Sophocles, Oedipus Tyrannus, ed. Francis Storr, 543

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Κρέων

οἶσθʼ ὡς πόησον; ἀντὶ τῶν εἰρημένων

ἴσʼ ἀντάκουσον, κᾆτα κρῖνʼ αὐτὸς μαθών.

Οἰδίπους

λέγειν σὺ δεινός, μανθάνειν δʼ ἐγὼ κακὸς
545

σοῦ· δυσμενῆ γὰρ καὶ βαρύν σʼ ηὕρηκʼ ἐμοί.

Κρέων

τοῦτʼ αὐτὸ νῦν μου πρῶτʼ ἄκουσον ὡς ἐρῶ.

Οἰδίπους

τοῦτʼ αὐτὸ μή μοι φράζʼ, ὅπως οὐκ εἶ κακός.

Κρέων

εἴ τοι νομίζεις κτῆμα τὴν αὐθαδίαν

εἶναί τι τοῦ νοῦ χωρίς, οὐκ ὀρθῶς φρονεῖς.
550

Οἰδίπους

εἴ τοι νομίζεις ἄνδρα συγγενῆ κακῶς

δρῶν οὐχ ὑφέξειν τὴν δίκην, οὐκ εὖ φρονεῖς.

Κρέων

ξύμφημί σοι ταῦτʼ ἔνδικʼ εἰρῆσθαι· τὸ δὲ

πάθημʼ ὁποῖον φὴς παθεῖν, δίδασκέ με.

Οἰδίπους

ἔπειθες ἢ οὐκ ἔπειθες, ὡς χρείη μʼ ἐπὶ
555

τὸν σεμνόμαντιν ἄνδρα πέμψασθαί τινα;

Κρέων

καὶ νῦν ἔθʼ αὑτός εἰμι τῷ βουλεύματι.

Οἰδίπους

πόσον τινʼ ἤδη δῆθʼ ὁ Λάϊος χρόνον

Κρέων

δέδρακε ποῖον ἔργον; οὐ γὰρ ἐννοῶ.

Οἰδίπους

ἄφαντος ἔρρει θανασίμῳ χειρώματι;
560

Κρέων

μακροὶ παλαιοί τʼ ἂν μετρηθεῖεν χρόνοι.

Οἰδίπους

τότʼ οὖν ὁ μάντις οὗτος ἦν ἐν τῇ τέχνῃ;

Κρέων

σοφός γʼ ὁμοίως κἀξ ἴσου τιμώμενος.

Οἰδίπους

ἐμνήσατʼ οὖν ἐμοῦ τι τῷ τότʼ ἐν χρόνῳ;

Κρέων

οὔκουν ἐμοῦ γʼ ἑστῶτος οὐδαμοῦ πέλας.
565

Οἰδίπους

ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἔρευναν τοῦ κτανόντος ἔσχετε;

Κρέων

παρέσχομεν, πῶς δʼ οὐχί; κοὐκ ἠκούσαμεν.

Οἰδίπους

πῶς οὖν τόθʼ οὗτος ὁ σοφὸς οὐκ ηὔδα τάδε;

Κρέων

οὐκ οἶδʼ· ἐφʼ οἷς γὰρ μὴ φρονῶ σιγᾶν φιλῶ.

Οἰδίπους

τοσόνδε γʼ οἶσθα καὶ λέγοις ἂν εὖ φρονῶν.
570

Κρέων

ποῖον τόδʼ; εἰ γὰρ οἶδά γʼ, οὐκ ἀρνήσομαι.

Οἰδίπους

ὁθούνεκʼ, εἰ μὴ σοὶ ξυνῆλθε, τάσδʼ ἐμὰς

οὐκ ἄν ποτʼ εἶπε Λαΐου διαφθοράς.

Κρέων

εἰ μὲν λέγει τάδʼ, αὐτὸς οἶσθʼ· ἐγὼ δὲ σοῦ

μαθεῖν δικαιῶ ταὔθʼ ἅπερ κἀμοῦ σὺ νῦν.
575

Οἰδίπους

ἐκμάνθανʼ· οὐ γὰρ δὴ φονεὺς ἁλώσομαι.

Κρέων

τί δῆτʼ; ἀδελφὴν τὴν ἐμὴν γήμας ἔχεις;

Οἰδίπους

ἄρνησις οὐκ ἔνεστιν ὧν ἀνιστορεῖς.

Κρέων

ἄρχεις δʼ ἐκείνῃ ταὐτὰ γῆς ἴσον νέμων;

Οἰδίπους

ἃν ᾖ θέλουσα πάντʼ ἐμοῦ κομίζεται.
580

Κρέων

οὔκουν ἰσοῦμαι σφῷν ἐγὼ δυοῖν τρίτος;

Οἰδίπους

ἐνταῦθα γὰρ δὴ καὶ κακὸς φαίνει φίλος.

Oedipus Tyrannus. Sophocles. ed. Francis Storr. London. 1912.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.

Current edition Experimental

Οἰδίπους Τύραννος (Greek) (Sophocles, Volume 1. Storr, Francis, editor. London; New York: William Heinemann Ltd.; The Macmillan Company, 1912.)

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (1)

Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 543 focus

οἶσθ᾽ ὡς ποίησον; ἀντὶ τῶν εἰρημένων

ἴσ᾽ ἀντάκουσον, κᾆτα κρῖνʼ αὐτὸς μαθών.

Οἰδίπους

λέγειν σὺ δεινός, μανθάνειν δ᾽ ἐγὼ κακὸς
545

σοῦ· δυσμενῆ γὰρ καὶ βαρύν σ᾽ εὕρηκ᾿ ἐμοί.

Κρέων

τοῦτ᾽ αὐτὸ νῦν μου πρῶτ᾽ ἄκουσον ὡς ἐρῶ.

Οἰδίπους

τοῦτ᾽ αὐτὸ μή μοι φράζ᾽, ὅπως οὐκ εἶ κακός.

Κρέων

εἴ τοι νομίζεις κτῆμα τὴν αὐθαδίαν

εἶναί τι τοῦ νοῦ χωρίς, οὐκ ὀρθῶς φρονεῖς.
550

Οἰδίπους

εἴ τοι νομίζεις ἄνδρα συγγενῆ κακῶς

δρῶν οὐχ ὑφέξειν τὴν δίκην, οὐκ εὖ φρονεῖς.

Κρέων

ξύμφημί σοι ταῦτ᾽ ἔνδικ᾽ εἰρῆσθαι· τὸ δὲ

πάθημ᾽ ὁποῖον φῇς παθεῖν δίδασκέ με.

Οἰδίπους

ἔπειθες, ἢ οὐκ ἔπειθες, ὡς χρείη μ᾽ ἐπὶ
555

τὸν σεμνόμαντιν ἄνδρα πέμψασθαί τινα;

Κρέων

καὶ νῦν ἔθ᾽ αὑτός εἰμι τῷ βουλεύματι.

Οἰδίπους

πόσον τινʼ ἤδη δῆθ᾽ ὁ Λάϊος χρόνον

Κρέων

δέδρακε ποῖον ἔργον; οὐ γὰρ ἐννοῶ.

Οἰδίπους

ἄφαντος ἔρρει θανασίμῳ χειρώματι;
560

Κρέων

μακροὶ παλαιοί τ᾽ ἂν μετρηθεῖεν χρόνοι.

Οἰδίπους

τότ᾽ οὖν ὁ μάντις οὗτος ἦν ἐν τῇ τέχνῃ;

Κρέων

σοφός γ᾽ ὁμοίως κἀξ ἴσου τιμώμενος.

Οἰδίπους

ἐμνήσατ᾽ οὖν ἐμοῦ τι τῷ τότ᾽ ἐν χρόνῳ;

Κρέων

οὔκουν ἐμοῦ γ᾽ ἑστῶτος οὐδαμοῦ πέλας.
565

Οἰδίπους

ἀλλ᾽ οὐκ ἔρευναν τοῦ θανόντος ἔσχετε;

Κρέων

παρέσχομεν, πῶς δ᾽ οὐχί; κοὐκ ἠκούσαμεν.

Οἰδίπους

πῶς οὖν τόθ᾽ οὗτος ὁ σοφὸς οὐκ ηὔδα τάδε;

Κρέων

οὐκ οἶδ᾽· ἐφ᾽ οἷς γὰρ μὴ φρονῶ σιγᾶν φιλῶ.

Οἰδίπους

τοσόνδε γ' οἶσθα καὶ λέγοις ἂν εὖ φρονῶν.
570

Κρέων

ποῖον τόδ'; εἰ γὰρ οἶδά γ', οὐκ ἀρνήσομαι.

Οἰδίπους

ὁθούνεκʼ, εἰ μὴ σοὶ ξυνῆλθε, τὰς ἐμὰς

οὐκ ἄν ποτ' εἶπε Λαΐου διαφθοράς.

Κρέων

εἰ μὲν λέγει τάδ', αὐτὸς οἶσθ᾽· ἐγὼ δέ σου

μαθεῖν δικαιῶ ταὔθ᾽ ἅπερ κἀμοῦ σὺ νῦν.
575

Οἰδίπους

ἐκμάνθανʼ· οὐ γὰρ δὴ φονεὺς ἁλώσομαι.

Κρέων

τί δῆτ᾽; ἀδελφὴν τὴν ἐμὴν γήμας ἔχεις;

Οἰδίπους

ἄρνησις οὐκ ἔνεστιν ὧν ἀνιστορεῖς.

Κρέων

ἄρχεις δ᾽ ἐκείνῃ ταὐτὰ γῆς ἴσον νέμων;

Οἰδίπους

ἃν ᾖ θέλουσα πάντ᾿ ἐμοῦ κομίζεται.
580

Κρέων

οὔκουν ἰσοῦμαι σφῷν ἐγὼ δυοῖν τρίτος;

Οἰδίπους

ἐνταῦθα γὰρ δὴ καὶ κακὸς φαίνει φίλος.

Κρέων

Translations (5)

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 543 focus

Wilt them be counselled? Hear as much in turn

As thou hast spoken, and then thyself be judge.

OED

I know thy tongue, but I am slow to learn
545

From thee, whom I have found my grievous foe.

CR

First on this very point, hear me declare—

OED

I will not hear that thou art not a villain.

CR

Thine is a shallow judgement, if thou thinkest

Self-will without true thought can bring thee gain.
550

OED

Thine is a shallow judgement, if thou thinkest

Thou canst abuse thy kinsman and be free.

CR

A rightful sentence. But I fain would learn

What wrong is that you speak of?

OED

Tell me this;
555

Didst thou, or not, urge me to send and bring
555

The reverend-seeming prophet?

CR

Yea, and still

I hold that counsel firm.

OED

How long is ’t now

Since Laius—

CR

What? I do not catch your drift.

OED

Vanished in ruin by a dire defeat?
560

CR

’Twere long to count the years that come between.

OED

And did this prophet then profess his art?

CR

Wise then as now, nor less in reverence.

OED

Then at that season did he mention me?

CR

Not in my hearing.
565

OED

But, I may presume,

Ye held an inquisition for the dead?

CR

Yes, we inquired, of course: and could not hear.

OED

Why was he dumb, your prophet, in that day?

CR

I cannot answer, for I do not know.

OED

This you can answer, for you know it well.
570

CR

Say what? I will not gainsay, if I know.

OED

That, but for your advice, he had not dared

To talk of Laius’ death as done by me.

CR

You know, that heard him, what he spake. But I

Would ask thee too a question in my turn.
575

OED

No questioning will fasten blood on me.

CR

Hast thou my sister for thine honoured queen?

OED

The fact is patent, and denial vain.

CR

And shar’st with her dominion of this realm?

OED

All she desires is given her by my will.
580

CR

Then, am not I third-partner with you twain?

OED

There is your villany in breaking fealty.

CR

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 543 focus

Was deine Pflicht ist, weißt du's? Auf dein Wort vernimm

Von mir ein Gleiches; dann entscheide selbst belehrt.

Oedipus.

Du bist ein starker Redner; doch ich höre schlecht

Auf dich, in dem ich meinen schlimmsten Feind erkannt.

Kreon.

Hierüber eben höre mich vor Allem jezt.
540

Oedipus.

Hierüber eben schweige, daß du redlich seist.

Kreon.

Wofern du wähnst, ein blindvermess'ner Eigensinn,

Von Weisheit leer, sei löblich, denkst du ganz verkehrt.

Oedipus.

Wofern du wähnst am Blutsverwandten ungestraft

Das Böse thun zu können, denkst du nimmer klug.
545

Kreon.

Daß dieser Ausspruch richtig sei, bekenn' ich gern;

Doch was dir Uebles widerfuhr, belehre mich.

Oedipus.

Sprich, warst du's oder warst du's nicht, der Boten mir

Zum hochberühmten Seher abzusenden rieth?

Kreon.

Und noch besteh' ich unverrückt auf gleichem Sinn.
550

Oedipus.

Wie lange Zeit her ist es schon, das Laïos

Kreon.

Welch eine That begangen? Ich verstehe nicht -

Oedipus.

Spurlos verschwand, von eines Mörders Hand entseelt?

Kreon.

Wohl fern und lange mißt sich schon seitdem die Zeit.

Oedipus.

Und übte damals seine Kunst der Seher schon?
555

Kreon.

Mit gleicher Weisheit übt' er sie, mit gleichem Ruhm.

Oedipus.

Und dacht' er jemals meiner auch in jener Zeit?

Kreon.

Nie, nirgendwo, daß ich in seiner Nähe war.

Oedipus.

Und nach dem Todten stelltet ihr kein Forschen an?

Kreon.

Gewiß: warum nicht? Aber Nichts entdeckten wir.
560

Oedipus.

Warum enthüllt' es dazumal der Weise nicht?

Kreon.

Ich weiß nicht. Wo mir Kunde mangelt, schweig' ich gern.

Oedipus.

Doch weißt du soviel - sag' es, da dir Kunde ward

Kreon.

Was meinst du? Weiß ich's, werd' ich's nicht verheimlichen.

Oedipus.

Der Seher hätte, war er nicht im Bund mit dir,
565

Den Mord an Laïos nimmermehr mein Werk genannt.

Kreon.

Ob dies er aussagt, weißt du selbst; ich aber darf

Nun wohl auch dich befragen, wie du mich gefragt.

Oedipus.

Frag' immer; denn als Mörder werd' ich nicht besteh'n.

Kreon.

Wohlan! Du bist mit meiner Schwester doch vermählt?
570

Oedipus.

Gewiß; verneinen kann ich diese Frage nicht.

Kreon.

Und theilst die Macht, des Landes Herrschaft gleich mit ihr?

Oedipus.

Von mir erhält sie Alles, was sie wünschen mag.

Kreon.

Und steh' ich als der Dritte nicht euch Beiden gleich?

Oedipus.

Hier eben offenbarst du dich als falschen Freund.
575

Kreon.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 543 focus

And confidence of mind ?

Chorus

Ha ! Creon here ? And dar'st thou thus

approach

My palace, thou who wouldst have murdered me,

And ta'en my kingdom? by the gods I ask thee,

Answer me, traitor, didst thou think me fool,

Or coward, that I could not see thy arts,

Or had not strength to vanquish them ? What madness,

What strange infatuation led thee on,

Without or force or friends, to grasp at empire,

Which only their united force can give ?

What wei't thou doing?

Creon
(TDTPUS TYRj

Hear what I shall answer,

Then judge impartial.

But I shall ne'er attend to thee ; thy guilt

Js plain ; thou art my deadliest foe.

CiiEOX. But hear

What I shall urge.
550

Say not, thou'rt innocent.
550

C'REON. If self-opinion void of reason seem
550

Conviction to thee, know, thou errVt most gi'ossly
550

Oedipus
(Edi. Thou canst talk it well,

And thou more grossly, if thou thinkst to pass

Unpunished for this injury to thy friend.

Creon

I should not, were I guilty ; but w^hat crime

Have I committed? Tell me.

The man who urged me to require the aid

Creon
(Edi. Wert not thou Of your all-knowing prophet %

True, I was;

1 did persuade you ; so I would again.

Oedipus

How long is it since Laius

Creon

Laius ! What ?

Oedipus

Since Laius fell by hands unknown?
560

Creon

A long,

Long tract of years.

Oedipus

Was this Tiresias then

Creon
A prophet %

Ay ; in wisdom and in fame

As now excelling.

Oedipus

Did he then say aught

Concerning me 1

Creon

I never heard he did.
565

Oedipus

Touching this murder, did you ne'er inquire

Who were the authors ?

Creon

Doubtless ; but in vain.

Creon
(Edi. Why did not this same prophet then inform you

I know not that, and when I'm ignorant

I'm always silent.

Oedipus

What concerns thyself
570

At least thou knowst, and therefore shouklst declare it.

Creon

What is it 1 Speak ; and if 'tis in my power,

I'll answer thee.

Had not combined with thee, he would not thus

Accuse me as the murderer of Laius,

Creon
(Edi. Thou knowst, if this Tiresias

What he declares, thou best canst tell : of me,

What thou requirest, myself am yet to learn.
575

Oedipus

Go, learn it then ; but ne'er shalt thou discover,

That CEdi pus is guilty.

Creon

Art not thou

My sister's husband ?

Oedipus

Granted.

Creon

Joined with her,

Thou rul'st o'er Thebes.

Oedipus

'Tis true, and all she asks
580

Most fi^eely do I give her.
580

Creon

Is not Creon

In honour next to you ?

Oedipus

Thou art ; and therefore

The more ungrateful.

Creon

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 543 focus

In compact, to these falsehoods train'd his tongue?

Chorus

Know'st thou what thou wou'dst do? To my reply
545

Give an impartial hearing: learn, then judge.

Oedipus

Potent art thou in speech, but I unapt

To learn from thee, my dark and deadly foe.

Creon

To this now hear me what I first reply.

Oedipus

But this reply not, that thou art not base.

Creon

If thou canst think a self-will'd petulance,

Devoid of reason, good, thou art not wise.

Oedipus

If thou canst think no vengeance will pursue
555

Injustice to a friend, thou art not wise.

Creon

This, I allow, is just; but why alleged?

Show me what wrong thou hast received from me.

Oedipus

Was it not thy suggestion, thy advice,

That I should send to this all-honour'd Seer?

Creon

It was: my judgment yet remains unchanged.

Oedipus

What time hath pass'd since Laius by the hands
560

Of ruffians fell?
560

Creon

We may trace back a length

Of distant time.

Oedipus

And was this prophet then

Famed for his skill?

Creon

For wisdom as renown'd

As now, and highly honour'd.

Oedipus

At that time

Made he of me no mention?

Creon

None: not once
565

When I was present.
565

Oedipus

Made you then no search

To trace this bloody deed?

Creon

We did: but vain

Our anxious care.

Oedipus

Why did not then this Seer

Declare these things?

Creon

I know not; and on points

Unknown I would be silent.

Oedipus

But one point,
570

Thy own concern, is not to thee unknown;
570

And this thou canst disclose.
570

Creon

What is it? Speak;

For nothing known to me will I deny.

Oedipus

Were he not basely leagued with thee, he ne'er

Had said that Laius by my hand was slain.

Creon

If he saith this, thou know'st. I claim the right

To question thee, as thou hast question'd me.
575

Oedipus

Ask what thou wilt; I never shall be found

A blood-stain'd murderer.

Creon

Is my sister thine,

By nuptial ties united ?

Oedipus

Thou hast ask'd

What will not be denied.

Creon

Dost thou not share

With her the sovereign pow'r?

Oedipus

All that is mine
580

I to her will devote.
580

Creon

Is not my seat

The highest, next your throne ?

Oedipus

And for that cause

Creon

English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 543 focus

Creon

Mark me now: hear a fair reply in answer to your words, and then judge for yourself on the basis of knowledge.

Oedipus

You are apt in speech, but I have a poor wit for lessons, since I have found you a malignant foe.
545

Creon

Now hear first how I will explain this very thing.

Oedipus

One thing—that you are not false—do not bother to explain to me.

Creon

If you think that stubbornness

without sense is a virtue, you are not wise.
550

Oedipus

If you think you can wrong a kinsman and escape the penalty, you are not sane.

Creon

Justly said, I grant you: but tell me what the wrong is that you say you are suffering at my hands.

Oedipus

Did you, or did you not, advise me to send for that reverend seer?
555

Creon

Even now I am of the same mind.

Oedipus

How long is it, then, since Laius . . .

Creon

Did what? I do not understand.

Oedipus

was swept out of sight by deadly violence?
560

Creon

The count of years would run far into the past.

Oedipus

Did this seer possess this skill in those days?

Creon

He was wise as now, and held in equal honor.

Oedipus

Did he make mention of me at that time?

Creon

Never, certainly, when I was within hearing.
565

Oedipus

Did you never investigate the murder?

Creon

Due search we made, of course, though we learned nothing.

Oedipus

And how was it that this sage did not tell this story then.

Creon

I do not know: where I lack insight it is my custom to be silent.

Oedipus

This much, at least, you know, and could declare with insight enough.
570

Creon

What is that? If I know it, I will not deny it.

Oedipus

That, if he had not conferred with you, he would not have named me as Laius’ slayer.

Creon

If he says this, you know best: but I deem it just

to learn from you as much as you have from me now.
575

Oedipus

Learn your fill. I will never be found guilty of the bloodshed.

Creon

Say, then—have you married my sister?

Oedipus

The question allows no denial.

Creon

And you rule the land as she does, with equal sway.

Oedipus

She obtains from me all that she wishes.
580

Creon

And do I not rank as a third peer of you two?

Oedipus

It is just in this that you are seen to be a false friend.

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-362-1 οἶσθ’ ὡς πόησον; ¹

mvp-comment-363-1 For κακὸς ² σοῦ ³

mvp-comment-363-2 ηὕρηκ’ ⁴

mvp-comment-364-1 τοῦτ’ αὐτὸ ⁵

mvp-comment-364-2 ὡς ἐρῶ ⁶

mvp-comment-365-1 κτῆμα ⁷

mvp-comment-365-2 αὐθαδίαν ⁸

mvp-comment-365-3 τοῦ νοῦ χωρίς ⁹

mvp-comment-366-1 ἢ οὐκ ¹⁰

mvp-comment-367-1 While such words as ἀριστόμαντις, ὀρθόμαντις are seriously used in a good sense, σεμνόμαντις ¹¹

mvp-comment-368-1 αὑτός ¹²

mvp-comment-369-1 δέδρακε ¹³

mvp-comment-369-2 οὐ γὰρ ἐννοῶ ¹⁴

mvp-comment-370-1 χειρώματι ¹⁵

mvp-comment-371-1 μακροὶ ¹⁶ μακροὶ ¹⁷ παλαιοί ¹⁸

mvp-comment-372-1 ἐν τῇ τέχνῃ ¹⁹ ἐν ²⁰

mvp-comment-373-1 οὐδαμοῦ ²¹ ἑστῶτος πέλας ²²

mvp-comment-374-1 παρέσχομεν ²³

mvp-comment-375-1 τοσόνδε γ’ ²⁴ τὸ σὸν δέ γ’ ²⁵ τοσόνδε ²⁶ οἶσθα ²⁷

mvp-comment-376-1 The simple answer would have been: —“that you prompted him to make his present charge”: but this becomes: —“that, if you had not prompted him, he would never have made it.” ξυνῆλθε ²⁸

mvp-comment-376-2 τὰς ἐμὰς ²⁹ τάσδ’ ἐμὰς ³⁰

mvp-comment-376-3 οὐκ ἂν εἶπε τὰς ἐμὰς Λαΐου διαφθοράς ³¹ διαφθοράς ³²

mvp-comment-377-1 To write σοῦ ³³ σου ³⁴ κἀμοῦ. —μαθεῖν ταὔθ’ ³⁵ ταῦθ’ ³⁶

mvp-comment-378-1 οὐ γὰρ δὴ ³⁷

mvp-comment-379-1 γήμας ἔχεις ³⁸

mvp-comment-380-1 γῆς ³⁹ ἄρχεις· ἴσον νέμων ⁴⁰ ταὐτά ⁴¹

mvp-comment-381-1 ᾖ θέλουσα ⁴²

mvp-comment-381-2 τρίτος ⁴³ ἐμοῦ ⁴⁴

mvp-comment-382-1 ἐνταῦθα γὰρ ⁴⁵

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

543. mvp-comment-321-1 οἶσθ᾿ ὡς ποίησον Do you know what I bid you do?" An idiomatic confusion of οἶσθ ὡς ποιήσεις with ποίησον. See Essay on Language $ 36. p. 66.

545. mvp-comment-322-1 You are a clever talker; but I am slow to learn of you (alluding to μαθών in the preceding line), for I have found you dangerous and hostile to me. Cp. Plat. Rep. 2. 358 Α, ἀλλ᾽ ἐγώ τις, ὡς ἔοικε, δυσμαθής.

547. mvp-comment-323-1 τοῦτ᾽ αὐτό This very point, viz. whether I am hostile to you.

549. mvp-comment-324-1 Cp. Aesch. Prom. 1012, αὐθαδία γὰρ τῷ φρονοῦντι μὴ καλῶς | αὐτὴ καθ᾿ αὑτὴν οὐδενὸς μεῖον σθένει.

552. mvp-comment-325-1 ὑφέξειν τὴν δίκην ‘Το be made to answer for it.' Oedipus has an uneasy feeling that Creon may think himself above the law. This Creon deprecates.

553-554. mvp-comment-326-1 ὸ . . πάθημα is both governed by δίδασκε and to be resumed with παθεῖν. Tell me your injury, what injury you say you have received. Cp. infr. 604.

555. mvp-comment-327-1 ἔπειθες Referring to Κρέοντος εἰπόντος in 288, a slight touch, which has prepared the way for the present scene.

556. mvp-comment-328-1 τὸν σεμνόμαντιν ἄνδρα The solemn prophet. σεμνός has frequently the ironical sense of pretentious. Cp. 953, τὰ σέμν᾿ ἵν᾿ ἥκει τοῦ θεοῦ μαντεύματα: Αj. 1107, τὰ σέμν᾽ ἔπη: Aesch. Prom. 953, σεμνόστομός γε καὶ φρονήματος πλέως. ..

557. mvp-comment-329-1 αὑτὸς τῷ βουλεύματι And I still hold to the advice I gave. Cp. Thuc. 2. 61, καὶ ἐγὼ μὲν ὁ αὐτός εἰμι καὶ οὐκ ἐξίσταμαι : Phil. 521, τότ᾽ οὐκέθ᾽ αὑτὸς τοῖς λόγοις τούτοις φανῆς. τῷ βουλεύματι is (1) dative of identity with αὑτός rather than (2) of manner. Cp. Hdt. 3. 119, εἰ συνέπαινοί εἰσι τῷ πεποιημένῳ. For the other view (2), cp. Thuc. 3.38, ἐγὼ μὲν οὖν ὁ αὐτὸς εἰμι τῇ γνώμῃ.

561. mvp-comment-330-1 It would be a long reckoning of distant times.'

562. mvp-comment-331-1 ἐν τῇ τέχνη Practising his art. Cp. Plat. Prot. 317 C, πολλά γε ἔτη ἤδη εἰμὶ ἐν τῇ τέχνη.

565. mvp-comment-332-1 Either on no occasion when I was standing near, οὐδαμοῦ simply repeating the negative in οὐκοῦν, οτ, τεsolving οὐδαμοῦ into two words, ('not,' 'anywhere'), certainly not, when I was standing anywhere near. The former is preferable. See Essay on Language § 41. p 77; and for the transference of the adverb of place to time, ibid. § 24. p. 41, supr. 1. 390.

566. mvp-comment-333-1 τοῦ θανόντος Gen. of respect.

567. mvp-comment-334-1 παρέσχομεν The compound verb is used in the reply, partly for the sake of variety, but also with a slight alteration of sense. But did you have no enquiry about the deed? Of course we held an enquiry. παρέσχομεν has a more active meaning, and implies more effort (='dare operam') than ἔσχετε. The word is used here as in El. 1144-1145, (τροφῆς) τὴν ἐγὼ θάμ᾿ ἀμφὶ σοὶ πόνῳ γλυκεῖ παρέσχον.

568. mvp-comment-335-1 ὁ σοφός Cp. 563.

569. mvp-comment-336-1 ἐφ᾽ οἷς = ἐπὶ τούτοις ἅ. The spectator would not feel, as the reader is apt to do, that the question of Oedipus calls attention to a real inconsistency in the fable. Cp. supr. 103 ff.

570. mvp-comment-337-1 τοσόνδε γ' The MS. reading τοσὸν δέ γ' (i. e. τὸ σὸν δέ γ') looks like an early correction. On the other hand, the simple τόσον hardly occurs elsewhere in Sophocles (unless in Tr. 53, κἀμὲ χρὴ φράσαι τόσον, where τὸ σόν is preferable). But cp. Hdt. 4. 197, τόσον δὲ ἔτι ἔχω εἰπεῖν. The abruptness caused by omitting δε is rather expressive. τοσόνδε refers to what is coming. There is one thing which you know and can tell clearly.'

570. mvp-comment-337-2 οἶσθα.. λέγοις.. φρονών He echoes Creon's words, οὐκ οἶδα μὴ φρονῶ σιγᾶν.

571. mvp-comment-338-1 οἰδά γ᾽ If I do know it. γε points the reference to the preceding line.

572. mvp-comment-339-1 τὰς ἐμάς The article refers to Teiresias' words, 362, φονέα σε φημί, κ.τ.λ. He would not have spoken, as he did, of my being Laius murderer.' Cp Eur. (?) Rhes. 438, σὺ κομπεῖς τὰς ἐμὰς ἀμύστιδας. The poet may also have intended the expression to be ambiguous, and to mean in the ear of the spectator, he would not have told of my murder of Laius. For the plural, ср. О. С. 962, ὅστις φόνους μοι καὶ γάμους καὶ συμφοράς, κ.τ.λ.

575. mvp-comment-340-1 ταύθ' Adv. accus. Just as. Cp 579, ἄρχεις . . ταὐτά.

576. mvp-comment-341-1 The compound verb answers the simple as in 567. Do your best to learn. Cp. 129, ἐξειδέναι: Hdt. 7. 28, ἐξέμαθον καὶ εὗρον, κ.τ.λ. The present tense has the inchoative meaning.

577. mvp-comment-342-1 γήμας ἔχεις You have in marriage.

578. mvp-comment-343-1 ἄρνησις οὐκ ἔνεστιν There is no possibility of denying.

579. mvp-comment-344-1 ἄρχεις δ᾽ ἐκείνῃ ταὐτά You share your power with her. Creon implies that Jocasta is queen in her own right. Cp. 630, note.

579. mvp-comment-344-2 γῆς ἴσον νέμων Holding with her an equal portion in the land. The dative is resumed in thought. Cp. Thuc. 6. 16, 4, ἢ τὰ ἴσα νέμων τὰ ὁμοῖα ἀνταξιούτω.

582. mvp-comment-345-1 True, and that is just what marks you as a bad friend. Oedipus assents to Creon's statement of his own position, and retorts that his nearness to the throne only aggravates the case against him.

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Κρέων οἶσθʼ ὡς πόησον; ἀντὶ τῶν εἰρημένων ἴσʼ ἀντάκουσον, κᾆτα κρῖνʼ αὐτὸς μαθών.

Οἰδίπους λέγειν σὺ δεινός, μανθάνειν δʼ ἐγὼ κακὸς 545 σοῦ· δυσμενῆ γὰρ καὶ βαρύν σʼ ηὕρηκʼ ἐμοί.

Κρέων τοῦτʼ αὐτὸ νῦν μου πρῶτʼ ἄκουσον ὡς ἐρῶ.

Οἰδίπους τοῦτʼ αὐτὸ μή μοι φράζʼ, ὅπως οὐκ εἶ κακός.

Κρέων εἴ τοι νομίζεις κτῆμα τὴν αὐθαδίαν εἶναί τι τοῦ νοῦ χωρίς, οὐκ ὀρθῶς φρονεῖς. 550

Οἰδίπους εἴ τοι νομίζεις ἄνδρα συγγενῆ κακῶς δρῶν οὐχ ὑφέξειν τὴν δίκην, οὐκ εὖ φρονεῖς.

Κρέων ξύμφημί σοι ταῦτʼ ἔνδικʼ εἰρῆσθαι· τὸ δὲ πάθημʼ ὁποῖον φὴς παθεῖν, δίδασκέ με.

Οἰδίπους ἔπειθες ἢ οὐκ ἔπειθες, ὡς χρείη μʼ ἐπὶ 555 τὸν σεμνόμαντιν ἄνδρα πέμψασθαί τινα;

Κρέων καὶ νῦν ἔθʼ αὑτός εἰμι τῷ βουλεύματι.

Οἰδίπους πόσον τινʼ ἤδη δῆθʼ ὁ Λάϊος χρόνον

Κρέων δέδρακε ποῖον ἔργον; οὐ γὰρ ἐννοῶ.

Οἰδίπους ἄφαντος ἔρρει θανασίμῳ χειρώματι; 560

Κρέων μακροὶ παλαιοί τʼ ἂν μετρηθεῖεν χρόνοι.

Οἰδίπους τότʼ οὖν ὁ μάντις οὗτος ἦν ἐν τῇ τέχνῃ;

Κρέων σοφός γʼ ὁμοίως κἀξ ἴσου τιμώμενος.

Οἰδίπους ἐμνήσατʼ οὖν ἐμοῦ τι τῷ τότʼ ἐν χρόνῳ;

Κρέων οὔκουν ἐμοῦ γʼ ἑστῶτος οὐδαμοῦ πέλας. 565

Οἰδίπους ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἔρευναν τοῦ κτανόντος ἔσχετε;

Κρέων παρέσχομεν, πῶς δʼ οὐχί; κοὐκ ἠκούσαμεν.

Οἰδίπους πῶς οὖν τόθʼ οὗτος ὁ σοφὸς οὐκ ηὔδα τάδε;

Κρέων οὐκ οἶδʼ· ἐφʼ οἷς γὰρ μὴ φρονῶ σιγᾶν φιλῶ.

Οἰδίπους τοσόνδε γʼ οἶσθα καὶ λέγοις ἂν εὖ φρονῶν. 570

Κρέων ποῖον τόδʼ; εἰ γὰρ οἶδά γʼ, οὐκ ἀρνήσομαι.

Οἰδίπους ὁθούνεκʼ, εἰ μὴ σοὶ ξυνῆλθε, τάσδʼ ἐμὰς οὐκ ἄν ποτʼ εἶπε Λαΐου διαφθοράς.

Κρέων εἰ μὲν λέγει τάδʼ, αὐτὸς οἶσθʼ· ἐγὼ δὲ σοῦ μαθεῖν δικαιῶ ταὔθʼ ἅπερ κἀμοῦ σὺ νῦν. 575

Οἰδίπους ἐκμάνθανʼ· οὐ γὰρ δὴ φονεὺς ἁλώσομαι.

Κρέων τί δῆτʼ; ἀδελφὴν τὴν ἐμὴν γήμας ἔχεις;

Οἰδίπους ἄρνησις οὐκ ἔνεστιν ὧν ἀνιστορεῖς.

Κρέων ἄρχεις δʼ ἐκείνῃ ταὐτὰ γῆς ἴσον νέμων;

Οἰδίπους ἃν ᾖ θέλουσα πάντʼ ἐμοῦ κομίζεται. 580

Κρέων οὔκουν ἰσοῦμαι σφῷν ἐγὼ δυοῖν τρίτος;

Οἰδίπους ἐνταῦθα γὰρ δὴ καὶ κακὸς φαίνει φίλος.

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οἶσθ᾽ ὡς ποίησον; ἀντὶ τῶν εἰρημένων ἴσ᾽ ἀντάκουσον, κᾆτα κρῖνʼ αὐτὸς μαθών.

Οἰδίπους λέγειν σὺ δεινός, μανθάνειν δ᾽ ἐγὼ κακὸς 545 σοῦ· δυσμενῆ γὰρ καὶ βαρύν σ᾽ εὕρηκ᾿ ἐμοί.

Κρέων τοῦτ᾽ αὐτὸ νῦν μου πρῶτ᾽ ἄκουσον ὡς ἐρῶ.

Οἰδίπους τοῦτ᾽ αὐτὸ μή μοι φράζ᾽, ὅπως οὐκ εἶ κακός.

Κρέων εἴ τοι νομίζεις κτῆμα τὴν αὐθαδίαν εἶναί τι τοῦ νοῦ χωρίς, οὐκ ὀρθῶς φρονεῖς. 550

Οἰδίπους εἴ τοι νομίζεις ἄνδρα συγγενῆ κακῶς δρῶν οὐχ ὑφέξειν τὴν δίκην, οὐκ εὖ φρονεῖς.

Κρέων ξύμφημί σοι ταῦτ᾽ ἔνδικ᾽ εἰρῆσθαι· τὸ δὲ πάθημ᾽ ὁποῖον φῇς παθεῖν δίδασκέ με.

Οἰδίπους ἔπειθες, ἢ οὐκ ἔπειθες, ὡς χρείη μ᾽ ἐπὶ 555 τὸν σεμνόμαντιν ἄνδρα πέμψασθαί τινα;

Κρέων καὶ νῦν ἔθ᾽ αὑτός εἰμι τῷ βουλεύματι.

Οἰδίπους πόσον τινʼ ἤδη δῆθ᾽ ὁ Λάϊος χρόνον

Κρέων δέδρακε ποῖον ἔργον; οὐ γὰρ ἐννοῶ.

Οἰδίπους ἄφαντος ἔρρει θανασίμῳ χειρώματι; 560

Κρέων μακροὶ παλαιοί τ᾽ ἂν μετρηθεῖεν χρόνοι.

Οἰδίπους τότ᾽ οὖν ὁ μάντις οὗτος ἦν ἐν τῇ τέχνῃ;

Κρέων σοφός γ᾽ ὁμοίως κἀξ ἴσου τιμώμενος.

Οἰδίπους ἐμνήσατ᾽ οὖν ἐμοῦ τι τῷ τότ᾽ ἐν χρόνῳ;

Κρέων οὔκουν ἐμοῦ γ᾽ ἑστῶτος οὐδαμοῦ πέλας. 565

Οἰδίπους ἀλλ᾽ οὐκ ἔρευναν τοῦ θανόντος ἔσχετε;

Κρέων παρέσχομεν, πῶς δ᾽ οὐχί; κοὐκ ἠκούσαμεν.

Οἰδίπους πῶς οὖν τόθ᾽ οὗτος ὁ σοφὸς οὐκ ηὔδα τάδε;

Κρέων οὐκ οἶδ᾽· ἐφ᾽ οἷς γὰρ μὴ φρονῶ σιγᾶν φιλῶ.

Οἰδίπους τοσόνδε γ' οἶσθα καὶ λέγοις ἂν εὖ φρονῶν. 570

Κρέων ποῖον τόδ'; εἰ γὰρ οἶδά γ', οὐκ ἀρνήσομαι.

Οἰδίπους ὁθούνεκʼ, εἰ μὴ σοὶ ξυνῆλθε, τὰς ἐμὰς οὐκ ἄν ποτ' εἶπε Λαΐου διαφθοράς.

Κρέων εἰ μὲν λέγει τάδ', αὐτὸς οἶσθ᾽· ἐγὼ δέ σου μαθεῖν δικαιῶ ταὔθ᾽ ἅπερ κἀμοῦ σὺ νῦν. 575

Οἰδίπους ἐκμάνθανʼ· οὐ γὰρ δὴ φονεὺς ἁλώσομαι.

Κρέων τί δῆτ᾽; ἀδελφὴν τὴν ἐμὴν γήμας ἔχεις;

Οἰδίπους ἄρνησις οὐκ ἔνεστιν ὧν ἀνιστορεῖς.

Κρέων ἄρχεις δ᾽ ἐκείνῃ ταὐτὰ γῆς ἴσον νέμων;

Οἰδίπους ἃν ᾖ θέλουσα πάντ᾿ ἐμοῦ κομίζεται. 580

Κρέων οὔκουν ἰσοῦμαι σφῷν ἐγὼ δυοῖν τρίτος;

Οἰδίπους ἐνταῦθα γὰρ δὴ καὶ κακὸς φαίνει φίλος.

Κρέων

Wilt them be counselled? Hear as much in turn As thou hast spoken, and then thyself be judge.

OED I know thy tongue, but I am slow to learn 545 From thee, whom I have found my grievous foe.

CR First on this very point, hear me declare—

OED I will not hear that thou art not a villain.

CR Thine is a shallow judgement, if thou thinkest Self-will without true thought can bring thee gain. 550

OED Thine is a shallow judgement, if thou thinkest Thou canst abuse thy kinsman and be free.

CR A rightful sentence. But I fain would learn What wrong is that you speak of?

OED Tell me this; 555 Didst thou, or not, urge me to send and bring 555 The reverend-seeming prophet?

CR Yea, and still I hold that counsel firm.

OED How long is ’t now Since Laius—

CR What? I do not catch your drift.

OED Vanished in ruin by a dire defeat? 560

Κρέων

οἶσθʼ ὡς πόησον; ἀντὶ τῶν εἰρημένων

ἴσʼ ἀντάκουσον, κᾆτα κρῖνʼ αὐτὸς μαθών.

Οἰδίπους

λέγειν σὺ δεινός, μανθάνειν δʼ ἐγὼ κακὸς
545

σοῦ· δυσμενῆ γὰρ καὶ βαρύν σʼ ηὕρηκʼ ἐμοί.

Κρέων

τοῦτʼ αὐτὸ νῦν μου πρῶτʼ ἄκουσον ὡς ἐρῶ.

Οἰδίπους

τοῦτʼ αὐτὸ μή μοι φράζʼ, ὅπως οὐκ εἶ κακός.

Κρέων

εἴ τοι νομίζεις κτῆμα τὴν αὐθαδίαν

εἶναί τι τοῦ νοῦ χωρίς, οὐκ ὀρθῶς φρονεῖς.
550

Οἰδίπους

εἴ τοι νομίζεις ἄνδρα συγγενῆ κακῶς

δρῶν οὐχ ὑφέξειν τὴν δίκην, οὐκ εὖ φρονεῖς.

Κρέων

ξύμφημί σοι ταῦτʼ ἔνδικʼ εἰρῆσθαι· τὸ δὲ

πάθημʼ ὁποῖον φὴς παθεῖν, δίδασκέ με.

Οἰδίπους

ἔπειθες ἢ οὐκ ἔπειθες, ὡς χρείη μʼ ἐπὶ
555

τὸν σεμνόμαντιν ἄνδρα πέμψασθαί τινα;

Κρέων

καὶ νῦν ἔθʼ αὑτός εἰμι τῷ βουλεύματι.

Οἰδίπους

πόσον τινʼ ἤδη δῆθʼ ὁ Λάϊος χρόνον

Κρέων

δέδρακε ποῖον ἔργον; οὐ γὰρ ἐννοῶ.

Οἰδίπους

ἄφαντος ἔρρει θανασίμῳ χειρώματι;
560

Κρέων

μακροὶ παλαιοί τʼ ἂν μετρηθεῖεν χρόνοι.

Οἰδίπους

τότʼ οὖν ὁ μάντις οὗτος ἦν ἐν τῇ τέχνῃ;

Κρέων

σοφός γʼ ὁμοίως κἀξ ἴσου τιμώμενος.

Οἰδίπους

ἐμνήσατʼ οὖν ἐμοῦ τι τῷ τότʼ ἐν χρόνῳ;

Κρέων

οὔκουν ἐμοῦ γʼ ἑστῶτος οὐδαμοῦ πέλας.
565

Οἰδίπους

ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἔρευναν τοῦ κτανόντος ἔσχετε;

Κρέων

παρέσχομεν, πῶς δʼ οὐχί; κοὐκ ἠκούσαμεν.

Οἰδίπους

πῶς οὖν τόθʼ οὗτος ὁ σοφὸς οὐκ ηὔδα τάδε;

Κρέων

οὐκ οἶδʼ· ἐφʼ οἷς γὰρ μὴ φρονῶ σιγᾶν φιλῶ.

Οἰδίπους

τοσόνδε γʼ οἶσθα καὶ λέγοις ἂν εὖ φρονῶν.
570

Κρέων

ποῖον τόδʼ; εἰ γὰρ οἶδά γʼ, οὐκ ἀρνήσομαι.

Οἰδίπους

ὁθούνεκʼ, εἰ μὴ σοὶ ξυνῆλθε, τάσδʼ ἐμὰς

οὐκ ἄν ποτʼ εἶπε Λαΐου διαφθοράς.

Κρέων

εἰ μὲν λέγει τάδʼ, αὐτὸς οἶσθʼ· ἐγὼ δὲ σοῦ

μαθεῖν δικαιῶ ταὔθʼ ἅπερ κἀμοῦ σὺ νῦν.
575

Οἰδίπους

ἐκμάνθανʼ· οὐ γὰρ δὴ φονεὺς ἁλώσομαι.

Κρέων

τί δῆτʼ; ἀδελφὴν τὴν ἐμὴν γήμας ἔχεις;

Οἰδίπους

ἄρνησις οὐκ ἔνεστιν ὧν ἀνιστορεῖς.

Κρέων

ἄρχεις δʼ ἐκείνῃ ταὐτὰ γῆς ἴσον νέμων;

Οἰδίπους

ἃν ᾖ θέλουσα πάντʼ ἐμοῦ κομίζεται.
580

Κρέων

οὔκουν ἰσοῦμαι σφῷν ἐγὼ δυοῖν τρίτος;

Οἰδίπους

ἐνταῦθα γὰρ δὴ καὶ κακὸς φαίνει φίλος.

οἶσθ᾽ ὡς ποίησον; ἀντὶ τῶν εἰρημένων

ἴσ᾽ ἀντάκουσον, κᾆτα κρῖνʼ αὐτὸς μαθών.

Οἰδίπους

λέγειν σὺ δεινός, μανθάνειν δ᾽ ἐγὼ κακὸς
545

σοῦ· δυσμενῆ γὰρ καὶ βαρύν σ᾽ εὕρηκ᾿ ἐμοί.

Κρέων

τοῦτ᾽ αὐτὸ νῦν μου πρῶτ᾽ ἄκουσον ὡς ἐρῶ.

Οἰδίπους

τοῦτ᾽ αὐτὸ μή μοι φράζ᾽, ὅπως οὐκ εἶ κακός.

Κρέων

εἴ τοι νομίζεις κτῆμα τὴν αὐθαδίαν

εἶναί τι τοῦ νοῦ χωρίς, οὐκ ὀρθῶς φρονεῖς.
550

Οἰδίπους

εἴ τοι νομίζεις ἄνδρα συγγενῆ κακῶς

δρῶν οὐχ ὑφέξειν τὴν δίκην, οὐκ εὖ φρονεῖς.

Κρέων

ξύμφημί σοι ταῦτ᾽ ἔνδικ᾽ εἰρῆσθαι· τὸ δὲ

πάθημ᾽ ὁποῖον φῇς παθεῖν δίδασκέ με.

Οἰδίπους

ἔπειθες, ἢ οὐκ ἔπειθες, ὡς χρείη μ᾽ ἐπὶ
555

τὸν σεμνόμαντιν ἄνδρα πέμψασθαί τινα;

Κρέων

καὶ νῦν ἔθ᾽ αὑτός εἰμι τῷ βουλεύματι.

Οἰδίπους

πόσον τινʼ ἤδη δῆθ᾽ ὁ Λάϊος χρόνον

Κρέων

δέδρακε ποῖον ἔργον; οὐ γὰρ ἐννοῶ.

Οἰδίπους

ἄφαντος ἔρρει θανασίμῳ χειρώματι;
560

Κρέων

μακροὶ παλαιοί τ᾽ ἂν μετρηθεῖεν χρόνοι.

Οἰδίπους

τότ᾽ οὖν ὁ μάντις οὗτος ἦν ἐν τῇ τέχνῃ;

Κρέων

σοφός γ᾽ ὁμοίως κἀξ ἴσου τιμώμενος.

Οἰδίπους

ἐμνήσατ᾽ οὖν ἐμοῦ τι τῷ τότ᾽ ἐν χρόνῳ;

Κρέων

οὔκουν ἐμοῦ γ᾽ ἑστῶτος οὐδαμοῦ πέλας.
565

Οἰδίπους

ἀλλ᾽ οὐκ ἔρευναν τοῦ θανόντος ἔσχετε;

Κρέων

παρέσχομεν, πῶς δ᾽ οὐχί; κοὐκ ἠκούσαμεν.

Οἰδίπους

πῶς οὖν τόθ᾽ οὗτος ὁ σοφὸς οὐκ ηὔδα τάδε;

Κρέων

οὐκ οἶδ᾽· ἐφ᾽ οἷς γὰρ μὴ φρονῶ σιγᾶν φιλῶ.

Οἰδίπους

τοσόνδε γ' οἶσθα καὶ λέγοις ἂν εὖ φρονῶν.
570

Κρέων

ποῖον τόδ'; εἰ γὰρ οἶδά γ', οὐκ ἀρνήσομαι.

Οἰδίπους

ὁθούνεκʼ, εἰ μὴ σοὶ ξυνῆλθε, τὰς ἐμὰς

οὐκ ἄν ποτ' εἶπε Λαΐου διαφθοράς.

Κρέων

εἰ μὲν λέγει τάδ', αὐτὸς οἶσθ᾽· ἐγὼ δέ σου

μαθεῖν δικαιῶ ταὔθ᾽ ἅπερ κἀμοῦ σὺ νῦν.
575

Οἰδίπους

ἐκμάνθανʼ· οὐ γὰρ δὴ φονεὺς ἁλώσομαι.

Κρέων

τί δῆτ᾽; ἀδελφὴν τὴν ἐμὴν γήμας ἔχεις;

Οἰδίπους

ἄρνησις οὐκ ἔνεστιν ὧν ἀνιστορεῖς.

Κρέων

ἄρχεις δ᾽ ἐκείνῃ ταὐτὰ γῆς ἴσον νέμων;

Οἰδίπους

ἃν ᾖ θέλουσα πάντ᾿ ἐμοῦ κομίζεται.
580

Κρέων

οὔκουν ἰσοῦμαι σφῷν ἐγὼ δυοῖν τρίτος;

Οἰδίπους

ἐνταῦθα γὰρ δὴ καὶ κακὸς φαίνει φίλος.

Wilt them be counselled? Hear as much in turn

As thou hast spoken, and then thyself be judge.

OED

I know thy tongue, but I am slow to learn
545

From thee, whom I have found my grievous foe.

CR

First on this very point, hear me declare—

OED

I will not hear that thou art not a villain.

CR

Thine is a shallow judgement, if thou thinkest

Self-will without true thought can bring thee gain.
550

OED

Thine is a shallow judgement, if thou thinkest

Thou canst abuse thy kinsman and be free.

CR

A rightful sentence. But I fain would learn

What wrong is that you speak of?

OED

Tell me this;
555

Didst thou, or not, urge me to send and bring
555

The reverend-seeming prophet?

CR

Yea, and still

I hold that counsel firm.

OED

How long is ’t now

Since Laius—

CR

What? I do not catch your drift.

OED

Vanished in ruin by a dire defeat?
560

CR

’Twere long to count the years that come between.

OED

And did this prophet then profess his art?

CR

Wise then as now, nor less in reverence.

OED

Then at that season did he mention me?