Sophocles, Oedipus Tyrannus, Richard Jebb (Translator), 1026

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Messenger

I found you in Cithaeron’s winding glens.

Oedipus

And why were you roaming those regions?

Messenger

I was in charge of mountain flocks.

Oedipus

What, you were a shepherd—a vagrant hireling?

Messenger

But your savior, my son, in that hour.
1030

Oedipus

And what was my pain when you took me in your arms?

Messenger

The ankles of your feet might bear witness.

Oedipus

Ah me, why do you speak of that old trouble?

Messenger

I freed you when you had your ankles pinned together.

Oedipus

It was a dread brand of shame that I took from my cradle.
1035

Messenger

So much so that from that fortune you were called by that name which you still bear.

Oedipus

Oh, in the name of the gods, was the deed my mother’s or father’s? Speak!

Messenger

I know not. He who gave you to me knows better of that than I.

Oedipus

What, you got me from another? You did not find me yourself?

Messenger

No. Another shepherd gave you to me.
1040

Oedipus

Who was he? Can you tell clearly?

Messenger

I think he was said to be one of the household of Laius.

Oedipus

The king who ruled this country long ago?

Messenger

The same. The man was a herdsman in his service.

Oedipus

Is he still alive, that I might see him?
1045

Messenger

You natives of this country should know best.

Oedipus

Is there any of you here present that knows the herdsman of whom he speaks, having seen him either in the pastures or here in town? Answer!

The hour has come for these things to be revealed finally.
1050

Chorus

I think he speaks of no other than the peasant you already wanted to see. But our lady Iocasta might best tell you that.

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)) — 1026 focus

εὑρὼν ναπαίαις ἐν Κιθαιρῶνος πτυχαῖς.

Οἰδίπους

ὡδοιπόρεις δὲ πρὸς τί τούσδε τοὺς τόπους;

Ἄγγελος

ἐνταῦθ᾽ ὀρείοις ποιμνίοις ἐπεστάτουν.

Οἰδίπους

ποιμὴν γὰρ ἦσθα κἀπὶ θητείᾳ πλάνης;

Ἄγγελος

σοῦ δ᾽, ὦ τέκνον, σωτήρ γε τῷ τότʼ ἐν χρόνῳ.
1030

Οἰδίπους

τί δ᾽ ἄλγος ἴσχοντ᾽ ἐν κακοῖς με λαμβάνεις;

Ἄγγελος

ποδῶν ἂν ἄρθρα μαρτυρήσειεν τὰ σά.

Οἰδίπους

οἴμοι, τί τοῦτ᾽ ἀρχαῖον ἐννέπεις κακόν;

Ἄγγελος

λύω σ᾽ ἔχοντα διατόρους ποδοῖν ἀκμάς.

Οἰδίπους

δεινόν γ᾽ ὄνειδος σπαργάνων ἀνειλόμην.
1035

Ἄγγελος

ὥστ᾽ ὠνομάσθης ἐκ τύχης ταύτης ὃς εἶ.

Οἰδίπους

ὦ πρὸς θεῶν, πρὸς μητρός, ἢ πατρός; φράσον.

Ἄγγελος

οὐκ οἶδ᾽· ὁ δοὺς δὲ ταῦτ᾽ ἐμοῦ λῷον φρονεῖ.

Οἰδίπους

ἦ γὰρ παρ᾽ ἄλλου μ᾿ ἔλαβες, οὐδ᾽ αὐτὸς τυχών;

Ἄγγελος

οὔκ, ἀλλὰ ποιμὴν ἄλλος ἐκδίδωσί μοι.
1040

Οἰδίπους

τίς οὗτος; ἦ κάτοισθα δηλῶσαι λόγῳ;

Ἄγγελος

τῶν Λαΐου δήπου τις ὠνομάζετο.

Οἰδίπους

ἦ τοῦ τυράννου τῆσδε γῆς πάλαι ποτέ;

Ἄγγελος

μάλιστα· τούτου τἀνδρὸς οὗτος ἦν βοτήρ.

Οἰδίπους

ἦ κἄστ᾽ ἔτι ζῶν οὗτος, ὥστ᾿ ἰδεῖν ἐμέ;
1045

Ἄγγελος

ὑμεῖς γ᾽ ἄριστ᾽ εἰδεῖτ᾽ ἂν οὑπιχώριοι.

Οἰδίπους

ἔστιν τὶς ὑμῶν τῶν παρεστώτων πέλας,

ὅστις κάτοιδε τὸν βοτῆρ᾽, ὃν ἐννέπει,

εἴτ᾿ οὖν ἐπ᾿ ἀγρῶν εἴτε κἀνθάδ' εἰσιδών;

σημήναθ᾽, ὡς ὁ καιρὸς εὑρῆσθαι τάδε.
1050

Χορός

οἶμαι μὲν οὐδέν᾽ ἄλλον ἢ τὸν ἐξ ἀγρῶν,

ὃν κἀμάτευες πρόσθεν εἰσιδεῖν· ἀτὰρ

ἥδ᾽ ἂν τάδ᾽ οὐχ ἥκιστ᾽ ἂν Ἰοκάστη λέγοι.

Οἰδίπους

Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 1026 focus

Ἄγγελος

εὑρὼν ναπαίαις ἐν Κιθαιρῶνος πτυχαῖς.

Οἰδίπους

ὡδοιπόρεις δὲ πρὸς τί τούσδε τοὺς τόπους;

Ἄγγελος

ἐνταῦθʼ ὀρείοις ποιμνίοις ἐπεστάτουν.

Οἰδίπους

ποιμὴν γὰρ ἦσθα κἀπὶ θητείᾳ πλάνης;

Ἄγγελος

σοῦ τʼ, ὦ τέκνον, σωτήρ γε τῷ τότʼ ἐν χρόνῳ.
1030

Οἰδίπους

τί δʼ ἄλγος ἴσχοντʼ ἀγκάλαις με λαμβάνεις;

Ἄγγελος

ποδῶν ἂν ἄρθρα μαρτυρήσειεν τὰ σά·

Οἰδίπους

οἴμοι, τί τοῦτʼ ἀρχαῖον ἐννέπεις κακόν;

Ἄγγελος

λύω σʼ ἔχοντα διατόρους ποδοῖν ἀκμάς.

Οἰδίπους

δεινόν γʼ ὄνειδος σπαργάνων ἀνειλόμην.
1035

Ἄγγελος

ὥστʼ ὠνομάσθης ἐκ τύχης ταύτης ὃς εἶ.

Οἰδίπους

ὦ πρὸς θεῶν, πρὸς μητρὸς ἢ πατρός; φράσον.

Ἄγγελος

οὐκ οἶδʼ· ὁ δοὺς δὲ ταῦτʼ ἐμοῦ λῷον φρονεῖ.

Οἰδίπους

ἦ γὰρ παρʼ ἄλλου μʼ ἔλαβες οὐδʼ αὐτὸς τυχών;

Ἄγγελος

οὔκ, ἀλλὰ ποιμὴν ἄλλος ἐκδίδωσί μοι.
1040

Οἰδίπους

τίς οὗτος; ἦ κάτοισθα δηλῶσαι λόγῳ;

Ἄγγελος

τῶν Λαΐου δήπου τις ὠνομάζετο.

Οἰδίπους

ἦ τοῦ τυράννου τῆσδε γῆς πάλαι ποτέ;

Ἄγγελος

μάλιστα· τούτου τἀνδρὸς οὗτος ἦν βοτήρ.

Οἰδίπους

ἦ κἄστʼ ἔτι ζῶν οὗτος, ὥστʼ ἰδεῖν ἐμέ;
1045

Ἄγγελος

ὑμεῖς γʼ ἄριστʼ εἰδεῖτʼ ἂν οὑπιχώριοι.

Οἰδίπους

ἔστιν τις ὑμῶν τῶν παρεστώτων πέλας,

ὅστις κάτοιδε τὸν βοτῆρʼ ὃν ἐννέπει,

εἴτʼ οὖν ἐπʼ ἀγρῶν εἴτε κἀνθάδʼ εἰσιδών;

σημήναθʼ, ὡς ὁ καιρὸς ηὑρῆσθαι τάδε.
1050

Χορός

οἶμαι μὲν οὐδένʼ ἄλλον ἢ τὸν ἐξ ἀγρῶν,

ὃν κἀμάτευες πρόσθεν εἰσιδεῖν· ἀτὰρ

ἥδʼ ἂν τάδʼ οὐχ ἥκιστʼ ἂν Ἰοκάστη λέγοι.

Translations (4)

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 1026 focus

Found in Cithaeron’s hollowy wilderness.

OED

What led your travelling footstep to that ground?

COR. SH

The flocks I tended grazed the mountain there.

OED

A shepherd wast thou, and a wandering hind?

COR. SH

Whatever else, my son, thy saviour then.
1030

OED

From what didst thou release me or relieve?

COR. SH

Thine instep bears memorial of the pain.

OED

Ah! what old evil will thy words disclose?

COR. SH

Thy feet were pierced. ’Twas I unfastened them.

OED

So cruel to my tender infancy!
1035

COR. SH

From this thou hast received thy name.

OED

By heaven

I pray thee, did my father do this thing,

Or was’t my mother?

COR. SH

That I dare not say.

He should know best who gave thee to my hand.

OED

Another gave me, then? You did not find me?

COR. SH

Another herdsman passed thee on to me.
1040

OED

Can you describe him? Tell us what you know.

COR. SH

Methinks they called him one of Laius’ people.

OED

Of Laius once the sovereign of this land?

COR. SH

E’en so. He was a shepherd of his flock.

OED

And is he still alive for me to see?
1045

COR. SH

You Thebans are most likely to know that.

OED

Speak, any one of you in presence here,

Can you make known the swain he tells us of,

In town or country having met with him?

The hour for this discovery is full come.
1050

CH

Methinks it is no other than the peasant

Whom thou didst seek before to see: but this

Could best be told by queen Jocasta there.

OED

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 1026 focus

In tiefer Waldschlucht am Kithäron fand ich dich.

Oedipus.

In welcher Absicht kamst du denn an diesen Ort?
1000

Der Bote.

Dort war des Berges Heerde mir zur Hut vertraut.

Oedipus.

So warst du Hirte, zogst umher im Dienst des Herrn?

Der Bote.

Und dein Erretter ward ich, Sohn, in jener Zeit.

Oedipus.

Mit welchem Leiden sandst du mich in meiner Noth?

Der Bote.

Die Fußgelenke können dir's bezeugen, Kind.
1005

Oedipus.

Weh mir! Warum erwähnst du dieses alte Leid?

Der Bote.

Die durchgestochnen Füße löst' ich beide dir.

Oedipus.

Ein schmählich graunvoll Zeichen trug ich hier davon.

Der Bote.

Von diesem Unfall blieb bis heut der Name dir.

Oedipus.

Götter! That dies Vater oder Mutter? Sprich! Ich weiß es nicht;
1010

Der Bote.

Genauer weiß es, der dich gab in meine Hand.

Oedipus.

Von einem Andern nahmst du, fandst nicht selbst mich auf?

Der Bote.

Nicht selbst; ein andrer Hirte fand und gab dich mir.

Oedipus.

Wer war es? Weißt du näher mir zu nennen ihn?

Der Bote.

Man nannt' ihn, mein' ich, einen Knecht des Laïos.
1015

Oedipus.

Des Fürsten, der vor Zeiten hier im Land gebot?

Der Bote.

Ja, dieses Königs Hirte war der Mann, o Herr.

Oedipus.

Und lebt er jezt noch, daß ich selbst ihn sehen kann?

Der Bote.

Ihr Eingebornen wisset dies am besten wohl.

Oedipus.

Ist unter euch, ihr Männer, die mir nahe steh'n,
1020

Nicht Einer, der den Hirten kennt, von dem er spricht,

Sei's daß er hier ihn, oder auf dem Felde sah?

So sprecht; es auszugründen ist jezt wohl die Zeit.

Der Chor.

Kein Andrer ist es, glaub' ich, als vom Felde der,

Den du zu sehen früher schon verlangt; indeß
1025

Gibt wohl die beste Kunde dir Iokaste selbst.

Oedipus.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 1026 focus

He had no children ; that persuaded him

To take and keep thee.

Oedipus

Didst thou buy me, then,

Or am I thine, and must I call thee father 1

Shepherd

I found thee in Cithaeron's woody vale.

Oedipus

What brought thee there ?

Shepherd

I came to feed my flocks
1030

On the green mountain's side.
1030

Oedipus

It seems thou wert

A wandering shepherd.

Shepherd

Thy deliverer;

I saved thee from destruction.

Had happened to me ?

Shepherd
(Edi. How ? What then

Thy own feet will best

Inform thee of that circumstance.

CEdt. Alas !

Why callst thou to remembrance a misfortune

Of so long date?

Shepherd

'Twas I who loosed the tendons
1035

Of thy bored feet.
1035

I suffered much, then.
1035

Shepherd
(Edi. It seems in infancy

Tc this incident

Thou ow'st thy name.

Oedipus

My father, or my mother,

Who did it 1 Knowst thou ?

Shepherd

He who gave thee to mo

Must tell thee that.

Oedipus

Then from another's hand

Thou didst receive me.

Shepherd

. Ay ; another shepherd.
1040

Oedipus

Whc was he? Canst thou recollect ?

Shepherd

'Twas one,

At least so called, of Laius' family.

Oedipus

Laius, who ruled at Thebes ?

Shepherd

The same ] this imai

Was shepherd to King Laius.

Oedipus

Lives he still ?
1045

And could I see him ?
1045

Shepherd

[pointing to the Chorus]. Some of these perhaps,

His countrymen, may give you information.

Oedipus
(EDI PUS TV RAN N US.

\to Ihe Chorus]. Oh

you Know

speak, my friends, if any of

It must be he

Whom thou didst lately send for ; but the queen

Can best inform thee.

QEdi. Knowst thou, my Jocasta,

Whether the man whom thou didst order hither.

And whom the shepherd speaks of, be the same 1

Joe Whom meant he ? for I know not. CEdipus,

Think not so deeply of this thing.

Forbid, Jocasta, I should now neglect

To clear my birth, when thus the path is marked

And open to me.

Joe. Do not, by the gods

I beg thee, do not, if thy life be dear.

Make further search, for I have felt enough

Already from it.

Oedipus
(Edi. Good heaven !

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 1026 focus

To this his former childless state

Induced him.

Oedipus

Was I purchased with thy gold,

Or to thee born?

Corinthian

Amidst the bosky dales

Beneath Cithæron found.

Oedipus

To those retreats

What led thy devious steps ?

Corinthian

I kept the herds
1030

That o'er the mountain range.
1030

An herdsman thou
1030

Oedipus

For hire?

Corinthian

And thy preserver at that time.

Oedipus

What sufferings didst thou find me in that state

Of ills sustaining?

Corinthian

These thy wounded feet

Would evidence.

Oedipus

Ah, why recal this ill
1035

Of days long pass'd!
1035

Corinthian

I loose thy feet pierced through,

And bound together.

Oedipus

Barbarous were the wrongs

My infancy endured.

Corinthian

And hence thy name

From these thy sufferings given thee.

By the gods

Was this my father's, or my mother's deed?

I know not: he knows best from whom my hands

Received thee.

Oedipus

Was I then from other hands

By thee received, not found by chance?

Corinthian

To me
1040

Another herdsman gave thee.
1040

Oedipus

Who that man?

Canst thou inform me ?

Corinthian

Of the menial train

Of Laius

Oedipus

What, of him who once o'er Thebes

Reign'd king?

Corinthian

Of him; and herdsman to that king.

Oedipus

Is he, that I may see him, yet alive? -
1045

Corinthian

You, in this country who reside, best know.

Oedipus

Is there among you, that are standing here,

One, who the herdsman, by him mention'd knows,

Seen in the fields or city ? Make him known:

The time demands these things should be made clear.
1050

Chorus

I think he means none other, but the man

Whom from the fields long since thou hast desired

To see: none better than Jocasta knows.

Oedipus

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-635-1 The fitness of the phrase ναπαίαις πτυχαῖς ¹

mvp-comment-636-1 ἐπὶ θητείᾳ, ² πλάνης ³

mvp-comment-637-1 σοῦ δ’ ⁴ σοῦ γ’ ⁵ σοῦ δ’ ⁶ δὲ ⁷ δέ γε ⁸ δέ γε ⁹ γε ¹⁰

mvp-comment-638-1 τί δ’ ἄλγος ¹¹ ἐν κακοῖς ¹² ἐν καιροῖς ¹³

mvp-comment-639-1 δεινόν γε ¹⁴

mvp-comment-639-2 σπαργάνων ¹⁵ σπαργάνων ¹⁶

mvp-comment-640-1 ὥστε ¹⁷

mvp-comment-640-2 ὃς εἶ ¹⁸

mvp-comment-641-1 πρὸς μητρός, ἢ πατρός; ¹⁹

mvp-comment-642-1 βοτήρ ²⁰

mvp-comment-643-1 εἰδεῖτ’ ²¹

mvp-comment-644-1 οὖν ²² εἴτε ²³

mvp-comment-644-2 ἐπ’ ἀγρῶν ²⁴

mvp-comment-645-1 ὁ καιρὸς ²⁵ ηὑρῆσθαι ²⁶

mvp-comment-646-1 Supply ἐννέπειν (αὐτόν), not ἐννέπει. The form οἶμαι ²⁷

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

1029. mvp-comment-591-1 ἐπὶ θητείᾳ πλάνης ‘And going from place to place to work for hire.' For ἐπί, see Essay on Language $ 19. p. 27. Oedipus dwells on this point as indicating the possible lowness of his origin. Ср. 1062.

1030. mvp-comment-592-1 σοῦ δ This correction, which Elmsley made from conjecture, is found in Flor. Γ. δέ may express the opposition between the insignificant station of the ποιμήν and his importance to Oedipus. The reading of L. and most MSS. σοῦ γ'.. σωτήρ γε was, however, approved by Hermann, who quotes Heindorf on Plat. Euthyd. 277 A. Cp. also O. C. 387, 977, 1278, 1409.

1031. mvp-comment-593-1 Oedipus is touched with pity for his former self. Cp. Shak. Temp. 1.2, 'Miranda. Alack, for pity ! | I, not remembering how I cried out then, | Will cry it o'er again: it is a hint, | That wrings mine eyes to 't.' The question is suggested to Oedipus by the word σωτήρ; i. e. From what pain that I was suffering in my misfortunes did you rescue me? but is introduced by the poet, as the Scholiast properly observes, in order to lead to the mention of the personal mark (compare the scar of Ulysses in the Odyssey) by which the conviction of the truth is brought home to Jocasta. In his eagerness to delve to the root the mystery of his birth, Oedipus is wholly unconscious of the effect which the successive answers have upon the mind of the queen-the horror of whose discovery is the chief interest of this part of the play, and who may be supposed to remain immoveable until her outbreak in l. 1056. The same explanation applies to l. 1037, which adds poignancy to the stroke.

1034. mvp-comment-594-1 ποδοῖν ἀκμάς Thy feet. ἀκμάς, like ἄρθρα supr., simply adds definiteness to πόδας: cp. ἄκρος.

1035. mvp-comment-595-1 ὄνειδος (τοῦτο) ἀνειλόμην Α cruel shame I got from my swaddling bands.' Cp. Pind. Nem. 7. 56, τυχεῖν δ᾽ ἕν᾿ ἀδύνατον εὐδαιμονίαν ἅπασαν ἀνελόμενον. The genitive is to be taken with the verb in the sense of derivation; only differing in being more metaphorical from the construction of El. 1139, 40, παμφλέκτου πυρὸς | ἀνειλόμην, ὡς εἰκός, ἄθλιον βάρος. Cp. supr. 1012. Eustath. 86. 16, 1097. 25 quotes καλόν γ᾽ ὄνειδος, which has been thought to be an error of memory, as these words occur in the Medea of Euripides, with whose style they are more in accordance. Eur. Med. 514.

1037. mvp-comment-596-1 Triclinius rightly says, ἀσύνετον καὶ ἀνακόλουθον πρὸς τὰ ἐπαγόμενα, τὸ νομίζειν ἐρωτᾶν τὸν Οἰδιπόδα, εἰ ὑπὸ τοῦ πατρὸς ἢ τῆς μητρὸς ὠνομάσθη. The words refer not to the preceding line, but to the cruel treatment of the child. Was it my mother's doing, or my father's?' See on 1031.

1042. mvp-comment-597-1 δήπου τις I am pretty sure that they called him one of Laius people.'

1044. mvp-comment-598-1 βοτήρ The word recals to the chorus and the spectators, though not to Oedipus, his saying in 836. 7, τοσοῦτόν ἐστί μοι τῆς ἐλπίδος, τὸν ἄνδρα τὸν βοτῆρα προσμεῖναι μόνον. Cp. also 1049 with 761.

1045. mvp-comment-599-1 ὥστ᾽ ἰδεῖν ἐμέ So that I may see him.

1050. mvp-comment-600-1 The very moment for full discovery is come. Essay on Language § 39. 1. a, p. 72.

1050. mvp-comment-600-2 τάδε Oedipus is now thinking only of the question of his birth, although his expression has a much wider import.

1051. mvp-comment-601-1 οὐδέν᾽ ἄλλον Sc. ἐννέπειν.

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Messenger I found you in Cithaeron’s winding glens.

Oedipus And why were you roaming those regions?

Messenger I was in charge of mountain flocks.

Oedipus What, you were a shepherd—a vagrant hireling?

Messenger But your savior, my son, in that hour. 1030

Oedipus And what was my pain when you took me in your arms?

Messenger The ankles of your feet might bear witness.

Oedipus Ah me, why do you speak of that old trouble?

Messenger I freed you when you had your ankles pinned together.

Oedipus It was a dread brand of shame that I took from my cradle. 1035

Messenger So much so that from that fortune you were called by that name which you still bear.

Oedipus Oh, in the name of the gods, was the deed my mother’s or father’s? Speak!

Messenger I know not. He who gave you to me knows better of that than I.

Oedipus What, you got me from another? You did not find me yourself?

Messenger No. Another shepherd gave you to me. 1040

Oedipus Who was he? Can you tell clearly?

Messenger I think he was said to be one of the household of Laius.

Oedipus The king who ruled this country long ago?

Messenger The same. The man was a herdsman in his service.

Oedipus Is he still alive, that I might see him? 1045

Messenger You natives of this country should know best.

Oedipus Is there any of you here present that knows the herdsman of whom he speaks, having seen him either in the pastures or here in town? Answer! The hour has come for these things to be revealed finally. 1050

Chorus I think he speaks of no other than the peasant you already wanted to see. But our lady Iocasta might best tell you that.

Current edition Experimental

εὑρὼν ναπαίαις ἐν Κιθαιρῶνος πτυχαῖς.

Οἰδίπους ὡδοιπόρεις δὲ πρὸς τί τούσδε τοὺς τόπους;

Ἄγγελος ἐνταῦθ᾽ ὀρείοις ποιμνίοις ἐπεστάτουν.

Οἰδίπους ποιμὴν γὰρ ἦσθα κἀπὶ θητείᾳ πλάνης;

Ἄγγελος σοῦ δ᾽, ὦ τέκνον, σωτήρ γε τῷ τότʼ ἐν χρόνῳ. 1030

Οἰδίπους τί δ᾽ ἄλγος ἴσχοντ᾽ ἐν κακοῖς με λαμβάνεις;

Ἄγγελος ποδῶν ἂν ἄρθρα μαρτυρήσειεν τὰ σά.

Οἰδίπους οἴμοι, τί τοῦτ᾽ ἀρχαῖον ἐννέπεις κακόν;

Ἄγγελος λύω σ᾽ ἔχοντα διατόρους ποδοῖν ἀκμάς.

Οἰδίπους δεινόν γ᾽ ὄνειδος σπαργάνων ἀνειλόμην. 1035

Ἄγγελος ὥστ᾽ ὠνομάσθης ἐκ τύχης ταύτης ὃς εἶ.

Οἰδίπους ὦ πρὸς θεῶν, πρὸς μητρός, ἢ πατρός; φράσον.

Ἄγγελος οὐκ οἶδ᾽· ὁ δοὺς δὲ ταῦτ᾽ ἐμοῦ λῷον φρονεῖ.

Οἰδίπους ἦ γὰρ παρ᾽ ἄλλου μ᾿ ἔλαβες, οὐδ᾽ αὐτὸς τυχών;

Ἄγγελος οὔκ, ἀλλὰ ποιμὴν ἄλλος ἐκδίδωσί μοι. 1040

Οἰδίπους τίς οὗτος; ἦ κάτοισθα δηλῶσαι λόγῳ;

Ἄγγελος τῶν Λαΐου δήπου τις ὠνομάζετο.

Οἰδίπους ἦ τοῦ τυράννου τῆσδε γῆς πάλαι ποτέ;

Ἄγγελος μάλιστα· τούτου τἀνδρὸς οὗτος ἦν βοτήρ.

Οἰδίπους ἦ κἄστ᾽ ἔτι ζῶν οὗτος, ὥστ᾿ ἰδεῖν ἐμέ; 1045

Ἄγγελος ὑμεῖς γ᾽ ἄριστ᾽ εἰδεῖτ᾽ ἂν οὑπιχώριοι.

Χορός οἶμαι μὲν οὐδέν᾽ ἄλλον ἢ τὸν ἐξ ἀγρῶν, ὃν κἀμάτευες πρόσθεν εἰσιδεῖν· ἀτὰρ ἥδ᾽ ἂν τάδ᾽ οὐχ ἥκιστ᾽ ἂν Ἰοκάστη λέγοι.

Οἰδίπους

Ἄγγελος εὑρὼν ναπαίαις ἐν Κιθαιρῶνος πτυχαῖς.

Οἰδίπους ὡδοιπόρεις δὲ πρὸς τί τούσδε τοὺς τόπους;

Ἄγγελος ἐνταῦθʼ ὀρείοις ποιμνίοις ἐπεστάτουν.

Οἰδίπους ποιμὴν γὰρ ἦσθα κἀπὶ θητείᾳ πλάνης;

Ἄγγελος σοῦ τʼ, ὦ τέκνον, σωτήρ γε τῷ τότʼ ἐν χρόνῳ. 1030

Οἰδίπους τί δʼ ἄλγος ἴσχοντʼ ἀγκάλαις με λαμβάνεις;

Ἄγγελος ποδῶν ἂν ἄρθρα μαρτυρήσειεν τὰ σά·

Οἰδίπους οἴμοι, τί τοῦτʼ ἀρχαῖον ἐννέπεις κακόν;

Ἄγγελος λύω σʼ ἔχοντα διατόρους ποδοῖν ἀκμάς.

Οἰδίπους δεινόν γʼ ὄνειδος σπαργάνων ἀνειλόμην. 1035

Ἄγγελος ὥστʼ ὠνομάσθης ἐκ τύχης ταύτης ὃς εἶ.

Οἰδίπους ὦ πρὸς θεῶν, πρὸς μητρὸς ἢ πατρός; φράσον.

Ἄγγελος οὐκ οἶδʼ· ὁ δοὺς δὲ ταῦτʼ ἐμοῦ λῷον φρονεῖ.

Οἰδίπους ἦ γὰρ παρʼ ἄλλου μʼ ἔλαβες οὐδʼ αὐτὸς τυχών;

Ἄγγελος οὔκ, ἀλλὰ ποιμὴν ἄλλος ἐκδίδωσί μοι. 1040

Οἰδίπους τίς οὗτος; ἦ κάτοισθα δηλῶσαι λόγῳ;

Ἄγγελος τῶν Λαΐου δήπου τις ὠνομάζετο.

Οἰδίπους ἦ τοῦ τυράννου τῆσδε γῆς πάλαι ποτέ;

Ἄγγελος μάλιστα· τούτου τἀνδρὸς οὗτος ἦν βοτήρ.

Οἰδίπους ἦ κἄστʼ ἔτι ζῶν οὗτος, ὥστʼ ἰδεῖν ἐμέ; 1045

Ἄγγελος ὑμεῖς γʼ ἄριστʼ εἰδεῖτʼ ἂν οὑπιχώριοι.

Χορός οἶμαι μὲν οὐδένʼ ἄλλον ἢ τὸν ἐξ ἀγρῶν, ὃν κἀμάτευες πρόσθεν εἰσιδεῖν· ἀτὰρ ἥδʼ ἂν τάδʼ οὐχ ἥκιστʼ ἂν Ἰοκάστη λέγοι.

Found in Cithaeron’s hollowy wilderness.

OED What led your travelling footstep to that ground?

COR. SH The flocks I tended grazed the mountain there.

OED A shepherd wast thou, and a wandering hind?

COR. SH Whatever else, my son, thy saviour then. 1030

OED From what didst thou release me or relieve?

COR. SH Thine instep bears memorial of the pain.

OED Ah! what old evil will thy words disclose?

COR. SH Thy feet were pierced. ’Twas I unfastened them.

Messenger

I found you in Cithaeron’s winding glens.

Oedipus

And why were you roaming those regions?

Messenger

I was in charge of mountain flocks.

Oedipus

What, you were a shepherd—a vagrant hireling?

Messenger

But your savior, my son, in that hour.
1030

Oedipus

And what was my pain when you took me in your arms?

Messenger

The ankles of your feet might bear witness.

Oedipus

Ah me, why do you speak of that old trouble?

Messenger

I freed you when you had your ankles pinned together.

Oedipus

It was a dread brand of shame that I took from my cradle.
1035

Messenger

So much so that from that fortune you were called by that name which you still bear.

Oedipus

Oh, in the name of the gods, was the deed my mother’s or father’s? Speak!

Messenger

I know not. He who gave you to me knows better of that than I.

Oedipus

What, you got me from another? You did not find me yourself?

Messenger

No. Another shepherd gave you to me.
1040

Oedipus

Who was he? Can you tell clearly?

Messenger

I think he was said to be one of the household of Laius.

Oedipus

The king who ruled this country long ago?

Messenger

The same. The man was a herdsman in his service.

Oedipus

Is he still alive, that I might see him?
1045

Messenger

You natives of this country should know best.

Oedipus

Is there any of you here present that knows the herdsman of whom he speaks, having seen him either in the pastures or here in town? Answer!

The hour has come for these things to be revealed finally.
1050

Chorus

I think he speaks of no other than the peasant you already wanted to see. But our lady Iocasta might best tell you that.

Οἰδίπους

ὡδοιπόρεις δὲ πρὸς τί τούσδε τοὺς τόπους;

Ἄγγελος

ἐνταῦθ᾽ ὀρείοις ποιμνίοις ἐπεστάτουν.

Οἰδίπους

ποιμὴν γὰρ ἦσθα κἀπὶ θητείᾳ πλάνης;

Ἄγγελος

σοῦ δ᾽, ὦ τέκνον, σωτήρ γε τῷ τότʼ ἐν χρόνῳ.
1030

Οἰδίπους

τί δ᾽ ἄλγος ἴσχοντ᾽ ἐν κακοῖς με λαμβάνεις;

Ἄγγελος

ποδῶν ἂν ἄρθρα μαρτυρήσειεν τὰ σά.

Οἰδίπους

οἴμοι, τί τοῦτ᾽ ἀρχαῖον ἐννέπεις κακόν;

Ἄγγελος

λύω σ᾽ ἔχοντα διατόρους ποδοῖν ἀκμάς.

Οἰδίπους

δεινόν γ᾽ ὄνειδος σπαργάνων ἀνειλόμην.
1035

Ἄγγελος

ὥστ᾽ ὠνομάσθης ἐκ τύχης ταύτης ὃς εἶ.

Οἰδίπους

ὦ πρὸς θεῶν, πρὸς μητρός, ἢ πατρός; φράσον.

Ἄγγελος

οὐκ οἶδ᾽· ὁ δοὺς δὲ ταῦτ᾽ ἐμοῦ λῷον φρονεῖ.

Οἰδίπους

ἦ γὰρ παρ᾽ ἄλλου μ᾿ ἔλαβες, οὐδ᾽ αὐτὸς τυχών;

Ἄγγελος

οὔκ, ἀλλὰ ποιμὴν ἄλλος ἐκδίδωσί μοι.
1040

Οἰδίπους

τίς οὗτος; ἦ κάτοισθα δηλῶσαι λόγῳ;

Ἄγγελος

τῶν Λαΐου δήπου τις ὠνομάζετο.

Οἰδίπους

ἦ τοῦ τυράννου τῆσδε γῆς πάλαι ποτέ;

Ἄγγελος

μάλιστα· τούτου τἀνδρὸς οὗτος ἦν βοτήρ.

Οἰδίπους

ἦ κἄστ᾽ ἔτι ζῶν οὗτος, ὥστ᾿ ἰδεῖν ἐμέ;
1045

Ἄγγελος

ὑμεῖς γ᾽ ἄριστ᾽ εἰδεῖτ᾽ ἂν οὑπιχώριοι.

Χορός

οἶμαι μὲν οὐδέν᾽ ἄλλον ἢ τὸν ἐξ ἀγρῶν,

ὃν κἀμάτευες πρόσθεν εἰσιδεῖν· ἀτὰρ

ἥδ᾽ ἂν τάδ᾽ οὐχ ἥκιστ᾽ ἂν Ἰοκάστη λέγοι.

Ἄγγελος

εὑρὼν ναπαίαις ἐν Κιθαιρῶνος πτυχαῖς.

Οἰδίπους

ὡδοιπόρεις δὲ πρὸς τί τούσδε τοὺς τόπους;

Ἄγγελος

ἐνταῦθʼ ὀρείοις ποιμνίοις ἐπεστάτουν.

Οἰδίπους

ποιμὴν γὰρ ἦσθα κἀπὶ θητείᾳ πλάνης;

Ἄγγελος

σοῦ τʼ, ὦ τέκνον, σωτήρ γε τῷ τότʼ ἐν χρόνῳ.
1030

Οἰδίπους

τί δʼ ἄλγος ἴσχοντʼ ἀγκάλαις με λαμβάνεις;

Ἄγγελος

ποδῶν ἂν ἄρθρα μαρτυρήσειεν τὰ σά·

Οἰδίπους

οἴμοι, τί τοῦτʼ ἀρχαῖον ἐννέπεις κακόν;

Ἄγγελος

λύω σʼ ἔχοντα διατόρους ποδοῖν ἀκμάς.

Οἰδίπους

δεινόν γʼ ὄνειδος σπαργάνων ἀνειλόμην.
1035

Ἄγγελος

ὥστʼ ὠνομάσθης ἐκ τύχης ταύτης ὃς εἶ.

Οἰδίπους

ὦ πρὸς θεῶν, πρὸς μητρὸς ἢ πατρός; φράσον.

Ἄγγελος

οὐκ οἶδʼ· ὁ δοὺς δὲ ταῦτʼ ἐμοῦ λῷον φρονεῖ.

Οἰδίπους

ἦ γὰρ παρʼ ἄλλου μʼ ἔλαβες οὐδʼ αὐτὸς τυχών;

Ἄγγελος

οὔκ, ἀλλὰ ποιμὴν ἄλλος ἐκδίδωσί μοι.
1040

Οἰδίπους

τίς οὗτος; ἦ κάτοισθα δηλῶσαι λόγῳ;

Ἄγγελος

τῶν Λαΐου δήπου τις ὠνομάζετο.

Οἰδίπους

ἦ τοῦ τυράννου τῆσδε γῆς πάλαι ποτέ;

Ἄγγελος

μάλιστα· τούτου τἀνδρὸς οὗτος ἦν βοτήρ.

Οἰδίπους

ἦ κἄστʼ ἔτι ζῶν οὗτος, ὥστʼ ἰδεῖν ἐμέ;
1045

Ἄγγελος

ὑμεῖς γʼ ἄριστʼ εἰδεῖτʼ ἂν οὑπιχώριοι.

Χορός

οἶμαι μὲν οὐδένʼ ἄλλον ἢ τὸν ἐξ ἀγρῶν,

ὃν κἀμάτευες πρόσθεν εἰσιδεῖν· ἀτὰρ

ἥδʼ ἂν τάδʼ οὐχ ἥκιστʼ ἂν Ἰοκάστη λέγοι.

OED

What led your travelling footstep to that ground?

COR. SH

The flocks I tended grazed the mountain there.

OED

A shepherd wast thou, and a wandering hind?

COR. SH

Whatever else, my son, thy saviour then.
1030

OED

From what didst thou release me or relieve?

COR. SH

Thine instep bears memorial of the pain.

OED

Ah! what old evil will thy words disclose?

COR. SH

Thy feet were pierced. ’Twas I unfastened them.

OED

So cruel to my tender infancy!
1035

COR. SH

From this thou hast received thy name.

OED

By heaven

I pray thee, did my father do this thing,

Or was’t my mother?

COR. SH

That I dare not say.

He should know best who gave thee to my hand.

OED

Another gave me, then? You did not find me?

COR. SH

Another herdsman passed thee on to me.
1040