Sophocles, Oedipus Tyrannus, Robert Potter (Translator), 78

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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

Oedipus Tyrannus. Sophocles. Robert Potter (Translator). London. 1820.

Current edition Experimental

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) (English) (English (Robert Potter, 1788))

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (2)

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

Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 151-215 focus

Χορός

ὦ Διὸς ἁδυεπὲς φάτι, τίς ποτε τᾶς πολυχρύσου

Πυθῶνος ἀγλαὰς ἔβας

Θήβας; ἐκτέταμαι φοβερὰν φρένα, δείματι πάλλων,

ἰήιε Δάλιε Παιάν,

ἀμφὶ σοὶ ἁζόμενος τί μοι ἢ νέον
155

ἢ περιτελλομέναις ὥραις πάλιν ἐξανύσεις χρέος.

εἰπέ μοι, ὦ χρυσέας τέκνον Ἐλπίδος, ἄμβροτε Φάμα.

159

Χορός

πρῶτα σὲ κεκλόμενος, θύγατερ Διός, ἄμβροτʼ Ἀθάνα
160

γαιάοχόν τʼ ἀδελφεὰν

Ἄρτεμιν, ἃ κυκλόεντʼ ἀγορᾶς θρόνον εὐκλέα θάσσει,

καὶ Φοῖβον ἑκαβόλον, ἰὼ

τρισσοὶ ἀλεξίμοροι προφάνητέ μοι,

εἴ ποτε καὶ προτέρας ἄτας ὕπερ ὀρνυμένας πόλει
165

ἠνύσατʼ ἐκτοπίαν φλόγα πήματος, ἔλθετε καὶ νῦν.

169

Χορός

ὦ πόποι, ἀνάριθμα γὰρ φέρω

πήματα· νοσεῖ δέ μοι πρόπας στόλος, οὐδʼ ἔνι φροντίδος ἔγχος
170

ᾧ τις ἀλέξεται. οὔτε γὰρ ἔκγονα

κλυτᾶς χθονὸς αὔξεται οὔτε τόκοισιν

ἰηίων καμάτων ἀνέχουσι γυναῖκες·

ἄλλον δʼ ἂν ἄλλῳ προσίδοις ἅπερ εὔπτερον ὄρνιν
175

κρεῖσσον ἀμαιμακέτου πυρὸς ὄρμενον

ἀκτὰν πρὸς ἑσπέρου θεοῦ.

179

Χορός

ὧν πόλις ἀνάριθμος ὄλλυται·

νηλέα δὲ γένεθλα πρὸς πέδῳ θαναταφόρα κεῖται ἀνοίκτως·
180

ἐν δʼ ἄλοχοι πολιαί τʼ ἔπι ματέρες

ἀχὰν παραβώμιον ἄλλοθεν ἄλλαν

λυγρῶν πόνων ἱκετῆρες ἐπιστενάχουσιν.

παιὰν δὲ λάμπει στονόεσσά τε γῆρυς ὅμαυλος
185

ὧν ὕπερ, ὦ χρυσέα θύγατερ Διός,

εὐῶπα πέμψον ἀλκάν.

190

Χορός

Ἄρεά τε τὸν μαλερόν, ὃς νῦν ἄχαλκος ἀσπίδων
190

φλέγει με περιβόατον, ἀντιάζω

παλίσσυτον δράμημα νωτίσαι πάτρας

ἔπουρον, εἴτʼ ἐς μέγαν θάλαμον Ἀμφιτρίτας

εἴτʼ ἐς τὸν ἀπόξενον ὅρμων
195

Θρῄκιον κλύδωνα·

τελεῖν γὰρ εἴ τι νὺξ ἀφῇ,

τοῦτʼ ἐπʼ ἦμαρ ἔρχεται·

τόν, ὦ τᾶν πυρφόρων

ἀστραπᾶν κράτη νέμων,
200

ὦ Ζεῦ πάτερ, ὑπὸ σῷ φθίσον κεραυνῷ,

203

Χορός

Λύκειʼ ἄναξ, τά τε σὰ χρυσοστρόφων ἀπʼ ἀγκυλᾶν

βέλεα θέλοιμʼ ἂν ἀδάματʼ ἐνδατεῖσθαι

ἀρωγὰ προσταχθέντα τάς τε πυρφόρους
205

Ἀρτέμιδος αἴγλας, ξὺν αἷς Λύκιʼ ὄρεα διᾴσσει·

τὸν χρυσομίτραν τε κικλήσκω,

τᾶσδʼ ἐπώνυμον γᾶς,
210

οἰνῶπα Βάκχον εὔιον,

Μαινάδων ὁμόστολον,

πελασθῆναι φλέγοντʼ

ἀγλαῶπι ¯ ˘ ¯

πεύκᾳ ʼπὶ τὸν ἀπότιμον ἐν θεοῖς θεόν.
215

Translations (4)

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 (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 151-215 focus

The chorus of Theban elders enters.

Chorus

O sweetly-speaking message of Zeus, in what spirit have you come to glorious Thebes from golden Pytho ? I am on the rack, terror shakes my soul, O Delian healer to whom wild cries rise,

in holy fear of you, wondering what debt you will extract from me, perhaps unknown before, perhaps renewed with the revolving years. Tell me, immortal Voice, child of golden Hope.
155

159

Chorus

First I call on you, daughter of Zeus, immortal Athena,

and on your sister, Artemis, guardian of our earth, who sits on her glorious throne above the circle of our market-place, and on far-shooting Apollo: oh shine forth for me, my three-fold help against death!
160

If ever before you drove a fiery pest from our borders to stop ruin rushing upon our city, come now also!
165

169

Chorus

Alas, countless are the sorrows I bear.

A plague is on all our people, and thought can find no weapon for defense. The fruits of the glorious earth do not grow; by no birth of offspring do women surmount the pangs in which they shriek.
170

You can see life after life speed away, like a bird on the wing, swifter than irresistible fire, to the shore of the western god.
175

179

Chorus

With such deaths, past numbering, the city perishes.

Unpitied, her children lie on the ground, spreading pestilence, with no one to mourn them. Meanwhile young wives and grey-haired mothers raise a wail at the steps of the altars, some here, some there,
180

and groan in supplication for their terrible woes. The prayers to the Healer ring clear, and with them the voice of lamentation. For which things, golden daughter of Zeus, send us the bright face of comfort.
185

190

Chorus

Grant that the fierce god of death, who now without the bronze of shields, though among cries like those of battle, wraps me in the flames of his onset, may turn his back in speedy flight from our land, borne by a favorable wind to the great chamber of Amphitrite,
190

or to the Thracian waves, those waters where none find haven. For if night leaves anything undone in the working of destruction, day follows to accomplish it. You who wield the
195

powers of fiery lightning, Zeus our father, slay him beneath your thunder-bolt.
200

203

Chorus

Lycean Lord, would that the shafts from your bent bow’s string of woven gold might

go forth in their might, our champions in the face of the foe, and the flashing fires of Artemis too, with which she darts through the Lycian hills. I call him whose locks are bound with gold,
205

who is named with the name of this land, ruddy Bacchus to whom Bacchants cry, to draw near with the blaze of his shining torch,
210

our ally against the god unhonored among the gods.
215

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

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.

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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

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

Commentary

Stable identifiers

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

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