Sophocles, Oedipus Tyrannus, ed. Francis Storr, 911

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Ἰοκάστη

χώρας ἄνακτες, δόξα μοι παρεστάθη

ναοὺς ἱκέσθαι δαιμόνων, τάδʼ ἐν χεροῖν

στέφη λαβούσῃ κἀπιθυμιάματα.

ὑψοῦ γὰρ αἴρει θυμὸν Οἰδίπους ἄγαν

λύπαισι παντοίαισιν· οὐδʼ ὁποῖʼ ἀνὴρ
915

ἔννους τὰ καινὰ τοῖς πάλαι τεκμαίρεται,

ἀλλʼ ἐστὶ τοῦ λέγοντος, εἰ φόβους λέγοι.

ὅτʼ οὖν παραινοῦσʼ οὐδὲν ἐς πλέον ποιῶ,

πρὸς σʼ, ὦ Λύκειʼ Ἄπολλον, ἄγχιστος γὰρ εἶ,

ἱκέτις ἀφῖγμαι τοῖσδε σὺν κατεύγμασιν,
920

ὅπως λύσιν τινʼ ἡμὶν εὐαγῆ πόρῃς·

ὡς νῦν ὀκνοῦμεν πάντες ἐκπεπληγμένον

κεῖνον βλέποντες ὡς κυβερνήτην νεώς.

Ἄγγελος

ἆρʼ ἂν παρʼ ὑμῶν, ὦ ξένοι, μάθοιμʼ ὅπου

τὰ τοῦ τυράννου δώματʼ ἐστὶν Οἰδίπου;
925

μάλιστα δʼ αὐτὸν εἴπατʼ, εἰ κάτισθʼ ὅπου.

Χορός

στέγαι μὲν αἵδε, καὐτὸς ἔνδον, ὦ ξένε·

γυνὴ δὲ μήτηρ ἥδε τῶν κείνου τέκνων.

Ἄγγελος

ἀλλʼ ὀλβία τε καὶ ξὺν ὀλβίοις ἀεὶ

γένοιτʼ, ἐκείνου γʼ οὖσα παντελὴς δάμαρ.
930

Ἰοκάστη

αὔτως δὲ καὶ σύ γʼ, ὦ ξένʼ· ἄξιος γὰρ εἶ

τῆς εὐεπείας εἵνεκʼ· ἀλλὰ φράζʼ ὅτου

χρῄζων ἀφῖξαι χὤ τι σημῆναι θέλων.

Ἄγγελος

ἀγαθὰ δόμοις τε καὶ πόσει τῷ σῷ, γύναι.

Ἰοκάστη

τὰ ποῖα ταῦτα; παρὰ τίνος δʼ ἀφιγμένος;
935

Ἄγγελος

ἐκ τῆς Κορίνθου· τὸ δʼ ἔπος οὑξερῶ τάχα,

ἥδοιο μέν, πῶς δʼ οὐκ ἄν, ἀσχάλλοις δʼ ἴσως.

Ἰοκάστη

τί δʼ ἔστι; ποίαν δύναμιν ὧδʼ ἔχει διπλῆν;

Ἄγγελος

τύραννον αὐτὸν οὑπιχώριοι χθονὸς

τῆς Ἰσθμίας στήσουσιν, ὡς ηὐδᾶτʼ ἐκεῖ.
940

Ἰοκάστη

τί δʼ; οὐχ ὁ πρέσβυς Πόλυβος ἐγκρατὴς ἔτι;

Ἄγγελος

οὐ δῆτʼ, ἐπεί νιν θάνατος ἐν τάφοις ἔχει.

Ἰοκάστη

πῶς εἶπας; ἦ τέθνηκε Πόλυβος, ὦ γέρον;

Ἄγγελος

εἰ μὴ λέγω τἀληθές, ἀξιῶ θανεῖν.

Ἰοκάστη

ὦ πρόσπολʼ, οὐχὶ δεσπότῃ τάδʼ ὡς τάχος
945

μολοῦσα λέξεις; ὦ θεῶν μαντεύματα,

ἵνʼ ἐστέ· τοῦτον Οἰδίπους πάλαι τρέμων

τὸν ἄνδρʼ ἔφευγε μὴ κτάνοι, καὶ νῦν ὅδε

πρὸς τῆς τύχης ὄλωλεν οὐδὲ τοῦδʼ ὕπο.

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)) — 911 focus

χώρας ἄνακτες, δόξα μοι παρεστάθη

ναοὺς ἱκέσθαι δαιμόνων, τάδ᾽ ἐν χεροῖν

στέφη λαβούσῃ κἀπιθυμιάματα.

ὑψοῦ γὰρ αἴρει θυμὸν Οἰδίπους ἄγαν

λύπαισι παντοίαισιν· οὐδ᾽ ὁποῖʼ ἀνὴρ
915

ἔννους τὰ καινὰ τοῖς πάλαι τεκμαίρεται,

ἀλλ᾽ ἐστὶ τοῦ λέγοντος, εἰ φόβους λέγῃ.

ὅτ᾽ οὖν παραινοῦσ᾽ οὐδὲν ἐς πλέον ποιῶ,

πρὸς σ᾽, ὦ Λύκειʼ Ἄπολλον, ἄγχιστος γὰρ εἶ,

ἱκέτις ἀφῖγμαι τοῖσδε σὺν κατεύγμασιν,
920

ὅπως λύσιν τινʼ ἡμὶν εὐαγῆ πόρῃς·

ὡς νῦν ὀκνοῦμεν πάντες ἐκπεπληγμένον

κεῖνον βλέποντες ὡς κυβερνήτην νεώς.

ΑΓΓΕΛΟΣ.

ἆρ᾽ ἂν παρ᾽ ὑμῶν, ὦ ξένοι, μάθοιμ' ὅπου

τὰ τοῦ τυράννου δώματ' ἐστὶν Οἰδίπου;
925

μάλιστα δ᾽ αὐτὸν εἴπατ᾽, εἰ κάτισθ᾽ ὅπου.

Χορός

στέγαι μὲν αἵδε, καὐτὸς ἔνδον, ὦ ξένε·

γυνὴ δὲ μήτηρ ἥδε τῶν κείνου τέκνων.

Ἄγγελος

ἀλλ᾽ ὀλβία τε καὶ ξὺν ὀλβίοις ἀεὶ

γένοιτ', ἐκείνου γ' οὖσα παντελὴς δάμαρ.
930

Ἰοκάστη

αὕτως δὲ καὶ σύ γ', ὦ ξένʼ· ἄξιος γὰρ εἶ

τῆς εὐεπείας οὕνεκ'. ἀλλὰ φράζ᾽ ὅτου

χρῄζων ἀφῖξαι χὤ τι σημῆναι θέλων.

Ἄγγελος

ἀγαθὰ δόμοις τε καὶ πόσει τῷ σῷ, γύναι.

Ἰοκάστη

τὰ ποῖα ταῦτα; παρὰ τίνος δ᾽ ἀφιγμένος;
935

Ἄγγελος

ἐκ τῆς Κορίνθου. τὸ δ᾽ ἔπος οὑξερῶ τάχα,

ἥδοιο μέν, πῶς δ᾽ οὐκ ἄν, ἀσχάλλοις δ᾽ ἴσως.

Ἰοκάστη

τί δ᾽ ἔστι; ποίαν δύναμιν ὧδ᾽ ἔχει διπλῆν;

Ἄγγελος

τύραννον αὐτὸν οὑπιχώριοι χθονὸς

τῆς Ἰσθμίας στήσουσιν, ὡς ηὐδᾶτ᾽ ἐκεῖ.
940

τί δ᾽; οὐχ ὁ πρέσβυς Πόλυβος ἐγκρατὴς ἔτι;

Ἄγγελος

οὐ δῆτ᾽, ἐπεί νιν θάνατος ἐν τάφοις ἔχει.

Ἰοκάστη

πῶς εἶπας; ἦ τέθνηκε Πόλυβος, *ὦ γέρον;

Ἄγγελος

εἰ μὴ λέγω τἀληθές, ἀξιῶ θανεῖν.

ὦ πρόσπολ', οὐχὶ δεσπότῃ τάδ᾽ ὡς τάχος
945

μολοῦσα λέξεις; ὦ θεῶν μαντεύματα,

ἵν᾽ ἐστέ· τοῦτον Οἰδίπους πάλαι τρέμων

τὸν ἄνδρ᾽ ἔφευγε μὴ κτάνοι, καὶ νῦν ὅδε

πρὸς τῆς τύχης ὄλωλεν οὐδὲ τοῦδ᾽ ὕπο.

Οἰδίπους

Translations (5)

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 911 focus

Are ye the men to tell me where to find

The mansion of the sovereign Oedipus?

Or better, where he may himself be found?

CH

Here is the roof you seek, and he, our lord,

Is there within: and, stranger, thou behold’st

The queenly mother of his royal race.

COR. SH

May she and hers be alway fortunate!

Still may she crown him with the joys of home!
930

JO

Be thou, too, blest, kind sir! Thy gracious tongue

Deserves no less. But tell me what request

Or what intelligence thou bring’st with thee?

COR. SH

Good tidings for thy house and husband, queen.

JO

What are they? Who hath sent thee to our hall?
935

COR. SH

From Corinth come I, and will quickly tell

What sure will please you; though perchance ’twill grieve.

JO

What news can move us thus two ways at once?

COR. SH

’Twas rumoured that the people of the land

Of Corinth would make Oedipus their king.

JO

Is ancient Polybus not still in power?

COR. SH

No. Death confines him in a kingly grave.

JO

Hold there! How say you? Polybus in his grave?

COR. SH

May I die for him if I speak not true!

JO

(.)

Run thou, and tell this quickly to my lord!
945

Voices of prophecy, where are ye now?

Long time hath Oedipus, a homeless man,

Trembled with fear of slaying Polybus.

Who now lies slain by Fortune, not by him.

OED
Enter OEDIPUS .

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 911 focus

Ihr Häupter Thebe's, ich beschloß in meinem Sinn,

Der Götter Tempeln mich zu nah'n, die Kränze hier
885

In meinen Händen tragend und das Räucherwerk.

Denn allzuschwer ringt Dedipus in bangem Muth

Mit mannigfachem Kummer; nach dem Alten mag

Er nicht das Neue messen, wie's dem Klugen ziemt;¹

Nein, offen ist er jedem Wort, das Schrecken bringt.
890

Mit meinem Zuspruch kann ich nichts hier schaffen mehr;

(sie wendet sich zu dem Altar des Apollon)

Drum nah' ich flehend mit den Weihgeschenken dir,

Lykeier Phöbos, weil du mir der Nächste bist,²

Auf daß du heilig lösest uns aus diesem Leid:

Denn, ach, wir alle zagen, nun wir ihn betäubt
895

Von Schrecken seh'n, der unsres Schiffes Steuer führt.

Ein Bote. Die Vorigen.

Der Botr.

Gewährtet ihr, o Freunde, wohl die Kunde mir,

Wo seine Wohnung Dedipus, der König, hat?

Doch, wisset ihr's, sagt lieber, wo er selber weilt.

Der Chor.

Hier seine Wohnung, und er selbst ist innen, Freund,
900

Und Mutter seiner Kinder ist hier diese Frau.

Der Bote.

Sie lebe glücklich, sei gesellt den Glücklichen

Für immer, sie, des Mannes reichgesegnet Weib!

Jokaste.

Du selbst, o Freund, nicht minder; denn du bist es werth

Des frommen Wunsches wegen. Doch erkläre, was
905

Ist dein Begehr, was anzukünden kamest du?

Der Bote.

Glück deinem Haus und deinem Gatten, edle Frau.

Jokaste.

Und welcher Art ist dieses? Und wer sendet dich?

Der Bote.

Korinthos. Ueber meine Rede wirst du wohl

Dich freu'n, (warum nicht?) und vielleicht betrüben auch.
910

Jokaste.

Was ist es? Wie besizt sie solche Doppelkraft?

Der Bote.

Zu seinem Herrscher will das Volk des isthmischen³

Gebietes ihn erheben: also hieß es dort.

Jokaste.

Wie? Hat der greise Polybos nicht mehr die Macht?

Der Bote.

Nicht mehr, da Todesschlummer ihn im Grab umfängt.
915

Jokaste.

Wie sagst du, Greis? Gestorben wäre Polybos?

Der Bote.

Wofern ich unwahr rede, sei mein Loos der Tod!

(zu einer ihrer Begleiterinnen)

Jokaste.

Auf, Mädchen, gehe schnell hinein, dem Herrscher dies

Alsbald zu melden! Ihr, o Göttersprüche, wo,

(die Dienerin ab.)

Wo seid ihr? Längst floh Dedipus mit Zittern fort,
920

Um nicht zu morden diesen Mann, und jezt erlag

Er durch das Schicksal, nicht entseelt von seiner Hand.

Dedipus. Die Vorigen.

Oedipus.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 911 focus

Thou art, and I will tell thee ;

Thou art my hope — to whom should I impart

My sorrows, but to thee? Know then, Jocasta,

I am the son of Polybus, who reigns

At Corinth, and the Dorian Merope

His queen ; there long I held the foremost rank,

Honoured and happy, when a strange event

The deep concern I felt) alarmed me much :

A drunken reveller at a feast proclaimed

That I was only the supposed son

Of Corinth's king. Scarce could I bear that day

The vile reproach. The next, I sought my parents

And asked of them the truth ; they too, enraged,

Resented much the base indignity.

I liked their tender warmth, but still I felt
915

A secret anguish, and, unknown to them,
915

Sought out the Pythian oracle. In vain.
915

Touching my parents nothing could I learn ;

But dreadful were the miseries it denounced

Against me. 'Twas my fate, Apollo said,

To wed my mother, to produce a race

Accursed and abhorred ; and last, to slay

My father who begat me. Sad decree !

Lest I should e'er fulfil the dire prediction,

Instant I fled from Corinth, by the stars

Guiding my hapless journey to the place

Where thou report'st this wretched king was slain.

But I will tell thee the whole truth. At length

came to where the three ways meet, when, lo!

I A herald, with another man hke him

! Wliom thou describst, and in a cliariot, met me.

Both strove with violence to drive me back ;
920

Enraged, I struck the charioteer, when straight.
920

As I advanced, the old man saw, and twice
920

Smote me o' th' head, but dearly soon repaid

The insult on me ; from his chariot rolled

Prone on the earth, beneath my staff he fell,

And instantly expired ! Th' attendant train

All shared his fate. If this unhappy stranger

And Laius be the same, lives there a wretch

So cursed, so hateful to the gods as I am ?

Nor citizen nor alien must receive,

Or converse, or communion hold with me,

But drive me forth with infamy and shame.

The dreadful curse pronounced with my own lips

Shall soon o'ertake me. I have stained the bed

Of him whom I had murdered ; am I then

Aught but pollution ? If I fly from hence,

The bed of incest meets me, and I go
925

Tc sby m^ father Polybus, the best,
925

The tenderest parent. This must bo. the work
925

Of some malignant power. Ye righteous gods !

^Let me not seejbhatdaj'-, but rest in death,

Bather than su'ffer such calamity.

Chorus
(For strange it was, though little meriting

Chorus.

Messenger

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 911 focus

To bring this herdsman back; omit not that,

Jocasta

Whate'er to thee is pleasing I would do.

Chorus
STRO. 1. ANTIS. 1.

No more to Phœbus honours pay;

And things divine decay.

Corinthian
STRO. 2. ANTIS. 2. JOCASTA, CHORUS.

Ye rulers of the state, with zealous mind

I hasten to the temples of the gods,

Bearing these wreaths, this incense in my hands;

Is tortured in suspense, nor, as becomes

His wisdom, from the past right judgment forms
930

Of later oracles, but yields his mind
930

To him that speaks, of terrors if he speak.
930

But since exhorting him I nought avail,

To thee, Lycean Phoebus, (for thy shrine

Is nearest) suppliant to present these pray'rs

I go, that thou would'st grant us from these griefs

Holy deliverance; for we all must fear,

When him, who steers our bark, we see appall'd.

May I by you, O strangers, be inform'd

Which is the royal seat of Edipus ?

Or where, instruct me, may I find the king?

Chorus
CORINTHIAN, JOCASTA, CHORUS.

The regal mansion this; the king is there;

The mother of his children here behold.

Corinthian

Oh be thou blest, and ever with the blest

Converse, since thou art his accomplish'd wife !

And be thou blest too, stranger; worthy thou

For these thy courteous words. But say what cause
945

Brought thee to Thebes: what hast thou to relate?

Good tidings to thy house, and to thy lord.

Those happy tidings what? Whence art thou come?

From Corinth. May what I shall speak to thee

Jocasta

Give joy! Yet haply it may give thee grief.

What may this be, and whence its double force ?

The Isthmian states (so, lady, fame proclaims

Among them) will appoint thy lord their king.

Holds not the aged Polybus that pow'r?

No more; for death hath laid him in the tomb.

What wou'dst thou say, that Polybus is dead?

If I speak aught but truth, be death my meed.

Go, my attendant, hasten to thy lord,

And tell him this. Ye oracles divine,

Where are you? Edipus long since, through fear,

Lest he should kill the king, from Corinth fled;

Now he is dead before this wretched fate,

Nor fell he by the hand of Edipus.

Oedipus
CEDIPUS, JOCASTA, CORINTHIAN, CHORUS.

English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 911 focus

Iocasta

Princes of the land, I am planning to visit the shrines of the gods, with this wreathed branch and these gifts of incense in my hands. For Oedipus excites his soul excessively with all sorts of grief,

as he does not judge the new things from the old, like a man of sense, but is under the control of the speaker, if he speaks of frightful things. Since, then, I can do no good by counsel, to you, Lycean Apollo—for you are nearest—
915

I have come as a suppliant with these symbols of prayer, that you may find us some escape from uncleanliness. For now we are all afraid, like those who see fear in the helmsman of their ship.
920

Enter a messenger.

Messenger

Can you tell me, strangers, where

the house of King Oedipus is? Or better still, tell me where he himself is, if you know.
925

Chorus

This is his dwelling, and he himself, stranger, is within. This lady here is the mother of his children.

Messenger

Then may she be ever happy in a happy home,

since she is his blessed queen.
930

Iocasta

Happiness to you also, stranger! Your fair greeting deserves this. But say what you have come to seek or to tell.

Messenger

Good tidings, lady, for your house and your husband.

Iocasta

What are they? From whom have you come?
935

Messenger

From Corinth , and at the message I will give now you will doubtless rejoice, though you may perhaps grieve too.

Iocasta

What is it? Why has it this double potency?

Messenger

The people will make him king of the

Isthmian land, as it was said there.
940

Iocasta

How then? Is the aged Polybus no longer in power?

Messenger

No. For death holds him in the tomb.

Iocasta

What do you mean? Is Polybus dead, old man?

Messenger

If I do not speak the truth, I am content to die.

Iocasta

Handmaid, away with all speed, and tell this to your master! Oracles of the gods, where do you stand now? It is this man that Oedipus long feared he would slay. And now this man has died in the course of destiny, not by his hand.
945

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-565-1 Iocasta comes forth, bearing a branch (ἱκετηρίἀ, wreathed with festoons of wool (στέφἠ, which, as a suppliant, she is about to lay on the altar of the household god, Apollo Λύκειος, in front of the palace. The state of Oedipus frightens her. His mind has been growing more and more excited. It is not that she herself has much fear for the future. What alarms her is to see “the pilot of the ship” (923) thus unnerved. Though she can believe no longer in human μαντική, she has never ceased to revere the gods (708); and to them she turns for help in her need.

mvp-comment-566-1 ναοὺς δαιμόνων ¹

mvp-comment-567-1 στέφη ²

mvp-comment-567-2 ἐπιθυμιάματα ³

mvp-comment-568-1 τὰ καινὰ ⁴ τοῖς πάλαι ⁵

mvp-comment-569-1 τοῦ λέγοντος ⁶

mvp-comment-570-1 ὅτε ⁷

mvp-comment-571-1 Λύκεῑ Ἄπολλον ⁸

mvp-comment-572-1 κατεύγμασιν ⁹ κατάργμασιν ¹⁰

mvp-comment-573-1 λύσιν … εὐαγῆ ¹¹

mvp-comment-574-1 ὡς κυβερνήτην νεώς ¹²

mvp-comment-575-1 When the messenger arrives, Iocasta's prayer seems to have been immediately answered by a λύσις εὐαγής (921), as regards part at least of the threatened doom, though at the cost of the oracle's credit.

mvp-comment-576-1 μάλιστα ¹³

mvp-comment-577-1 γυνὴ δέ ¹⁴

mvp-comment-578-1 παντελής ¹⁵

mvp-comment-579-1 αὔτως ¹⁶

mvp-comment-580-1 εὐεπείας ¹⁷

mvp-comment-581-1 παρὰ τίνος ¹⁸

mvp-comment-582-1 τὸ δ’ ἔπος ¹⁹

mvp-comment-583-1 ἀσχάλλοις ²⁰

mvp-comment-584-1 ἐγκρατὴς ²¹

mvp-comment-585-1 A defective verse, πῶς εἶπας; ἦ τέθνηκε πόλυβος; ²² γέρων ²³ γέρον ²⁴ ἦ τέθνηκεν Οἰδίπου πατήρ; ²⁵ Πόλυβος ²⁶

mvp-comment-586-1 ὦ θεῶν μαντεύματα ²⁷

mvp-comment-587-1 ἵν’ ἐστέ· ἵνα ²⁸

mvp-comment-587-2 τοῦτον τὸν ἄνδρα … τρέμων ἔφευγε ²⁹ μὴ κτάνοι ³⁰

mvp-comment-588-1 πρὸς τῆς τύχης ³¹

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

912. mvp-comment-535-1 ἱκέσθαι To approach as a suppliant. Infr. 920. Cp. the similar proceeding of Clytemnestra in El. 634, immediately after the announcement of Orestes' death.

914. mvp-comment-536-1 For Oedipus is over-excited and carried away by all sorts of anxieties.' For θυμός in the general sense of emotion, see Essay on Language p. 92, and for αἴρει meaning allows to rise, ibid. §. 30. d, P. 52.

916. mvp-comment-537-1 ἔννους In possession of reason.

916. mvp-comment-537-2 τὰ καινὰ τοῖς πάλαι i. e. He will not judge the oracle and the words of Teiresias by the failure of the former prophecy. Supr. 720 ff.

917. mvp-comment-538-1 εἰ φόβους λέγῃ The correction ἦν (see v. r.) has evidently been added to suit the subjunctive, which of the two alternatives given by the first hand has the advantage of being the harder reading. The subjunctive is also more in accordance with the present time, while ei may be sufficiently defended by the generality of the supposition, which is emphatic. If only he tell of fears.' See Essay on Language § 27. p. 44.

918. mvp-comment-539-1 ὅτ᾽ οὖν Cp. El. 1318-1319, ὅτ' οὖν τοιαύτην ἡμὶν ἐξήκεις ὁδόν, ἄρχ᾿ αὐτός, κ.τ.λ.

919. mvp-comment-540-1 Cp. El. 635 ff., esp. 1. 655, and note on supr. 16. πρὸ τῶν θυρῶν γὰρ ἵδρυτο, Schol.

919. mvp-comment-540-2 ἄγχιστος i. e. Not merely easiest of access, but having a prior claim, as next the hearth.

920. mvp-comment-541-1 κατεύγμασιν Emblems of supplication. The conjecture κατάργμασιν, though ingenious, is unnecessary. For an analogous abstract expression, cp. Αj. 1175, ἱκτήριον θησαυρόν.

921. mvp-comment-542-1 λύσιν τιν'.. εὐαγῆ Some pure release, i. e. Some end of our troubles which will leave us pure from crime. λύσιν εὐαγῆ = λύσιν εἰς εὐαγῆ βίον. For the meaning of λύσιν, cp. Tr. 1170-1171, μόχθων τῶν ἐφεστώτων ἐμοὶ | λύσιν τελεῖσθαι.

923. mvp-comment-543-1 ὡς κυβερνήτην νεώς Sc. έκπεπληγμένον βλέποντες ἂν ὀκνοῖεν. For this brief way of indicating a simile, see Essay on Language § 39. P. 73, § 43. p. 82, and cp. supr. 602 and note.

928. mvp-comment-544-1 γυνὴ δὲ μήτηρ ἥδε By choosing this honourable title the chorus unconsciously remind the spectators of the horror that is presently to be revealed.

929-930. mvp-comment-545-1 The courteous fulness of the expression (which Jocasta acknowledges in l. 932) again reminds the hearer of the contrast between the appearance and the fact.

930. mvp-comment-546-1 παντελής His honoured queen; i. e. Having all the honours of a wife: echoing 928.

936. mvp-comment-547-1 ἐκ τῆς Κορίνθου He cannot answer παρὰ τίνος directly, since there is now no King of Corinth. The accusative ἔπος may be taken as pendent, although there are other instances of ἥδομαι transitive, e. g. Phil. 1314, ἥσθην πατέρα τε τὸν ἐμὸν εὐλογοῦντά σε. There is no need of altering τάχα το τάχ᾿ ἄν. The rhythm is better if τάχα be retained and joined with ἐξερῶ. Ср. О. С. 980, οἷους ἐρῶ τάχ. ἄν may be supplied with ἥδοιο as well as with ἀσχάλλοις. Ε. on L. § 39. 6. p. 73. But for the word which I will tell you in a moment, you will be glad, how can you be otherwise than glad? and yet perhaps you will be grieved.

941. mvp-comment-548-1 ἐγκρατής i. e. ἐν κράτει ὤν.

943. mvp-comment-549-1 The reading is by no means certain, although several copies (including Ven. 617c) have γέρον. The reading of L. and most MSS. is certainly wrong, and appears to be a foolish attempt to supply the deficiency of the line.

945. mvp-comment-550-1 ὦ πρόσπολ Jocasta has one or more attendants to assist in making the offering. Cp. El. 634, ΚΛ. ἔπαιρε δὴ σὺ θύμαθ᾽ ἡ παροῦσά μοι, κ.τ.λ.

947. mvp-comment-551-1 τοῦτον Essay on Language § 22. p. 35. The accusative ἄνδρα is governed (1) by ἔφευγε, but is also in secondary constructions (2) with τρέμων, (3) with κτάνοι.

949. mvp-comment-552-1 τοῦδ See Essay on Language § 22. p. 34.

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Ἄγγελος ἆρʼ ἂν παρʼ ὑμῶν, ὦ ξένοι, μάθοιμʼ ὅπου τὰ τοῦ τυράννου δώματʼ ἐστὶν Οἰδίπου; 925 μάλιστα δʼ αὐτὸν εἴπατʼ, εἰ κάτισθʼ ὅπου.

Χορός στέγαι μὲν αἵδε, καὐτὸς ἔνδον, ὦ ξένε· γυνὴ δὲ μήτηρ ἥδε τῶν κείνου τέκνων.

Ἄγγελος ἀλλʼ ὀλβία τε καὶ ξὺν ὀλβίοις ἀεὶ γένοιτʼ, ἐκείνου γʼ οὖσα παντελὴς δάμαρ. 930

Ἰοκάστη αὔτως δὲ καὶ σύ γʼ, ὦ ξένʼ· ἄξιος γὰρ εἶ τῆς εὐεπείας εἵνεκʼ· ἀλλὰ φράζʼ ὅτου χρῄζων ἀφῖξαι χὤ τι σημῆναι θέλων.

Ἄγγελος ἀγαθὰ δόμοις τε καὶ πόσει τῷ σῷ, γύναι.

Ἰοκάστη τὰ ποῖα ταῦτα; παρὰ τίνος δʼ ἀφιγμένος; 935

Ἄγγελος ἐκ τῆς Κορίνθου· τὸ δʼ ἔπος οὑξερῶ τάχα, ἥδοιο μέν, πῶς δʼ οὐκ ἄν, ἀσχάλλοις δʼ ἴσως.

Ἰοκάστη τί δʼ ἔστι; ποίαν δύναμιν ὧδʼ ἔχει διπλῆν;

Ἄγγελος τύραννον αὐτὸν οὑπιχώριοι χθονὸς τῆς Ἰσθμίας στήσουσιν, ὡς ηὐδᾶτʼ ἐκεῖ. 940

Ἰοκάστη τί δʼ; οὐχ ὁ πρέσβυς Πόλυβος ἐγκρατὴς ἔτι;

Ἄγγελος οὐ δῆτʼ, ἐπεί νιν θάνατος ἐν τάφοις ἔχει.

Ἰοκάστη πῶς εἶπας; ἦ τέθνηκε Πόλυβος, ὦ γέρον;

Ἄγγελος εἰ μὴ λέγω τἀληθές, ἀξιῶ θανεῖν.

Current edition Experimental

Χορός στέγαι μὲν αἵδε, καὐτὸς ἔνδον, ὦ ξένε· γυνὴ δὲ μήτηρ ἥδε τῶν κείνου τέκνων.

Ἄγγελος ἀλλ᾽ ὀλβία τε καὶ ξὺν ὀλβίοις ἀεὶ γένοιτ', ἐκείνου γ' οὖσα παντελὴς δάμαρ. 930

Ἰοκάστη αὕτως δὲ καὶ σύ γ', ὦ ξένʼ· ἄξιος γὰρ εἶ τῆς εὐεπείας οὕνεκ'. ἀλλὰ φράζ᾽ ὅτου χρῄζων ἀφῖξαι χὤ τι σημῆναι θέλων.

Ἄγγελος ἀγαθὰ δόμοις τε καὶ πόσει τῷ σῷ, γύναι.

Ἰοκάστη τὰ ποῖα ταῦτα; παρὰ τίνος δ᾽ ἀφιγμένος; 935

Ἄγγελος ἐκ τῆς Κορίνθου. τὸ δ᾽ ἔπος οὑξερῶ τάχα, ἥδοιο μέν, πῶς δ᾽ οὐκ ἄν, ἀσχάλλοις δ᾽ ἴσως.

Ἰοκάστη τί δ᾽ ἔστι; ποίαν δύναμιν ὧδ᾽ ἔχει διπλῆν;

Ἄγγελος τύραννον αὐτὸν οὑπιχώριοι χθονὸς τῆς Ἰσθμίας στήσουσιν, ὡς ηὐδᾶτ᾽ ἐκεῖ. 940 τί δ᾽; οὐχ ὁ πρέσβυς Πόλυβος ἐγκρατὴς ἔτι;

Ἄγγελος οὐ δῆτ᾽, ἐπεί νιν θάνατος ἐν τάφοις ἔχει.

Ἰοκάστη πῶς εἶπας; ἦ τέθνηκε Πόλυβος, *ὦ γέρον;

Οἰδίπους

Are ye the men to tell me where to find The mansion of the sovereign Oedipus? Or better, where he may himself be found?

CH Here is the roof you seek, and he, our lord, Is there within: and, stranger, thou behold’st The queenly mother of his royal race.

COR. SH May she and hers be alway fortunate! Still may she crown him with the joys of home! 930

JO Be thou, too, blest, kind sir! Thy gracious tongue Deserves no less. But tell me what request Or what intelligence thou bring’st with thee?

COR. SH Good tidings for thy house and husband, queen.

JO What are they? Who hath sent thee to our hall? 935

COR. SH From Corinth come I, and will quickly tell What sure will please you; though perchance ’twill grieve.

JO What news can move us thus two ways at once?

COR. SH ’Twas rumoured that the people of the land Of Corinth would make Oedipus their king.

JO Is ancient Polybus not still in power?

COR. SH No. Death confines him in a kingly grave.

JO Hold there! How say you? Polybus in his grave?

COR. SH May I die for him if I speak not true!

JO (.) Run thou, and tell this quickly to my lord! 945 Voices of prophecy, where are ye now? Long time hath Oedipus, a homeless man, Trembled with fear of slaying Polybus. Who now lies slain by Fortune, not by him.

OED Enter OEDIPUS .

Der Chor. Hier seine Wohnung, und er selbst ist innen, Freund, 900 Und Mutter seiner Kinder ist hier diese Frau.

Der Bote. Sie lebe glücklich, sei gesellt den Glücklichen Für immer, sie, des Mannes reichgesegnet Weib!

Jokaste. Du selbst, o Freund, nicht minder; denn du bist es werth Des frommen Wunsches wegen. Doch erkläre, was 905 Ist dein Begehr, was anzukünden kamest du?

Der Bote. Glück deinem Haus und deinem Gatten, edle Frau.

Jokaste. Und welcher Art ist dieses? Und wer sendet dich?

Der Bote. Korinthos. Ueber meine Rede wirst du wohl Dich freu'n, (warum nicht?) und vielleicht betrüben auch. 910

Jokaste. Was ist es? Wie besizt sie solche Doppelkraft?

Der Bote. Zu seinem Herrscher will das Volk des isthmischen 3 Gebietes ihn erheben: also hieß es dort.

Jokaste. Wie? Hat der greise Polybos nicht mehr die Macht?

Der Bote. Nicht mehr, da Todesschlummer ihn im Grab umfängt. 915

Jokaste. Wie sagst du, Greis? Gestorben wäre Polybos?

Der Bote. Wofern ich unwahr rede, sei mein Loos der Tod! (zu einer ihrer Begleiterinnen)

Oedipus.

Chorus (For strange it was, though little meriting

Chorus.

Messenger

To bring this herdsman back; omit not that,

Jocasta

Whate'er to thee is pleasing I would do.

Chorus STRO. 1. ANTIS. 1.

No more to Phœbus honours pay; And things divine decay.

Chorus CORINTHIAN, JOCASTA, CHORUS. The regal mansion this; the king is there; The mother of his children here behold.

Oedipus CEDIPUS, JOCASTA, CORINTHIAN, CHORUS.

Messenger Can you tell me, strangers, where the house of King Oedipus is? Or better still, tell me where he himself is, if you know. 925

Chorus This is his dwelling, and he himself, stranger, is within. This lady here is the mother of his children.

Messenger Then may she be ever happy in a happy home, since she is his blessed queen. 930

Iocasta Happiness to you also, stranger! Your fair greeting deserves this. But say what you have come to seek or to tell.

Messenger Good tidings, lady, for your house and your husband.

Iocasta What are they? From whom have you come? 935

Messenger From Corinth , and at the message I will give now you will doubtless rejoice, though you may perhaps grieve too.

Iocasta What is it? Why has it this double potency?

Messenger The people will make him king of the Isthmian land, as it was said there. 940

Iocasta How then? Is the aged Polybus no longer in power?

Messenger No. For death holds him in the tomb.

Iocasta What do you mean? Is Polybus dead, old man?

Messenger If I do not speak the truth, I am content to die.

Iocasta Handmaid, away with all speed, and tell this to your master! Oracles of the gods, where do you stand now? It is this man that Oedipus long feared he would slay. And now this man has died in the course of destiny, not by his hand. 945

Commentary

Ἄγγελος

ἆρʼ ἂν παρʼ ὑμῶν, ὦ ξένοι, μάθοιμʼ ὅπου

τὰ τοῦ τυράννου δώματʼ ἐστὶν Οἰδίπου;
925

μάλιστα δʼ αὐτὸν εἴπατʼ, εἰ κάτισθʼ ὅπου.

Χορός

στέγαι μὲν αἵδε, καὐτὸς ἔνδον, ὦ ξένε·

γυνὴ δὲ μήτηρ ἥδε τῶν κείνου τέκνων.

Ἄγγελος

ἀλλʼ ὀλβία τε καὶ ξὺν ὀλβίοις ἀεὶ

γένοιτʼ, ἐκείνου γʼ οὖσα παντελὴς δάμαρ.
930

Ἰοκάστη

αὔτως δὲ καὶ σύ γʼ, ὦ ξένʼ· ἄξιος γὰρ εἶ

τῆς εὐεπείας εἵνεκʼ· ἀλλὰ φράζʼ ὅτου

χρῄζων ἀφῖξαι χὤ τι σημῆναι θέλων.

Ἄγγελος

ἀγαθὰ δόμοις τε καὶ πόσει τῷ σῷ, γύναι.

Ἰοκάστη

τὰ ποῖα ταῦτα; παρὰ τίνος δʼ ἀφιγμένος;
935

Ἄγγελος

ἐκ τῆς Κορίνθου· τὸ δʼ ἔπος οὑξερῶ τάχα,

ἥδοιο μέν, πῶς δʼ οὐκ ἄν, ἀσχάλλοις δʼ ἴσως.

Ἰοκάστη

τί δʼ ἔστι; ποίαν δύναμιν ὧδʼ ἔχει διπλῆν;

Ἄγγελος

τύραννον αὐτὸν οὑπιχώριοι χθονὸς

τῆς Ἰσθμίας στήσουσιν, ὡς ηὐδᾶτʼ ἐκεῖ.
940

Ἰοκάστη

τί δʼ; οὐχ ὁ πρέσβυς Πόλυβος ἐγκρατὴς ἔτι;

Ἄγγελος

οὐ δῆτʼ, ἐπεί νιν θάνατος ἐν τάφοις ἔχει.

Ἰοκάστη

πῶς εἶπας; ἦ τέθνηκε Πόλυβος, ὦ γέρον;

Ἄγγελος

εἰ μὴ λέγω τἀληθές, ἀξιῶ θανεῖν.

Χορός

στέγαι μὲν αἵδε, καὐτὸς ἔνδον, ὦ ξένε·

γυνὴ δὲ μήτηρ ἥδε τῶν κείνου τέκνων.

Ἄγγελος

ἀλλ᾽ ὀλβία τε καὶ ξὺν ὀλβίοις ἀεὶ

γένοιτ', ἐκείνου γ' οὖσα παντελὴς δάμαρ.
930

Ἰοκάστη

αὕτως δὲ καὶ σύ γ', ὦ ξένʼ· ἄξιος γὰρ εἶ

τῆς εὐεπείας οὕνεκ'. ἀλλὰ φράζ᾽ ὅτου

χρῄζων ἀφῖξαι χὤ τι σημῆναι θέλων.

Ἄγγελος

ἀγαθὰ δόμοις τε καὶ πόσει τῷ σῷ, γύναι.

Ἰοκάστη

τὰ ποῖα ταῦτα; παρὰ τίνος δ᾽ ἀφιγμένος;
935

Ἄγγελος

ἐκ τῆς Κορίνθου. τὸ δ᾽ ἔπος οὑξερῶ τάχα,

ἥδοιο μέν, πῶς δ᾽ οὐκ ἄν, ἀσχάλλοις δ᾽ ἴσως.

Ἰοκάστη

τί δ᾽ ἔστι; ποίαν δύναμιν ὧδ᾽ ἔχει διπλῆν;

Ἄγγελος

τύραννον αὐτὸν οὑπιχώριοι χθονὸς

τῆς Ἰσθμίας στήσουσιν, ὡς ηὐδᾶτ᾽ ἐκεῖ.
940

τί δ᾽; οὐχ ὁ πρέσβυς Πόλυβος ἐγκρατὴς ἔτι;

Ἄγγελος

οὐ δῆτ᾽, ἐπεί νιν θάνατος ἐν τάφοις ἔχει.

Ἰοκάστη

πῶς εἶπας; ἦ τέθνηκε Πόλυβος, *ὦ γέρον;

Are ye the men to tell me where to find

The mansion of the sovereign Oedipus?

Or better, where he may himself be found?

CH

Here is the roof you seek, and he, our lord,

Is there within: and, stranger, thou behold’st

The queenly mother of his royal race.

COR. SH

May she and hers be alway fortunate!

Still may she crown him with the joys of home!
930

JO

Be thou, too, blest, kind sir! Thy gracious tongue

Deserves no less. But tell me what request

Or what intelligence thou bring’st with thee?

COR. SH

Good tidings for thy house and husband, queen.

JO

What are they? Who hath sent thee to our hall?
935

COR. SH

From Corinth come I, and will quickly tell

What sure will please you; though perchance ’twill grieve.

JO

What news can move us thus two ways at once?

COR. SH

’Twas rumoured that the people of the land

Of Corinth would make Oedipus their king.

JO

Is ancient Polybus not still in power?

COR. SH

No. Death confines him in a kingly grave.

JO

Hold there! How say you? Polybus in his grave?

COR. SH

May I die for him if I speak not true!

JO

(.)

Run thou, and tell this quickly to my lord!
945

Voices of prophecy, where are ye now?

Long time hath Oedipus, a homeless man,

Trembled with fear of slaying Polybus.

Who now lies slain by Fortune, not by him.

OED
Enter OEDIPUS .

Der Chor.

Hier seine Wohnung, und er selbst ist innen, Freund,
900

Und Mutter seiner Kinder ist hier diese Frau.

Der Bote.

Sie lebe glücklich, sei gesellt den Glücklichen

Für immer, sie, des Mannes reichgesegnet Weib!

Jokaste.

Du selbst, o Freund, nicht minder; denn du bist es werth

Des frommen Wunsches wegen. Doch erkläre, was
905

Ist dein Begehr, was anzukünden kamest du?

Der Bote.

Glück deinem Haus und deinem Gatten, edle Frau.

Jokaste.

Und welcher Art ist dieses? Und wer sendet dich?

Der Bote.

Korinthos. Ueber meine Rede wirst du wohl

Dich freu'n, (warum nicht?) und vielleicht betrüben auch.
910

Jokaste.

Was ist es? Wie besizt sie solche Doppelkraft?

Der Bote.

Zu seinem Herrscher will das Volk des isthmischen³

Gebietes ihn erheben: also hieß es dort.

Jokaste.

Wie? Hat der greise Polybos nicht mehr die Macht?

Der Bote.

Nicht mehr, da Todesschlummer ihn im Grab umfängt.
915

Jokaste.

Wie sagst du, Greis? Gestorben wäre Polybos?

Der Bote.

Wofern ich unwahr rede, sei mein Loos der Tod!

(zu einer ihrer Begleiterinnen)

Chorus
(For strange it was, though little meriting

Chorus
STRO. 1. ANTIS. 1.

No more to Phœbus honours pay;

And things divine decay.

Chorus
CORINTHIAN, JOCASTA, CHORUS.

The regal mansion this; the king is there;

The mother of his children here behold.

Oedipus
CEDIPUS, JOCASTA, CORINTHIAN, CHORUS.

Messenger

Can you tell me, strangers, where

the house of King Oedipus is? Or better still, tell me where he himself is, if you know.
925

Chorus

This is his dwelling, and he himself, stranger, is within. This lady here is the mother of his children.

Messenger

Then may she be ever happy in a happy home,

since she is his blessed queen.
930

Iocasta

Happiness to you also, stranger! Your fair greeting deserves this. But say what you have come to seek or to tell.

Messenger

Good tidings, lady, for your house and your husband.

Iocasta

What are they? From whom have you come?
935

Messenger

From Corinth , and at the message I will give now you will doubtless rejoice, though you may perhaps grieve too.

Iocasta

What is it? Why has it this double potency?

Messenger

The people will make him king of the

Isthmian land, as it was said there.
940

Iocasta

How then? Is the aged Polybus no longer in power?

Messenger

No. For death holds him in the tomb.

Iocasta

What do you mean? Is Polybus dead, old man?

Messenger

If I do not speak the truth, I am content to die.

Iocasta

Handmaid, away with all speed, and tell this to your master! Oracles of the gods, where do you stand now? It is this man that Oedipus long feared he would slay. And now this man has died in the course of destiny, not by his hand.
945