐδέν, ἀλλʼ αὐτὸς σὺ σοί.

380

Οἰδίπους

ὦ πλοῦτε καὶ τυραννὶ καὶ τέχνη τέχνης
380

ὑπερφέρουσα τῷ πολυζήλῳ βίῳ,

ὅσος παρʼ ὑμῖν ὁ φθόνος φυλάσσεται,

εἰ τῆσδέ γʼ ἀρχῆς οὕνεχʼ, ἣν ἐμοὶ πόλις

δωρητόν, οὐκ αἰτητόν, εἰσεχείρισεν,

ταύτης Κρέων ὁ πιστός, οὑξ ἀρχῆς φίλος,
385

λάθρᾳ μʼ ὑπελθὼν ἐκβαλεῖν ἱμείρεται,

ὑφεὶς μάγον τοιόνδε μηχανορράφον,

δόλιον ἀγύρτην, ὅστις ἐν τοῖς κέρδεσιν

μόνον δέδορκε, τὴν τέχνην δʼ ἔφυ τυφλός.

ἐπεί, φέρʼ εἰπέ, ποῦ σὺ μάντις εἶ σαφής;
390

πῶς οὐκ, ὅθʼ ἡ ῥαψῳδὸς ἐνθάδʼ ἦν κύων,

ηὔδας τι τοῖσδʼ ἀστοῖσιν ἐκλυτήριον;

καίτοι τό γʼ αἴνιγμʼ οὐχὶ τοὐπιόντος ἦν

ἀνδρὸς διειπεῖν, ἀλλὰ μαντείας ἔδει·

ἣν οὔτʼ ἀπʼ οἰωνῶν σὺ προυφάνης ἔχων
395

οὔτʼ ἐκ θεῶν του γνωτόν· ἀλλʼ ἐγὼ μολών,

ὁ μηδὲν εἰδὼς Οἰδίπους, ἔπαυσά νιν,

γνώμῃ κυρήσας οὐδʼ ἀπʼ, οἰωνῶν μαθών·

ὃν δὴ σὺ πειρᾷς ἐκβαλεῖν, δοκῶν θρόνοις

παραστατήσειν τοῖς Κρεοντείοις πέλας.
400

κλαίων δοκεῖς μοι καὶ σὺ χὠ συνθεὶς τάδε

ἀγηλατήσειν· εἰ δὲ μὴ ʼδόκεις γέρων

εἶναι, παθὼν ἔγνως ἂν οἷά περ φρονεῖς.

Χορός

ἡμῖν μὲν εἰκάζουσι καὶ τὰ τοῦδʼ ἔπη

ὀργῇ λελέχθαι καὶ τά σʼ, Οἰδίπους, δοκεῖ,
405

δεῖ δʼ οὐ τοιούτων, ἀλλʼ ὅπως τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ

μαντεῖʼ ἄριστα λύσομεν, τόδε σκοπεῖν.

408

Τειρεσίας

εἰ καὶ τυραννεῖς, ἐξισωτέον τὸ γοῦν

ἴσʼ ἀντιλέξαι· τοῦδε γὰρ κἀγὼ κρατῶ.

οὐ γάρ τι σοὶ ζῶ δοῦλος, ἀλλὰ Λοξίᾳ·
410

ὥστʼ οὐ Κρέοντος προστάτου γεγράψομαι.

λέγω δʼ, ἐπειδὴ καὶ τυφλόν μʼ ὠνείδισας·

σὺ καὶ δέδορκας κοὐ βλέπεις ἵνʼ εἶ κακοῦ,

οὐδʼ ἔνθα ναίεις, οὐδʼ ὅτων οἰκεῖς μέτα.

ἆρʼ οἶσθʼ ἀφʼ ὧν εἶ; καὶ λέληθας ἐχθρὸς ὢν
415

τοῖς σοῖσιν αὐτοῦ νέρθε κἀπὶ γῆς ἄνω,

καί σʼ ἀμφιπλὴξ μητρός τε καὶ τοῦ σοῦ πατρὸς

ἐλᾷ ποτʼ ἐκ γῆς τῆσδε δεινόπους ἀρά,

βλέποντα νῦν μὲν ὄρθʼ, ἔπειτα δὲ σκότον.

βοῆς δὲ τῆς σῆς ποῖος οὐκ ἔσται λιμήν,
420

ποῖος Κιθαιρὼν οὐχὶ σύμφωνος τάχα,

ὅταν καταίσθῃ τὸν ὑμέναιον, ὃν δόμοις

ἄνορμον εἰσέπλευσας, εὐπλοίας τυχών;

ἄλλων δὲ πλῆθος οὐκ ἐπαισθάνει κακῶν,

ἅ σʼ ἐξισώσει σοί τε καὶ τοῖς σοῖς τέκνοις.
425

πρὸς ταῦτα καὶ Κρέοντα καὶ τοὐμὸν στόμα

προπηλάκιζε· σοῦ γὰρ οὐκ ἔστιν βροτῶν

κάκιον ὅστις ἐκτριβήσεταί ποτε.

429

Οἰδίπους

ἦ ταῦτα δῆτʼ ἀνεκτὰ πρὸς τούτου κλύειν;

οὐκ εἰς ὄλεθρον; οὐχὶ θᾶσσον; οὐ πάλιν
430

ἄψορρος οἴκων τῶνδʼ ἀποστραφεὶς ἄπει;

Τειρεσίας

οὐδʼ ἱκόμην ἔγωγʼ ἄν, εἰ σὺ μὴ ʼκάλεις.

Οἰδίπους

οὐ γάρ τί σʼ ᾔδη μῶρα φωνήσοντʼ, ἐπεὶ

σχολῇ σʼ ἂν οἴκους τοὺς ἐμοὺς ἐστειλάμην.

Τειρεσίας

ἡμεῖς τοιοίδʼ ἔφυμεν, ὡς μὲν σοὶ δοκεῖ,
435

μῶροι, γονεῦσι δʼ, οἵ σʼ ἔφυσαν, ἔμφρονες.

Οἰδίπους

ποίοισι; μεῖνον, τίς δέ μʼ ἐκφύει βροτῶν;

Τειρεσίας

ἥδʼ ἡμέρα φύσει σε καὶ διαφθερεῖ.

Οἰδίπους

ὡς πάντʼ ἄγαν αἰνικτὰ κἀσαφῆ λέγεις.

Τειρεσίας

οὔκουν σὺ ταῦτʼ ἄριστος εὑρίσκειν ἔφυς;
440

Οἰδίπους

τοιαῦτʼ ὀνείδιζʼ, οἷς ἔμʼ εὑρήσεις μέγαν.

Τειρεσίας

αὕτη γε μέντοι σʼ ἡ τύχη διώλεσεν.

Οἰδίπους

ἀλλʼ εἰ πόλιν τήνδʼ ἐξέσωσʼ, οὔ μοι μέλει.

Τειρεσίας

ἄπειμι τοίνυν· καὶ σύ, παῖ, κόμιζέ με.

Οἰδίπους

κομιζέτω δῆθʼ· ὡς παρὼν σύ γʼ ἐμποδὼν
445

ὀχλεῖς, συθείς τʼ ἂν οὐκ ἂν ἀλγύνοις πλέον.

447

Τειρεσίας

εἰπὼν ἄπειμʼ ὧν οὕνεκʼ, ἦλθον, οὐ τὸ σὸν

δείσας πρόσωπον· οὐ γὰρ ἔσθʼ ὅπου μʼ ὀλεῖς.

λέγω δέ σοι· τὸν ἄνδρα τοῦτον, ὃν πάλαι

ζητεῖς ἀπειλῶν κἀνακηρύσσων φόνον
450

τὸν Λαΐειον, οὗτός ἐστιν ἐνθάδε,

ξένος λόγῳ μέτοικος, εἶτα δʼ ἐγγενὴς

φανήσεται Θηβαῖος, οὐδʼ ἡσθήσεται

τῇ ξυμφορᾷ· τυφλὸς γὰρ ἐκ δεδορκότος

καὶ πτωχὸς ἀντὶ πλουσίου ξένην ἔπι
455

σκήπτρῳ προδεικνὺς γαῖαν ἐμπορεύσεται.

φανήσεται δὲ παισὶ τοῖς αὑτοῦ ξυνὼν

ἀδελφὸς αὑτὸς καὶ πατήρ, κἀξ ἧς ἔφυ

γυναικὸς υἱὸς καὶ πόσις, καὶ τοῦ πατρὸς

ὁμόσπορός τε καὶ φονεύς. καὶ ταῦτʼ ἰὼν
460

εἴσω λογίζου· κἂν λάβῃς ἐψευσμένον,

φάσκειν ἔμʼ ἤδη μαντικῇ μηδὲν φρονεῖν.

Translations (4)

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 227 focus

OED

Wisely resolved. But still send one to bring

The labourer swain, and be not slack in this.
860

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 216 focus

Du flehst, und was du flehest, wird, wofern du mich

Anhörst und willig förderst, was der Seuche wehrt,

Dir werden - Rettung und der Noth Erleichterung.

Und also red' ich, weil ich fremd der Kunde bin,
220

Wie fremd der Unthat: ich allein, ich käme ja

Nicht weit im Forschen, ohne Spur und Zeichen sonst.

Nun (denn ich trat auch später erst als Bürger ein)

Erklär' ich frei vor allem Kadmosvolke dies.

Wenn euer Einem Kunde ward, von wessen Hand
225

Getroffen fiel der Labdakide Laïos,

Gebiet' ich, daß er Alles mir verkündige,

Selbst wenn davor ihm bangte, weil er wider sich

Zeugschaft erheben müßte; denn ihm widerfährt

Nichts Arges, straflos soll er aus dem Lande zieh'n.
230

Kennt aber Iemand einen Mann aus fremdem Land

Als Thäter, er verschweig' es nicht; ich werde selbst

Den Lohn an ihn bezahlen, und noch Dank dazu.

Doch wenn ihr schweigt, und Einer, um den Freund besorgt,

Mein Wort verachtet, oder um sich selber bang;
235

So sollt ihr hören, was ich dann zu thun beschloß.

Den Mann verbiet' ich, wer er sei, in diesem Land,

Worin Gewalt mir und der Thron beschieden ward,

Gastfreundlich aufzunehmen, noch zu grüßen ihn,

Noch bei der Götter Dienste, noch an Opfern ihm
240

Antheil zu gönnen oder an geweihter Flut:¹

Von eurer Schwelle stoßet ihn als einen Gräul,

Der uns verunreint, wie des Gottes pythisches

Orakel heute deutlich uns geoffenbart.

245-So Jedes ordnend, will ich treu dem Gotte, will
245

Dem hingeschiednen Manne treu zur Seite steh'n.

Dem Thäter aber fluch' ich, ob er seine That

Allein verübt im Dunkel, ob mit Mehreren:

Er friste schnöd ein schnödes Leben ohne Glück!

Ich flehe, mir, wofern ich selber wissentlich
250

An meinem Herd als Hausgenossen ihn gepflegt,

Das Leid zu senden, das ich jezt ihm angewünscht.

Doch euch gebiet' ich dringend, daß ihr alles dies

Für mich vollendet, für den Gott und dieses Land,

Das blütenlos und gottverlassen untergeht.
255

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 227 focus

Corinthian

Why, since benevolent to thee I came,
1005

Should I not free thee from this anxious fear?

English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 216-460 focus

Oedipus

You pray. And in answer to your prayer, if you will give a loyal reception to my words and minister to your own disease, you may hope to find help and relief from woes. These words I will speak publicly, as one who was a stranger to the report,

a stranger to the deed. I would not go far on the trail if I were tracing it alone, without a clue. But as it is—since it was only after the event that I was counted a Theban among Thebans—to you, Cadmeans all, I do thus proclaim: Whoever knows
220

by whom Laius son of Labdacus was slain, I order him to declare all to me. And if he is afraid, I order him to remove the danger of indictment from his path by denouncing himself: he will suffer no other punishment, but will only leave this land, unhurt.
225

If anyone knows the assassin to be an alien, from another land, let him not keep silent. I will reward him, and my thanks shall rest with him besides. But if he keeps silent, if anyone, through fear, seeks to screen himself or a friend from my orders,
230

then hear what I shall do: I charge you that no resident of this land, which I rule, give shelter to or address that murderer, whoever he is, or make him a partner in prayer or sacrifice,
235

or give him a share of the lustral rite. Ban him from your houses, all of you, knowing that this is the defilement, as the oracle of the Pythian god has recently shown to me. In this way
240

I am an ally both to the god and to the dead man. And I pray solemnly that the slayer, whoever he is, whether he alone is guilty or he has partners, may, in the horrible way he deserves, wear out his unblest life. And for myself I pray that if he should,
245

with my knowledge, become a resident of my house, I may suffer the same things which I have just called down on others. And I order you to make all these words good, for my sake, for the sake of the god, and for the sake of our land, thus rendered unfruitful and ungodly.
250
255

For even if the matter had not been urged upon us by a god, it still would not have been fit that you should leave the guilt unpunished as it is, when one so noble—and he your king—had perished. You should have searched it out. But now, since I hold the powers which he once held,
255

possessing his bed and the wife who bore his children, and since, had his hope of offspring not been unsuccessful, children born of one mother would have tied us with a common bond—as it was, fate swooped upon his head—I will uphold this cause, as though it were that of my own father,
260

and will leave no stone unturned in my search for the one who shed the blood, for the honor of the son of Labdacus and of Polydorus and the elder Cadmus and Agenor of old.
And for those who do not obey me, I pray that the gods
265

send them neither harvest of the earth nor fruit of the womb, but that they perish with the present fate, or one still worse. But to all you, the loyal Cadmeans who are satisfied by these things, may justice, our ally,
270

and all the gods be gracious always.
275

276

Chorus

As you have put me under oath, on my oath, my king, I will speak. I am not the slayer, nor can I reveal him. As for the investigation, it was for Phoebus, who enjoined it, to tell us who did the deed.

Oedipus

Justly said. But no man on earth can force the gods to do what they do not want.
280

Chorus

I would like to say what seems to me the next best course.

Oedipus

And if there is a third course, do not hesitate to reveal it too.

Chorus

I know that our lord Teiresias is the seer most like our

lord Apollo: from him, my king, an investigator might learn most clearly about these affairs.
285

Oedipus

Not even this have I neglected. On Creon’s suggestion, I sent a man twice to bring him. And I have been wondering for some time why he is not here.

Chorus

Indeed—his skill apart—the rumors are but faint and old.
290

Oedipus

What are the rumors? I am investigating every tale.

Chorus

He was said to have been killed by some wayfarers.

Oedipus

I too have heard that. But no one sees the one who saw it.

Chorus

If he knows what fear is, he will not hesitate to come forward when he

hears your curses, so dire are they.
295

Oedipus

When a man does not shrink from a deed, he is not scared by a word.

Chorus

But there is one to convict him. But here they bring at last the godlike prophet, the only man in whom truth lives.

300 Teiresias enters, led by a boy.

Oedipus

Teiresias, whose soul grasps all things, both that which may be told and that which is unspeakable, the Olympian secrets and the affairs of the earth, you feel, though you cannot see, what a huge plague haunts our state. From which, great prophet, we find you to be our protector and only savior.
300

Now, Phoebus—if indeed you have not already heard the news—sent answer to our question that the only way to rid ourselves of this pest that afflicts us is to discover the slayers of Laius, and then to slay them or banish them from our land.
305

So do not begrudge us the voice of the birds or any other path of prophecy, but save yourself and your state, save me, save all that is defiled by the dead. We are in your hands, and man’s noblest task is to help others
310

to the best of his means and powers.
315

Teiresias

Alas, how terrible it is to have wisdom when it does not benefit those who have it. I knew this well, but let it slip from my mind: otherwise I would not have come here.

Oedipus

What now? How disheartened you have come!

Teiresias

Let me go home. For you will bear your own burden to the end, and I will bear mine, if you consent.
320

Oedipus

Your words are strange and unkind to the state which nurtured you, since you withhold this response.

Teiresias

I see that you, for your part, speak inappropriately.

Therefore do not speak, so I will not suffer the same.
325

Oedipus

For the love of the gods, do not turn away, if you have knowledge: all we suppliants implore you on our knees.

Teiresias

For all of you are without knowledge. But never will I reveal my troubles—not to call them yours.

330

Oedipus

What are you saying? Do you know the secret and refuse to tell it? Will you betray and destroy the state?
330

Teiresias

I will grieve neither myself nor you. Why do you ask these things in vain? You will not learn the answers from me.

Oedipus

Will you not, basest of the base—

you would anger a stone—speak out? can nothing touch you? Will you never make an end?
335

Teiresias

You blame my anger, but do not perceive your own: no, you blame me.

Oedipus

Who would not be angry hearing such words,

with which you now are slighting the city?
340

Teiresias

The future will come of itself, though I shroud it in silence.

Oedipus

Since it must come anyway, it is right that you tell it to me.

Teiresias

I will speak no further: rage, if you wish, with the fiercest wrath your heart knows.

Oedipus

In my anger I will not spare to speak all my thoughts. Know that you seem to me to have helped in plotting the deed, and to have done it, short of performing the actual murder with your own hands: if you had eyesight, I would have said that you had done even this by yourself.
345

Teiresias

In truth? I order you to abide by you own decree, and from this day forth not to speak to these men or to me: you are the accursed defiler of this land.
350

354

Oedipus

So brazen with your blustering taunt?

Where do you think to escape to?
355

Teiresias

I have escaped. There is strength in my truth.

Oedipus

Who taught you this? Not your skill, at any rate.

Teiresias

You yourself. For you spurred me on to speak against my will.

Oedipus

What did you say? Speak again, so I may learn it better.

Teiresias

Did you not understand before, or are you talking to test me?
360

Oedipus

I cannot say I understood fully. Tell me again.

Teiresias

I say that you are the killer of the man whose slayer you seek.

Oedipus

Now you will regret that you have said such dire words twice.

Teiresias

Should I tell you more, that you might get more angry?

Oedipus

Say as much as you want: it will be said in vain.
365

Teiresias

I say that you have been living in unguessed shame with your closest kin, and do not see into what woe you have fallen.

Oedipus

Do you think that you will always be able to speak like this without smarting for it?

Teiresias

Yes, if indeed there is any strength in truth.

Oedipus

But there is, except not for you. You do not have that strength, since you are maimed in your ears, in your wit, and in your eyes.
370

Teiresias

And you are a poor wretch to utter taunts that every man here will soon hurl at you.

Oedipus

Night, endless night has you in her keeping, so that you can never hurt me,

or any man that sees the light of the sun.
375

Teiresias

No, it is not your fate to fall at my hands, since Apollo, to whom this matter is a concern, is sufficient.

Oedipus

Are these Creon’s devices, or your own?

Teiresias

Creon is no trouble for you: you are your own.

380

Oedipus

O wealth, and empire, and skill surpassing skill in life’s keen rivalries, how great is the envy in your keeping, if for the sake of this office which the city has entrusted to me, a gift unsought,
380

Creon the trustworthy, Creon, my old friend, has crept upon me by stealth, yearning to overthrow me, and has suborned such a scheming juggler as this, a tricky quack, who has eyes only for profit, but is blind in his art!
385

Come, tell me, where have you proved yourself a seer? Why, when the watchful dog who wove dark song was here, did you say nothing to free the people? Yet the riddle, at least, was not for the first comer to read: there was need of a seer’s help,
390

and you were discovered not to have this art, either from birds, or known from some god. But rather I, Oedipus the ignorant, stopped her, having attained the answer through my wit alone, untaught by birds. It is I whom you are trying to oust, assuming that
395

you will have great influence in Creon’s court. But I think that you and the one who plotted these things will rue your zeal to purge the land: if you did not seem to be an old man, you would have learned to your cost how haughty you are.
400

Chorus

To our way of thinking, these words, both his and yours, Oedipus,

have been said in anger. We have no need of this, but rather we must seek how we shall best discharge the mandates of the god.
405

408

Teiresias

Though you are king, the right of reply must be considered the same for both: over that I have control.

For I do not live as your slave, but as Loxias’. I will not stand enrolled as Creon’s client. And I tell you, since you have taunted my blindness, that though you have sight, you do not see what a state of misery you are in, or where you dwell, or with whom.
410

Do you know who your parents are? You have been an unwitting enemy to your own kin, both in the Underworld and on the earth above, and the double lash of your mother’s and your father’s curse will one day drive you from this land in dreadful haste, with darkness upon those eyes of yours which now can see.
415

What place will be harbor to your cries, what part of all Cithaeron will not ring with them soon, when you have learned the meaning of the nuptials in which, within that house, you found a fatal haven, after a voyage so fair? And you have not guessed at a throng of other ills
420

which will bring you level with your true self and with your own children. Therefore heap your scorn upon Creon and upon my message: for no man will ever be crushed more miserably than you.
425

429

Oedipus

Are these taunts to be endured from him?

Be gone, to your ruin; be gone this instant! Will you not turn your back and leave this house?
430

Teiresias

I would not have come if you had not called me.

Oedipus

I did not know you would speak foolishly, for otherwise it would have been a long time before I summoned you to my home.

Teiresias

I was born like this—as you think, a fool, but in the opinion of the parents who bore you, quite sane.
435

Oedipus

What parents? Wait. What man is my father?

Teiresias

This day will reveal your birth and bring your ruin.

Oedipus

What riddles, what dark words you always say.

Teiresias

Are you not the best at unravelling mysteries?
440

Oedipus

Reproach me in what you will find me to be great.

Teiresias

Yet it was just that fortune that undid you.

Oedipus

But if it saved this city I care not.

Teiresias

I will take my leave. You, boy, lead me.

Oedipus

Yes, let him take you: while here, you are a hindrance, a source of trouble. When you have gone, you will vex me no more.
445

447

Teiresias

I will go when I have performed the errand for which I came, fearless of your frown: you can never destroy me. I tell you: the man whom you have been seeking this long while,

uttering threats and proclaiming a search into the murder of Laius, is here, ostensibly an alien sojourner, but soon to be found a native of Thebes ; nor will he enjoy his fortune. A blind man, though now he sees,
450

a beggar, though now rich, he will make his way to a foreign land, feeling the ground before him with his staff. And he will be discovered to be at once brother and father of the children with whom he consorts; son and husband of the woman who bore him;
455

heir to his father’s bed, shedder of his father’s blood. So go in and evaluate this, and if you find that I am wrong, say then that I have no wit in prophecy.
460

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-714-1 Cp. Soph. Aj. 72

τὸν τὰς αἰχμαλωτίδας χέρας | δεσμοῖς ἀπευθύνοντα

(preparatory to flogging): Hom. Od. 22.189

σὺν δὲ πόδας χεῖράς τε δέον θυμαλγέϊ δεσμῷ | εὖ μάλ’ ἀποστρέψαντε

(of Melanthius the goat-herd); then κίον ἀν’ ὑψηλὴν ἔρυσαν πέλασάν τε δοκοῖσιν: and so left him hanging.

mvp-comment-715-1 δύστηνος ¹

mvp-comment-716-1 εἰς τόδ’ ²

mvp-comment-717-1 ἐς τριβὰς ἐλᾷ, ³

mvp-comment-718-1 οὐ δῆτ’ ἔγωγε ⁴

mvp-comment-719-1 The words could mean either: (1) “he was one of the children of Laius ”; or (2) “he was one of the children of the household of Laius, ” τῶν Λαΐου being gen. of οἱ Λαΐου. The ambiguity is brought out by 1168. See on 814.

mvp-comment-720-1 κείνου τις ἐγγενὴς γεγώς ⁵

mvp-comment-721-1 I am close on the horror, —close on uttering it: (ὥστἐ λέγειν ⁶ ἀκούειν ⁷

mvp-comment-722-1 While γέ τοι, γε μέντοι, γε μὲν δή are comparatively frequent, γέ τοι δή ⁸

mvp-comment-723-1 ὡς ⁹

mvp-comment-724-1 τοὺς τεκόντας ¹⁰

mvp-comment-725-1 “I gave up the child through pity,” ὡς … δοκῶν ¹¹ ὡς ¹²

mvp-comment-725-2 ἄλλην χθόνα ἀποίσειν ¹³

mvp-comment-726-1 κάκ’ ¹⁴

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

1153. mvp-comment-653-1 τὸν γέροντά μ The old man you see me to be. Essay on Language § 21. p. 33.

1155. mvp-comment-654-1 Unhappy that I am, wherefore? What is it you would learn? τί προσχρήζων, sc. ταῦτα κελεύεις; For similar inexactness, cp. Phil. 1191, τί ῥέξοντες ἀλλοκύτῳ | γνώμᾳ τῶν πάρος, ὧν προὔφαινες; Αj. 1351; and see Essay on Language p. 64.

1156. mvp-comment-655-1 The repetition of the demon- strative, τῷδε.. οὗτος, is expressive of the impatience of Oedipus.

1157. mvp-comment-656-1 τῇδ᾽ ἡμέρᾳ That day. Cp. Tr. 716-718, supr. 1128, and see Essay on Language § 22. p. 34.

1158. mvp-comment-657-1 τούνδικον What is right. Cp. 322, οὔτ᾽ ἔννομ᾽ εἶπες, κ.τ.λ.

1159. mvp-comment-658-1 διόλλυμαι. 1166. ὄλωλας The present and perfect for the future, implying certainty. Cp. supr. 297, οὗξελέγχων, and note.

1160. mvp-comment-659-1 ἐς τριβὰς ἐλᾷ Will be driving at delay. Cp. Eur. Heracl. 904, ἐγγὺς μανιῶν ἐλαύνει, and the like expressions.

1161. mvp-comment-660-1 πάλαι with εἶπον.

1163. mvp-comment-661-1 The postponement of the negative, and the unusual rhythm, for which cp. 1155, assist the effect of reluctance and constraint. μ 1167. Well, then, the child who was born came from the house of Laius.' The expression is purposely ambiguous. As οἱ Λαΐou are Laius people,' so τὰ Λαΐου γεννήματα include their offspring.

1168. mvp-comment-662-1 τις ἐγγενής One of his family. Cp. O. С. 1167.

1169. mvp-comment-663-1 λέγειν is supplementary. I am close on the horror, close on speaking of it.

1170. mvp-comment-664-1 ἀκούων Sc. πρὸς αὐτῷ εἰμὶ τῷ ειν δεινῷ. One MS. has ἀκούων.

1171. mvp-comment-665-1 'Yes, report certainly gave him out to be Laius' child'

1175. mvp-comment-666-1 τλήμων "Unhappy one!' The word expresses strong commiseration, but also implies wonder at the act. Its mother! had she the heart? Cp. Eur. Ion, 960, φεῦ· τλήμων σὺ τόλμης, ὁ δὲ θεὸς μᾶλλον σέθεν, said to Creüsa, who deserted the child she had by Apollo.

1180. mvp-comment-667-1 A few touches now reveal the whole secret. The herdsman is not required to give the information for which he was at first summoned. There is no need to explain the horror further.

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Shepherd of Corinth [pointing to CEdipus]. Behold him here, That very child. Old Shep. Oh ! say it not : away ! 1171 Perdition on thee !

Current edition Experimental

Οἰδίπους δίκαιʼ ἔλεξας· ἀλλʼ ἀναγκάσαι θεοὺς 280 ἃν μὴ θέλωσιν οὐδʼ ἂν εἷς δύναιτʼ ἀνήρ.

Χορός τὰ δεύτερʼ ἐκ τῶνδʼ ἂν λέγοιμʼ ἁμοὶ δοκεῖ.

Οἰδίπους εἰ καὶ τρίτʼ ἐστί, μὴ παρῇς τὸ μὴ οὐ φράσαι.

Χορός ἄνακτʼ ἄνακτι ταὔθʼ ὁρῶντʼ ἐπίσταμαι μάλιστα Φοίβῳ Τειρεσίαν, παρʼ οὗ τις ἂν 285 σκοπῶν τάδʼ, ὦναξ, ἐκμάθοι σαφέστατα.

Οἰδίπους ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἐν ἀργοῖς οὐδὲ τοῦτʼ ἐπραξάμην. ἔπεμψα γὰρ Κρέοντος εἰπόντος διπλοῦς πομπούς· πάλαι δὲ μὴ παρῶν θαυμάζεται.

Χορός καὶ μὴν τά γʼ ἄλλα κωφὰ καὶ παλαίʼ ἔπη. 290

Οἰδίπους τὰ ποῖα ταῦτα; πάντα γὰρ σκοπῶ λόγον.

Χορός θανεῖν ἐλέχθη πρός τινων ὁδοιπόρων.

Οἰδίπους ἤκουσα κἀγώ. τὸν δʼ ἰδόντʼ οὐδεὶς ὁρᾷ.

Χορός ἀλλʼ εἴ τι μὲν δὴ δείματός γʼ ἔχει μέρος, τὰς σὰς ἀκούων οὐ μενεῖ τοιάσδʼ ἀράς, 295

Οἰδίπους ᾧ μή ʼστι δρῶντι τάρβος, οὐδʼ ἔπος φοβεῖ.

Χορός ἀλλʼ οὑξελέγξων αὐτὸν ἔστιν· οἵδε γὰρ τὸν θεῖον ἤδη μάντιν ὧδʼ ἄγουσιν, ᾧ τἀληθὲς ἐμπέφυκεν ἀνθρώπων μόνῳ.

Τειρεσίας φεῦ φεῦ, φρονεῖν ὡς δεινὸν ἔνθα μὴ τέλη λύῃ φρονοῦντι· ταῦτα γὰρ καλῶς ἐγὼ εἰδὼς διώλεσʼ· οὐ γὰρ ἂν δεῦρʼ ἱκόμην.

Οἰδίπους τί δʼ ἔστιν; ὡς ἄθυμος εἰσελήλυθας.

Τειρεσίας ἄφες μʼ ἐς οἴκους· ῥᾷστα γὰρ τὸ σόν τε σὺ 320 κἀγὼ διοίσω τοὐμόν, ἢν ἐμοὶ πίθῃ.

Οἰδίπους οὔτʼ ἔννομʼ εἶπας οὔτε προσφιλῆ πόλει τῇδʼ, ἥ σʼ ἔθρεψε, τήνδʼ ἀποστερῶν φάτιν.

Τειρεσίας ὁρῶ γὰρ οὐδὲ σοὶ τὸ σὸν φώνημʼ ἰὸν πρὸς καιρόν· ὡς οὖν μηδʼ ἐγὼ ταὐτὸν πάθω— 325

Οἰδίπους μὴ πρὸς θεῶν φρονῶν γʼ ἀποστραφῇς, ἐπεὶ πάντες σε προσκυνοῦμεν οἵδʼ ἱκτήριοι.

Τειρεσίας πάντες γὰρ οὐ φρονεῖτʼ· ἐγὼ δʼ οὐ μή ποτε τἄμʼ, ὡς ἂν εἴπω μὴ τὰ σʼ, ἐκφήνω κακά.

Οἰδίπους τί φής; ξυνειδὼς οὐ φράσεις, ἀλλʼ ἐννοεῖς 330 ἡμᾶς προδοῦναι καὶ καταφθεῖραι πόλιν;

Τειρεσίας ἐγὼ οὔτʼ ἐμαυτὸν οὔτε σʼ ἀλγυνῶ. τί ταῦτʼ ἄλλως ἐλέγχεις; οὐ γὰρ ἂν πύθοιό μου.

Οἰδίπους οὐκ, ὦ κακῶν κάκιστε, καὶ γὰρ ἂν πέτρου φύσιν σύ γʼ ὀργάνειας, ἐξερεῖς ποτε, 335 ἀλλʼ ὧδʼ ἄτεγκτος κἀτελεύτητος φανεῖ;

Τειρεσίας ὀργὴν ἐμέμψω τὴν ἐμήν, τὴν σὴν δʼ ὁμοῦ ναίουσαν οὐ κατεῖδες, ἀλλʼ ἐμὲ ψέγεις.

Οἰδίπους τίς γὰρ τοιαῦτʼ ἂν οὐκ ἂν ὀργίζοιτʼ ἔπη κλύων, ἃ νῦν σὺ τήνδʼ ἀτιμάζεις πόλιν; 340

Τειρεσίας ἥξει γὰρ αὐτά, κἂν ἐγὼ σιγῇ στέγω.

Οἰδίπους οὐκοῦν ἅ γʼ ἥξει καὶ σὲ χρὴ λέγειν ἐμοί.

Τειρεσίας οὐκ ἂν πέρα φράσαιμι. πρὸς τάδʼ, εἰ θέλεις, θυμοῦ διʼ ὀργῆς ἥτις ἀγριωτάτη.

Τειρεσίας ἄληθες; ἐννέπω σὲ τῷ κηρύγματι 350 ᾧπερ προεῖπας ἐμμένειν, κἀφʼ ἡμέρας τῆς νῦν προσαυδᾶν μήτε τούσδε μήτʼ ἐμέ, ὡς ὄντι γῆς τῆσδʼ ἀνοσίῳ μιάστορι.

Οἰδίπους οὕτως ἀναιδῶς ἐξεκίνησας τόδε τὸ ῥῆμα; καὶ ποῦ τοῦτο φεύξεσθαι δοκεῖς; 355

Τειρεσίας πέφευγα· τἀληθὲς γὰρ ἰσχῦον τρέφω.

Οἰδίπους πρὸς τοῦ διδαχθείς; οὐ γὰρ ἔκ γε τῆς τέχνης.

Τειρεσίας πρὸς σοῦ· σὺ γάρ μʼ ἄκοντα προυτρέψω λέγειν.

Οἰδίπους ποῖον λόγον; λέγʼ αὖθις, ὡς μᾶλλον μάθω.

Τειρεσίας οὐχὶ ξυνῆκας πρόσθεν; ἢ ʼκπειρᾷ λέγων; 360

Οἰδίπους οὐχ ὥστε γʼ εἰπεῖν γνωστόν· ἀλλʼ αὖθις φράσον.

Τειρεσίας φονέα σε φημὶ τἀνδρὸς οὗ ζητεῖς κυρεῖν.

Οἰδίπους ἀλλʼ οὔ τι χαίρων δίς γε πημονὰς ἐρεῖς.

Τειρεσίας εἴπω τι δῆτα κἄλλʼ, ἵνʼ ὀργίζῃ πλέον;

Οἰδίπους ὅσον γε χρῄζεις· ὡς μάτην εἰρήσεται. 365

Τειρεσίας λεληθέναι σε φημὶ σὺν τοῖς φιλτάτοις αἴσχισθʼ ὁμιλοῦντʼ, οὐδʼ ὁρᾶν ἵνʼ εἶ κακοῦ.

Οἰδίπους ἦ καὶ γεγηθὼς ταῦτʼ ἀεὶ λέξειν δοκεῖς;

Τειρεσίας εἴπερ τί γʼ ἐστὶ τῆς ἀληθείας σθένος.

Οἰδίπους ἀλλʼ ἔστι, πλὴν σοί· σοὶ δὲ τοῦτʼ οὐκ ἔστʼ ἐπεὶ 370 τυφλὸς τά τʼ ὦτα τόν τε νοῦν τά τʼ ὄμματʼ εἶ.

Τειρεσίας σὺ δʼ ἄθλιός γε ταῦτʼ ὀνειδίζων, ἃ σοὶ οὐδεὶς ὃς οὐχὶ τῶνδʼ ὀνειδιεῖ τάχα.

Οἰδίπους μιᾶς τρέφει πρὸς νυκτός, ὥστε μήτʼ ἐμὲ μήτʼ ἄλλον, ὅστις φῶς ὁρᾷ, βλάψαι ποτʼ ἄν. 375

Τειρεσίας οὐ γάρ σε μοῖρα πρός γʼ ἐμοῦ πεσεῖν, ἐπεὶ ἱκανὸς Ἀπόλλων, ᾧ τάδʼ ἐκπρᾶξαι μέλει.

Οἰδίπους Κρέοντος ἢ σοῦ ταῦτα τἀξευρήματα;

Τειρεσίας Κρέων δέ σοι πῆμʼ οὐδέν, ἀλλʼ αὐτὸς σὺ σοί.

Οἰδίπους ἦ ταῦτα δῆτʼ ἀνεκτὰ πρὸς τούτου κλύειν; οὐκ εἰς ὄλεθρον; οὐχὶ θᾶσσον; οὐ πάλιν 430 ἄψορρος οἴκων τῶνδʼ ἀποστραφεὶς ἄπει;

Τειρεσίας οὐδʼ ἱκόμην ἔγωγʼ ἄν, εἰ σὺ μὴ ʼκάλεις.

Οἰδίπους οὐ γάρ τί σʼ ᾔδη μῶρα φωνήσοντʼ, ἐπεὶ σχολῇ σʼ ἂν οἴκους τοὺς ἐμοὺς ἐστειλάμην.

Τειρεσίας ἡμεῖς τοιοίδʼ ἔφυμεν, ὡς μὲν σοὶ δοκεῖ, 435 μῶροι, γονεῦσι δʼ, οἵ σʼ ἔφυσαν, ἔμφρονες.

Οἰδίπους ποίοισι; μεῖνον, τίς δέ μʼ ἐκφύει βροτῶν;

Τειρεσίας ἥδʼ ἡμέρα φύσει σε καὶ διαφθερεῖ.

Οἰδίπους ὡς πάντʼ ἄγαν αἰνικτὰ κἀσαφῆ λέγεις.

Τειρεσίας οὔκουν σὺ ταῦτʼ ἄριστος εὑρίσκειν ἔφυς; 440

Οἰδίπους τοιαῦτʼ ὀνείδιζʼ, οἷς ἔμʼ εὑρήσεις μέγαν.

Τειρεσίας αὕτη γε μέντοι σʼ ἡ τύχη διώλεσεν.

Οἰδίπους ἀλλʼ εἰ πόλιν τήνδʼ ἐξέσωσʼ, οὔ μοι μέλει.

Τειρεσίας ἄπειμι τοίνυν· καὶ σύ, παῖ, κόμιζέ με.

Οἰδίπους κομιζέτω δῆθʼ· ὡς παρὼν σύ γʼ ἐμποδὼν 445 ὀχλεῖς, συθείς τʼ ἂν οὐκ ἂν ἀλγύνοις πλέον.

OED Wisely resolved. But still send one to bring The labourer swain, and be not slack in this. 860

Corinthian Why, since benevolent to thee I came, 1005 Should I not free thee from this anxious fear?

Chorus As you have put me under oath, on my oath, my king, I will speak. I am not the slayer, nor can I reveal him. As for the investigation, it was for Phoebus, who enjoined it, to tell us who did the deed.

Oedipus Justly said. But no man on earth can force the gods to do what they do not want. 280

Chorus I would like to say what seems to me the next best course.

Oedipus And if there is a third course, do not hesitate to reveal it too.

Chorus I know that our lord Teiresias is the seer most like our lord Apollo: from him, my king, an investigator might learn most clearly about these affairs. 285

Oedipus Not even this have I neglected. On Creon’s suggestion, I sent a man twice to bring him. And I have been wondering for some time why he is not here.

Chorus Indeed—his skill apart—the rumors are but faint and old. 290

Oedipus What are the rumors? I am investigating every tale.

Chorus He was said to have been killed by some wayfarers.

Oedipus I too have heard that. But no one sees the one who saw it.

Chorus If he knows what fear is, he will not hesitate to come forward when he hears your curses, so dire are they. 295

Oedipus When a man does not shrink from a deed, he is not scared by a word.

Chorus But there is one to convict him. But here they bring at last the godlike prophet, the only man in whom truth lives.

Shepherd

of Corinth [pointing to CEdipus]. Behold him

here,

That very child.

Old Shep. Oh ! say it not : away !

1171

Perdition on thee !

Οἰδίπους

δίκαιʼ ἔλεξας· ἀλλʼ ἀναγκάσαι θεοὺς
280

ἃν μὴ θέλωσιν οὐδʼ ἂν εἷς δύναιτʼ ἀνήρ.

Χορός

τὰ δεύτερʼ ἐκ τῶνδʼ ἂν λέγοιμʼ ἁμοὶ δοκεῖ.

Οἰδίπους

εἰ καὶ τρίτʼ ἐστί, μὴ παρῇς τὸ μὴ οὐ φράσαι.

Χορός

ἄνακτʼ ἄνακτι ταὔθʼ ὁρῶντʼ ἐπίσταμαι

μάλιστα Φοίβῳ Τειρεσίαν, παρʼ οὗ τις ἂν
285

σκοπῶν τάδʼ, ὦναξ, ἐκμάθοι σαφέστατα.

Οἰδίπους

ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἐν ἀργοῖς οὐδὲ τοῦτʼ ἐπραξάμην.

ἔπεμψα γὰρ Κρέοντος εἰπόντος διπλοῦς

πομπούς· πάλαι δὲ μὴ παρῶν θαυμάζεται.

Χορός

καὶ μὴν τά γʼ ἄλλα κωφὰ καὶ παλαίʼ ἔπη.
290

Οἰδίπους

τὰ ποῖα ταῦτα; πάντα γὰρ σκοπῶ λόγον.

Χορός

θανεῖν ἐλέχθη πρός τινων ὁδοιπόρων.

Οἰδίπους

ἤκουσα κἀγώ. τὸν δʼ ἰδόντʼ οὐδεὶς ὁρᾷ.

Χορός

ἀλλʼ εἴ τι μὲν δὴ δείματός γʼ ἔχει μέρος,

τὰς σὰς ἀκούων οὐ μενεῖ τοιάσδʼ ἀράς,
295

Οἰδίπους

ᾧ μή ʼστι δρῶντι τάρβος, οὐδʼ ἔπος φοβεῖ.

Χορός

ἀλλʼ οὑξελέγξων αὐτὸν ἔστιν· οἵδε γὰρ

τὸν θεῖον ἤδη μάντιν ὧδʼ ἄγουσιν, ᾧ

τἀληθὲς ἐμπέφυκεν ἀνθρώπων μόνῳ.

Τειρεσίας

φεῦ φεῦ, φρονεῖν ὡς δεινὸν ἔνθα μὴ τέλη

λύῃ φρονοῦντι· ταῦτα γὰρ καλῶς ἐγὼ

εἰδὼς διώλεσʼ· οὐ γὰρ ἂν δεῦρʼ ἱκόμην.

Οἰδίπους

τί δʼ ἔστιν; ὡς ἄθυμος εἰσελήλυθας.

Τειρεσίας

ἄφες μʼ ἐς οἴκους· ῥᾷστα γὰρ τὸ σόν τε σὺ
320

κἀγὼ διοίσω τοὐμόν, ἢν ἐμοὶ πίθῃ.

Οἰδίπους

οὔτʼ ἔννομʼ εἶπας οὔτε προσφιλῆ πόλει

τῇδʼ, ἥ σʼ ἔθρεψε, τήνδʼ ἀποστερῶν φάτιν.

Τειρεσίας

ὁρῶ γὰρ οὐδὲ σοὶ τὸ σὸν φώνημʼ ἰὸν

πρὸς καιρόν· ὡς οὖν μηδʼ ἐγὼ ταὐτὸν πάθω—
325

Οἰδίπους

μὴ πρὸς θεῶν φρονῶν γʼ ἀποστραφῇς, ἐπεὶ

πάντες σε προσκυνοῦμεν οἵδʼ ἱκτήριοι.

Τειρεσίας

πάντες γὰρ οὐ φρονεῖτʼ· ἐγὼ δʼ οὐ μή ποτε

τἄμʼ, ὡς ἂν εἴπω μὴ τὰ σʼ, ἐκφήνω κακά.

Οἰδίπους

τί φής; ξυνειδὼς οὐ φράσεις, ἀλλʼ ἐννοεῖς
330

ἡμᾶς προδοῦναι καὶ καταφθεῖραι πόλιν;

Τειρεσίας

ἐγὼ οὔτʼ ἐμαυτὸν οὔτε σʼ ἀλγυνῶ. τί ταῦτʼ

ἄλλως ἐλέγχεις; οὐ γὰρ ἂν πύθοιό μου.

Οἰδίπους

οὐκ, ὦ κακῶν κάκιστε, καὶ γὰρ ἂν πέτρου

φύσιν σύ γʼ ὀργάνειας, ἐξερεῖς ποτε,
335

ἀλλʼ ὧδʼ ἄτεγκτος κἀτελεύτητος φανεῖ;

Τειρεσίας

ὀργὴν ἐμέμψω τὴν ἐμήν, τὴν σὴν δʼ ὁμοῦ

ναίουσαν οὐ κατεῖδες, ἀλλʼ ἐμὲ ψέγεις.

Οἰδίπους

τίς γὰρ τοιαῦτʼ ἂν οὐκ ἂν ὀργίζοιτʼ ἔπη

κλύων, ἃ νῦν σὺ τήνδʼ ἀτιμάζεις πόλιν;
340

Τειρεσίας

ἥξει γὰρ αὐτά, κἂν ἐγὼ σιγῇ στέγω.

Οἰδίπους

οὐκοῦν ἅ γʼ ἥξει καὶ σὲ χρὴ λέγειν ἐμοί.

Τειρεσίας

οὐκ ἂν πέρα φράσαιμι. πρὸς τάδʼ, εἰ θέλεις,

θυμοῦ διʼ ὀργῆς ἥτις ἀγριωτάτη.

Οἰδίπους

οὕτως ἀναιδῶς ἐξεκίνησας τόδε

τὸ ῥῆμα; καὶ ποῦ τοῦτο φεύξεσθαι δοκεῖς;
355

Τειρεσίας

πέφευγα· τἀληθὲς γὰρ ἰσχῦον τρέφω.

Οἰδίπους

πρὸς τοῦ διδαχθείς; οὐ γὰρ ἔκ γε τῆς τέχνης.

Τειρεσίας

πρὸς σοῦ· σὺ γάρ μʼ ἄκοντα προυτρέψω λέγειν.

Οἰδίπους

ποῖον λόγον; λέγʼ αὖθις, ὡς μᾶλλον μάθω.

Τειρεσίας

οὐχὶ ξυνῆκας πρόσθεν; ἢ ʼκπειρᾷ λέγων;
360

Οἰδίπους

οὐχ ὥστε γʼ εἰπεῖν γνωστόν· ἀλλʼ αὖθις φράσον.

Τειρεσίας

φονέα σε φημὶ τἀνδρὸς οὗ ζητεῖς κυρεῖν.

Οἰδίπους

ἀλλʼ οὔ τι χαίρων δίς γε πημονὰς ἐρεῖς.

Τειρεσίας

εἴπω τι δῆτα κἄλλʼ, ἵνʼ ὀργίζῃ πλέον;

Οἰδίπους

ὅσον γε χρῄζεις· ὡς μάτην εἰρήσεται.
365

Τειρεσίας

λεληθέναι σε φημὶ σὺν τοῖς φιλτάτοις

αἴσχισθʼ ὁμιλοῦντʼ, οὐδʼ ὁρᾶν ἵνʼ εἶ κακοῦ.

Οἰδίπους

ἦ καὶ γεγηθὼς ταῦτʼ ἀεὶ λέξειν δοκεῖς;

Τειρεσίας

εἴπερ τί γʼ ἐστὶ τῆς ἀληθείας σθένος.

Οἰδίπους

ἀλλʼ ἔστι, πλὴν σοί· σοὶ δὲ τοῦτʼ οὐκ ἔστʼ ἐπεὶ
370

τυφλὸς τά τʼ ὦτα τόν τε νοῦν τά τʼ ὄμματʼ εἶ.

Τειρεσίας

σὺ δʼ ἄθλιός γε ταῦτʼ ὀνειδίζων, ἃ σοὶ

οὐδεὶς ὃς οὐχὶ τῶνδʼ ὀνειδιεῖ τάχα.

Οἰδίπους

μιᾶς τρέφει πρὸς νυκτός, ὥστε μήτʼ ἐμὲ

μήτʼ ἄλλον, ὅστις φῶς ὁρᾷ, βλάψαι ποτʼ ἄν.
375

Τειρεσίας

οὐ γάρ σε μοῖρα πρός γʼ ἐμοῦ πεσεῖν, ἐπεὶ

ἱκανὸς Ἀπόλλων, ᾧ τάδʼ ἐκπρᾶξαι μέλει.

Οἰδίπους

Κρέοντος ἢ σοῦ ταῦτα τἀξευρήματα;

Τειρεσίας

Κρέων δέ σοι πῆμʼ οὐδέν, ἀλλʼ αὐτὸς σὺ σοί.

Οἰδίπους

ἦ ταῦτα δῆτʼ ἀνεκτὰ πρὸς τούτου κλύειν;

οὐκ εἰς ὄλεθρον; οὐχὶ θᾶσσον; οὐ πάλιν
430

ἄψορρος οἴκων τῶνδʼ ἀποστραφεὶς ἄπει;

Τειρεσίας

οὐδʼ ἱκόμην ἔγωγʼ ἄν, εἰ σὺ μὴ ʼκάλεις.

Οἰδίπους

οὐ γάρ τί σʼ ᾔδη μῶρα φωνήσοντʼ, ἐπεὶ

σχολῇ σʼ ἂν οἴκους τοὺς ἐμοὺς ἐστειλάμην.

Τειρεσίας

ἡμεῖς τοιοίδʼ ἔφυμεν, ὡς μὲν σοὶ δοκεῖ,
435

μῶροι, γονεῦσι δʼ, οἵ σʼ ἔφυσαν, ἔμφρονες.

Οἰδίπους

ποίοισι; μεῖνον, τίς δέ μʼ ἐκφύει βροτῶν;

Τειρεσίας

ἥδʼ ἡμέρα φύσει σε καὶ διαφθερεῖ.

Οἰδίπους

ὡς πάντʼ ἄγαν αἰνικτὰ κἀσαφῆ λέγεις.

Τειρεσίας

οὔκουν σὺ ταῦτʼ ἄριστος εὑρίσκειν ἔφυς;
440

Οἰδίπους

τοιαῦτʼ ὀνείδιζʼ, οἷς ἔμʼ εὑρήσεις μέγαν.

Τειρεσίας

αὕτη γε μέντοι σʼ ἡ τύχη διώλεσεν.

Οἰδίπους

ἀλλʼ εἰ πόλιν τήνδʼ ἐξέσωσʼ, οὔ μοι μέλει.

Τειρεσίας

ἄπειμι τοίνυν· καὶ σύ, παῖ, κόμιζέ με.

Οἰδίπους

κομιζέτω δῆθʼ· ὡς παρὼν σύ γʼ ἐμποδὼν
445

ὀχλεῖς, συθείς τʼ ἂν οὐκ ἂν ἀλγύνοις πλέον.

OED

Wisely resolved. But still send one to bring

The labourer swain, and be not slack in this.
860

Corinthian

Why, since benevolent to thee I came,
1005

Should I not free thee from this anxious fear?

Chorus

As you have put me under oath, on my oath, my king, I will speak. I am not the slayer, nor can I reveal him. As for the investigation, it was for Phoebus, who enjoined it, to tell us who did the deed.

Oedipus

Justly said. But no man on earth can force the gods to do what they do not want.
280

Chorus

I would like to say what seems to me the next best course.

Oedipus

And if there is a third course, do not hesitate to reveal it too.

Chorus

I know that our lord Teiresias is the seer most like our

lord Apollo: from him, my king, an investigator might learn most clearly about these affairs.
285

Oedipus

Not even this have I neglected. On Creon’s suggestion, I sent a man twice to bring him. And I have been wondering for some time why he is not here.

Chorus

Indeed—his skill apart—the rumors are but faint and old.
290

Oedipus

What are the rumors? I am investigating every tale.

Chorus

He was said to have been killed by some wayfarers.

Oedipus

I too have heard that. But no one sees the one who saw it.

Chorus

If he knows what fear is, he will not hesitate to come forward when he

hears your curses, so dire are they.
295

Oedipus

When a man does not shrink from a deed, he is not scared by a word.

Chorus

But there is one to convict him. But here they bring at last the godlike prophet, the only man in whom truth lives.

Teiresias

Alas, how terrible it is to have wisdom when it does not benefit those who have it. I knew this well, but let it slip from my mind: otherwise I would not have come here.

Oedipus

What now? How disheartened you have come!

Teiresias

Let me go home. For you will bear your own burden to the end, and I will bear mine, if you consent.
320

Oedipus

Your words are strange and unkind to the state which nurtured you, since you withhold this response.