Sophocles, Oedipus Tyrannus, Richard Jebb (Translator), 102

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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

Oedipus Tyrannus. Sophocles. Richard Jebb (Translator). Cambridge. 1887.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.

Current edition Experimental

Oedipus Tyrannus (English) (Sophocles the plays and fragments, Part 1: The Oedipus Tyrannus. Jebb, Richard Claverhouse, Sir, translator. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1887. (Modernized by Perseus.))

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (2)

Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 102 focus

ποίου γὰρ ἀνδρὸς τήνδε μηνύει τύχην;

Κρέων

ἦν ἡμίν, ὦναξ, Λάϊός ποθ᾽ ἡγεμὼν

γῆς τῆσδε, πρὶν σὲ τήνδ᾽ ἀπευθύνειν πόλιν.

Οἰδίπους

ἔξοιδ᾽ ἀκούων· οὐ γὰρ εἰσεῖδόν γέ πω.
105

Κρέων

τούτου θανόντος νῦν ἐπιστέλλει σαφῶς

τοὺς αὐτοέντας χειρὶ τιμωρεῖν τινάς.

Οἰδίπους

οἱ δ᾽ εἰσὶ ποῦ γῆς; ποῦ τόδ' εὑρεθήσεται

ἴχνος παλαιᾶς δυστέκμαρτον αἰτίας;

Κρέων

ἐν τῇδ᾽ ἔφασκε γῇ. τὸ δὲ ζητούμενον
110

ἁλωτόν, ἐκφεύγει δὲ τἀμελούμενον.

Οἰδίπους

πότερα δ᾽ ἐν οἴκοις, ἢ ἐν ἀγροῖς ὁ Λάϊος,

ἢ γῆς ἐπ᾿ ἄλλης τῷδε συμπίπτει φόνῳ;

Κρέων

θεωρός, ὡς ἔφασκεν, ἐκδημῶν, πάλιν

πρὸς οἶκον οὐκέθ᾽ ἵκεθ᾽, ὡς ἀπεστάλη.
115

Οἰδίπους

οὐδ᾽ ἄγγελός τις οὐδὲ συμπράκτωρ ὁδοῦ

κατεῖδ᾽, ὅτου τις ἐκμαθὼν ἐχρήσατ᾽ ἄν;

Κρέων

θνήσκουσι γάρ, πλὴν εἷς τις, ὃς φόβῳ φυγὼν

ὧν εἶδε πλὴν ἓν οὐδὲν εἶχ᾽ εἰδὼς φράσαι.

Οἰδίπους

τὸ ποῖον; ἓν γὰρ πόλλ᾽ 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

ἐπράσσετ᾽ ἐνθένδ᾽, ἐς τόδ᾽ ἂν τόλμης ἔβη;
125

Κρέων

δοκοῦντα ταῦτ᾽ ἦν· Λαΐου δ᾽ ὀλωλότος,

οὐδεὶς ἀρωγὸς ἐν κακοῖς ἐγίγνετο.

Οἰδίπους

κακὸν δὲ ποῖον ἐμποδὼν τυραννίδος

οὕτω πεσούσης εἶργε τοῦτ᾽ ἐξειδέναι;

Κρέων

ἡ ποικιλῳδὸς Σφίγξ τὸ πρὸς ποσὶ σκοπεῖν
130

μεθέντας ἡμᾶς τἀφανῆ προσήγετο.

Οἰδίπους

Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 102 focus

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.

Translations (4)

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 102 focus

Whose murder doth Apollo thus reveal?

CR

My gracious lord, before thy prosperous reign

King Laius was the leader of our land.

OED

Though I ne’er saw him, I have heard, and know.
105

CR

Phoebus commands us now to punish home,

Whoe’er they are, the authors of his death.

OED

But they, where are they? Where shall now be read

The fading record of this ancient guilt?

CR

He saith, ’tis in this land. And what is sought
110

Is found, while things uncared for glide away.

OED

But where did Laius meet this violent end?

At home, afield, or on some foreign soil?

CR

He had left us, as he said, to visit Delphi;

But nevermore returned since he set forth.
115

OED

And was there none, no fellow traveller,

To see, and tell the tale, and help our search?

CR

No, they were slain; save one, who, flying in fear,

Had nought to tell us but one only thing.

OED

What was that thing? A little door of hope,
120

Once opened, may discover much to view.

CR

A random troop of robbers, meeting him,

Outnumbered and o’erpowered him. So ’twas told.

OED

What robber would have ventured such a deed,

If unsolicited with bribes from hence?
125

CR

We thought of that. But Laius being dead,

We found no helper in our miseries.

OED

When majesty was fallen, what misery

Could hinder you from searching out the truth?

CR

A present trouble had engrossed our care.
130

The riddling Sphinx compelled us to observe
130

The moment’s grief, neglecting things unknown.

OED

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 102 focus

Und welches Mannes Schicksal meint der Gott damit?

Kreon.

Der Fürst in unserm Lande hier war Laïos,

Bevor, o König, du gebot'st in dieser Stadt.

Oedipus.

Aus Andrer Munde weiß ich's; denn ihn sah ich nie.
105

Kreon.

Nun der dahinschied, ist Apollons klar Gebot,

Die Mörder, wer sie seien, schwer zu züchtigen.

Oedipus.

Und wo zu Lande weilen sie? Wo sindet sich

Die schwer erkennbar dunkle Spur der alten Schuld?

Kreon.

In diesem Lande, sagt er: was man sucht, es läßt
110

Sich finden, was man unbeachtet läßt, entflieht.

Oedipus.

Und war's im Hause, war es auf dem Felde, war's

In fremdem Lande, daß ihn traf die Mörderhand?

Kreon.

Den Gott zu fragen zog er aus, so sagt er selbst,

Und seit er ausging, ist er nicht mehr heimgekehrt.
115

Oedipus.

Und kein Genosse seines Wegs, kein Bote sah's,

Von dem man forschend Alles noch erkundete?

Kreon.

Sie fielen bis auf Einen, der, aus Furcht entfloh'n,

Nichts als das Eine, was er sah, zu sagen weiß.

Oedipus.

Was ist's? Zu Vielen weiset Eins die Pfade wohl,
120

Wenn einer Hoffnung schwacher Strahl uns leuchtete.

Kreon.

Ihn überfielen Räuber, und nicht Eine Hand,

Nein, Vieler Hände, sagt er aus, erschlugen ihn.

Oedipus.

Doch hätte sich der Räuber, wenn er nicht von hier

Mit Gold bestellt war, solch vermess'ner That erkühnt?
125

Kreon.

Wohl schien es also; doch den Mord des Laïos

Zu rächen, that sich Keiner auf in jener Noth.

Oedipus.

Und welche Noth verwehrte solches auszuspäh'n,

Nachdem des Landes Herrscher so gefallen war?

Kreon.

Uns zwang die Räthselsängerin auf's Nächste nur¹
130

Zu schauen und zu lassen, was im Dunkel lag.

Oedipus.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 102 focus

Or by banishment, or death.

Life must be given for life ; for yet his blood

Rests on the city.

Oedipus

Whose ? What means the god ?

Creon

O king ! before thee Laius ruled o'er Thebes.

Creon
(Edi. I know he did, though I did ne'er behold him.

Laius was slain, and on his murderers,
110

So Phoebus says, we must have vengeance.
110

Where are the murderers ? Who shall trace the guilt

Buried so long in silence?

Creon
(Edi. Where,

Here, he said.

E'en in this land, what's sought for may be found,

But truth unsearched for seldom comes to hght.
115

Oedipus

How did he fall, and where ? — at home,

abroad ?

Died he at Thebes, or in a foreign land ?

Creon

He left his palace, fame reports, to seek

Some oracle ; since that, we ne'er beheld him.

G]di. But did no messenger return ? Not one

Of all his train, of whom we might inquire

Touching this murder ?

Creon

One, and one alone,

Came back, who, flying, 'scaped th^ general slaughter.

But nothing save one little circumstance

Or knew, or e'er related.

Oedipus

What was that ?

Much may be learned from that. A little dawn

Of light appearing may discover all.
125

Creon

Laius, attacked by robbers, and oppressed

By numbers, fell. Such is his tale.

Oedipus

Would they—

Would robbers do so desperate a deed,

Unbribed and unassisted ?

Creon

So, indeed.
130

Suspicion whispered then. But — Laius dead —
130

No friend was found to vindicate the wrong.
130

Q^Di. But what strange cause could stop inquiry

thus

Into the murder of a king ?

Creon

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 102 focus

What the offence? the expiation what?

Creon

By exile, or by death avenging death;

For this blood desolates the suffering land.

Oedipus

At whose disastrous fortune doth this point?
105

Once, ere the empire of this state was thine,
105

Laius, O king, was sovereign lord of Thebes.
105

Oedipus

This from the voice of fame hath reach'd my ears,

But Laius never did mine eyes behold.

His death the god with no ambiguous voice'

Commands us on his murderers to avenge.

Creon

CDIP. Where are they? By what methods may be found
110

The faint-mark'd footsteps of this long-past guilt ?

Creon

This country holds them, said the god. Pursuit

May overtake what through neglect escapes.
115

Oedipus

Beneath some roof, or in the open fields,

Or in some foreign land was Laius slain?

Creon

Hence to consult the oracle he went,

And never to his royal house return'd.
115

Oedipus

Did none return, none of his train, who saw

His death, of whom inquiry may be made ?

Creon

All fell, save one; who, flying wild with fear,

Of what he saw one thing alone could tell.

Oedipus

Say what; for one thing, if we gain a gleam
120

Of hope, may lead us to discover more.

Creon

That, met by ruffians, not by one man's force

He fell, but by a numerous band oppress'd.

Oedipus

How should the ruffian, if not bribed with gold

From hence, presume t' attempt this daring deed?
125

Creon

Not unsuspected this: but 'midst our ills

None to avenge the death of Laius rose.

Oedipus

What pressing ill, your monarch murder'd thus,

Restrain'd you, that inquiry was not made?

Creon

The dark-descanting Sphinx from things unseen
130

Forced our attention to more instant ills.

Oedipus

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-78-1 ἀπευθύνειν ¹

mvp-comment-79-1 οὐ γὰρ εἰσεῖδόν γέ πω ²

mvp-comment-80-1 τοὺς αὐτοέντας … τινας ³ τιμωρεῖν ⁴ χειρὶ τιμωρεῖν ⁵

mvp-comment-81-1 ποῦ τόδ’ … αἰτίας; ⁶

mvp-comment-82-1 αἰτίας ⁷ δυστέκμαρτον ⁸

mvp-comment-83-1 ἔφασκε ⁹ τὸ δὲ ζητούμενον ¹⁰

mvp-comment-84-1 συμπίπτει ¹¹

mvp-comment-85-1 θεωρός ¹² ὡς ἔφασκεν ¹³ ἐκδημῶν ¹⁴ ὡς ¹⁵

mvp-comment-86-1 οὐδ’ ἄγγελός … ἐχρήσατ’ ἄν; ¹⁶

mvp-comment-87-1 ὅτου ¹⁷ ἐκμαθὼν ¹⁸

mvp-comment-88-1 θνῄσκουσι ¹⁹ ι ²⁰ φόβῳ φυγὼν ²¹

mvp-comment-89-1 εἰδὼς ²²

mvp-comment-90-1 τὸ ποῖον; ²³ ἐξεύροι μαθεῖν ²⁴

mvp-comment-91-1 ἔφασκε ²⁵ οὐ μιᾷ ῥώμῃ ²⁶

mvp-comment-92-1 σὺν πλήθει ²⁷

mvp-comment-93-1 εἴ τι μὴ ²⁸ ξὺν ²⁹

mvp-comment-93-2 ἐπράσσετο … ἔβη ³⁰

mvp-comment-94-1 δοκοῦντα … ἦν ³¹

mvp-comment-95-1 ἐμποδών ³² τυραννίδος ³³

mvp-comment-96-1 ποικιλῳδὸς ³⁴

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.

102. mvp-comment-72-1 ποίου γὰρ ἀνδρός γάρ asks for explanation. And who is the man to whom he shows us that this misfortune happened? τῇδε has been defended, but τήνδε is more idiomatic. τήνδε τύχην, sc. τὸν φόνον.

102. mvp-comment-72-2 μηνύει Sc. ὁ θεός.

105. mvp-comment-73-1 οὐ γὰρ εἰσεῖδόν γέ πω By hearsay, for I certainly never saw him.

105. mvp-comment-73-2 που, which appears in several MSS, would imply uncertainty, and would therefore weakly express the security of Oedipus. The literal meaning of οὔπω is not to be pressed. From not yet it has passed into meaning simply never. Cp. Hdt. 3. 127, ὃς ὠφέλησε μέν κω Πέρσας οὐδέν : 4. 81, ὃς δὲ μὴ εἶδέ κω 160, τούτῳ γὰρ οὐδεὶς Περσέων ἠξίωσέ κω ἑαυτὸν συμβαλέειν. In all these places, though past time is spoken of, there is no opposition between past and future. Or, as happens with ἤδη, ποτέ, ἔτι, and other particles, the notion of time is altogether lost. Cp e.g. Hes Op. et D. 271, τά γ' ου πω ἔολπα τελεῖν. The conjecture γ' ἐγώ takes the emphasis from the verb.

106. mvp-comment-74-1 τούτου θανόντος This is most easily explained as genitive absolute, but is at the same time to be partly connected with τοὺς αὐτοέντας.

107. mvp-comment-75-1 τοὺς αὐτοέντας .. τινάς The murderers, whosoever they are. Cp. Ο. С. 288-289, ὅταν δ᾽ ὁ κύριος παρῇ τις: Hdt. 1. 114. τὸν δὲ κού τινα .. τῷ δέ τινι. This reading is preferable to τινά. If the mark over the σ L. indicates doubt, as seems probable from the parallel reading of A, this would only prove that some early scribe knew of or wished to suggest the other reading, perhaps because it seemed easier.

107. mvp-comment-75-2 χειρὶ τιμωρεῖν Like τοιαύτῃ χειρὶ τιμωρεῖν, l. 140 . For the rare active, denoting an absolute intention, see Essay on Language p. 98. The vague use of the plural in Creon's report prepares the way for the more definite statement in l. 122 without committing the oracle to error.

108. mvp-comment-76-1 οἱ δ᾽ εἰσὶ ποῦ γῆς The inversion gives additional emphasis.

108. mvp-comment-76-2 τόδε This, which we are set to find. Cp. τόδ' αἷμα, supr. 101.

110. mvp-comment-77-1 τὸ δὲ ζητούμενον ἁλωτόν Creon, though no longer quoting the oracle, continues the oracular tone. Cp. 87-88.

112. mvp-comment-78-1 It may seem strange that Oedipus should not have heard the particulars from Jocasta. But this kind of improbability is external to the play, and dramatic interest requires that the fact should here be brought before the mind of the spectator. Cp. Aristot. Poet. 1454-1456, ἄλογον δὲ μηδὲν εἶναι ἐν τοῖς πράγμασιν, εἰ δὲ μή, ἔξω τῆς τραγῳδίας, οἷον τὰ ἐν τῷ Οἰδίποδι τῷ Σοφοκλέους. The inevitable unlikelihood is minimized, however. For Oedipus does not deny having heard of the violent death of Laius; and gives a reason afterwards (220-221) why he could not inquire into the circumstances at the time.

114. mvp-comment-79-1 θεωρός i.e. to Delphi. О. С. 413, ἀνδρῶν θεωρῶν Δελφικῆς ἀφ᾽ ἑστίας. Sophocles gives no hint as to the nature of the mission, whether occasioned by private anxiety or the troubles of the state. Euripides, Phoen. 36, adds this further touch, τὸν ἐκτεθέντα παῖδα μαστεύων μαθεῖν | εἰ μηκέτ' εἴη.

114. mvp-comment-79-2 ὡς ἔφασκεν] Sc. ὁ Λάϊος.

115. mvp-comment-80-1 ὡς ἀπεστάλη After he had once taken his departure.

116. mvp-comment-81-1 And there was none to tell the tale, no fellow-traveller who saw the deed, whose information might have been a guide to us? The words οὐδ᾽ ἄγγελος point to a repetition of ἵκετο, which is lost sight of in the continuation of the sentence.

117. mvp-comment-82-1 ἐχρήσατ᾿ ἄν Sc. αὐτῷ οἱ τῇ μαθήσει. Cp. Τr. 60, πάρεστι χρῆσθαι τἀνδρὶ τοῖς τ᾿ ἐμοῖς λόγοις. The conjecture κατεῖδεν ὅ τι τις, κ.τ.λ. gives a less natural meaning. The witness who saw anything, must have seen the deed.

118. mvp-comment-83-1 φόβῳ is connected partly with φυγών and partly with the following words (cp. O. C. 1625, ὀρθίας | στῆσαι φόβῳ δείσαντας τρίχας). The fear with which he fled made him unable to speak with certainty of what he saw except on one point.

120. mvp-comment-84-1 'For one fact might lead to the knowledge of many, if we could get hold of even a slight beginning of hope.' μαθεῖν supplements ἐξεύροι. Cp. Τr. 673. In ἀρχήν there is perhaps an association from the end of a thread. Cp. Hdt. 4. 60, σπάσας τὴν ἀρχὴν τοῦ στρόφου : Eur. Hipp. 762, πλεκτὰς πεισμάτων ἀρχάς. The mystery is like a tangled skein, which a slight clue, once caught hold of, may be the means of unravelling. Cp. Eur. I. A. 1124, τίν' ἂν λάβοιμι τῶν ἐμῶν ἀρχὴν κακῶν;

122. mvp-comment-85-1 ἔφασκε Sc. ὁ ἄγγελος. This confused account prevents Oedipus from being reminded of the real circumstances, and even delays his self-conviction when almost brought home, ll. 725-842. The report of the attendant must be supposed to precede the arrival of Oedipus at Thebes. He can therefore have had no reason for his falsehood except the natural temptation to veil his cowardice by exaggerating the force from which he had fled.

124. mvp-comment-86-1 ὁ λῃστής The singular referring to the plural may only be an idiomatic collective use (cp. ὁ Μῆδοs, etc,); but may also be a stroke of art, by which Oedipus is represented as wholly careless about the number of the persons, which is afterwards his only refuge: 842 ff.

125. mvp-comment-87-1 ἐπράσσετο Unless some influence with money was exerted from Thebes. Cp. Thuc. 5. 83, ὑπῆρχε δέ τι .. αὐτόθεν πρασσόμενον, ib. 4.121. The brigand must have had confederates in the city. Cp. O. C. 1028-1031, ἀλλ᾽ ἔσθ᾽ ὅτῳ σὺ πιστὸς ὢν ἔδρας πάδε: Ford's Perkin Warbeck, l. 1 , Foreign attempts against a state and kingdom | Are seldom without some great friend at home.

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.

128. mvp-comment-89-1 κακὸν δὲ ποῖον The inverted order gives an indignant emphasis to ποῖον. And what misfortune could there be, which, when majesty was thus fallen, prevented you from investigating this matter to the end? τοῦτο, sc. τὸ αἴτιον τοῦ τὴν τυραννίδα οὕτω πεσεῖν.

128. mvp-comment-89-2 ἐμποδών Cp. Eur. Phoen. 706, ἃ δ' ἐμποδὼν μάλιστα, ταῦθ᾽ ἥκω φράσων.

128. mvp-comment-89-3 τυραννίδος οὕτω πεσούσης The abstract word emphasizes the strangeness of the neglect. Cp. Shak. K. Lear, 2.4, 'Tis worse than murder, To do upon respect such violent outrage.

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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

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ποίου γὰρ ἀνδρὸς τήνδε μηνύει τύχην;

Κρέων ἦν ἡμίν, ὦναξ, Λάϊός ποθ᾽ ἡγεμὼν γῆς τῆσδε, πρὶν σὲ τήνδ᾽ ἀπευθύνειν πόλιν.

Οἰδίπους ἔξοιδ᾽ ἀκούων· οὐ γὰρ εἰσεῖδόν γέ πω. 105

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

Οἰδίπους οἱ δ᾽ εἰσὶ ποῦ γῆς; ποῦ τόδ' εὑρεθήσεται ἴχνος παλαιᾶς δυστέκμαρτον αἰτίας;

Κρέων ἐν τῇδ᾽ ἔφασκε γῇ. τὸ δὲ ζητούμενον 110 ἁλωτόν, ἐκφεύγει δὲ τἀμελούμενον.

Οἰδίπους πότερα δ᾽ ἐν οἴκοις, ἢ ἐν ἀγροῖς ὁ Λάϊος, ἢ γῆς ἐπ᾿ ἄλλης τῷδε συμπίπτει φόνῳ;

Κρέων θεωρός, ὡς ἔφασκεν, ἐκδημῶν, πάλιν πρὸς οἶκον οὐκέθ᾽ ἵκεθ᾽, ὡς ἀπεστάλη. 115

Οἰδίπους οὐδ᾽ ἄγγελός τις οὐδὲ συμπράκτωρ ὁδοῦ κατεῖδ᾽, ὅτου τις ἐκμαθὼν ἐχρήσατ᾽ ἄν;

Κρέων θνήσκουσι γάρ, πλὴν εἷς τις, ὃς φόβῳ φυγὼν ὧν εἶδε πλὴν ἓν οὐδὲν εἶχ᾽ εἰδὼς φράσαι.

Οἰδίπους τὸ ποῖον; ἓν γὰρ πόλλ᾽ 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 ἐπράσσετ᾽ ἐνθένδ᾽, ἐς τόδ᾽ ἂν τόλμης ἔβη; 125

Κρέων δοκοῦντα ταῦτ᾽ ἦν· Λαΐου δ᾽ ὀλωλότος, οὐδεὶς ἀρωγὸς ἐν κακοῖς ἐγίγνετο.

Οἰδίπους κακὸν δὲ ποῖον ἐμποδὼν τυραννίδος οὕτω πεσούσης εἶργε τοῦτ᾽ ἐξειδέναι;

Κρέων ἡ ποικιλῳδὸς Σφίγξ τὸ πρὸς ποσὶ σκοπεῖν 130 μεθέντας ἡμᾶς τἀφανῆ προσήγετο.

Οἰδίπους

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.

Whose murder doth Apollo thus reveal?

CR My gracious lord, before thy prosperous reign King Laius was the leader of our land.

OED Though I ne’er saw him, I have heard, and know. 105

CR Phoebus commands us now to punish home, Whoe’er they are, the authors of his death.

OED But they, where are they? Where shall now be read The fading record of this ancient guilt?

CR He saith, ’tis in this land. And what is sought 110 Is found, while things uncared for glide away.

OED But where did Laius meet this violent end? At home, afield, or on some foreign soil?

CR He had left us, as he said, to visit Delphi; But nevermore returned since he set forth. 115

OED And was there none, no fellow traveller, To see, and tell the tale, and help our search?

CR No, they were slain; save one, who, flying in fear, Had nought to tell us but one only thing.

OED What was that thing? A little door of hope, 120 Once opened, may discover much to view.

CR A random troop of robbers, meeting him, Outnumbered and o’erpowered him. So ’twas told.

OED What robber would have ventured such a deed, If unsolicited with bribes from hence? 125

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

OED When majesty was fallen, what misery Could hinder you from searching out the truth?

CR A present trouble had engrossed our care. 130 The riddling Sphinx compelled us to observe 130 The moment’s grief, neglecting things unknown.

OED

Und welches Mannes Schicksal meint der Gott damit?

Kreon. Der Fürst in unserm Lande hier war Laïos, Bevor, o König, du gebot'st in dieser Stadt.

Oedipus. Aus Andrer Munde weiß ich's; denn ihn sah ich nie. 105

Kreon. Nun der dahinschied, ist Apollons klar Gebot, Die Mörder, wer sie seien, schwer zu züchtigen.

Oedipus. Und wo zu Lande weilen sie? Wo sindet sich Die schwer erkennbar dunkle Spur der alten Schuld?

Kreon. In diesem Lande, sagt er: was man sucht, es läßt 110 Sich finden, was man unbeachtet läßt, entflieht.

Oedipus. Und war's im Hause, war es auf dem Felde, war's In fremdem Lande, daß ihn traf die Mörderhand?

Kreon. Den Gott zu fragen zog er aus, so sagt er selbst, Und seit er ausging, ist er nicht mehr heimgekehrt. 115

Oedipus. Und kein Genosse seines Wegs, kein Bote sah's, Von dem man forschend Alles noch erkundete?

Kreon. Sie fielen bis auf Einen, der, aus Furcht entfloh'n, Nichts als das Eine, was er sah, zu sagen weiß.

Oedipus. Was ist's? Zu Vielen weiset Eins die Pfade wohl, 120 Wenn einer Hoffnung schwacher Strahl uns leuchtete.

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

Κρέων

ἦν ἡμίν, ὦναξ, Λάϊός ποθ᾽ ἡγεμὼν

γῆς τῆσδε, πρὶν σὲ τήνδ᾽ ἀπευθύνειν πόλιν.

Οἰδίπους

ἔξοιδ᾽ ἀκούων· οὐ γὰρ εἰσεῖδόν γέ πω.
105

Κρέων

τούτου θανόντος νῦν ἐπιστέλλει σαφῶς

τοὺς αὐτοέντας χειρὶ τιμωρεῖν τινάς.

Οἰδίπους

οἱ δ᾽ εἰσὶ ποῦ γῆς; ποῦ τόδ' εὑρεθήσεται

ἴχνος παλαιᾶς δυστέκμαρτον αἰτίας;

Κρέων

ἐν τῇδ᾽ ἔφασκε γῇ. τὸ δὲ ζητούμενον
110

ἁλωτόν, ἐκφεύγει δὲ τἀμελούμενον.

Οἰδίπους

πότερα δ᾽ ἐν οἴκοις, ἢ ἐν ἀγροῖς ὁ Λάϊος,

ἢ γῆς ἐπ᾿ ἄλλης τῷδε συμπίπτει φόνῳ;

Κρέων

θεωρός, ὡς ἔφασκεν, ἐκδημῶν, πάλιν

πρὸς οἶκον οὐκέθ᾽ ἵκεθ᾽, ὡς ἀπεστάλη.
115

Οἰδίπους

οὐδ᾽ ἄγγελός τις οὐδὲ συμπράκτωρ ὁδοῦ

κατεῖδ᾽, ὅτου τις ἐκμαθὼν ἐχρήσατ᾽ ἄν;

Κρέων

θνήσκουσι γάρ, πλὴν εἷς τις, ὃς φόβῳ φυγὼν

ὧν εἶδε πλὴν ἓν οὐδὲν εἶχ᾽ εἰδὼς φράσαι.

Οἰδίπους

τὸ ποῖον; ἓν γὰρ πόλλ᾽ 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

ἐπράσσετ᾽ ἐνθένδ᾽, ἐς τόδ᾽ ἂν τόλμης ἔβη;
125

Κρέων

δοκοῦντα ταῦτ᾽ ἦν· Λαΐου δ᾽ ὀλωλότος,

οὐδεὶς ἀρωγὸς ἐν κακοῖς ἐγίγνετο.

Οἰδίπους

κακὸν δὲ ποῖον ἐμποδὼν τυραννίδος

οὕτω πεσούσης εἶργε τοῦτ᾽ ἐξειδέναι;

Κρέων

ἡ ποικιλῳδὸς Σφίγξ τὸ πρὸς ποσὶ σκοπεῖν
130

μεθέντας ἡμᾶς τἀφανῆ προσήγετο.

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.

CR

My gracious lord, before thy prosperous reign

King Laius was the leader of our land.

OED

Though I ne’er saw him, I have heard, and know.
105

CR

Phoebus commands us now to punish home,

Whoe’er they are, the authors of his death.

OED

But they, where are they? Where shall now be read

The fading record of this ancient guilt?

CR

He saith, ’tis in this land. And what is sought
110

Is found, while things uncared for glide away.

OED

But where did Laius meet this violent end?

At home, afield, or on some foreign soil?

CR

He had left us, as he said, to visit Delphi;

But nevermore returned since he set forth.
115

OED

And was there none, no fellow traveller,

To see, and tell the tale, and help our search?

CR

No, they were slain; save one, who, flying in fear,

Had nought to tell us but one only thing.

OED

What was that thing? A little door of hope,
120

Once opened, may discover much to view.

CR

A random troop of robbers, meeting him,

Outnumbered and o’erpowered him. So ’twas told.

OED

What robber would have ventured such a deed,

If unsolicited with bribes from hence?
125

CR

We thought of that. But Laius being dead,

We found no helper in our miseries.

OED

When majesty was fallen, what misery

Could hinder you from searching out the truth?

CR

A present trouble had engrossed our care.
130

The riddling Sphinx compelled us to observe
130

The moment’s grief, neglecting things unknown.

Kreon.

Der Fürst in unserm Lande hier war Laïos,

Bevor, o König, du gebot'st in dieser Stadt.

Oedipus.

Aus Andrer Munde weiß ich's; denn ihn sah ich nie.
105

Kreon.

Nun der dahinschied, ist Apollons klar Gebot,

Die Mörder, wer sie seien, schwer zu züchtigen.

Oedipus.

Und wo zu Lande weilen sie? Wo sindet sich

Die schwer erkennbar dunkle Spur der alten Schuld?

Kreon.

In diesem Lande, sagt er: was man sucht, es läßt
110

Sich finden, was man unbeachtet läßt, entflieht.

Oedipus.

Und war's im Hause, war es auf dem Felde, war's

In fremdem Lande, daß ihn traf die Mörderhand?

Kreon.

Den Gott zu fragen zog er aus, so sagt er selbst,

Und seit er ausging, ist er nicht mehr heimgekehrt.
115

Oedipus.

Und kein Genosse seines Wegs, kein Bote sah's,

Von dem man forschend Alles noch erkundete?

Kreon.

Sie fielen bis auf Einen, der, aus Furcht entfloh'n,

Nichts als das Eine, was er sah, zu sagen weiß.

Oedipus.

Was ist's? Zu Vielen weiset Eins die Pfade wohl,
120

Wenn einer Hoffnung schwacher Strahl uns leuchtete.

Kreon.

Ihn überfielen Räuber, und nicht Eine Hand,

Nein, Vieler Hände, sagt er aus, erschlugen ihn.

Oedipus.

Doch hätte sich der Räuber, wenn er nicht von hier

Mit Gold bestellt war, solch vermess'ner That erkühnt?
125

Kreon.

Wohl schien es also; doch den Mord des Laïos

Zu rächen, that sich Keiner auf in jener Noth.

Oedipus.

Und welche Noth verwehrte solches auszuspäh'n,

Nachdem des Landes Herrscher so gefallen war?

Kreon.

Uns zwang die Räthselsängerin auf's Nächste nur¹
130

Zu schauen und zu lassen, was im Dunkel lag.

Or by banishment, or death.

Life must be given for life ; for yet his blood

Rests on the city.

Oedipus

Whose ? What means the god ?

Creon

O king ! before thee Laius ruled o'er Thebes.