1149.
mvp-comment-650-1
ὦ φέριστε δεσποτών
Most puissant lord. This Epic form of address occurs only here in Sophocles, and in Plato also only once, in the mockheroic speech of Socrates, Phaedr. 238 D, εἶεν, ὦ φέριστε, Well, valiant sir!' The herdsman has been in the habit of thinking of Oedipus as the terrible stranger who had slain Laius, and had subsequently become the master of his household as well as ruler of Thebes. A new horror is now forced upon him; and in his fear and confusion, being threatened with immediate violence, he seeks to soothe Oedipus with flattering terms. His reserve is intended to contrast with the familiarity of the other messenger. Cp. supr. 1008, 1121.
1151.
mvp-comment-651-1
He knows not what he is saying and is busy to no purpose.' An evasive speech, and partly wrung from the speaker; but one which draws the attention of the spectators to the tremendous consequences of the busybody's intervention. To no purpose; i.e.
to anything but a good one.
1152.
mvp-comment-652-1
πρὸς χάριν Το please us.'
1152.
mvp-comment-652-2
κλαίων δ᾽ ἐρεῖς
But when you are punished you will speak, i. e. But you shall be made to speak. Cp. Ar. Nub. 58, δεῦρ᾽ ἔλθ᾽ ἵνα κλάῃς: Ant. 932.
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.