Sophocles, Oedipus Tyrannus, Thomas Francklin (Translator), 1110

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CHORUS, SHEPHERD from CORINTH.
1110

Had converse with, yon old man, whom I see

This way advancing, must be that same shepherd

We lately sent for, by his age and mien,

E'en as this stranger did describe him to us ;

My servants too are with him. But you best

Can say, for you must know him well.

Chorus
(Edi. If I may judge of one whom yet I ne'er

'Tis he,

My lord ; the faithful shepherd of King Laius.

Oedipus

(Ent. [to the SuepuErn from Corinth]. What sayst

thou, stranger ? — is it he ?

Shepherd

It is.

Old Shepherd, CEdipus, Shepherd from Corinth,
1125

speak :

Didst thou belong to Laius 1

Old Shep. Sir, I did ;

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)) — 1110 focus

εἰ χρή τι κἀμὲ μὴ συναλλάξαντά πω,
1110

πρέσβυ, σταθμᾶσθαι, τὸν βοτῆρ᾽ ὁρᾶν δοκῶ,

ὅνπερ πάλαι ζητοῦμεν. ἔν τε γὰρ μακρῷ

γήρᾳ ξυνᾴδει τῷδε τἀνδρὶ σύμμετρος,

ἄλλως τε τοὺς ἄγοντας ὥσπερ οἰκέτας

ἔγνωκ᾿ ἐμαυτοῦ· τῇ δ᾽ ἐπιστήμῃ σύ μου
1115

προὔχοις τάχ᾽ ἄν που, τὸν βοτῆρ᾿ ἰδὼν πάρος.

Χορός

ἔγνωκα γάρ, σάφ᾽ ἴσθι· Λαΐου γὰρ ἦν

εἴπερ τις ἄλλος πιστὸς ὡς νομεὺς ἀνήρ.

Οἰδίπους

σὲ πρῶτ᾽ ἐρωτῶ, τὸν Κορίνθιον ξένον,

ἢ τόνδε φράζεις;
1120

Ἄγγελος

τοῦτον, ὅνπερ εἰσορᾷς.

Οἰδίπους

οὗτος, σύ, πρέσβυ, δεῦρό μοι φώνει βλέπων

ὅσ᾽ ἄν σ᾽ ἐρωτῶ. Λαΐου ποτ᾽ ἦσθα σύ;

Θεράπων

ἦ δοῦλος, οὐκ ὠνητός, ἀλλ᾽ οἴκοι τραφείς.

Οἰδίπους

ἔργον μεριμνῶν ποῖον ἢ βίον τίνα;

Θεράπων

ποίμναις τὰ πλεῖστα τοῦ βίου συνειπόμην.
1125

Οἰδίπους

χώροις μάλιστα πρὸς τίσι ξύναυλος ὤν;

Θεράπων

ἦν μὲν Κιθαιρών, ἦν δὲ πρόσχωρος τόπος.

Οἰδίπους

τὸν ἄνδρα τόνδ᾽ οὖν οἶσθα τῇδέ που μαθών;

Θεράπων

τί χρῆμα δρῶντα; ποῖον ἄνδρα καὶ λέγεις;

Οἰδίπους

τόνδ᾽ ὃς πάρεστιν· ἢ ξυνήλλαξας τί πω;
1130

Θεράπων

οὐχ ὥστε γ᾽ εἰπεῖν ἐν τάχει μνήμης ὕπο.

Ἄγγελος

κοὐδέν γε θαῦμα, δέσποτ᾽. ἀλλ᾽ ἐγὼ σαφῶς

ἀγνῶτ᾽ ἀναμνήσω νιν. εὖ γὰρ οἶδ᾽ ὅτι

κάτοιδεν ἦμος τὸν Κιθαιρῶνος τόπον

ὁ μὲν διπλοῖσι ποιμνίοις, ἐγὼ δ᾽ ἑνὶ
1135

ἐπλησίαζον τῷδε τἀνδρὶ τρεῖς ὅλους

ἐξ ἦρος εἰς ἀρκτοῦρον ἑκμήνους χρόνους·

χειμῶνα δ᾽ ἤδη τἀμά τ᾽ εἰς ἔπαυλ᾽ ἐγὼ

ἤλαυνον οὗτός τ᾽ εἰς τὰ Λαΐου σταθμά.

λέγω τι τούτων, ἢ οὐ λέγω πεπραγμένον;
1140

Θεράπων

Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 1110-1185 focus

Οἰδίπους

εἰ χρή τι κἀμὲ μὴ συναλλάξαντά πω,
1110

πρέσβεις, σταθμᾶσθαι, τὸν βοτῆρʼ ὁρᾶν δοκῶ,

ὅνπερ πάλαι ζητοῦμεν· ἔν τε γὰρ μακρῷ

γήρᾳ ξυνᾴδει τῷδε τἀνδρὶ σύμμετρος,

ἄλλως τε τοὺς ἄγοντας ὥσπερ οἰκέτας

ἔγνωκʼ ἐμαυτοῦ· τῇ δʼ ἐπιστήμῃ σύ μου
1115

προύχοις τάχʼ ἄν που, τὸν βοτῆρʼ ἰδὼν πάρος.

Χορός

ἔγνωκα γάρ, σάφʼ ἴσθι· Λαΐου γὰρ ἦν

εἴπερ τις ἄλλος πιστὸς ὡς νομεὺς ἀνήρ.

Οἰδίπους

σὲ πρῶτʼ ἐρωτῶ, τὸν Κορίνθιον ξένον, ἦ τόνδε φράζεις;

Ἄγγελος

τοῦτον, ὅνπερ εἰσορᾷς.
1120

Οἰδίπους

οὗτος σύ, πρέσβυ, δεῦρό μοι φώνει βλέπων

ὅσʼ ἄν σʼ ἐρωτῶ. Λαΐου ποτʼ ἦσθα σύ;

Θεράπων

ἦ δοῦλος οὐκ ὠνητός, ἀλλʼ οἴκοι τραφείς.

Οἰδίπους

ἔργον μεριμνῶν ποῖον ἢ βίον τινά;

Θεράπων

ποίμναις τὰ πλεῖστα τοῦ βίου συνειπόμην.
1125

Οἰδίπους

χώροις μάλιστα πρὸς τίσι ξύναυλος ὤν;

Θεράπων

ἦν μὲν Κιθαιρών, ἦν δὲ πρόσχωρος τόπος.

Οἰδίπους

τὸν ἄνδρα τόνδʼ οὖν οἶσθα τῇδέ που μαθών;

Θεράπων

τί χρῆμα δρῶντα; ποῖον ἄνδρα καὶ λέγεις;

Οἰδίπους

τόνδʼ ὃς πάρεστιν· ἢ ξυναλλάξας τί πω;
1130

Θεράπων

οὐχ ὥστε γʼ εἰπεῖν ἐν τάχει μνήμης ἄπο.

Ἄγγελος

κοὐδέν γε θαῦμα, δέσποτʼ· ἀλλʼ ἐγὼ σαφῶς

ἀγνῶτʼ ἀναμνήσω νιν. εὖ γὰρ οἶδʼ ὅτι

κάτοιδεν, ἦμος τῷ Κιθαιρῶνος τόπῳ,

ὁ μὲν διπλοῖσι ποιμνίοις, ἐγὼ δʼ ἑνί,
1135

ἐπλησίαζον τῷδε τἀνδρὶ τρεῖς ὅλους

ἐξ ἦρος εἰς ἀρκτοῦρον ἑκμήνους χρόνους·

χειμῶνα δʼ ἤδη τἀμά τʼ εἰς ἔπαυλʼ ἐγὼ

ἤλαυνον οὗτός τʼ εἰς τὰ Λαΐου σταθμά.

λέγω τι τούτων ἢ οὐ λέγω πεπραγμένον;
1140

1141

Θεράπων

λέγεις ἀληθῆ, καίπερ ἐκ μακροῦ χρόνου.

Ἄγγελος

φέρʼ εἰπὲ νῦν, τότʼ οἶσθα παῖδά μοί τινα

δούς, ὡς ἐμαυτῷ θρέμμα θρεψαίμην ἐγώ;

Θεράπων

τί δʼ ἔστι; πρὸς τί τοῦτο τοὔπος ἱστορεῖς;

Ἄγγελος

ὅδʼ ἐστίν, ὦ τᾶν, κεῖνος ὃς τότʼ ἦν νέος.
1145

Θεράπων

οὐκ εἰς ὄλεθρον; οὐ σιωπήσας ἔσει;

Οἰδίπους

ἆ, μὴ κόλαζε, πρέσβυ, τόνδʼ, ἐπεὶ τὰ σὰ

δεῖται κολαστοῦ μᾶλλον ἢ τὰ τοῦδʼ ἔπη.

Θεράπων

τί δʼ, ὦ φέριστε δεσποτῶν, ἁμαρτάνω;

Οἰδίπους

οὐκ ἐννέπων τὸν παῖδʼ ὃν οὗτος ἱστορεῖ.
1150

Θεράπων

λέγει γὰρ εἰδὼς οὐδέν, ἀλλʼ ἄλλως πονεῖ.

Οἰδίπους

σὺ πρὸς χάριν μὲν οὐκ ἐρεῖς, κλαίων δʼ ἐρεῖς.

Θεράπων

μὴ δῆτα, πρὸς θεῶν, τὸν γέροντά μʼ αἰκίσῃ.

Οἰδίπους

οὐχ ὡς τάχος τις τοῦδʼ ἀποστρέψει χέρας;

Θεράπων

δύστηνος, ἀντὶ τοῦ; τί προσχρῄζων μαθεῖν;
1155

Οἰδίπους

τὸν παῖδʼ ἔδωκας τῷδʼ ὃν οὗτος ἱστορεῖ;

Θεράπων

ἔδωκʼ· ὀλέσθαι δʼ ὤφελον τῇδʼ ἡμέρᾳ.

Οἰδίπους

ἀλλʼ εἰς τόδʼ ἥξεις μὴ λέγων γε τοὔνδικον.

Θεράπων

πολλῷ γε μᾶλλον, ἢν φράσω, διόλλυμαι.

Οἰδίπους

ἁνὴρ ὅδʼ, ὡς ἔοικεν, ἐς τριβὰς ἐλᾷ.
1160

Θεράπων

οὐ δῆτʼ ἔγωγʼ, ἀλλʼ εἶπον, ὡς δοίην, πάλαι.

Οἰδίπους

πόθεν λαβών; οἰκεῖον ἢ ʼξ ἄλλου τινός;

Θεράπων

ἐμὸν μὲν οὐκ ἔγωγʼ, ἐδεξάμην δέ του.

Οἰδίπους

τίνος πολιτῶν τῶνδε κἀκ ποίας στέγης;

Θεράπων

μὴ πρὸς θεῶν, μή, δέσποθʼ, ἱστόρει πλέον.
1165

Οἰδίπους

ὄλωλας, εἴ σε ταῦτʼ ἐρήσομαι πάλιν.

Θεράπων

τῶν Λαΐου τοίνυν τις ἦν γεννημάτων.

Οἰδίπους

ἦ δοῦλος ἢ κείνου τις ἐγγενὴς γεγώς;

Θεράπων

οἴμοι, πρὸς αὐτῷ γʼ εἰμὶ τῷ δεινῷ λέγειν.

Οἰδίπους

κἄγωγʼ ἀκούειν· ἀλλʼ ὅμως ἀκουστέον.
1170

1171

Θεράπων

κείνου γέ τοι δὴ παῖς ἐκλῄζεθʼ· ἡ δʼ ἔσω

κάλλιστʼ ἂν εἴποι σὴ γυνὴ τάδʼ ὡς ἔχει.

Οἰδίπους

ἦ γὰρ δίδωσιν ἥδε σοι;

Θεράπων

μάλιστʼ, ἄναξ.

Οἰδίπους

ὡς πρὸς τί χρείας;

Θεράπων

ὡς ἀναλώσαιμί νιν.

Οἰδίπους

τεκοῦσα τλήμων;
1175

Θεράπων

θεσφάτων γʼ ὄκνῳ κακῶν.

Οἰδίπους

ποίων;

Θεράπων

κτενεῖν νιν τοὺς τεκόντας ἦν λόγος.

Οἰδίπους

πῶς δῆτʼ ἀφῆκας τῷ γέροντι τῷδε σύ;

Θεράπων

κατοικτίσας, ὦ δέσποθʼ, ὡς ἄλλην χθόνα

δοκῶν ἀποίσειν, αὐτὸς ἔνθεν ἦν· ὁ δὲ

κάκʼ εἰς μέγιστʼ ἔσωσεν. εἰ γὰρ οὗτος εἶ
1180

ὅν φησιν οὗτος, ἴσθι δύσποτμος γεγώς.

Οἰδίπους

ἰοὺ ἰού· τὰ πάντʼ ἂν ἐξήκοι σαφῆ.

ὦ φῶς, τελευταῖόν σε προσβλέψαιμι νῦν,

ὅστις πέφασμαι φύς τʼ ἀφʼ ὧν οὐ χρῆν, ξὺν οἷς τʼ

οὐ χρῆν ὁμιλῶν, οὕς τέ μʼ οὐκ ἔδει κτανών.
1185

Translations (4)

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 1110 focus

If haply I, who never saw his face,
1110

Thebans, may guess, methinks I see the hind
1110

Whose coming we have longed for. Both his age,

Agreeing with this other’s wintry locks,

Accords with my conjecture, and the garb

Of his conductors is well known to me

As that of mine own people. But methinks ()

Thou hast more perfect knowledge in this case,
1115

Having beheld the herdman in the past.

CH

I know him well, believe me. Laius

Had no more faithful shepherd than this man.

OED

Corinthian friend, I first appeal to you:

Was’t he you spake of?
1120

COR. SH

’Twas the man you see.

OED

Turn thine eyes hither, aged friend, and tell

What I shall ask thee. Wast thou Laius’ slave?

THEB. SH

I was, not bought, but bred within the house.

OED

What charge or occupation was thy care?

THEB. SH

Most of my time was spent in shepherding.
1125

OED

And where didst thou inhabit with thy flock?

THEB. SH

’Twas now Cithaeron, now the neighbouring tract.

OED

And hadst thou there acquaintance of this man?

THEB. SH

Following what service? What is he you mean?

OED

The man you see. Hast thou had dealings with him?
1130

THEB. SH

I cannot bring him all at once to mind.

COR. SH

No marvel, good my lord. But I will soon

Wake to clear knowledge his oblivious sense.

For sure I am he can recall the time,

When he with his two flocks, and I with one

Beside him, grazed Cithaeron’s pasture wide
1135

Good six months’ space of three successive years,

From spring to rising of Arcturus; then

For the bleak winter season, I drove mine

To their own folds, he his to Laius’ stalls.

Do I talk idly, or is this the truth?
1140

THEB. SH

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 1110 focus

Darf ich vermuthen, der ich nie mit ihm verkehrt,

Ihr Greise, glaub' ich dort zu seh'n den Hirtenmann,
1080

Den längst von uns ersehnten; denn es stimmt genau

Sein hohes Alter überein mit diesem Mann.

Und außerdem erkenn' ich seine Führer auch

Als meine Diener; aber du magst besser wohl,

Als ich, es wissen, sahst ja sonst den Hirten schon.
1085

Der Chor.

Er ist es, wohl erkenn' ich ihn; dem Laïos,

Wie kaum ein Andrer, war er stets als Hirte treu.

(der Hirte wird herbeigeführt.) (zu dem Boten)

Oedipus.

Zuerst, o Fremdling aus Korinthos, frag' ich dich:

Sprich, meinst du diesen?

Der Bote.

Diesen, den du hier erblickst.

Oedipus.

Du, schaue hierher, Alter, und antworte mir
1090

Auf meine Fragen. Warst du Knecht des Laïos einst?

Der Hirte.

Ich war's, im Haus erzogen, nicht erkauft von ihm.

Oedipus.

Und welch Geschäft betriebst du, was war dein Beruf?

Der Hirte.

Ich ging des Lebens längste Zeit den Heerden nach.

Oedipus.

An welchen Orten triebst du dich gewöhnlich um?
1095

Der Hirte.

Es war Kithäron, war die nächstgelegne Flur.

Oedipus.

Und diesen Mann wohl kennst du, sahst ihn dort vielleicht?

Der Hirte.

Von welchem Anlaß? Welcher Mann ist's, den du meinst?

Oedipus.

Der, welcher hier steht. Pflogst du nie Verkehr mit ihm?

Der Hirte.

Nicht gleich zu sagen weiß ich's aus Erinnerung.
1100

Der Bote.

Das ist, o Herr, kein Wunder; doch ich will ihn klar

An Längstvergangnes mahnen. Denn ich weiß, er wird

Noch wissen, als wir auf Kithärons hoher Trift

(Er war mit zweien Heerden, ich mit Einer dort)

Vom Lenze bis zum Herbste drei vollkommene
1105

Sechsmondenfristen lebten, nachbarlich gesellt:

Ich trieb, sobald es Winter ward, die Heerde fort

In meine Hürden, er zum Hof des Laïos.

Ist, was ich sage, Wahrheit, oder red' ich falsch?

Der Hirte.

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 1110 focus

If I, who converse never with him held,
1110

May from appearance, reverend sages, judge,
1110

I see th' expected herdsman; for his years

Accord, denoting him of equal age

With this Corinthian: more than this, I know

They, who conduct him, to my menial train

Belong: with more assurance thou may'st speak,
1115

As haply thou hast seen this groom before.

Chorus

I know him well; to Laius in his charge

As herdsman none more faithful was esteem'd.

Oedipus

Stranger of Corinth, I would ask thee first,

Of this man didst thou speak?
1120

Corinthian

This is the man.

Oedipus
CŒDIPUS, CORINTHIAN, HERDSMAN,

Hither, old man; look up; to what I ask ;

Answer. To Laius didst thou once belong?

Herdsman

I was his slave, but not a purchased slave,

My birth was in his house.

Oedipus

Thine office what?

What was thy life?

Herdsman

Pass'd chiefly on his herds
1125

Oedipus

To what pastures didst thou drive

Thy charge?

Herdsman

Around Cithæron, and the tracts

Adjoining to the mountain.

Oedipus

Dost thou know

This man? Didst thou e'er see him?

Herdsman

Of what deed,

What man is thy inquiry?

Oedipus

Of this man
1130

Now present: commerce with him hast thou held ?
1130

Herdsman

My memory fails; I cannot speak at once.

Corinthian

No wonder, lord; but I will soon recal

Things to his memory lost; for well I know

He must remember in Cithæron's vales,

When of two herds the charge was his, and mine
1135

Of one, I neighbour'd with him three whole months,

From spring till cold Arcturus with him brings

The winter; to their stalls I then drove back

My herds, and he to those of Laius his.

Have I said aught but truth and real fact?
1140

Herdsman

English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 1110-1185 focus

Oedipus

Elders, if it is right for me, who have never met the man, to guess, I think I see the herdsman we have been looking for for a long time. In his venerable old age he tallies with this stranger’s years, and moreover I recognize those who bring him, I think, as servants of mine.
1110

But perhaps you have an advantage in knowledge over me, if you have seen the herdsman before.
1115

Chorus

Yes, I know him, be sure. He was in the service of Laius—trusty as any shepherd.

The herdsman is brought in.

Oedipus

I ask you first, Corinthian stranger, if this is the man you mean.

Messenger

He is, the one you are looking at.
1120

Oedipus

You, old man—look this way and answer all that I ask—were you once in the service of Laius?

Servant

I was—not a bought slave, but reared in his house.

Oedipus

Employed in what labor, or what way of life?

Servant

For the better part of my life I tended the flocks.
1125

Oedipus

And what regions did you most frequently haunt?

Servant

Sometimes Cithaeron, sometimes the neighboring ground.

Oedipus

Are you aware of ever having seen this man in these parts?

Servant

Doing what? What man do you mean?

Oedipus

This man here. Have you ever met him before?
1130

Servant

Not so that I could speak at once from memory.

Messenger

And no wonder, master. But I will bring clear recollection to his ignorance. I am sure he knows well of the time we dwelled in the region of Cithaeron

for six month periods, from spring to Arcturus, he with two flocks, and I, his comrade, with one. And then for the winter I used to drive my flock to my own fold, and he took his to the fold of Laius.
1135

Did any of this happen as I tell it, or did it not?
1140

1141

Servant

You speak the truth, though it was long ago.

Messenger

Come, tell me now: do you remember having given me a boy in those days, to be reared as my own foster-son?

Servant

What now? Why do you ask the question?

Messenger

This man, my friend, is he who then was young.
1145

Servant

Damn you! Be silent once and for all!

Oedipus

Do not rebuke him, old man. Your words need rebuking more than his.

Servant

And in what way, most noble master, do I offend?

Oedipus

In not telling of the boy about whom he asks.
1150

Servant

He speaks without knowledge, but is busy to no purpose.

Oedipus

You will not speak with good grace, but will in pain.

Servant

No, in the name of the gods, do not mistreat an old man.

Oedipus

Someone, quick—tie his hands him this instant!

Servant

Alas, why? What do you want to learn?
1155

Oedipus

Did you give this man the child about whom he asks?

Servant

I did. Would that I had perished that day!

Oedipus

Well, you will come to that, unless you tell the honest truth.

Servant

But if I speak I will be destroyed all the more.

Oedipus

This man is bent, I think, on more delays.
1160

Servant

No, no! I said before that I gave it to him.

Oedipus

Where did you get it from? From your own house, or from another?

Servant

It was not my own: I received it from another.

Oedipus

From whom of the citizens here? From what home?

Servant

For the love of the gods, master, ask no more!
1165

Oedipus

You are dead if I have to question you again.

Servant

It was a child, then, of the house of Laius.

Oedipus

A slave? Or one of his own clan?

Servant

Alas! I am on the brink of speaking the dreaded words.

Oedipus

And I of hearing: I must hear nevertheless.
1170

1171

Servant

You must know then, that it was said to be his own child. But your lady within could say best how these matters lie.

Oedipus

How? Did she give it to you?

Servant

Yes, my lord.

Oedipus

For what purpose?

Servant

That I should do away with it.

Oedipus

Her own child, the wretched woman?
1175

Servant

Yes, from fear of the evil prophecies.

Oedipus

What were they?

Servant

The tale ran that he would slay his father.

Oedipus

Why, then, did you give him to this old man?

Servant

Out of pity, master, thinking that he would carry him to another land, from where he himself came. But he saved him for the direst woe.

For if you are what this man says, be certain that you were born ill-fated.
1180

Oedipus

Oh, oh! All brought to pass, all true. Light, may I now look on you for the last time—I who have been found to be accursed in birth,

accursed in wedlock, accursed in the shedding of blood. He rushes into the palace.
1185

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-686-1 The οἰκεύς, who alone escaped from the slaughter of Laius and his following, had at his own request been sent away from Thebes to do the work of a herdsman (761). Oedipus had summoned him in order to see whether he would speak of λῃσταί, or of one λῃστής (842). But meanwhile a further question has arisen. Is he identical with that herdsman of Laius (1040) who had given up the infant Oedipus to the Corinthian shepherd? He is now seen approaching. With his coming, the two threads of discovery are brought together.

mvp-comment-687-1 κἀμὲ ¹

mvp-comment-687-2 μὴ συναλλάξαντά πω ²

mvp-comment-688-1 ἐν … γήρᾳ ³

mvp-comment-689-1 ξυνᾴδει ⁴

mvp-comment-690-1 ἄλλως τε ⁵ ὥσπερ ⁶

mvp-comment-691-1 γάρ ⁷ Λαΐου γὰρ ἦν … νομεὺς ⁸ ἦν ⁹ ὡς ¹⁰

mvp-comment-691-2 ὡς ¹¹

mvp-comment-692-1 τὸν Κορίνθ. ξένον ¹² σὲ ¹³ ἐρωτῶ ¹⁴

mvp-comment-693-1 Cp. Soph. Trach. 402

οὗτος, βλέφ’ ὦδε.

mvp-comment-694-1 ἦ ¹⁵ ἦ ¹⁶ οἴκοι τραφείς ¹⁷

mvp-comment-695-1 μεριμνῶν ¹⁸

mvp-comment-696-1 ξύναυλος ¹⁹ πρὸς ²⁰

mvp-comment-697-1 ἦν μὲν ²¹

mvp-comment-698-1 οἶσθα ²² μαθών ²³

mvp-comment-699-1 καὶ λέγεις ²⁴

mvp-comment-700-1 The constr. is οἶσθα μαθών … ἢ ξυναλλάξας; ²⁵ ἦ συνήλλαξας … ; ²⁶ συναλλάξας ²⁷

mvp-comment-701-1 οὐχ ὥστε γ’ εἰπεῖν ²⁸

mvp-comment-701-2 μνήμης ὕπο ²⁹ μνήμης ἄπο ³⁰

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

1109. mvp-comment-629-1 Ἑλικωνίδων The word was written so at first in Par. A. αἷς πλεῖστα συμπαίζει. Cp. Hom. h. Ven. 263.

1110. mvp-comment-630-1 καμέ For this modest use of καί, cp. infr. 1239, Plat. I Alc. 127 Ε, εἴ τι δεῖ καὶ τῇ ἐμῇ μαντείᾳ πιστεύειν.

1110. mvp-comment-630-2 μὴ συναλλάξαντά πω Having never before met with him. The unconsciousness of Oedipus is especially marked at the beginning of the scene in which he is to learn all (also in 1115-1116).

1111. mvp-comment-631-1 πρέσβυ This agrees better with what follows, l. 1115 , and accounts better for the corruption πρέσβυν, than the reading of L. p. m. πρέσβεις.

1112. mvp-comment-632-1 For his great age accords therewith, in that he is the equal in years of the man present here.

1113. mvp-comment-633-1 τῴδε τάνδρί Sc. τῷ Κορινθίῳ ξένῳ.

1113. mvp-comment-633-2 ξυνάδει is used absolutely (sc. τῷ δν ζητοῦμεν), the dative being governed by σύμμετρος, which is a supplementary predicate. ξύμμετρος is changed to σύμμετρος to preserve the Porsonic pause.

1114. mvp-comment-634-1 ἄλλως τε And also I think I recognize in those who are bringing him the appearance of my own servants.

1114. mvp-comment-634-2 ἄλλως = ' independently of this,' - as a more certain indication. ὥσπερ limits or modifies the assertion, in accordance with the subdued tone of the whole speech.

1117. mvp-comment-635-1 γάρ Cp. Phil. 755-756, δεινόν γε τοὐπίσαγμα τοῦ νοσήματος. ΦΙΛ. δεινὸν γὰρ οὐδὲ ῥητόν.

1117. mvp-comment-635-2 Λαΐου Cp. 1042, τῶν Λαΐου δήπου τις ὠνομάζετο, infr. 1122. This genitive is to be resumed in construction with νομεύς.

1118. mvp-comment-636-1 εἴπερ .. ἀνήρ And if ever there was one, he was a faithful herdsman.

1121. mvp-comment-637-1 οὗτος, σύ Cp. supr. 532, and note, Ant. 441, σὲ δή, σέ, κ.τ.λ.

1121. mvp-comment-637-2 δεῦρό μοι φώνει βλέπων I beg you will look this way and speak. The Theban herdsman avoids the eye of Oedipus. Cp. supr. 758, foll.

1123. mvp-comment-638-1 ἀλλ᾽ οἴκοι τραφείς This helps to account for the confidence reposed in him by Jocasta, supr 756, 763.

1125. mvp-comment-639-1 I was generally a herdsman.'

1126. mvp-comment-640-1 ξύναυλος Sc. τοῖς ποιμνίοις.

1128. mvp-comment-641-1 The indefinite που answers to the indefiniteness of the answer in 1127. Are you then aware of having somewhere thereabouts made the acquaintance of this man? Cp. infr. 1142-1143. Q2

1130. mvp-comment-642-1 ή ξυνήλλαξας τί πω Had you ever anything to do with him? This is better than ἢ ξυναλλάξας, which requires a somewhat forced connection with l. 1128.

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CHORUS, SHEPHERD from CORINTH. 1110 Had converse with, yon old man, whom I see This way advancing, must be that same shepherd We lately sent for, by his age and mien, E'en as this stranger did describe him to us ; My servants too are with him. But you best Can say, for you must know him well.

Chorus (Edi. If I may judge of one whom yet I ne'er 'Tis he, My lord ; the faithful shepherd of King Laius.

Oedipus (Ent. [to the SuepuErn from Corinth]. What sayst thou, stranger ? — is it he ?

Shepherd It is. Old Shepherd, CEdipus, Shepherd from Corinth, 1125 speak : Didst thou belong to Laius 1 Old Shep. Sir, I did ;

Current edition Experimental

Χορός ἔγνωκα γάρ, σάφ᾽ ἴσθι· Λαΐου γὰρ ἦν εἴπερ τις ἄλλος πιστὸς ὡς νομεὺς ἀνήρ.

Οἰδίπους σὲ πρῶτ᾽ ἐρωτῶ, τὸν Κορίνθιον ξένον, ἢ τόνδε φράζεις; 1120

Ἄγγελος τοῦτον, ὅνπερ εἰσορᾷς.

Οἰδίπους οὗτος, σύ, πρέσβυ, δεῦρό μοι φώνει βλέπων ὅσ᾽ ἄν σ᾽ ἐρωτῶ. Λαΐου ποτ᾽ ἦσθα σύ;

Θεράπων ἦ δοῦλος, οὐκ ὠνητός, ἀλλ᾽ οἴκοι τραφείς.

Οἰδίπους ἔργον μεριμνῶν ποῖον ἢ βίον τίνα;

Θεράπων ποίμναις τὰ πλεῖστα τοῦ βίου συνειπόμην. 1125

Οἰδίπους χώροις μάλιστα πρὸς τίσι ξύναυλος ὤν;

Θεράπων ἦν μὲν Κιθαιρών, ἦν δὲ πρόσχωρος τόπος.

Οἰδίπους τὸν ἄνδρα τόνδ᾽ οὖν οἶσθα τῇδέ που μαθών;

Θεράπων τί χρῆμα δρῶντα; ποῖον ἄνδρα καὶ λέγεις;

Οἰδίπους τόνδ᾽ ὃς πάρεστιν· ἢ ξυνήλλαξας τί πω; 1130

Θεράπων οὐχ ὥστε γ᾽ εἰπεῖν ἐν τάχει μνήμης ὕπο.

Θεράπων

Χορός ἔγνωκα γάρ, σάφʼ ἴσθι· Λαΐου γὰρ ἦν εἴπερ τις ἄλλος πιστὸς ὡς νομεὺς ἀνήρ.

Οἰδίπους σὲ πρῶτʼ ἐρωτῶ, τὸν Κορίνθιον ξένον, ἦ τόνδε φράζεις;

Ἄγγελος τοῦτον, ὅνπερ εἰσορᾷς. 1120

Οἰδίπους οὗτος σύ, πρέσβυ, δεῦρό μοι φώνει βλέπων ὅσʼ ἄν σʼ ἐρωτῶ. Λαΐου ποτʼ ἦσθα σύ;

Θεράπων ἦ δοῦλος οὐκ ὠνητός, ἀλλʼ οἴκοι τραφείς.

Οἰδίπους ἔργον μεριμνῶν ποῖον ἢ βίον τινά;

Θεράπων ποίμναις τὰ πλεῖστα τοῦ βίου συνειπόμην. 1125

Οἰδίπους χώροις μάλιστα πρὸς τίσι ξύναυλος ὤν;

Θεράπων ἦν μὲν Κιθαιρών, ἦν δὲ πρόσχωρος τόπος.

Οἰδίπους τὸν ἄνδρα τόνδʼ οὖν οἶσθα τῇδέ που μαθών;

Θεράπων τί χρῆμα δρῶντα; ποῖον ἄνδρα καὶ λέγεις;

Οἰδίπους τόνδʼ ὃς πάρεστιν· ἢ ξυναλλάξας τί πω; 1130

Θεράπων οὐχ ὥστε γʼ εἰπεῖν ἐν τάχει μνήμης ἄπο.

Θεράπων λέγεις ἀληθῆ, καίπερ ἐκ μακροῦ χρόνου.

Ἄγγελος φέρʼ εἰπὲ νῦν, τότʼ οἶσθα παῖδά μοί τινα δούς, ὡς ἐμαυτῷ θρέμμα θρεψαίμην ἐγώ;

Θεράπων τί δʼ ἔστι; πρὸς τί τοῦτο τοὔπος ἱστορεῖς;

Ἄγγελος ὅδʼ ἐστίν, ὦ τᾶν, κεῖνος ὃς τότʼ ἦν νέος. 1145

Θεράπων οὐκ εἰς ὄλεθρον; οὐ σιωπήσας ἔσει;

Οἰδίπους ἆ, μὴ κόλαζε, πρέσβυ, τόνδʼ, ἐπεὶ τὰ σὰ δεῖται κολαστοῦ μᾶλλον ἢ τὰ τοῦδʼ ἔπη.

Θεράπων τί δʼ, ὦ φέριστε δεσποτῶν, ἁμαρτάνω;

Οἰδίπους οὐκ ἐννέπων τὸν παῖδʼ ὃν οὗτος ἱστορεῖ. 1150

Θεράπων λέγει γὰρ εἰδὼς οὐδέν, ἀλλʼ ἄλλως πονεῖ.

Οἰδίπους σὺ πρὸς χάριν μὲν οὐκ ἐρεῖς, κλαίων δʼ ἐρεῖς.

Θεράπων μὴ δῆτα, πρὸς θεῶν, τὸν γέροντά μʼ αἰκίσῃ.

Οἰδίπους οὐχ ὡς τάχος τις τοῦδʼ ἀποστρέψει χέρας;

Θεράπων δύστηνος, ἀντὶ τοῦ; τί προσχρῄζων μαθεῖν; 1155

Οἰδίπους τὸν παῖδʼ ἔδωκας τῷδʼ ὃν οὗτος ἱστορεῖ;

Θεράπων ἔδωκʼ· ὀλέσθαι δʼ ὤφελον τῇδʼ ἡμέρᾳ.

Οἰδίπους ἀλλʼ εἰς τόδʼ ἥξεις μὴ λέγων γε τοὔνδικον.

Θεράπων πολλῷ γε μᾶλλον, ἢν φράσω, διόλλυμαι.

Οἰδίπους ἁνὴρ ὅδʼ, ὡς ἔοικεν, ἐς τριβὰς ἐλᾷ. 1160

Θεράπων οὐ δῆτʼ ἔγωγʼ, ἀλλʼ εἶπον, ὡς δοίην, πάλαι.

Οἰδίπους πόθεν λαβών; οἰκεῖον ἢ ʼξ ἄλλου τινός;

Θεράπων ἐμὸν μὲν οὐκ ἔγωγʼ, ἐδεξάμην δέ του.

Οἰδίπους τίνος πολιτῶν τῶνδε κἀκ ποίας στέγης;

Θεράπων μὴ πρὸς θεῶν, μή, δέσποθʼ, ἱστόρει πλέον. 1165

Οἰδίπους ὄλωλας, εἴ σε ταῦτʼ ἐρήσομαι πάλιν.

Θεράπων τῶν Λαΐου τοίνυν τις ἦν γεννημάτων.

Οἰδίπους ἦ δοῦλος ἢ κείνου τις ἐγγενὴς γεγώς;

Θεράπων οἴμοι, πρὸς αὐτῷ γʼ εἰμὶ τῷ δεινῷ λέγειν.

Οἰδίπους κἄγωγʼ ἀκούειν· ἀλλʼ ὅμως ἀκουστέον. 1170

Θεράπων κείνου γέ τοι δὴ παῖς ἐκλῄζεθʼ· ἡ δʼ ἔσω κάλλιστʼ ἂν εἴποι σὴ γυνὴ τάδʼ ὡς ἔχει.

Οἰδίπους ἦ γὰρ δίδωσιν ἥδε σοι;

Θεράπων μάλιστʼ, ἄναξ.

Οἰδίπους ὡς πρὸς τί χρείας;

Θεράπων ὡς ἀναλώσαιμί νιν.

Οἰδίπους τεκοῦσα τλήμων; 1175

Θεράπων θεσφάτων γʼ ὄκνῳ κακῶν.

Οἰδίπους ποίων;

Θεράπων κτενεῖν νιν τοὺς τεκόντας ἦν λόγος.

Οἰδίπους πῶς δῆτʼ ἀφῆκας τῷ γέροντι τῷδε σύ;

CH I know him well, believe me. Laius Had no more faithful shepherd than this man.

OED Corinthian friend, I first appeal to you: Was’t he you spake of? 1120

COR. SH ’Twas the man you see.

OED Turn thine eyes hither, aged friend, and tell What I shall ask thee. Wast thou Laius’ slave?

THEB. SH I was, not bought, but bred within the house.

OED What charge or occupation was thy care?

THEB. SH Most of my time was spent in shepherding. 1125

OED And where didst thou inhabit with thy flock?

CHORUS, SHEPHERD from CORINTH.
1110

Had converse with, yon old man, whom I see

This way advancing, must be that same shepherd

We lately sent for, by his age and mien,

E'en as this stranger did describe him to us ;

My servants too are with him. But you best

Can say, for you must know him well.

Chorus
(Edi. If I may judge of one whom yet I ne'er

'Tis he,

My lord ; the faithful shepherd of King Laius.

Oedipus

(Ent. [to the SuepuErn from Corinth]. What sayst

thou, stranger ? — is it he ?

Shepherd

It is.

Old Shepherd, CEdipus, Shepherd from Corinth,
1125

speak :

Didst thou belong to Laius 1

Old Shep. Sir, I did ;

Χορός

ἔγνωκα γάρ, σάφ᾽ ἴσθι· Λαΐου γὰρ ἦν

εἴπερ τις ἄλλος πιστὸς ὡς νομεὺς ἀνήρ.

Οἰδίπους

σὲ πρῶτ᾽ ἐρωτῶ, τὸν Κορίνθιον ξένον,

ἢ τόνδε φράζεις;
1120

Ἄγγελος

τοῦτον, ὅνπερ εἰσορᾷς.

Οἰδίπους

οὗτος, σύ, πρέσβυ, δεῦρό μοι φώνει βλέπων

ὅσ᾽ ἄν σ᾽ ἐρωτῶ. Λαΐου ποτ᾽ ἦσθα σύ;

Θεράπων

ἦ δοῦλος, οὐκ ὠνητός, ἀλλ᾽ οἴκοι τραφείς.

Οἰδίπους

ἔργον μεριμνῶν ποῖον ἢ βίον τίνα;

Θεράπων

ποίμναις τὰ πλεῖστα τοῦ βίου συνειπόμην.
1125

Οἰδίπους

χώροις μάλιστα πρὸς τίσι ξύναυλος ὤν;

Θεράπων

ἦν μὲν Κιθαιρών, ἦν δὲ πρόσχωρος τόπος.

Οἰδίπους

τὸν ἄνδρα τόνδ᾽ οὖν οἶσθα τῇδέ που μαθών;

Θεράπων

τί χρῆμα δρῶντα; ποῖον ἄνδρα καὶ λέγεις;

Οἰδίπους

τόνδ᾽ ὃς πάρεστιν· ἢ ξυνήλλαξας τί πω;
1130

Θεράπων

οὐχ ὥστε γ᾽ εἰπεῖν ἐν τάχει μνήμης ὕπο.

Χορός

ἔγνωκα γάρ, σάφʼ ἴσθι· Λαΐου γὰρ ἦν

εἴπερ τις ἄλλος πιστὸς ὡς νομεὺς ἀνήρ.

Οἰδίπους

σὲ πρῶτʼ ἐρωτῶ, τὸν Κορίνθιον ξένον, ἦ τόνδε φράζεις;

Ἄγγελος

τοῦτον, ὅνπερ εἰσορᾷς.
1120

Οἰδίπους

οὗτος σύ, πρέσβυ, δεῦρό μοι φώνει βλέπων

ὅσʼ ἄν σʼ ἐρωτῶ. Λαΐου ποτʼ ἦσθα σύ;

Θεράπων

ἦ δοῦλος οὐκ ὠνητός, ἀλλʼ οἴκοι τραφείς.

Οἰδίπους

ἔργον μεριμνῶν ποῖον ἢ βίον τινά;

Θεράπων

ποίμναις τὰ πλεῖστα τοῦ βίου συνειπόμην.
1125

Οἰδίπους

χώροις μάλιστα πρὸς τίσι ξύναυλος ὤν;

Θεράπων

ἦν μὲν Κιθαιρών, ἦν δὲ πρόσχωρος τόπος.

Οἰδίπους

τὸν ἄνδρα τόνδʼ οὖν οἶσθα τῇδέ που μαθών;

Θεράπων

τί χρῆμα δρῶντα; ποῖον ἄνδρα καὶ λέγεις;

Οἰδίπους

τόνδʼ ὃς πάρεστιν· ἢ ξυναλλάξας τί πω;
1130

Θεράπων

οὐχ ὥστε γʼ εἰπεῖν ἐν τάχει μνήμης ἄπο.

Θεράπων

λέγεις ἀληθῆ, καίπερ ἐκ μακροῦ χρόνου.

Ἄγγελος

φέρʼ εἰπὲ νῦν, τότʼ οἶσθα παῖδά μοί τινα

δούς, ὡς ἐμαυτῷ θρέμμα θρεψαίμην ἐγώ;

Θεράπων

τί δʼ ἔστι; πρὸς τί τοῦτο τοὔπος ἱστορεῖς;

Ἄγγελος

ὅδʼ ἐστίν, ὦ τᾶν, κεῖνος ὃς τότʼ ἦν νέος.
1145

Θεράπων

οὐκ εἰς ὄλεθρον; οὐ σιωπήσας ἔσει;

Οἰδίπους

ἆ, μὴ κόλαζε, πρέσβυ, τόνδʼ, ἐπεὶ τὰ σὰ

δεῖται κολαστοῦ μᾶλλον ἢ τὰ τοῦδʼ ἔπη.

Θεράπων

τί δʼ, ὦ φέριστε δεσποτῶν, ἁμαρτάνω;

Οἰδίπους

οὐκ ἐννέπων τὸν παῖδʼ ὃν οὗτος ἱστορεῖ.
1150

Θεράπων

λέγει γὰρ εἰδὼς οὐδέν, ἀλλʼ ἄλλως πονεῖ.

Οἰδίπους

σὺ πρὸς χάριν μὲν οὐκ ἐρεῖς, κλαίων δʼ ἐρεῖς.

Θεράπων

μὴ δῆτα, πρὸς θεῶν, τὸν γέροντά μʼ αἰκίσῃ.

Οἰδίπους

οὐχ ὡς τάχος τις τοῦδʼ ἀποστρέψει χέρας;

Θεράπων

δύστηνος, ἀντὶ τοῦ; τί προσχρῄζων μαθεῖν;
1155

Οἰδίπους

τὸν παῖδʼ ἔδωκας τῷδʼ ὃν οὗτος ἱστορεῖ;

Θεράπων

ἔδωκʼ· ὀλέσθαι δʼ ὤφελον τῇδʼ ἡμέρᾳ.

Οἰδίπους

ἀλλʼ εἰς τόδʼ ἥξεις μὴ λέγων γε τοὔνδικον.

Θεράπων

πολλῷ γε μᾶλλον, ἢν φράσω, διόλλυμαι.

Οἰδίπους

ἁνὴρ ὅδʼ, ὡς ἔοικεν, ἐς τριβὰς ἐλᾷ.
1160

Θεράπων

οὐ δῆτʼ ἔγωγʼ, ἀλλʼ εἶπον, ὡς δοίην, πάλαι.

Οἰδίπους

πόθεν λαβών; οἰκεῖον ἢ ʼξ ἄλλου τινός;

Θεράπων

ἐμὸν μὲν οὐκ ἔγωγʼ, ἐδεξάμην δέ του.

Οἰδίπους

τίνος πολιτῶν τῶνδε κἀκ ποίας στέγης;

Θεράπων

μὴ πρὸς θεῶν, μή, δέσποθʼ, ἱστόρει πλέον.
1165

Οἰδίπους

ὄλωλας, εἴ σε ταῦτʼ ἐρήσομαι πάλιν.

Θεράπων

τῶν Λαΐου τοίνυν τις ἦν γεννημάτων.

Οἰδίπους

ἦ δοῦλος ἢ κείνου τις ἐγγενὴς γεγώς;

Θεράπων

οἴμοι, πρὸς αὐτῷ γʼ εἰμὶ τῷ δεινῷ λέγειν.

Οἰδίπους

κἄγωγʼ ἀκούειν· ἀλλʼ ὅμως ἀκουστέον.
1170

Θεράπων

κείνου γέ τοι δὴ παῖς ἐκλῄζεθʼ· ἡ δʼ ἔσω

κάλλιστʼ ἂν εἴποι σὴ γυνὴ τάδʼ ὡς ἔχει.

Οἰδίπους

ἦ γὰρ δίδωσιν ἥδε σοι;

Θεράπων

μάλιστʼ, ἄναξ.

Οἰδίπους

ὡς πρὸς τί χρείας;

Θεράπων

ὡς ἀναλώσαιμί νιν.

Οἰδίπους

τεκοῦσα τλήμων;
1175

Θεράπων

θεσφάτων γʼ ὄκνῳ κακῶν.

Οἰδίπους

ποίων;

Θεράπων

κτενεῖν νιν τοὺς τεκόντας ἦν λόγος.

Οἰδίπους

πῶς δῆτʼ ἀφῆκας τῷ γέροντι τῷδε σύ;

CH

I know him well, believe me. Laius

Had no more faithful shepherd than this man.

OED

Corinthian friend, I first appeal to you:

Was’t he you spake of?
1120

COR. SH

’Twas the man you see.

OED

Turn thine eyes hither, aged friend, and tell

What I shall ask thee. Wast thou Laius’ slave?

THEB. SH

I was, not bought, but bred within the house.

OED

What charge or occupation was thy care?

THEB. SH

Most of my time was spent in shepherding.
1125

OED

And where didst thou inhabit with thy flock?

THEB. SH

’Twas now Cithaeron, now the neighbouring tract.

OED

And hadst thou there acquaintance of this man?

THEB. SH

Following what service? What is he you mean?

OED

The man you see. Hast thou had dealings with him?
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