Sophocles, Oedipus Tyrannus, Richard Jebb (Translator), 1141

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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

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)) — 1141 focus

λέγεις ἀληθῆ, καίπερ ἐκ μακροῦ χρόνου.

Ἄγγελος

φέρ᾽ εἰπὶ νῦν, τότ᾽ οἶσθα παῖδά μοί τινα

δούς, ὡς ἐμαυτῷ θρέμμα θρεψαίμην ἐγώ;

Θεράπων

τί δ᾽ ἔστι; πρὸς τί τοῦτο τοὔπος ἱστορεῖς;

Ἄγγελος

ὅδ᾽ ἐστίν, ὦ τᾶν, κεῖνος ὃς τότ᾽ ἦν νέος.
1145

Θεράπων

οὐκ εἰς ὄλεθρον; οὐ σιωπήσας ἔσει;

Οἰδίπους

ἆ, μὴ κόλαζε, πρέσβυ, τόνδ᾽, ἐπεὶ τὰ σὰ

δεῖται κολαστοῦ μᾶλλον ἢ τὰ τοῦδ᾽ ἔπη.

Θεράπων

τί δ᾽, ὦ φέριστε δεσποτῶν, ἁμαρτάνω;

Οἰδίπους

οὐκ ἐννέπων τὸν παῖδ᾽ ὃν οὗτος ἱστορεῖ.
1150

Θεράπων

λέγει γὰρ εἰδὼς οὐδέν, ἀλλ᾽ ἄλλως πονεῖ.

Οἰδίπους

σὺ πρὸς χάριν μὲν οὐκ ἐρεῖς, κλαίων δ᾽ ἐρεῖς.

Θεράπων

μὴ δῆτα, πρὸς θεῶν, τὸν γέροντά μ' αἰκίσῃ.

Οἰδίπους

οὐχ ὡς τάχος τις τοῦδ᾽ ἀποστρέψει χέρας;

Θεράπων

δύστηνος, ἀντὶ τοῦ; τί προσχρῄζων μαθεῖν;
1155

Οἰδίπους

τὸν παῖδ᾽ ἔδωκας τῷδ᾽ ὃν οὗτος ἱστορεῖ;

[45 b

Θεράπων

ἔδωκʼ· ὀλέσθαι δ᾽ ὤφελον τῇδ᾽ ἡμέρᾳ.

Οἰδίπους

ἀλλ᾽ εἰς τόδ' ἥξεις μὴ λέγων γε τοὔνδικον.

Θεράπων

πολλῷ γε μᾶλλον, ἢν φράσω, διόλλυμαι.

Οἰδίπους

ἁνὴρ ὅδ᾽, ὡς ἔοικεν, ἐς τριβὰς ἐλᾷ.
1160

Θεράπων

οὐ δῆτ᾽ ἔγωγ', ἀλλ᾽ εἶπον ὡς δοίην πάλαι.

Οἰδίπους

πόθεν λαβών; οἰκεῖον, ἢ ἐξ ἄλλου τινός;

Θεράπων

ἐμὸν μὲν οὐκ ἔγωγ᾽, ἐδεξάμην δέ του.

Οἰδίπους

τίνος πολιτῶν τῶνδε κἀκ ποίας στέγης;

Θεράπων

μὴ πρὸς θεῶν, μή, δέσποθ', ἱστόρει πλέον.
1165

Οἰδίπους

ὄλωλας, εἴ σε ταῦτ᾽ ἐρήσομαι πάλιν.

Θεράπων

τῶν Λαΐου τοίνυν τις ἦν γεννημάτων.

Οἰδίπους

ἦ δοῦλος, ἢ κείνου τις ἐγγενὴς γεγώς;

Θεράπων

οἴμοι, πρὸς αὐτῷ γ' εἰμὶ τῷ δεινῷ λέγειν.

Οἰδίπους

κἄγωγ᾽ ἀκούων· ἀλλ᾽ ὅμως ἀκουστέον.
1170

Θεράπων

Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 1141 focus

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

Translations (4)

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 1141 focus

The time is far remote. But all is true.

COR. SH

Well, dost remember having given me then

A child, that I might nurture him for mine?

THEB. SH

What means thy question? Let me know thy drift.

COR. SH

Friend, yonder stands the infant whom we knew.
1145

THEB. SH

Confusion seize thee, and thy evil tongue!

OED

Check not his speech, I pray thee, for thy words

Call more than his for chastisement, old sir.

THEB. SH

O my dread lord, therein do I offend?

OED

Thou wilt not answer him about the child?
1150

THEB. SH

He knows not what he speaks. His end is vain.

OED

So! Thou’lt not tell to please us, but the lash

Will make thee tell.

THEB. SH

By all that’s merciful,

Scourge not this aged frame!

OED

Pinion him straight!

THEB. SH

Unhappy! wherefore? what is’t you would know?
1155

OED

Gave you this man the child of whom he asks you?

THEB. SH

I gave it him. Would I had died that hour!

OED

Speak rightly, or your wish will soon come true.

THEB. SH

My ruin comes the sooner, if I speak.

OED

This man will balk us with his baffling prate.
1160

THEB. SH

Not so. I said long since, ‘I gave the child.’

OED

Whence? Was’t your own, or from another’s hand?

THEB. SH

’Twas not mine own; another gave it me.

OED

What Theban gave it, from what home in Thebes?

THEB. SH

O, I implore thee, master, ask no more!
1165

OED

You perish, if I have to ask again.

THEB. SH

The child was of the stock of Laius.

OED

Slave-born, or rightly of the royal line?

THEB. SH

Ah me! Now comes the horror to my tongue!

OED

And to mine ear. But thou shalt tell it me!
1170

THEB. SH

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 1141 focus

Du sagst die Wahrheit; freilich ist es lange her.
1110

Der Bote.

Nun sage, weißt du, wie du dort ein kleines Kind

Mir gabst, es aufzuziehen als mein eigenes?

Der Hirte.

Was ist es? Weßhalb fragst du mich um dieses aus?

Der Bote.

Der ist es, Freund, er war das neugeborne Kind.

Der Hirte.

Du bist des Todes! Schweigst du nicht zur Stelle jezt?
1115

Oedipus.

Ha, diesen, Alter, strafe nicht; denn mehr gebührt

Die Strafe deinen Worten, als den seinigen.

Der Hirte.

Doch was, o bester aller Herrn, verbrach ich denn?

Oedipus.

Das Kind, nach welchem dieser fragt, verläugnest du?

Der Hirte.

Ganz ohne Kenntniß spricht er, müht umsonst sich ab.
1120

Oedipus.

Du sagst es nicht in Güte; weinend sagst du's denn!

Der Hirte.

Mißhandle, bei den Göttern, nicht mich alten Mann!

(zu den Dienern)

Oedipus.

Auf, bindet ihm die Hände gleich am Rücken fest!¹

Der Hirte.

Wofür? Ich Armer! Was zu wissen wünschest du?

Oedipus.

Das Kind, nach welchem dieser fragt, du gabst es ihm?
1125

Der Hirte.

Ich gab's. O raffte jenes Tags der Tod mich hin!

Oedipus.

Der wird dir heute, wenn du nicht das Wahre sagst.

Der Hirte.

Viel eher, wenn ich's sagen muß, trifft mich der Tod.

Oedipus.

Ausflüchte (wohl erkenn' ich's) sucht der Alte nur.

Der Hirte.

Ich nicht; ich sagte lange schon: ich gab es ihm.
1130

Oedipus.

Woher bekamst du's? War es dein, war's Andrer Kind?

Der Hirte.

Nicht meines war es; ich empfing's von fremder Hand.

Oedipus.

Von welchem unsrer Bürger und aus welchem Haus?

Der Hirte.

Bei allen Göttern, weiter forsche nicht, o Herr!

Oedipus.

Du bist des Todes, frag' ich das zum andernmal!
1135
König. Dedipus.

Der Hirte.

Nun denn, in Laïos' Hause war das Kind erzeugt.

Oedipus.

Von einem Sklaven? Oder war's verwandt mit ihm?

Der Hirte.

Weh, weh mir! Sagen soll ich's nun, das Schreckliche!

Oedipus.

Und ich es hören: aber hören muß ich's doch.

Der Hirte.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 1141 focus

No hireling slave, but in his palace bred,

I served him long.

Oedipus
Scene YII. (Edi. Now answer me, old man ; look this way —

Him, who now stands before thee,

Callst thou to mind, or converse or connection

Between you in times past ?

Old Shep. I cannot say
1150

I recollect it now.

Shepherd

of Corinth. I do not wonder

He should forget me, but I will recall

Some facts of ancient date. He must remember

When on Cithaeron we together fed

Our several flocks, in daily converse joined

From spring to autumn, and when winter bleaK.

Approached, retired. I to my little cot

Conveyed my sheep ; he to the palace led

His fleecy care. Canst thou remember this ?

Old Shep. I do ; but that is long, long since

Shepherd

of Corinth. It is ;

But say, good shepherd, canst thou call to mind

An infant whom thou didst deliver to me,

Requesting me to breed him as my own ?

Old Shep. Ha ! wherefore askst thou this ?

Shepherd

of Corinth [pointing to CEdipus]. Behold him

here,

That very child.

Old Shep. Oh ! say it not : away !

Why reprove him thus ?

Thou art thyself to blame, old man.

Old Shep. In what

Am I to blame, my lord ?

Oedipus

Thou wilt not speak

Touching this boy.

or PUS TVRANNV^:.

Old Shep. Wm^ ! poor man, he knows not

What he hath said.

Q^Di. If not by softer means

To be persuaded, force shall wring it from thee.

Old Siiep. Treat not an old man harshly.

Oedipus

\to the AiTENDANTs]. Bind his hands.

Old Shep. Wherefore, my lord ? What wouldst thou

have mo do ?

Oedipus

That child he talks of, didst thou give it to
1160

him?
1160

Old Shep. I did ; and would to heaven I then had
1160

died!
1160

Oedipus

Die soon thou shalt, unless thou tellst it all.

Old Shep. Say, rather if I do.

OiJDi. This fellow means

To trifle with us, by his dull delay.

Old Shep. I do not ; said I not I gave the child ?

QEdi. Whence came the boy ? Was he thy own, or who

Did give him to thee ?

Old Shep. From another hand

I had received him.

Oedipus

Say, what hand ? From whom ?

Whence came he?

Old Shep. Do not — by the gods I beg thee,

Do not inquire.

Oedipus

Force me to ask again,

And thou shalt die.

Old Shep. In Laius' palace born

Oedipus

Son of a slave, or of the king?

Old Shep. Alas !

Tis death for me to speak.

Oedipus

And me to hear ;
1170

Yet say it.
1170

Old Shep. He was called the son of Laius ;
1170

But ask the queen, for she can best inform thee«
1170

Oedipus

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 1141 focus

These things are true, though facts of distant times.

Corinthian

Say then, dost thou remember that a child

Thou gavest me there to nurture as mine own?

Herdsman

What wou'dst thou? Wherefore is that question ask'd?

Corinthian

This, my good friend, is he who was that child.
1145

Herdsman

Perdition seize thee; wilt thou hold thy peace?

Oedipus

Ah, thou dost wrong: rebuke him, not old man;

For more than his thy words deserve rebuke.

Herdsman

In what, most worthy lord, do I offend?

Oedipus

To what concerns this child, of which he asks,

Replying not.

Herdsman

He speaks he knows not what,

Mere idle talk.

Oedipus

Thou wilt not with good grace

Speak freely; but the truth thou wilt declare

Writhing beneath the scourge.

Herdsman

Oh, by the gods,
1155

Scourge not an old man!
1155

Oedipus

Seize him, bind his hands

This instant.

Herdsman

Wretched me! And for what cause?

What wou'dst thou know?

Oedipus

This child, of which he asks,

Didst thou consign it to his hands!

Herdsman

I did.

Would I had died that day!

Oedipus

And thou shalt die,
1160

Unless thou speak the truth.
1160

Herdsman

And if I speak,

I must be more undone.

Oedipus

This man, it seems,

Is studious of delay.

Herdsman

Not so: I said

Long since I gave it to him.

Oedipus

Whence received ?

Thine own, or from some other?

Herdsman

Not mine own.
1165

But from another's hand.
1165

Oedipus

From whom? from one

That dwells at Thebes?

Herdsman

Now by the gods, O king,

Inquire no more.

Oedipus

If I must ask again,

Thou diest.

Herdsman

Beneath the roof of Laius born.

Oedipus

Born to a slave? Or drew he from the king
1170

His birth?
1170

Herdsman

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-707-1 ἐκ ¹

mvp-comment-708-1 τί δ’ ἔστι; ²

mvp-comment-708-2 πρὸς τί ³

mvp-comment-709-1 ὦ τᾶν ⁴

mvp-comment-710-1 οὐκ εἰς ὄλεθρον; ⁵

mvp-comment-710-2 οὐ σιωπήσας ἔσει; ⁶

mvp-comment-711-1 κόλαζε ⁷

mvp-comment-712-1 ὦ φέριστε ⁸

mvp-comment-713-1 πρὸς χάριν ⁹

mvp-comment-713-2 κλαίων ¹⁰

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

τὸν τὰς αἰχμαλωτίδας χέρας | δεσμοῖς ἀπευθύνοντα

(preparatory to flogging): Hom. Od. 22.189

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

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

mvp-comment-715-1 δύστηνος ¹¹

mvp-comment-716-1 εἰς τόδ’ ¹²

mvp-comment-717-1 ἐς τριβὰς ἐλᾷ, ¹³

mvp-comment-718-1 οὐ δῆτ’ ἔγωγε ¹⁴

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

mvp-comment-720-1 κείνου τις ἐγγενὴς γεγώς ¹⁵

mvp-comment-721-1 I am close on the horror, —close on uttering it: (ὥστἐ λέγειν ¹⁶ ἀκούειν ¹⁷

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

1145. mvp-comment-648-1 ὦ τᾶν The familiar language of one servant addressing another.

1146. mvp-comment-649-1 The οἰκέτης knew that he had been entrusted with the exposure of the child of Laius, and instead of executing his commission had given the infant to a herdsman from Corinth. - He knew also that Oedipus was the murderer of Laius-Faithful to Jocasta, he had hitherto kept both secrets; and this had occasioned his request to be allowed to remove as far as possible from the city. But until this moment the truth has never flashed upon his mind that the child of Jocasta and Laius is the husband of the one and the murderer of the other. The abruptness of the exclamation indicates the surprise, which now breaks upon his mind.

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.

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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

Current edition Experimental

λέγεις ἀληθῆ, καίπερ ἐκ μακροῦ χρόνου.

Ἄγγελος φέρ᾽ εἰπὶ νῦν, τότ᾽ οἶσθα παῖδά μοί τινα δούς, ὡς ἐμαυτῷ θρέμμα θρεψαίμην ἐγώ;

Θεράπων τί δ᾽ ἔστι; πρὸς τί τοῦτο τοὔπος ἱστορεῖς;

Ἄγγελος ὅδ᾽ ἐστίν, ὦ τᾶν, κεῖνος ὃς τότ᾽ ἦν νέος. 1145

Θεράπων οὐκ εἰς ὄλεθρον; οὐ σιωπήσας ἔσει;

Οἰδίπους ἆ, μὴ κόλαζε, πρέσβυ, τόνδ᾽, ἐπεὶ τὰ σὰ δεῖται κολαστοῦ μᾶλλον ἢ τὰ τοῦδ᾽ ἔπη.

Θεράπων τί δ᾽, ὦ φέριστε δεσποτῶν, ἁμαρτάνω;

Οἰδίπους οὐκ ἐννέπων τὸν παῖδ᾽ ὃν οὗτος ἱστορεῖ. 1150

Θεράπων λέγει γὰρ εἰδὼς οὐδέν, ἀλλ᾽ ἄλλως πονεῖ.

Οἰδίπους σὺ πρὸς χάριν μὲν οὐκ ἐρεῖς, κλαίων δ᾽ ἐρεῖς.

Θεράπων μὴ δῆτα, πρὸς θεῶν, τὸν γέροντά μ' αἰκίσῃ.

Οἰδίπους οὐχ ὡς τάχος τις τοῦδ᾽ ἀποστρέψει χέρας;

Θεράπων δύστηνος, ἀντὶ τοῦ; τί προσχρῄζων μαθεῖν; 1155

Οἰδίπους τὸν παῖδ᾽ ἔδωκας τῷδ᾽ ὃν οὗτος ἱστορεῖ; [45 b

Θεράπων ἔδωκʼ· ὀλέσθαι δ᾽ ὤφελον τῇδ᾽ ἡμέρᾳ.

Οἰδίπους ἀλλ᾽ εἰς τόδ' ἥξεις μὴ λέγων γε τοὔνδικον.

Θεράπων πολλῷ γε μᾶλλον, ἢν φράσω, διόλλυμαι.

Οἰδίπους ἁνὴρ ὅδ᾽, ὡς ἔοικεν, ἐς τριβὰς ἐλᾷ. 1160

Θεράπων οὐ δῆτ᾽ ἔγωγ', ἀλλ᾽ εἶπον ὡς δοίην πάλαι.

Οἰδίπους πόθεν λαβών; οἰκεῖον, ἢ ἐξ ἄλλου τινός;

Θεράπων ἐμὸν μὲν οὐκ ἔγωγ᾽, ἐδεξάμην δέ του.

Οἰδίπους τίνος πολιτῶν τῶνδε κἀκ ποίας στέγης;

Θεράπων μὴ πρὸς θεῶν, μή, δέσποθ', ἱστόρει πλέον. 1165

Οἰδίπους ὄλωλας, εἴ σε ταῦτ᾽ ἐρήσομαι πάλιν.

Θεράπων τῶν Λαΐου τοίνυν τις ἦν γεννημάτων.

Οἰδίπους ἦ δοῦλος, ἢ κείνου τις ἐγγενὴς γεγώς;

Θεράπων οἴμοι, πρὸς αὐτῷ γ' εἰμὶ τῷ δεινῷ λέγειν.

Οἰδίπους κἄγωγ᾽ ἀκούων· ἀλλ᾽ ὅμως ἀκουστέον. 1170

Θεράπων

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;

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

Ἄγγελος

φέρ᾽ εἰπὶ νῦν, τότ᾽ οἶσθα παῖδά μοί τινα

δούς, ὡς ἐμαυτῷ θρέμμα θρεψαίμην ἐγώ;

Θεράπων

τί δ᾽ ἔστι; πρὸς τί τοῦτο τοὔπος ἱστορεῖς;

Ἄγγελος

ὅδ᾽ ἐστίν, ὦ τᾶν, κεῖνος ὃς τότ᾽ ἦν νέος.
1145

Θεράπων

οὐκ εἰς ὄλεθρον; οὐ σιωπήσας ἔσει;

Οἰδίπους

ἆ, μὴ κόλαζε, πρέσβυ, τόνδ᾽, ἐπεὶ τὰ σὰ

δεῖται κολαστοῦ μᾶλλον ἢ τὰ τοῦδ᾽ ἔπη.

Θεράπων

τί δ᾽, ὦ φέριστε δεσποτῶν, ἁμαρτάνω;

Οἰδίπους

οὐκ ἐννέπων τὸν παῖδ᾽ ὃν οὗτος ἱστορεῖ.
1150

Θεράπων

λέγει γὰρ εἰδὼς οὐδέν, ἀλλ᾽ ἄλλως πονεῖ.

Οἰδίπους

σὺ πρὸς χάριν μὲν οὐκ ἐρεῖς, κλαίων δ᾽ ἐρεῖς.

Θεράπων

μὴ δῆτα, πρὸς θεῶν, τὸν γέροντά μ' αἰκίσῃ.

Οἰδίπους

οὐχ ὡς τάχος τις τοῦδ᾽ ἀποστρέψει χέρας;

Θεράπων

δύστηνος, ἀντὶ τοῦ; τί προσχρῄζων μαθεῖν;
1155

Οἰδίπους

τὸν παῖδ᾽ ἔδωκας τῷδ᾽ ὃν οὗτος ἱστορεῖ;

[45 b

Θεράπων

ἔδωκʼ· ὀλέσθαι δ᾽ ὤφελον τῇδ᾽ ἡμέρᾳ.

Οἰδίπους

ἀλλ᾽ εἰς τόδ' ἥξεις μὴ λέγων γε τοὔνδικον.

Θεράπων

πολλῷ γε μᾶλλον, ἢν φράσω, διόλλυμαι.

Οἰδίπους

ἁνὴρ ὅδ᾽, ὡς ἔοικεν, ἐς τριβὰς ἐλᾷ.
1160

Θεράπων

οὐ δῆτ᾽ ἔγωγ', ἀλλ᾽ εἶπον ὡς δοίην πάλαι.

Οἰδίπους

πόθεν λαβών; οἰκεῖον, ἢ ἐξ ἄλλου τινός;

Θεράπων

ἐμὸν μὲν οὐκ ἔγωγ᾽, ἐδεξάμην δέ του.

Οἰδίπους

τίνος πολιτῶν τῶνδε κἀκ ποίας στέγης;

Θεράπων

μὴ πρὸς θεῶν, μή, δέσποθ', ἱστόρει πλέον.
1165

Οἰδίπους

ὄλωλας, εἴ σε ταῦτ᾽ ἐρήσομαι πάλιν.

Θεράπων

τῶν Λαΐου τοίνυν τις ἦν γεννημάτων.

Οἰδίπους

ἦ δοῦλος, ἢ κείνου τις ἐγγενὴς γεγώς;

Θεράπων

οἴμοι, πρὸς αὐτῷ γ' εἰμὶ τῷ δεινῷ λέγειν.

Οἰδίπους

κἄγωγ᾽ ἀκούων· ἀλλ᾽ ὅμως ἀκουστέον.
1170

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.