Sophocles, Oedipus Tyrannus, ed. Francis Storr, 78

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Ἱερεύς

ἀλλʼ εἰς καλὸν σύ τʼ εἶπας οἵδε τʼ ἀρτίως

Κρέοντα προσστείχοντα σημαίνουσί μοι.

Οἰδίπους

ὦναξ Ἄπολλον, εἰ γὰρ ἐν τύχῃ γέ τῳ
80

σωτῆρι βαίη λαμπρὸς ὥσπερ ὄμματι

Ἱερεύς

ἀλλʼ εἰκάσαι μέν, ἡδύς· οὐ γὰρ ἂν κάρα

πολυστεφὴς ὧδʼ εἷρπε παγκάρπου δάφνης.

Οἰδίπους

τάχʼ εἰσόμεσθα· ξύμμετρος γὰρ ὡς κλύειν.

ἄναξ, ἐμὸν κήδευμα, παῖ Μενοικέως,
85

τίνʼ ἡμὶν ἥκεις τοῦ θεοῦ φήμην φέρων;

Κρέων

ἐσθλήν· λέγω γὰρ καὶ τὰ δύσφορʼ, εἰ τύχοι

κατʼ ὀρθὸν ἐξελθόντα, πάντʼ ἂν εὐτυχεῖν.

Οἰδίπους

ἔστιν δὲ ποῖον τοὔπος; οὔτε γὰρ θρασὺς

οὔτʼ οὖν προδείσας εἰμὶ τῷ γε νῦν λόγῳ.
90

Κρέων

εἰ τῶνδε χρῄζεις πλησιαζόντων κλύειν,

ἕτοιμος εἰπεῖν, εἴτε καὶ στείχειν ἔσω.

Οἰδίπους

ἐς πάντας αὔδα· τῶνδε γὰρ πλέον φέρω

τὸ πένθος ἢ καὶ τῆς ἐμῆς ψυχῆς πέρι.

Κρέων

λέγοιμʼ ἂν οἷʼ ἤκουσα τοῦ θεοῦ πάρα.
95

ἄνωγεν ἡμᾶς Φοῖβος ἐμφανῶς ἄναξ

μίασμα χώρας, ὡς τεθραμμένον χθονὶ

ἐν τῇδʼ, ἐλαύνειν μηδʼ ἀνήκεστον τρέφειν.

Οἰδίπους

ποίῳ καθαρμῷ; τίς ὁ τρόπος τῆς ξυμφορᾶς;

Κρέων

ἀνδρηλατοῦντας ἢ φόνῳ φόνον πάλιν
100

λύοντας, ὡς τόδʼ αἷμα χειμάζον πόλιν.

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)) — 78 focus

ἀλλ᾽ εἰς καλὸν σύ τ' εἶπας οἵδε τ᾿ ἀρτίως

Κρέοντα προσστείχοντα σημαίνουσί μοι.

Οἰδίπους

ὦναξ Ἄπολλον, εἰ γὰρ ἐν τύχῃ γέ τῳ
80

σωτῆρι βαίη λαμπρὸς ὥσπερ ὄμματι.

Ἱερεύς

ἀλλ᾽ εἰκάσαι μέν, ἡδύς. οὐ γὰρ ἂν κάρα

πολυστεφὴς ὧδ᾽ εἷρπε παγκάρπου δάφνης.

Οἰδίπους

τάχ᾽ εἰσόμεσθα· ξύμμετρος γὰρ ὡς κλύειν.

ἄναξ, ἐμὸν κήδευμα, παῖ Μενοικέως,
85

τίνʼ ἡμὶν ἥκεις τοῦ θεοῦ φήμην φέρων;

Κρέων

ἐσθλήν· λέγω γὰρ καὶ τὰ δύσφορ', εἰ τύχοι

κατ᾿ ὀρθὸν ἐξελθόντα, πάντ᾽ ἂν εὐτυχεῖν.

Οἰδίπους

ἔστιν δὲ ποῖον τοὔπος; οὔτε γὰρ θρασὺς

οὔτ᾽ οὖν προδείσας εἰμὶ τῷ γε νῦν λόγῳ.
90

Κρέων

εἰ τῶνδε χρῄζεις πλησιαζόντων κλύειν,

ἕτοιμος εἰπεῖν, εἴτε καὶ στείχειν ἔσω.

Οἰδίπους

ἐς πάντας αὔδα. τῶνδε γὰρ πλέον φέρω

τὸ πένθος ἢ καὶ τῆς ἐμῆς ψυχῆς πέρι.

Κρέων

λέγοιμ᾽ ἂν οἷ᾽ ἤκουσα τοῦ θεοῦ πάρα.
95

ἄνωγεν ἡμᾶς Φοῖβος ἐμφανῶς ἄναξ

μίασμα χώρας, ὡς τεθραμμένον χθονὶ

ἐν τῇδ᾽, ἐλαύνειν, μηδ᾽ ἀνήκεστον τρέφειν.

Οἰδίπους

ποίῳ καθαρμῷ; τίς ὁ τρόπος τῆς ξυμφορᾶς;

Κρέων

ἀνδρηλατοῦντας, ἢ φόνῳ φόνον πάλιν
100

λύοντας, ὡς τόδ' αἷμα χειμάζον πόλιν.

Οἰδίπους

Translations (5)

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 78 focus

Lo, in good time, crowning thy gracious word,

’Tis told me by these youths, Creon draws near.

OED

Apollo! may his coming be as blest
80

With saving fortune, as his looks are bright.

PR

Sure he brings joyful news; else had he ne’er

Worn that full wreath of thickly-berried bay.

OED
Enter CREON .

We have not long to doubt. He can hear now.

Son of Menoeceus, brother of my queen,
85

What answer from Apollo dost thou bring?

CREON

Good; for my message is that even our woes,

When brought to their right issue, shall be well.

OED

What saith the oracle? Thy words so far

Neither embolden nor dishearten me.
90

CR

Say, must I tell it with these standing by,

Or go within? I am ready either way.

OED

Speak forth to all. The burden of their grief

Weighs more on me than my particular fear.

CE

My lips shall utter what the God hath said.
95

Sovereign Apollo clearly bids us drive
95

Forth from this region an accursed thing

(For such is fostered in the land and stains

Our sacred clime), nor cherish it past cure.

OED

What is the fault, and how to be redressed?

CR

By exile, or by purging blood with blood.
100

Since blood it is that shakes us with this storm.

OED

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 78 focus

Ein Wort des Trostes sprachest du, und eben wird

Von diesen mir bedeutet, daß sich Kreon naht.

Oedipus.

O Fürst Apollon, daß er so mit rettendem
80

Geschick erscheine, wie sein Auge freudig strahlt!

Der Oberpriester.

Wohl naht mit ihm die Freude; denn wie käm' er sonst

Mit reichen Lorbeerzweigen so das Haupt umkränzt?¹

Oedipus.

Bald wird sich's zeigen: nahe schon, vernimmt er uns.

O Fürst, Menökeus' edler Sohn, mein Bruder, sprich:
85

Mit welcher Botschaft kehrst du mir vom Gott zurück?

Kreon. Die Vorigen.

Kreon.

Mit guter; denn ich meine, wenn das Schwere selbst

Gelangt zu gutem Ende, dann steht Alles wohl.

Wie lautet, was er sagte?

Oedipus.

Denn nicht dreist bin ich

Noch ward mir eben bange durch dein leztes Wort.
90

Kreon.

Ich bin bereit zu reden, wenn du's hören willst

In Dieser Beisein, oder folg' ich dir hinein.

Oedipus.

Sprich's aus vor Allen: fühl' ich doch um ihr Geschick

Mehr Kummer, als mir um das eigne Leben bangt.

Kreon.

So meld' ich Alles, wie's der Gott mir offenbart.
95

Uns ruft der König Phöbos auf mit klarem Wort,

Des Landes Schandfleck (denn er weile hier) hinaus

Zu treiben, nicht zu hegen unheilbare Schuld.

Oedipus.

Durch welche Sühnung? Welcher Art ist diese Noth?

Kreon.

Sei's durch Verbanmung, oder daß wir Mord mit Mord
100

Versöhnen; Blutschuld sei es, was die Stadt bestürmt.

Oedipus.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 78 focus

O Phoebus ! grant he come

With tidings cheerful as the smile he wears !

Priest

He is the messenger of good ; for see,

His brows are crowned with laurel.

Be satisfied

We shall soon

he comes.

Creon
(Ei.i. Scene II.

(Edipus, Priest, Chorus.

QEdi. My dearest Creon,

Oh ! say, what answer bearst thou from the god :

Or good, or ill ?

Creon

Good, very good ; for know,

The worst of ills, if rightly used, may prove

The means of happiness.

Oedipus

What says my friend ?

This answer gives me nought to hope oi' fear.

Creon

Shall we retire, or would you that I speak
95

In public here ?

Theii' woes sit heavier on me than my own,

Creon
(Edi. Before them all declare it ;

Then mark what I have heard : the god
100

commands
100

That instant we drive forth the fatal cause
100

Of this dire pestilence, nor nourish here

The accursed monster.

Kemove it ?

Creon
(Edi. Who? What monster? How

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 78 focus

We sink in ruin; but once more this state

Restore to safety; as thou gavest us then

With happy auspices fair fortune, now

Be like thyself. More glorious wilt thou reign

O my lamented sons, for ills well known

To me you seek redress; I know that grief

Hangs heavy on you all, but most on me:

His private sufferings each bewails; but I

Mourn for the city, for myself, and you.
85

I want no voice to rouse me; many tears
85

These eyes have pour'd, with many anxious thoughts
85

My breast has labour'd, tracing various ways

For your relief. That, which alone could give

Hope of success, I follow'd; I have sent

Creon

whose veins are rich with royal blood,

Son of Menæceus, to the Pythian shrine

Of Phœbus, to inquire what I must do

To save this city. As I number back

The days since past, I marvel; for his stay

Exceeds just expectation. When he comes,

If I perform not what the god directs,

May I be deem'd the vilest of mankind.

Of happy presage are thy words: these youths

Show me that Creon hither bends his steps.

Oedipus

Royal Apollo, may he bring success

And safety, as it brightens in his eye!

Cheerful indeed his aspect; else his head

With wreaths of laurel had not thus been crown'd.

CDIP. Soon shall we know; he now may be address'd.
90

CDIP. Son of Menæceus, to the royal blood
90

Allied, what answer bring'st thou from the god ?
90

Creon

Of good I have to tell thee: all our ill

May, if directed well, find happy end.

Oedipus

Relate his words distinctly; for thy speech

Nor gives me confidence, nor wakes my fears.

Creon

By these encircled wou'dst thou hear, I stand

Ready to speak, or to retire apart.

Oedipus

Speak to them all; for dearer than my life

Creon

I prize the means to remedy their grief.
100

Then let me speak what from the god I heard.
100

The royal Phœbus gave us clear command
100

Hence the pollution of our realm to drive,

Now nourish'd in the bosom of the land,

Nor cherish an immedicable ill.

Oedipus

English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 78 focus

Priest

You have spoken opportunely, since at this time these people here indicate that Creon is drawing near.

Oedipus

Lord Apollo, may he come to us in the brightness of saving fortune, even as his face is bright!
80

Priest

He seems to bring comfort, since otherwise he would not be coming crowned so thickly with berry-laden bay.

Oedipus

We will soon know: he is within hearing-range.

To Creon.

Prince, my kinsman, child of Menoeceus, what news have you brought us from the god?
85

Creon

Good news. I tell you that even troubles hard to bear will end in perfect peace if they find the right issue.

Oedipus

But what is the oracle ? So far, your words

neither encourage nor frighten me.
90

Creon

If you want to hear in the presence of these people, I am ready to speak: otherwise we can go inside.

Oedipus

Speak to all. The sorrow that I bear for these is more than for my own life.

Creon

I will tell you what I heard from the god. Phoebus our lord clearly commands us to drive out the defilement which he said was harbored in this land, and not to nourish it so that it cannot be healed.
95

Oedipus

With what sort of purification? What is the manner of the misfortune?

Creon

By banishing the man, or by paying back bloodshed with bloodshed, since it is this blood which brings the tempest on our city.
100

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-57-1 εἰς καλὸν ¹ οἵδε ²

mvp-comment-58-1 ἐν τύχῃ … ὄμματι ³ ἐν τύχῃ ⁴

mvp-comment-59-1 λαμπρὸς ⁵

mvp-comment-60-1 εἰκάσαι μέν, ἡδύς ⁶ ἡδύς ⁷

mvp-comment-61-1 πολυστεφὴς … δάφνης ⁸ παγκάρπου ⁹

mvp-comment-62-1 ξύμμετρος γὰρ ὡς κλύειν ¹⁰

mvp-comment-63-1 κήδευμα ¹¹

mvp-comment-64-1 λέγω γὰρ … εὐτυχεῖν ¹²

mvp-comment-65-1 ἐξελθόντα ¹³ πάντ’ ¹⁴ ἂν εὐτυχεῖν ¹⁵

mvp-comment-66-1 τοὔπος ¹⁶ λόγῳ ¹⁷

mvp-comment-67-1 προδείσας ¹⁸

mvp-comment-68-1 πλησιαζόντων ¹⁹ εἰ … εἴτε ²⁰

mvp-comment-69-1 εἴτε καὶ στείχειν ἔσω ²¹

mvp-comment-70-1 ἐς πάντας ²² πλέον ²³

mvp-comment-70-2 τῶνδε ²⁴

mvp-comment-71-1 ἢ καὶ ²⁵

mvp-comment-72-1 λέγοιμ’ ἂν ²⁶

mvp-comment-73-1 ὡς ²⁷ τεθραμμένον ²⁸

mvp-comment-74-1 ἐλαύνειν ²⁹

mvp-comment-74-2 μηδ’ ἀνήκεστον τρέφειν ³⁰

mvp-comment-75-1 ποίῳ … ξυμφορᾶς ³¹ ξυμφορᾶς ³²

mvp-comment-76-1 ἀνδρηλατοῦντας ³³

mvp-comment-77-1 ὡς τόδ’ αἷμα χειμάζον πόλιν ³⁴ ὡς ³⁵

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

78. mvp-comment-53-1 εἰς καλόν depends at once on εἶπας, and on προσστείχοντα, which has the chief emphasis. Welcome are your words, and no less welcome is the announcement I have just received that Creon is coming. Cp. Plat. Symp. 174 Ε. εἰς καλὸν ἥκεις: Hdt. 9. 87, εὖ λέγειν καὶ ἐς καιρόν. Some of the suppliants have signified by gestures the approach of Creon. See opening note.

80. mvp-comment-54-1 εἰ γάρ εἰ expresses a strong and anxious wish, and γάρ connects this with what precedes (cp. Eur. Ion 410); here with the additional ye echoing εἰς καλὸν προσστείχοντα. Would indeed that he may come bright with saving fortune as his looks are bright.' ἐν τύχῃ λαμπρός, like ἐν ὅρκῳ μέγαν, infr. 653, ἐν = invested with, encompassed by.

81. mvp-comment-55-1 ὄμματι Either (I) in his eye. Cp. Pind. Nem. 7. 66, ὄμματι δέρκομαι λαμπρόν. Or (2) in appearance, 'to the view. Essay on Language p. 99. For (1), cp. Schiller, Br. Messin. 1, 6, 11. 3, 4.

82. mvp-comment-56-1 To all appearance he brings pleasant news.' ἡδύς, ἅτε φέρων ἡδέα. Cp. El. 929, ήἡδὺς οὐδὲ μητρὶ δυσχερής. For the inf. εἰκάσαι, see Essay on Language § 33, B. 2. p. 57.

83. mvp-comment-57-1 παγκάρπου The Delphic laurel, according to Pliny and modern travellers, abounds with large red berries. This is a part of the bright apparel of Creon as a θεωρός returning with a joyful answer from the god. For the genitive ('richly crowned with'), cp. the Epic ἐπεστέψαντο ποτοῖο. Ε. on L. p. 15.

84. mvp-comment-58-1 ξύμμετρος .. ὡς κλύειν He is near and within hearing. . = ξυμμέτρως ἀπέχων. Ε. on L. § 39, 1. p. 72.

85. mvp-comment-59-1 ἐμὸν κήδευμα Joined to me by marriage. The abstract for concrete has here the effect of respectful formality. Essay on Language p. 94.

86. mvp-comment-60-1 What answer do you bring with you from the god?" 'What is Apollo's word which you come bringing?' τοῦ θεοῦ is (1) descriptive genitive with τίνα φήμην, (2) ablative gen. with ἥκεις φίρων.

87. mvp-comment-61-1 καὶ τὰ δύσφορ᾽.. εὐτυχεῖν These words prepare the hearers' minds for the unwelcome intimation in l. 97. The construction of πάντα is difficult. Either (1) by an extension of the subject, πάντα is substituted in the resumption for τὰ δύσφορα. For I declare that even what is troublous, if it but find right issue,all in short will then be well. Or (2) πάντα is part of the predicate and has the force of an adverb. Even what is hard, if it but find right issue, will turn out altogether prosperously.' Cp. Aj. 275, κεῖνός τε λύπῃ πᾶς ἐλήλαται κακῇ. That which is troublous or burdensome is the pollution of the murder, and its right issue is the detection and banishment of the murderer. There is no reason to suppose any corruption of the text. δύσθρο' (Heimsoeth conj.) would suggest rather the rumour than the reality of evils. λέγω shows that this is Creon's construction of the answer and not the answer itself. 89, 90, οὔτε, κ.τ.λ.] For thus far I am not elated, nor do I anticipate evil until I hear more. πρό implies that fear would be premature.

91. mvp-comment-62-1 The formal words of Creon (cp. Tr. 342 foll.) have the effect of making Oedipus seal his own destiny by the publicity which is given to the oracle.

92. mvp-comment-63-1 ἕτοιμος For the omission of εἰμί, see Essay on Language p. 72. § 39.

93. mvp-comment-64-1 94. The grief which I bear is more a grief for them than concerning my single life. πλέον is not adverbial, but supplementary predicate agreeing with πένθος. It would be easy to supply περί with the former genitive, but the change of construction from the genitive of the object to genitive with περί is more in keeping with the style of Sophocles. Cp. Hdt. 4. 142, ὡς δούλων Ἰώνων τὸν λόγον ποιεύμενοι. καί is not intensive (= 'even') but simply points the comparison. Cp Aj. 1104, ἢ καὶ τῷδε σέ: and for ἐς πάντας, Plat. Tim. 28 C, εἰς πάντας ἀδύνατον λέγειν.

95-131. mvp-comment-65-1 This short dialogue is carefully constructed with a view to the plot. Oedipus had heard of Laius and of his death, but (as he imagines) certainly never saw him and never thought of inquiring into the circumstances of his murder. (An excuse for this improbability is suggested afterwards in ll. 220-221, οὐ γὰρ ἂν μακράν, κ.τ.λ.) One witness of the deed remains, but he being overcome with fear could only give even at the time a confused account of an assault by a band of robbers.

95. mvp-comment-66-1 οἷα is emphatic. not indefinite, and invites attention to the peculiar nature of the message. I will tell you what an oracle I heard from the god.

96. mvp-comment-67-1 ἐμφανῶς i. e. the revelation is unequivocal and unquestionable. 97.8 To drive out a pollution of our country, which, as he said, was fostered here.' ὡς τεθραμμένον. The accusative of the participle with ὡς while giving a reason conveys a further statement. Essay on. L. § 28. p. 47.

98. mvp-comment-68-1 μηδ᾽ ἀνήκεστον τρέφειν (1) And not to cherish it till past cure, or (2) without applying a remedy. (1) is best.

99. mvp-comment-69-1 ποίῳ καθαρμῷ; τίς ὁ τρόπος τῆς ξυμφορᾶς How to purify? Of what nature is the defilement? ξυμφορά is a euphemism for ἄyos, as in Hdt. 1. 35, ἀνὴρ συμφορῇ ἐχόμενος καὶ οὐ καθαρὸς χεῖρας ἐών.

100. mvp-comment-70-1 ἀνδρηλατοῦντας Sc. ἐλαύνειν, answering ποίῳ καθαρμῷ;

101. mvp-comment-71-1 ὡς .. χειμάζον See on l. 97. The v. r. χειμάζει would make the implied assertion explicit. The answer to τίς ὁ τρόπος, κ.τ.λ., is given here. τόδε, this, which has been implicitly mentioned, sc. in the words φόνῳ, κ.τ.λ. For similar uses of the pronoun, see Essay on Language § 22. p. 34.

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Ἱερεύς ἀλλʼ εἰς καλὸν σύ τʼ εἶπας οἵδε τʼ ἀρτίως Κρέοντα προσστείχοντα σημαίνουσί μοι.

Οἰδίπους ὦναξ Ἄπολλον, εἰ γὰρ ἐν τύχῃ γέ τῳ 80 σωτῆρι βαίη λαμπρὸς ὥσπερ ὄμματι

Ἱερεύς ἀλλʼ εἰκάσαι μέν, ἡδύς· οὐ γὰρ ἂν κάρα πολυστεφὴς ὧδʼ εἷρπε παγκάρπου δάφνης.

Οἰδίπους τάχʼ εἰσόμεσθα· ξύμμετρος γὰρ ὡς κλύειν. ἄναξ, ἐμὸν κήδευμα, παῖ Μενοικέως, 85 τίνʼ ἡμὶν ἥκεις τοῦ θεοῦ φήμην φέρων;

Κρέων ἐσθλήν· λέγω γὰρ καὶ τὰ δύσφορʼ, εἰ τύχοι κατʼ ὀρθὸν ἐξελθόντα, πάντʼ ἂν εὐτυχεῖν.

Οἰδίπους ἔστιν δὲ ποῖον τοὔπος; οὔτε γὰρ θρασὺς οὔτʼ οὖν προδείσας εἰμὶ τῷ γε νῦν λόγῳ. 90

Κρέων εἰ τῶνδε χρῄζεις πλησιαζόντων κλύειν, ἕτοιμος εἰπεῖν, εἴτε καὶ στείχειν ἔσω.

Οἰδίπους ἐς πάντας αὔδα· τῶνδε γὰρ πλέον φέρω τὸ πένθος ἢ καὶ τῆς ἐμῆς ψυχῆς πέρι.

Κρέων λέγοιμʼ ἂν οἷʼ ἤκουσα τοῦ θεοῦ πάρα. 95 ἄνωγεν ἡμᾶς Φοῖβος ἐμφανῶς ἄναξ μίασμα χώρας, ὡς τεθραμμένον χθονὶ ἐν τῇδʼ, ἐλαύνειν μηδʼ ἀνήκεστον τρέφειν.

Οἰδίπους ποίῳ καθαρμῷ; τίς ὁ τρόπος τῆς ξυμφορᾶς;

Κρέων ἀνδρηλατοῦντας ἢ φόνῳ φόνον πάλιν 100 λύοντας, ὡς τόδʼ αἷμα χειμάζον πόλιν.

Current edition Experimental

ἀλλ᾽ εἰς καλὸν σύ τ' εἶπας οἵδε τ᾿ ἀρτίως Κρέοντα προσστείχοντα σημαίνουσί μοι.

Οἰδίπους ὦναξ Ἄπολλον, εἰ γὰρ ἐν τύχῃ γέ τῳ 80 σωτῆρι βαίη λαμπρὸς ὥσπερ ὄμματι.

Ἱερεύς ἀλλ᾽ εἰκάσαι μέν, ἡδύς. οὐ γὰρ ἂν κάρα πολυστεφὴς ὧδ᾽ εἷρπε παγκάρπου δάφνης.

Οἰδίπους τάχ᾽ εἰσόμεσθα· ξύμμετρος γὰρ ὡς κλύειν. ἄναξ, ἐμὸν κήδευμα, παῖ Μενοικέως, 85 τίνʼ ἡμὶν ἥκεις τοῦ θεοῦ φήμην φέρων;

Κρέων ἐσθλήν· λέγω γὰρ καὶ τὰ δύσφορ', εἰ τύχοι κατ᾿ ὀρθὸν ἐξελθόντα, πάντ᾽ ἂν εὐτυχεῖν.

Οἰδίπους ἔστιν δὲ ποῖον τοὔπος; οὔτε γὰρ θρασὺς οὔτ᾽ οὖν προδείσας εἰμὶ τῷ γε νῦν λόγῳ. 90

Κρέων εἰ τῶνδε χρῄζεις πλησιαζόντων κλύειν, ἕτοιμος εἰπεῖν, εἴτε καὶ στείχειν ἔσω.

Οἰδίπους ἐς πάντας αὔδα. τῶνδε γὰρ πλέον φέρω τὸ πένθος ἢ καὶ τῆς ἐμῆς ψυχῆς πέρι.

Οἰδίπους ποίῳ καθαρμῷ; τίς ὁ τρόπος τῆς ξυμφορᾶς;

Κρέων ἀνδρηλατοῦντας, ἢ φόνῳ φόνον πάλιν 100 λύοντας, ὡς τόδ' αἷμα χειμάζον πόλιν.

Οἰδίπους

Lo, in good time, crowning thy gracious word, ’Tis told me by these youths, Creon draws near.

OED Apollo! may his coming be as blest 80 With saving fortune, as his looks are bright.

PR Sure he brings joyful news; else had he ne’er Worn that full wreath of thickly-berried bay.

OED Enter CREON . We have not long to doubt. He can hear now. Son of Menoeceus, brother of my queen, 85 What answer from Apollo dost thou bring?

CREON Good; for my message is that even our woes, When brought to their right issue, shall be well.

OED What saith the oracle? Thy words so far Neither embolden nor dishearten me. 90

CR Say, must I tell it with these standing by, Or go within? I am ready either way.

OED Speak forth to all. The burden of their grief Weighs more on me than my particular fear.

CE My lips shall utter what the God hath said. 95 Sovereign Apollo clearly bids us drive 95 Forth from this region an accursed thing (For such is fostered in the land and stains Our sacred clime), nor cherish it past cure.

OED What is the fault, and how to be redressed?

CR By exile, or by purging blood with blood. 100 Since blood it is that shakes us with this storm.

OED

Ein Wort des Trostes sprachest du, und eben wird Von diesen mir bedeutet, daß sich Kreon naht.

Oedipus. O Fürst Apollon, daß er so mit rettendem 80 Geschick erscheine, wie sein Auge freudig strahlt!

Der Oberpriester. Wohl naht mit ihm die Freude; denn wie käm' er sonst Mit reichen Lorbeerzweigen so das Haupt umkränzt? 1

Oedipus. Bald wird sich's zeigen: nahe schon, vernimmt er uns. O Fürst, Menökeus' edler Sohn, mein Bruder, sprich: 85 Mit welcher Botschaft kehrst du mir vom Gott zurück? Kreon. Die Vorigen.

Kreon. Mit guter; denn ich meine, wenn das Schwere selbst Gelangt zu gutem Ende, dann steht Alles wohl. Wie lautet, was er sagte?

Oedipus. Denn nicht dreist bin ich Noch ward mir eben bange durch dein leztes Wort. 90

Kreon. Ich bin bereit zu reden, wenn du's hören willst In Dieser Beisein, oder folg' ich dir hinein.

Oedipus. Sprich's aus vor Allen: fühl' ich doch um ihr Geschick Mehr Kummer, als mir um das eigne Leben bangt.

Kreon. So meld' ich Alles, wie's der Gott mir offenbart. 95 Uns ruft der König Phöbos auf mit klarem Wort, Des Landes Schandfleck (denn er weile hier) hinaus Zu treiben, nicht zu hegen unheilbare Schuld.

Oedipus. Durch welche Sühnung? Welcher Art ist diese Noth?

Kreon. Sei's durch Verbanmung, oder daß wir Mord mit Mord 100 Versöhnen; Blutschuld sei es, was die Stadt bestürmt.

Oedipus.

O Phoebus ! grant he come With tidings cheerful as the smile he wears !

Priest He is the messenger of good ; for see, His brows are crowned with laurel. Be satisfied We shall soon he comes.

Creon (Ei.i. Scene II. (Edipus, Priest, Chorus. QEdi. My dearest Creon, Oh ! say, what answer bearst thou from the god : Or good, or ill ?

Creon Good, very good ; for know, The worst of ills, if rightly used, may prove The means of happiness.

Oedipus What says my friend ? This answer gives me nought to hope oi' fear.

Creon Shall we retire, or would you that I speak 95 In public here ? Theii' woes sit heavier on me than my own,

Creon (Edi. Before them all declare it ; Then mark what I have heard : the god 100 commands 100 That instant we drive forth the fatal cause 100 Of this dire pestilence, nor nourish here The accursed monster. Kemove it ?

Creon (Edi. Who? What monster? How

We sink in ruin; but once more this state Restore to safety; as thou gavest us then With happy auspices fair fortune, now Be like thyself. More glorious wilt thou reign

Creon Of good I have to tell thee: all our ill May, if directed well, find happy end.

Oedipus Relate his words distinctly; for thy speech Nor gives me confidence, nor wakes my fears.

Creon By these encircled wou'dst thou hear, I stand Ready to speak, or to retire apart.

Oedipus Speak to them all; for dearer than my life

Creon I prize the means to remedy their grief. 100 Then let me speak what from the god I heard. 100 The royal Phœbus gave us clear command 100 Hence the pollution of our realm to drive, Now nourish'd in the bosom of the land, Nor cherish an immedicable ill.

Oedipus

Priest You have spoken opportunely, since at this time these people here indicate that Creon is drawing near.

Oedipus Lord Apollo, may he come to us in the brightness of saving fortune, even as his face is bright! 80

Priest He seems to bring comfort, since otherwise he would not be coming crowned so thickly with berry-laden bay.

Oedipus We will soon know: he is within hearing-range. To Creon. Prince, my kinsman, child of Menoeceus, what news have you brought us from the god? 85

Creon Good news. I tell you that even troubles hard to bear will end in perfect peace if they find the right issue.

Oedipus But what is the oracle ? So far, your words neither encourage nor frighten me. 90

Creon If you want to hear in the presence of these people, I am ready to speak: otherwise we can go inside.

Oedipus Speak to all. The sorrow that I bear for these is more than for my own life.

Creon I will tell you what I heard from the god. Phoebus our lord clearly commands us to drive out the defilement which he said was harbored in this land, and not to nourish it so that it cannot be healed. 95

Oedipus With what sort of purification? What is the manner of the misfortune?

Creon By banishing the man, or by paying back bloodshed with bloodshed, since it is this blood which brings the tempest on our city. 100

Commentary

Stable identifiers

Ἱερεύς

ἀλλʼ εἰς καλὸν σύ τʼ εἶπας οἵδε τʼ ἀρτίως

Κρέοντα προσστείχοντα σημαίνουσί μοι.

Οἰδίπους

ὦναξ Ἄπολλον, εἰ γὰρ ἐν τύχῃ γέ τῳ
80

σωτῆρι βαίη λαμπρὸς ὥσπερ ὄμματι

Ἱερεύς

ἀλλʼ εἰκάσαι μέν, ἡδύς· οὐ γὰρ ἂν κάρα

πολυστεφὴς ὧδʼ εἷρπε παγκάρπου δάφνης.

Οἰδίπους

τάχʼ εἰσόμεσθα· ξύμμετρος γὰρ ὡς κλύειν.

ἄναξ, ἐμὸν κήδευμα, παῖ Μενοικέως,
85

τίνʼ ἡμὶν ἥκεις τοῦ θεοῦ φήμην φέρων;

Κρέων

ἐσθλήν· λέγω γὰρ καὶ τὰ δύσφορʼ, εἰ τύχοι

κατʼ ὀρθὸν ἐξελθόντα, πάντʼ ἂν εὐτυχεῖν.

Οἰδίπους

ἔστιν δὲ ποῖον τοὔπος; οὔτε γὰρ θρασὺς

οὔτʼ οὖν προδείσας εἰμὶ τῷ γε νῦν λόγῳ.
90

Κρέων

εἰ τῶνδε χρῄζεις πλησιαζόντων κλύειν,

ἕτοιμος εἰπεῖν, εἴτε καὶ στείχειν ἔσω.

Οἰδίπους

ἐς πάντας αὔδα· τῶνδε γὰρ πλέον φέρω

τὸ πένθος ἢ καὶ τῆς ἐμῆς ψυχῆς πέρι.

Οἰδίπους

ποίῳ καθαρμῷ; τίς ὁ τρόπος τῆς ξυμφορᾶς;

Κρέων

ἀνδρηλατοῦντας ἢ φόνῳ φόνον πάλιν
100

λύοντας, ὡς τόδʼ αἷμα χειμάζον πόλιν.

ἀλλ᾽ εἰς καλὸν σύ τ' εἶπας οἵδε τ᾿ ἀρτίως

Κρέοντα προσστείχοντα σημαίνουσί μοι.

Οἰδίπους

ὦναξ Ἄπολλον, εἰ γὰρ ἐν τύχῃ γέ τῳ
80

σωτῆρι βαίη λαμπρὸς ὥσπερ ὄμματι.

Ἱερεύς

ἀλλ᾽ εἰκάσαι μέν, ἡδύς. οὐ γὰρ ἂν κάρα

πολυστεφὴς ὧδ᾽ εἷρπε παγκάρπου δάφνης.

Οἰδίπους

τάχ᾽ εἰσόμεσθα· ξύμμετρος γὰρ ὡς κλύειν.

ἄναξ, ἐμὸν κήδευμα, παῖ Μενοικέως,
85

τίνʼ ἡμὶν ἥκεις τοῦ θεοῦ φήμην φέρων;

Κρέων

ἐσθλήν· λέγω γὰρ καὶ τὰ δύσφορ', εἰ τύχοι

κατ᾿ ὀρθὸν ἐξελθόντα, πάντ᾽ ἂν εὐτυχεῖν.

Οἰδίπους

ἔστιν δὲ ποῖον τοὔπος; οὔτε γὰρ θρασὺς

οὔτ᾽ οὖν προδείσας εἰμὶ τῷ γε νῦν λόγῳ.
90

Κρέων

εἰ τῶνδε χρῄζεις πλησιαζόντων κλύειν,

ἕτοιμος εἰπεῖν, εἴτε καὶ στείχειν ἔσω.

Οἰδίπους

ἐς πάντας αὔδα. τῶνδε γὰρ πλέον φέρω

τὸ πένθος ἢ καὶ τῆς ἐμῆς ψυχῆς πέρι.

Οἰδίπους

ποίῳ καθαρμῷ; τίς ὁ τρόπος τῆς ξυμφορᾶς;

Κρέων

ἀνδρηλατοῦντας, ἢ φόνῳ φόνον πάλιν
100

λύοντας, ὡς τόδ' αἷμα χειμάζον πόλιν.

Lo, in good time, crowning thy gracious word,

’Tis told me by these youths, Creon draws near.

OED

Apollo! may his coming be as blest
80

With saving fortune, as his looks are bright.

PR

Sure he brings joyful news; else had he ne’er

Worn that full wreath of thickly-berried bay.

OED
Enter CREON .

We have not long to doubt. He can hear now.

Son of Menoeceus, brother of my queen,
85

What answer from Apollo dost thou bring?

CREON

Good; for my message is that even our woes,

When brought to their right issue, shall be well.

OED

What saith the oracle? Thy words so far

Neither embolden nor dishearten me.
90

CR

Say, must I tell it with these standing by,

Or go within? I am ready either way.

OED

Speak forth to all. The burden of their grief

Weighs more on me than my particular fear.

CE

My lips shall utter what the God hath said.
95

Sovereign Apollo clearly bids us drive
95

Forth from this region an accursed thing

(For such is fostered in the land and stains

Our sacred clime), nor cherish it past cure.

OED

What is the fault, and how to be redressed?

CR

By exile, or by purging blood with blood.
100

Since blood it is that shakes us with this storm.

Ein Wort des Trostes sprachest du, und eben wird

Von diesen mir bedeutet, daß sich Kreon naht.

Oedipus.

O Fürst Apollon, daß er so mit rettendem
80

Geschick erscheine, wie sein Auge freudig strahlt!

Der Oberpriester.

Wohl naht mit ihm die Freude; denn wie käm' er sonst

Mit reichen Lorbeerzweigen so das Haupt umkränzt?¹

Oedipus.

Bald wird sich's zeigen: nahe schon, vernimmt er uns.

O Fürst, Menökeus' edler Sohn, mein Bruder, sprich:
85

Mit welcher Botschaft kehrst du mir vom Gott zurück?

Kreon. Die Vorigen.

Kreon.

Mit guter; denn ich meine, wenn das Schwere selbst

Gelangt zu gutem Ende, dann steht Alles wohl.

Wie lautet, was er sagte?

Oedipus.

Denn nicht dreist bin ich

Noch ward mir eben bange durch dein leztes Wort.
90

Kreon.

Ich bin bereit zu reden, wenn du's hören willst

In Dieser Beisein, oder folg' ich dir hinein.

Oedipus.

Sprich's aus vor Allen: fühl' ich doch um ihr Geschick

Mehr Kummer, als mir um das eigne Leben bangt.

Kreon.

So meld' ich Alles, wie's der Gott mir offenbart.
95

Uns ruft der König Phöbos auf mit klarem Wort,

Des Landes Schandfleck (denn er weile hier) hinaus

Zu treiben, nicht zu hegen unheilbare Schuld.

Oedipus.

Durch welche Sühnung? Welcher Art ist diese Noth?

Kreon.

Sei's durch Verbanmung, oder daß wir Mord mit Mord
100

Versöhnen; Blutschuld sei es, was die Stadt bestürmt.

O Phoebus ! grant he come

With tidings cheerful as the smile he wears !

Priest

He is the messenger of good ; for see,

His brows are crowned with laurel.

Be satisfied

We shall soon

he comes.

Creon
(Ei.i. Scene II.

(Edipus, Priest, Chorus.

QEdi. My dearest Creon,

Oh ! say, what answer bearst thou from the god :

Or good, or ill ?

Creon

Good, very good ; for know,

The worst of ills, if rightly used, may prove

The means of happiness.

Oedipus

What says my friend ?

This answer gives me nought to hope oi' fear.

Creon

Shall we retire, or would you that I speak
95

In public here ?

Theii' woes sit heavier on me than my own,

Creon
(Edi. Before them all declare it ;

Then mark what I have heard : the god
100

commands
100

That instant we drive forth the fatal cause
100

Of this dire pestilence, nor nourish here

The accursed monster.

Kemove it ?

Creon
(Edi. Who? What monster? How

We sink in ruin; but once more this state

Restore to safety; as thou gavest us then

With happy auspices fair fortune, now

Be like thyself. More glorious wilt thou reign

Creon

Of good I have to tell thee: all our ill

May, if directed well, find happy end.

Oedipus

Relate his words distinctly; for thy speech

Nor gives me confidence, nor wakes my fears.

Creon

By these encircled wou'dst thou hear, I stand

Ready to speak, or to retire apart.

Oedipus

Speak to them all; for dearer than my life

Creon

I prize the means to remedy their grief.
100

Then let me speak what from the god I heard.
100

The royal Phœbus gave us clear command
100

Hence the pollution of our realm to drive,

Now nourish'd in the bosom of the land,

Nor cherish an immedicable ill.

Priest

You have spoken opportunely, since at this time these people here indicate that Creon is drawing near.

Oedipus

Lord Apollo, may he come to us in the brightness of saving fortune, even as his face is bright!
80

Priest

He seems to bring comfort, since otherwise he would not be coming crowned so thickly with berry-laden bay.

Oedipus

We will soon know: he is within hearing-range.

To Creon.

Prince, my kinsman, child of Menoeceus, what news have you brought us from the god?
85

Creon

Good news. I tell you that even troubles hard to bear will end in perfect peace if they find the right issue.

Oedipus

But what is the oracle ? So far, your words

neither encourage nor frighten me.
90

Creon

If you want to hear in the presence of these people, I am ready to speak: otherwise we can go inside.

Oedipus

Speak to all. The sorrow that I bear for these is more than for my own life.

Creon

I will tell you what I heard from the god. Phoebus our lord clearly commands us to drive out the defilement which he said was harbored in this land, and not to nourish it so that it cannot be healed.
95

Oedipus

With what sort of purification? What is the manner of the misfortune?

Creon

By banishing the man, or by paying back bloodshed with bloodshed, since it is this blood which brings the tempest on our city.
100