Sophocles, Oedipus Tyrannus, Richard Jebb (Translator), 726

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Oedipus

What restlessness of soul, lady, what tumult has come upon me since I heard you speak!

Iocasta

What anxiety has startled you, that you say this?

Oedipus

I thought that I heard this from you—that Laius

was slain where the three roads meet.
730

Icasta

Yes, that was the report, and so it is still thought.

Oedipus

And where is the place where this occurred?

Iocasta

The land is called Phocis ; the branching forks lead to the same spot from Delphi and from Daulia.

Oedipus

And how much time has passed since these events took place?
735

Iocasta

The news was announced to the town shortly before you first attained power over this land.

Oedipus

O Zeus, what have you decreed for me?

Iocasta

Why, Oedipus, does this matter weigh upon your heart?

Oedipus

Do not ask me yet. Tell me rather what stature Laius had, and how ripe his manhood was.
740

Iocasta

He was tall—the silver just lightly strewn among his hair—and his form was not greatly unlike your own.

Oedipus

Unhappy that I am! I think that I have

laid myself under a terrible curse without realizing it.
745

Iocasta

How do you mean? I tremble when I look at you, my lord.

Oedipus

I have dread fears that the seer can see. But you will reveal the matter better if you tell me one thing more.

Iocasta

Indeed, though I tremble, I will hear and answer all that you ask.

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)) — 726 focus

οἷόν μ᾽ ἀκούσαντ᾽ ἀρτίως ἔχει, γύναι,

ψυχῆς πλάνημα κἀνακίνησις φρενῶν.

Ἰοκάστη

ποίας μερίμνης τοῦθ᾽ ὑποστραφεὶς λέγεις;

Οἰδίπους

ἔδοξ᾽ ἀκοῦσαι σοῦ τόδ᾽, ὡς ὁ Λάϊος

κατασφαγείη πρὸς τριπλαῖς ἁμαξιτοῖς.
730

Ἰοκάστη

ηὐδᾶτο γὰρ ταῦτ᾽ οὐδέ πω λήξαντ' ἔχει.

Οἰδίπους

καὶ ποῦ᾽ σθ᾽ ὁ χῶρος οὗτος οὗ τόδ᾽ ἦν πάθος;

Ἰοκάστη

Φωκὶς μὲν ἡ γῆ κλῄζεται, σχιστὴ δ᾽ ὁδὸς

ἐς ταὐτὸ Δελφῶν κἀπὸ Δαυλίας ἄγει.

Οἰδίπους

καὶ τίς χρόνος τοῖσδ᾽ ἐστὶν οὐξεληλυθώς;
735

Ἰοκάστη

σχεδόν τι πρόσθεν ἢ σὺ τῆσδ᾽ ἔχων χθονὸς

ἀρχὴν ἐφαίνου τοῦτ᾽ ἐκηρύχθη πόλει.

Οἰδίπους

ὦ Ζεῦ, τί μου δρᾶσαι βεβούλευσαι πέρι;

Ἰοκάστη

τί δ᾽ ἐστί σοι τοῦτ᾽, Οἰδίπους, ἐνθύμιον;

Οἰδίπους

μήπω μ' ἐρώτα· τὸν δὲ Λάϊον φύσιν
740

τίνʼ εἶχε φράζε, τίνα δ᾽ ἀκμὴν ἥβης ἔχων.

Ἰοκάστη

μέγας, χνοάζων ἄρτι λευκανθὲς κάρα,

μορφῆς δὲ τῆς σῆς οὐκ ἀπεστάτει πολύ.

Οἰδίπους

οἴμοι τάλας· ἔοικ᾿ ἐμαυτὸν εἰς ἀρὰς

δεινὰς προβάλλων ἀρτίως οὐκ εἰδέναι.
745

Ἰοκάστη

πῶς φῄς; ὀκνῶ τοι πρὸς σ᾽ ἀποσκοποῦσ᾽, ἄναξ.

Οἰδίπους

δεινῶς ἀθυμῶ μὴ βλέπων ὁ μάντις ᾖ.

δείξεις δὲ μᾶλλον, ἢν ἓν ἐξείπῃς ἔτι.

Ἰοκάστη

καὶ μὴν ὀκνῶ μέν, ἂν δ᾽ ἔρῃ μαθοῦσ᾽ ἐρῶ.

Οἰδίπους

Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 726 focus

Οἰδίπους

οἷόν μʼ ἀκούσαντʼ ἀρτίως ἔχει, γύναι,

ψυχῆς πλάνημα κἀνακίνησις φρενῶν.

Ἰοκάστη

ποίας μερίμνης τοῦθʼ ὑποστραφεὶς λέγεις;

Οἰδίπους

ἔδοξʼ ἀκοῦσαι σοῦ τόδʼ, ὡς ὁ Λάϊος

κατασφαγείη πρὸς τριπλαῖς ἁμαξιτοῖς.
730

Ἰοκάστη

ηὐδᾶτο γὰρ ταῦτʼ οὐδέ πω λήξαντʼ ἔχει.

Οἰδίπους

καὶ ποῦ ʼσθʼ ὁ χῶρος οὗτος οὗ τόδʼ ἦν πάθος;

Ἰοκάστη

Φωκὶς μὲν ἡ γῆ κλῄζεται, σχιστὴ δʼ ὁδὸς

ἐς ταὐτὸ Δελφῶν κἀπὸ Δαυλίας ἄγει.

Οἰδίπους

καὶ τίς χρόνος τοῖσδʼ ἐστὶν οὑξεληλυθώς;
735

Ἰοκάστη

σχεδόν τι πρόσθεν ἢ σὺ τῆσδʼ ἔχων χθονὸς

ἀρχὴν ἐφαίνου, τοῦτʼ ἐκηρύχθη πόλει.

Οἰδίπους

ὦ Ζεῦ, τί μου δρᾶσαι βεβούλευσαι πέρι;

Ἰοκάστη

τί δʼ ἐστί σοι τοῦτʼ, Οἰδίπους, ἐνθύμιον;

Οἰδίπους

μήπω μʼ ἐρώτα· τὸν δὲ Λάϊον φύσιν
740

τίνʼ ἦλθε φράζε, τίνα δʼ ἀκμὴν ἥβης ἔχων.

Ἰοκάστη

μέγας, χνοάζων ἄρτι λευκανθὲς κάρα,

μορφῆς δὲ τῆς σῆς οὐκ ἀπεστάτει πολύ.

Οἰδίπους

οἴμοι τάλας· ἔοικʼ ἐμαυτὸν εἰς ἀρὰς

δεινὰς προβάλλων ἀρτίως οὐκ εἰδέναι.
745

Ἰοκάστη

πῶς φῄς; ὀκνῶ τοι πρός σʼ ἀποσκοποῦσʼ, ἄναξ.

Οἰδίπους

δεινῶς ἀθυμῶ μὴ βλέπων ὁ μάντις ᾖ·

δείξεις δὲ μᾶλλον, ἢν ἓν ἐξείπῃς ἔτι.

Ἰοκάστη

καὶ μὴν ὀκνῶ μέν, ἃ δʼ ἂν ἔρῃ μαθοῦσʼ ἐρῶ.

Translations (4)

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 726 focus

What strange emotions overcloud my soul,

Stirred to her depths on hearing this thy tale!

JO

What sudden change is this? What cares oppress thee?

OED

Methought I heard thee say, King Laius

Was at a cross-road overpowered and slain?
730

JO

So ran the talk that yet is current here.

OED

Where was the scene of this unhappy blow?

JO

Phocis the land is named. The parted ways

Meet in one point from Dauha and from Delphi.

OED

And since the event how much of time hath flown?
735

JO

’Twas just ere you appeared with prospering speed

And took the kingdom, that the tidings came.

OED

What are thy purposes against me, Zeus?

JO

Why broods thy mind upon such thoughts, my king?

OED

Nay, ask me not! But tell me first what height
740

Had Laius, and what grace of manly prime?

JO

Tall, with dark locks just sprinkled o’er with grey:

In shape and bearing much resembling thee.

OED

O heavy fate! How all unknowingly

I laid that dreadful curse on my own head!
745

JO

How?

I tremble as I gaze on thee, my king!

OED

The fear appals me that the seer can see.

Tell one thing more, to make it doubly clear!

JO

I am lothe to speak, but, when you ask, I will.

OED

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 726 focus

Frau, wie befällt mich plözlich über deinem Wort

Irrsal des Geistes, wie bewegt's mein Innerstes!
710

Jokaste.

Welch neue Sorge regt dich auf, wie sprichst du so?

Oedipus.

Du sagtest eben, mein' ich, daß den Laïos

Auf dreigespaltnem Wege schlug die Mörderhand.

Jokaste.

So ward's erzählt, und noch verklang die Sage nicht.

Oedipus.

Wo liegt die Gegend, da der Mord vollendet ward?
715

Jokaste.

Das Land benennt sich Phokis, und zwei Wege zieh'n

Sich dort in Eins, von Delphi her und Daulia.

Oedipus.

Und welche Zeit ist über dem vorbeigefloh'n?

Jokaste.

Nur wenig früher, ehe du als Herrscher hier

Auftrat'st im Lande, ward es kundgethan der Stadt.
720

Oedipus.

Was hast du, Zeus, beschlossen wider mich zu thun?

Jokaste.

Wie mag dir dies zu Herzen gehen, Dedipus?

Oedipus.

Noch frage das nicht; aber wie war Laïos

Gestaltet, sage, wie gereift in Manneskraft?

Jokaste.

Groß war er; eben graute kaum sein wollig Haar;¹
725

Auch wich die Bildung nicht um viel von deiner ab.

Oedipus.

Weh, weh mir! Also hätt' ich selbst unwissentlich

Mich heut in grause Flüche wohl hinabgestürzt!

Jokaste.

Was sagst du? Zitternd scheu' ich, Herr, dich anzuseh'n.

Oedipus.

Voll Grau'n erfaßt mich's, daß der Deuter sehend war.
730

Doch klarer wird mir's, wenn du nur noch Eines sagst.

Jokaste.

Wohl zittr' ich; dennoch, was du fragst, erwide' ich dir.

Oedipus.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 726 focus

Wilt not begone ?

Creon

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 726 focus

What wild amazement, lady, at thy words

Seizes my troubled thoughts, and shakes my soul.

Jocasta

What perturbation moves thee thus to speak?

Oedipus

Methought I heard thee say that Laius fell,

Murder'd by ruffian force, where three ways meet
730

Jocasta

Such was the rumour then: it still prevails.

Oedipus

Where? In what land befel this dire event?

Jocasta

Phocis the realm is call'd; the separate roads

From Delphi and from Daulia there unite.

Oedipus

What length of time, since this was done, hath pass'd?
735

Jocasta

Short time before the regal crown of Thebes

Shone on thy brows, these tidings reach'd the state.

Oedipus

To me, O Jove, what fate hast thou decreed ?

Jocasta

Why hath a thought like this possess'd thy soul ?

Oedipus

No questions now; but tell me what the form
740

Of Laius, what his stature, and his age.

Jocasta

Tall, and of manly port; his locks just tinged

With gray; his form not much unlike to thine.

Oedipus

O wretched me! Unweeting on myself

What dreadful curses have I here denounced!
745

Jocasta

Why this? I tremble as I look on thee.

Oedipus

Greatly I fear the prophet sees too well.

Yet one thing more : That will give clearer light.

Jocasta

I tremble; yet whate'er I know will speak.

Oedipus

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-453-1 The mention of “ three roads” (716) has startled Oedipus. He now asks concerning (1) the place, (2) the time, (3) the person. The agreement of (1) with (2) dismays him; that of both with (3) flashes conviction to his mind.

mvp-comment-454-1 πλάνημα ¹

mvp-comment-455-1 ποίας μερ. ὑποστρ. ²

mvp-comment-456-1 λήξαντ’ ³

mvp-comment-457-1 σχιστὴ δ’ ὁδός ⁴

mvp-comment-458-1 ταὐτὸ ⁵ ἀπὸ ⁶

mvp-comment-459-1 τοῖσδ’ ⁷

mvp-comment-460-1 σχεδόν τι πρόσθεν ⁸

mvp-comment-461-1 ὦ Ζεῦ ⁹

mvp-comment-462-1 ἐνθύμιον ¹⁰

mvp-comment-463-1 I do not believe that Soph., or any Greek, could have written φύσιν | τίν’ εἶχε, φράζε, τίνα δ’ ἀκμὴν ἥβης ἔχων ¹¹ τίνος ¹² τίνα δ’ ¹³

mvp-comment-464-1 χνοάζων λευκανθὲς κάρα ¹⁴

mvp-comment-465-1 τάλāς ¹⁵

mvp-comment-465-2 ἔοικα … οὐκ εἰδέναι ¹⁶

mvp-comment-466-1 καὶ μὴν ¹⁷

mvp-comment-466-2 ἃνδ’ ¹⁸

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

726-727. mvp-comment-422-1 What distraction and perturbation of soul possesses me, my queen, on hearing the words you have just uttered!

728. mvp-comment-423-1 Of what nature is the anxiety which alters your tone and makes you say this? The genitive is causal. Cp. Aj. 1116, τοῦ δὲ σοῦ ψόφου | οὐκ ἂν στραφείην. The verb is used metaphorically to express Oedipus' sudden change of mood from 705-706 supr. Others explain it to mean a change of gesture merely.

731. mvp-comment-424-1 Such was the rumour, which has not yet died away.' O. C. 517, τό τοι πολὺ καὶ μηδαμὰ λῆγον.

732. mvp-comment-425-1 οὗτος refers to the words ἐν τριπλαῖς ἁμαξιτοῖς, supr. 761, which have brought the image of the place vividly before the mind of Oedipus.

734. mvp-comment-426-1 I. e. The two roads from Delphi and Daulia meet there.

735. mvp-comment-427-1 τοῖσδ' Since these things happened. For the dative, cp. Hdt. 2. 145, Ἡρακλέϊ ὅσα φασὶ εἶναι ἔτεα ἐς Ἄμασιν βασιλέα: ib. 13: Thuc. 1. 13, 4, ἔτη δὲ μάλιστα καὶ ταύτῃ ἑξήκοντα καὶ διακόσιά ἐστι μέχρι τοῦ αὐτοῦ χρόνου: ib. 3. 29.

736. mvp-comment-428-1 I. e. The announcement was publicly made, just before your elevation to the sovereignty of this land.

738. mvp-comment-429-1 The absence of caesura gives this line the effect of an agonized, convulsive utterance.

739. mvp-comment-430-1 Why do you take this to heart?' i.e. Why are you apprehensive that Zeus has some design against you? Cp. Hdt. 7. 37, ἰδύντι .. τοῦτο τῷ Ξέρξῃ ἐπιμελὲς ἐγένετο : Thuc. 5. 16, ἐς ἐνθυμίαν ..προβαλλόμενος.

740-741. mvp-comment-431-1 τὸν. . ἔχων But say, what was the appearance of Laius, and what ripe stage of blooming life was his?

740-741. mvp-comment-431-2 φύσιν Appearance. Cp. Aesch. Suppl. 496, Ar. Vesp. 1071.

740-741. mvp-comment-431-3 τίνα ἀκμὴν ἤβης ἔχων For the irregular construction, -ἔχων (sc. ἦν) corresponding to εἶχε,-cp. Hdt. 8. 38, μέζονας ἢ κατὰ ἀνθρώπων φύσιν ἔχοντας. The participle is added, if φύσιν τίν' εἶχε were τίς ἣν φύσιν;

740-741. mvp-comment-431-4 ἥβη is used not only of early manhood but of youthful vigour in more advanced age. Od. 16. 174. For this idea cp. Aesch. S. c. Τ. 11, 12, καὶ τὸν ἔξηβον χρόνῳ | βλαστημὸν ἀλδαίνοντα σώματος πολύν. Shak. Ant. and Cleo. 4. 8, Though grey Do something mingle with our younger brown, yet ha we A brain that nourishes our nerves, and can Get goal for goal of youth. ἀκμὴν ἥβης is a courteous expression, softening the abruptness of the inquiry.

742. mvp-comment-432-1 The white locks were just beginning to grow.' χνοάζω is usually applied to the first appearance of the beard in youth; here, to the first sprinkling of grey, as a sign of advancing age. Cp. Hom. Od. 6. 226, where the sprinkling of salt on the hair of Ulysses from the sea spray is called χνοῦς, -ἐκ κεφαλῆς δ᾽ ἔσμηχεν ἁλὸς χνόον ἀτρυγέτοιο. And for λευκανθές, which is proleptic = ὥστε λευκανθὲς εἶναι, cp. Hdt. 8. 27, where λευκανθίζειν is used of men who have been whitened with chalk.

744. mvp-comment-433-1 The natural answer of Jocasta is at the same time an obscure intimation of the likeness of the father to the son.

745. mvp-comment-434-1 'That I have just been unwittingly making myself the object of a terrible curse; i. e. οὐκ εἰδὼς προβάλλειν. Essay on Language § 42. p. 80.

746. mvp-comment-435-1 Jocasta is seized with a vague horror on hearing the words of Oedipus and seeing his gesture.

747. mvp-comment-436-1 I am terribly afraid that the prophet may be the reverse of blind." Cp. 371, τυφλὸς τὰ τ᾽ ὦτα τόν τε νοῦν τὰ τ᾿ ὄμματ' εἶ.

749. mvp-comment-437-1 ἂν δ' is preferred on metrical grounds; but cp. 537, 768, 937. The accus. is governed both by μαθοῦσα and ἐρῶ.

749. mvp-comment-437-2 μαθοῦσα When I understand what it is you ask.

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Oedipus What restlessness of soul, lady, what tumult has come upon me since I heard you speak!

Iocasta What anxiety has startled you, that you say this?

Oedipus I thought that I heard this from you—that Laius was slain where the three roads meet. 730

Icasta Yes, that was the report, and so it is still thought.

Oedipus And where is the place where this occurred?

Iocasta The land is called Phocis ; the branching forks lead to the same spot from Delphi and from Daulia.

Oedipus And how much time has passed since these events took place? 735

Iocasta The news was announced to the town shortly before you first attained power over this land.

Oedipus O Zeus, what have you decreed for me?

Iocasta Why, Oedipus, does this matter weigh upon your heart?

Oedipus Do not ask me yet. Tell me rather what stature Laius had, and how ripe his manhood was. 740

Iocasta He was tall—the silver just lightly strewn among his hair—and his form was not greatly unlike your own.

Oedipus Unhappy that I am! I think that I have laid myself under a terrible curse without realizing it. 745

Iocasta How do you mean? I tremble when I look at you, my lord.

Oedipus I have dread fears that the seer can see. But you will reveal the matter better if you tell me one thing more.

Iocasta Indeed, though I tremble, I will hear and answer all that you ask.

Current edition Experimental

οἷόν μ᾽ ἀκούσαντ᾽ ἀρτίως ἔχει, γύναι, ψυχῆς πλάνημα κἀνακίνησις φρενῶν.

Ἰοκάστη ποίας μερίμνης τοῦθ᾽ ὑποστραφεὶς λέγεις;

Οἰδίπους ἔδοξ᾽ ἀκοῦσαι σοῦ τόδ᾽, ὡς ὁ Λάϊος κατασφαγείη πρὸς τριπλαῖς ἁμαξιτοῖς. 730

Ἰοκάστη ηὐδᾶτο γὰρ ταῦτ᾽ οὐδέ πω λήξαντ' ἔχει.

Οἰδίπους καὶ ποῦ᾽ σθ᾽ ὁ χῶρος οὗτος οὗ τόδ᾽ ἦν πάθος;

Ἰοκάστη Φωκὶς μὲν ἡ γῆ κλῄζεται, σχιστὴ δ᾽ ὁδὸς ἐς ταὐτὸ Δελφῶν κἀπὸ Δαυλίας ἄγει.

Οἰδίπους καὶ τίς χρόνος τοῖσδ᾽ ἐστὶν οὐξεληλυθώς; 735

Ἰοκάστη σχεδόν τι πρόσθεν ἢ σὺ τῆσδ᾽ ἔχων χθονὸς ἀρχὴν ἐφαίνου τοῦτ᾽ ἐκηρύχθη πόλει.

Οἰδίπους ὦ Ζεῦ, τί μου δρᾶσαι βεβούλευσαι πέρι;

Ἰοκάστη τί δ᾽ ἐστί σοι τοῦτ᾽, Οἰδίπους, ἐνθύμιον;

Οἰδίπους μήπω μ' ἐρώτα· τὸν δὲ Λάϊον φύσιν 740 τίνʼ εἶχε φράζε, τίνα δ᾽ ἀκμὴν ἥβης ἔχων.

Ἰοκάστη μέγας, χνοάζων ἄρτι λευκανθὲς κάρα, μορφῆς δὲ τῆς σῆς οὐκ ἀπεστάτει πολύ.

Οἰδίπους οἴμοι τάλας· ἔοικ᾿ ἐμαυτὸν εἰς ἀρὰς δεινὰς προβάλλων ἀρτίως οὐκ εἰδέναι. 745

Ἰοκάστη πῶς φῄς; ὀκνῶ τοι πρὸς σ᾽ ἀποσκοποῦσ᾽, ἄναξ.

Οἰδίπους δεινῶς ἀθυμῶ μὴ βλέπων ὁ μάντις ᾖ. δείξεις δὲ μᾶλλον, ἢν ἓν ἐξείπῃς ἔτι.

Ἰοκάστη καὶ μὴν ὀκνῶ μέν, ἂν δ᾽ ἔρῃ μαθοῦσ᾽ ἐρῶ.

Οἰδίπους

Οἰδίπους οἷόν μʼ ἀκούσαντʼ ἀρτίως ἔχει, γύναι, ψυχῆς πλάνημα κἀνακίνησις φρενῶν.

Ἰοκάστη ποίας μερίμνης τοῦθʼ ὑποστραφεὶς λέγεις;

Οἰδίπους ἔδοξʼ ἀκοῦσαι σοῦ τόδʼ, ὡς ὁ Λάϊος κατασφαγείη πρὸς τριπλαῖς ἁμαξιτοῖς. 730

Ἰοκάστη ηὐδᾶτο γὰρ ταῦτʼ οὐδέ πω λήξαντʼ ἔχει.

Οἰδίπους καὶ ποῦ ʼσθʼ ὁ χῶρος οὗτος οὗ τόδʼ ἦν πάθος;

Ἰοκάστη Φωκὶς μὲν ἡ γῆ κλῄζεται, σχιστὴ δʼ ὁδὸς ἐς ταὐτὸ Δελφῶν κἀπὸ Δαυλίας ἄγει.

Οἰδίπους καὶ τίς χρόνος τοῖσδʼ ἐστὶν οὑξεληλυθώς; 735

Ἰοκάστη σχεδόν τι πρόσθεν ἢ σὺ τῆσδʼ ἔχων χθονὸς ἀρχὴν ἐφαίνου, τοῦτʼ ἐκηρύχθη πόλει.

Οἰδίπους ὦ Ζεῦ, τί μου δρᾶσαι βεβούλευσαι πέρι;

Ἰοκάστη τί δʼ ἐστί σοι τοῦτʼ, Οἰδίπους, ἐνθύμιον;

Οἰδίπους μήπω μʼ ἐρώτα· τὸν δὲ Λάϊον φύσιν 740 τίνʼ ἦλθε φράζε, τίνα δʼ ἀκμὴν ἥβης ἔχων.

Ἰοκάστη μέγας, χνοάζων ἄρτι λευκανθὲς κάρα, μορφῆς δὲ τῆς σῆς οὐκ ἀπεστάτει πολύ.

Οἰδίπους οἴμοι τάλας· ἔοικʼ ἐμαυτὸν εἰς ἀρὰς δεινὰς προβάλλων ἀρτίως οὐκ εἰδέναι. 745

Ἰοκάστη πῶς φῄς; ὀκνῶ τοι πρός σʼ ἀποσκοποῦσʼ, ἄναξ.

Οἰδίπους δεινῶς ἀθυμῶ μὴ βλέπων ὁ μάντις ᾖ· δείξεις δὲ μᾶλλον, ἢν ἓν ἐξείπῃς ἔτι.

Ἰοκάστη καὶ μὴν ὀκνῶ μέν, ἃ δʼ ἂν ἔρῃ μαθοῦσʼ ἐρῶ.

What strange emotions overcloud my soul, Stirred to her depths on hearing this thy tale!

JO What sudden change is this? What cares oppress thee?

OED Methought I heard thee say, King Laius Was at a cross-road overpowered and slain? 730

JO So ran the talk that yet is current here.

OED Where was the scene of this unhappy blow?

JO Phocis the land is named. The parted ways Meet in one point from Dauha and from Delphi.

OED And since the event how much of time hath flown? 735

JO ’Twas just ere you appeared with prospering speed And took the kingdom, that the tidings came.

OED What are thy purposes against me, Zeus?

JO Why broods thy mind upon such thoughts, my king?

OED Nay, ask me not! But tell me first what height 740 Had Laius, and what grace of manly prime?

JO Tall, with dark locks just sprinkled o’er with grey: In shape and bearing much resembling thee.

OED O heavy fate! How all unknowingly I laid that dreadful curse on my own head! 745

JO How? I tremble as I gaze on thee, my king!

OED The fear appals me that the seer can see. Tell one thing more, to make it doubly clear!

JO I am lothe to speak, but, when you ask, I will.

OED

Frau, wie befällt mich plözlich über deinem Wort Irrsal des Geistes, wie bewegt's mein Innerstes! 710

Jokaste. Welch neue Sorge regt dich auf, wie sprichst du so?

Oedipus. Du sagtest eben, mein' ich, daß den Laïos Auf dreigespaltnem Wege schlug die Mörderhand.

Jokaste. So ward's erzählt, und noch verklang die Sage nicht.

Oedipus. Wo liegt die Gegend, da der Mord vollendet ward? 715

Jokaste. Das Land benennt sich Phokis, und zwei Wege zieh'n Sich dort in Eins, von Delphi her und Daulia.

Oedipus. Und welche Zeit ist über dem vorbeigefloh'n?

Jokaste. Nur wenig früher, ehe du als Herrscher hier Auftrat'st im Lande, ward es kundgethan der Stadt. 720

Oedipus. Was hast du, Zeus, beschlossen wider mich zu thun?

Jokaste. Wie mag dir dies zu Herzen gehen, Dedipus?

Oedipus. Noch frage das nicht; aber wie war Laïos Gestaltet, sage, wie gereift in Manneskraft?

Oedipus

What restlessness of soul, lady, what tumult has come upon me since I heard you speak!

Iocasta

What anxiety has startled you, that you say this?

Oedipus

I thought that I heard this from you—that Laius

was slain where the three roads meet.
730

Icasta

Yes, that was the report, and so it is still thought.

Oedipus

And where is the place where this occurred?

Iocasta

The land is called Phocis ; the branching forks lead to the same spot from Delphi and from Daulia.

Oedipus

And how much time has passed since these events took place?
735

Iocasta

The news was announced to the town shortly before you first attained power over this land.

Oedipus

O Zeus, what have you decreed for me?

Iocasta

Why, Oedipus, does this matter weigh upon your heart?

Oedipus

Do not ask me yet. Tell me rather what stature Laius had, and how ripe his manhood was.
740

Iocasta

He was tall—the silver just lightly strewn among his hair—and his form was not greatly unlike your own.

Oedipus

Unhappy that I am! I think that I have

laid myself under a terrible curse without realizing it.
745

Iocasta

How do you mean? I tremble when I look at you, my lord.

Oedipus

I have dread fears that the seer can see. But you will reveal the matter better if you tell me one thing more.

Iocasta

Indeed, though I tremble, I will hear and answer all that you ask.

οἷόν μ᾽ ἀκούσαντ᾽ ἀρτίως ἔχει, γύναι,

ψυχῆς πλάνημα κἀνακίνησις φρενῶν.

Ἰοκάστη

ποίας μερίμνης τοῦθ᾽ ὑποστραφεὶς λέγεις;

Οἰδίπους

ἔδοξ᾽ ἀκοῦσαι σοῦ τόδ᾽, ὡς ὁ Λάϊος

κατασφαγείη πρὸς τριπλαῖς ἁμαξιτοῖς.
730

Ἰοκάστη

ηὐδᾶτο γὰρ ταῦτ᾽ οὐδέ πω λήξαντ' ἔχει.

Οἰδίπους

καὶ ποῦ᾽ σθ᾽ ὁ χῶρος οὗτος οὗ τόδ᾽ ἦν πάθος;

Ἰοκάστη

Φωκὶς μὲν ἡ γῆ κλῄζεται, σχιστὴ δ᾽ ὁδὸς

ἐς ταὐτὸ Δελφῶν κἀπὸ Δαυλίας ἄγει.

Οἰδίπους

καὶ τίς χρόνος τοῖσδ᾽ ἐστὶν οὐξεληλυθώς;
735

Ἰοκάστη

σχεδόν τι πρόσθεν ἢ σὺ τῆσδ᾽ ἔχων χθονὸς

ἀρχὴν ἐφαίνου τοῦτ᾽ ἐκηρύχθη πόλει.

Οἰδίπους

ὦ Ζεῦ, τί μου δρᾶσαι βεβούλευσαι πέρι;

Ἰοκάστη

τί δ᾽ ἐστί σοι τοῦτ᾽, Οἰδίπους, ἐνθύμιον;

Οἰδίπους

μήπω μ' ἐρώτα· τὸν δὲ Λάϊον φύσιν
740

τίνʼ εἶχε φράζε, τίνα δ᾽ ἀκμὴν ἥβης ἔχων.

Ἰοκάστη

μέγας, χνοάζων ἄρτι λευκανθὲς κάρα,

μορφῆς δὲ τῆς σῆς οὐκ ἀπεστάτει πολύ.

Οἰδίπους

οἴμοι τάλας· ἔοικ᾿ ἐμαυτὸν εἰς ἀρὰς

δεινὰς προβάλλων ἀρτίως οὐκ εἰδέναι.
745

Ἰοκάστη

πῶς φῄς; ὀκνῶ τοι πρὸς σ᾽ ἀποσκοποῦσ᾽, ἄναξ.

Οἰδίπους

δεινῶς ἀθυμῶ μὴ βλέπων ὁ μάντις ᾖ.

δείξεις δὲ μᾶλλον, ἢν ἓν ἐξείπῃς ἔτι.

Ἰοκάστη

καὶ μὴν ὀκνῶ μέν, ἂν δ᾽ ἔρῃ μαθοῦσ᾽ ἐρῶ.

Οἰδίπους

οἷόν μʼ ἀκούσαντʼ ἀρτίως ἔχει, γύναι,

ψυχῆς πλάνημα κἀνακίνησις φρενῶν.

Ἰοκάστη

ποίας μερίμνης τοῦθʼ ὑποστραφεὶς λέγεις;

Οἰδίπους

ἔδοξʼ ἀκοῦσαι σοῦ τόδʼ, ὡς ὁ Λάϊος

κατασφαγείη πρὸς τριπλαῖς ἁμαξιτοῖς.
730

Ἰοκάστη

ηὐδᾶτο γὰρ ταῦτʼ οὐδέ πω λήξαντʼ ἔχει.

Οἰδίπους

καὶ ποῦ ʼσθʼ ὁ χῶρος οὗτος οὗ τόδʼ ἦν πάθος;

Ἰοκάστη

Φωκὶς μὲν ἡ γῆ κλῄζεται, σχιστὴ δʼ ὁδὸς

ἐς ταὐτὸ Δελφῶν κἀπὸ Δαυλίας ἄγει.

Οἰδίπους

καὶ τίς χρόνος τοῖσδʼ ἐστὶν οὑξεληλυθώς;
735

Ἰοκάστη

σχεδόν τι πρόσθεν ἢ σὺ τῆσδʼ ἔχων χθονὸς

ἀρχὴν ἐφαίνου, τοῦτʼ ἐκηρύχθη πόλει.

Οἰδίπους

ὦ Ζεῦ, τί μου δρᾶσαι βεβούλευσαι πέρι;

Ἰοκάστη

τί δʼ ἐστί σοι τοῦτʼ, Οἰδίπους, ἐνθύμιον;

Οἰδίπους

μήπω μʼ ἐρώτα· τὸν δὲ Λάϊον φύσιν
740

τίνʼ ἦλθε φράζε, τίνα δʼ ἀκμὴν ἥβης ἔχων.

Ἰοκάστη

μέγας, χνοάζων ἄρτι λευκανθὲς κάρα,

μορφῆς δὲ τῆς σῆς οὐκ ἀπεστάτει πολύ.

Οἰδίπους

οἴμοι τάλας· ἔοικʼ ἐμαυτὸν εἰς ἀρὰς

δεινὰς προβάλλων ἀρτίως οὐκ εἰδέναι.
745

Ἰοκάστη

πῶς φῄς; ὀκνῶ τοι πρός σʼ ἀποσκοποῦσʼ, ἄναξ.

Οἰδίπους

δεινῶς ἀθυμῶ μὴ βλέπων ὁ μάντις ᾖ·

δείξεις δὲ μᾶλλον, ἢν ἓν ἐξείπῃς ἔτι.

Ἰοκάστη

καὶ μὴν ὀκνῶ μέν, ἃ δʼ ἂν ἔρῃ μαθοῦσʼ ἐρῶ.

What strange emotions overcloud my soul,

Stirred to her depths on hearing this thy tale!

JO

What sudden change is this? What cares oppress thee?

OED

Methought I heard thee say, King Laius

Was at a cross-road overpowered and slain?
730

JO

So ran the talk that yet is current here.

OED

Where was the scene of this unhappy blow?

JO

Phocis the land is named. The parted ways

Meet in one point from Dauha and from Delphi.

OED

And since the event how much of time hath flown?
735

JO

’Twas just ere you appeared with prospering speed

And took the kingdom, that the tidings came.

OED

What are thy purposes against me, Zeus?

JO

Why broods thy mind upon such thoughts, my king?

OED

Nay, ask me not! But tell me first what height
740

Had Laius, and what grace of manly prime?

JO

Tall, with dark locks just sprinkled o’er with grey:

In shape and bearing much resembling thee.

OED

O heavy fate! How all unknowingly

I laid that dreadful curse on my own head!
745

JO

How?

I tremble as I gaze on thee, my king!

OED

The fear appals me that the seer can see.

Tell one thing more, to make it doubly clear!

JO

I am lothe to speak, but, when you ask, I will.

Frau, wie befällt mich plözlich über deinem Wort

Irrsal des Geistes, wie bewegt's mein Innerstes!
710

Jokaste.

Welch neue Sorge regt dich auf, wie sprichst du so?

Oedipus.

Du sagtest eben, mein' ich, daß den Laïos

Auf dreigespaltnem Wege schlug die Mörderhand.

Jokaste.

So ward's erzählt, und noch verklang die Sage nicht.

Oedipus.

Wo liegt die Gegend, da der Mord vollendet ward?
715

Jokaste.

Das Land benennt sich Phokis, und zwei Wege zieh'n

Sich dort in Eins, von Delphi her und Daulia.

Oedipus.

Und welche Zeit ist über dem vorbeigefloh'n?

Jokaste.

Nur wenig früher, ehe du als Herrscher hier

Auftrat'st im Lande, ward es kundgethan der Stadt.
720

Oedipus.

Was hast du, Zeus, beschlossen wider mich zu thun?

Jokaste.

Wie mag dir dies zu Herzen gehen, Dedipus?

Oedipus.

Noch frage das nicht; aber wie war Laïos

Gestaltet, sage, wie gereift in Manneskraft?

Jokaste.

Groß war er; eben graute kaum sein wollig Haar;¹
725

Auch wich die Bildung nicht um viel von deiner ab.

Oedipus.

Weh, weh mir! Also hätt' ich selbst unwissentlich

Mich heut in grause Flüche wohl hinabgestürzt!

Jokaste.

Was sagst du? Zitternd scheu' ich, Herr, dich anzuseh'n.

Oedipus.

Voll Grau'n erfaßt mich's, daß der Deuter sehend war.
730

Doch klarer wird mir's, wenn du nur noch Eines sagst.

Jokaste.

Wohl zittr' ich; dennoch, was du fragst, erwide' ich dir.