ὁδοῦ κατάρχειν τῆς ἐκεῖ, πομπὸν δʼ *ἐμὲ
Oedipus at Colonus. Sophocles. ed. Lewis Campbell. Oxford. 1879.
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Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Greek) (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879))
Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.
Editions (1)
Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 1044-1097 focus
Χορός
εἴην ὅθι δαΐων
ἀνδρῶν τάχʼ ἐπιστροφαὶ
1045
τὸν χαλκοβόαν Ἄρη
μείξουσιν, ἢ πρὸς Πυθίαις
ἢ λαμπάσιν ἀκταῖς,
οὗ πότνιαι σεμνὰ τιθηνοῦνται τέλη
1050
θνατοῖσιν, ὧν καὶ χρυσέα
κλῂς ἐπὶ γλώσσᾳ βέβακε
προσπόλων Εὐμολπιδᾶν·
ἔνθʼ οἶμαι τὸν ἐγρεμάχαν
Θησέα καὶ τὰς διστόλους
1055
ἀδμῆτας ἀδελφὰς
αὐτάρκει τάχʼ ἐμμίξειν βοᾷ
τούσδʼ ἀνὰ χώρους·
εἴην ὅθι δαΐων
ἀνδρῶν τάχʼ ἐπιστροφαὶ
1045
τὸν χαλκοβόαν Ἄρη
μείξουσιν, ἢ πρὸς Πυθίαις
ἢ λαμπάσιν ἀκταῖς,
οὗ πότνιαι σεμνὰ τιθηνοῦνται τέλη
1050
θνατοῖσιν, ὧν καὶ χρυσέα
κλῂς ἐπὶ γλώσσᾳ βέβακε
προσπόλων Εὐμολπιδᾶν·
ἔνθʼ οἶμαι τὸν ἐγρεμάχαν
Θησέα καὶ τὰς διστόλους
1055
ἀδμῆτας ἀδελφὰς
αὐτάρκει τάχʼ ἐμμίξειν βοᾷ
τούσδʼ ἀνὰ χώρους·
Χορός
ἤ που τὸν ἐφεσπέρου
πέτρας νιφάδος πελῶσʼ
1060
Οἰάτιδος εἰς νόμον,
πώλοισιν ἢ ῥιμφαρμάτοις
φεύγοντες ἁμίλλαις.
ἁλώσεται· δεινὸς ὁ προσχώρων Ἄρης,
1065
δεινὰ δὲ Θησειδᾶν ἀκμά.
πᾶς γὰρ ἀστράπτει χαλινός,
πᾶσα δʼ ὁρμᾶται καθεῖσʼ
ἀμπυκτήρια στομίων
ἄμβασις, οἳ τὰν ἱππίαν
1070
τιμῶσιν Ἀθάναν
καὶ τὸν πόντιον γαιάοχον
Ῥέας φίλον υἱόν.
ἤ που τὸν ἐφεσπέρου
πέτρας νιφάδος πελῶσʼ
1060
Οἰάτιδος εἰς νόμον,
πώλοισιν ἢ ῥιμφαρμάτοις
φεύγοντες ἁμίλλαις.
ἁλώσεται· δεινὸς ὁ προσχώρων Ἄρης,
1065
δεινὰ δὲ Θησειδᾶν ἀκμά.
πᾶς γὰρ ἀστράπτει χαλινός,
πᾶσα δʼ ὁρμᾶται καθεῖσʼ
ἀμπυκτήρια στομίων
ἄμβασις, οἳ τὰν ἱππίαν
1070
τιμῶσιν Ἀθάναν
καὶ τὸν πόντιον γαιάοχον
Ῥέας φίλον υἱόν.
Χορός
ἔρδουσʼ ἢ μέλλουσιν; ὡς
προμνᾶταί τί μοι
1075
γνώμα τάχʼ ἀντάσειν
τᾶν δεινὰ τλασᾶν, δεινὰ δʼ εὑρουσᾶν πρὸς αὐθαίμων πάθη.
τελεῖ τελεῖ Ζεύς τι κατʼ ἆμαρ
μάντις εἴμʼ ἐσθλῶν ἀγώνων.
εἴθʼ ἀελλαία ταχύρρωστος πελειὰς
αἰθερίας νεφέλας κύρσαιμʼ ἄνωθʼ ἀγώνων
1080
αἰωρήσασα τοὐμὸν ὄμμα.
ἔρδουσʼ ἢ μέλλουσιν; ὡς
προμνᾶταί τί μοι
1075
γνώμα τάχʼ ἀντάσειν
τᾶν δεινὰ τλασᾶν, δεινὰ δʼ εὑρουσᾶν πρὸς αὐθαίμων πάθη.
τελεῖ τελεῖ Ζεύς τι κατʼ ἆμαρ
μάντις εἴμʼ ἐσθλῶν ἀγώνων.
εἴθʼ ἀελλαία ταχύρρωστος πελειὰς
αἰθερίας νεφέλας κύρσαιμʼ ἄνωθʼ ἀγώνων
1080
αἰωρήσασα τοὐμὸν ὄμμα.
Χορός
ἰὼ θεῶν πάνταρχε, παντ-
1085
όπτα Ζεῦ, πόροις
γᾶς τᾶσδε δαμούχοις
σθένει ʼπινικείῳ τὸν εὔαγρον τελειῶσαι λόχον,
σεμνά τε παῖς Παλλὰς Ἀθάνα.
1090
καὶ τὸν ἀγρευτὰν Ἀπόλλω
καὶ κασιγνήταν πυκνοστίκτων ὀπαδὸν
ὠκυπόδων ἐλάφων στέργω διπλᾶς ἀρωγὰς
μολεῖν γᾷ τᾷδε καὶ πολίταις.
ὦ ξεῖνʼ ἀλῆτα, τῷ σκοπῷ μὲν οὐκ ἐρεῖς
1095
ὡς ψευδόμαντις· τὰς κόρας γὰρ εἰσορῶ
τάσδʼ ἆσσον αὖθις ὧδε προσπολουμένας.
ἰὼ θεῶν πάνταρχε, παντ-
1085
όπτα Ζεῦ, πόροις
γᾶς τᾶσδε δαμούχοις
σθένει ʼπινικείῳ τὸν εὔαγρον τελειῶσαι λόχον,
σεμνά τε παῖς Παλλὰς Ἀθάνα.
1090
καὶ τὸν ἀγρευτὰν Ἀπόλλω
καὶ κασιγνήταν πυκνοστίκτων ὀπαδὸν
ὠκυπόδων ἐλάφων στέργω διπλᾶς ἀρωγὰς
μολεῖν γᾷ τᾷδε καὶ πολίταις.
ὦ ξεῖνʼ ἀλῆτα, τῷ σκοπῷ μὲν οὐκ ἐρεῖς
1095
ὡς ψευδόμαντις· τὰς κόρας γὰρ εἰσορῶ
τάσδʼ ἆσσον αὖθις ὧδε προσπολουμένας.
Translations (2)
German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 1014 focus
Der Greis, o Herr, denkt edel; doch sein Leben ist
Voll Ungemach und deiner Hülfe wahrlich werth.
Der Greis, o Herr, denkt edel; doch sein Leben ist
Voll Ungemach und deiner Hülfe wahrlich werth.
Theseus.
Genug der Worte! Jene flieh'n mit ihrem Raub
Davon, und wir Beraubten, wir steh'n ruhig hier!
Genug der Worte! Jene flieh'n mit ihrem Raub
Davon, und wir Beraubten, wir steh'n ruhig hier!
Kreon.
Und was gebeutst du mir zu thun, dem schwachen Mann?
1015
Und was gebeutst du mir zu thun, dem schwachen Mann?
1015
Theseus.
Dorthin vorangeh'n sollst du mir und meinen Schritt
Geleiten, um mir selbst es anzukündigen,
Wenn noch in diesen Näumen du die Töchter birgst;
Doch flieh'n die Räuber, dann bedarf's der Mühe nicht.
Denn ihnen eilen Andre nach; nie werden sie's
1020
Den Göttern danken, ihrem Arm entfloh'n zu sein.
Geh denn voran und merke: raubend wirst du Raub,
Und dich, den Jäger, fing das Glück; denn was der Trug
Gewann, der ungerechte, kann nicht dauernd sein.
Und helfen soll dir Keiner hier; ich weiß, allein
1025
Und ungerüstet übtest du nicht solchen Hohn
Des kecken Frevels, dessen du dich jezt erkühnt;
Auf andre Stüzen bautest du bei dieser That.
Deßwegen ziemt mir's, umzuschau'n, und diese Stadt
Soll nicht zu Schanden werden vor dem Einen Mann.
1030
Verstehst du dieses, oder dünkt mein Wort auch jezt
Dir leer, wie vorhin, als du deinen Plan entwarfst?
Dorthin vorangeh'n sollst du mir und meinen Schritt
Geleiten, um mir selbst es anzukündigen,
Wenn noch in diesen Näumen du die Töchter birgst;
Doch flieh'n die Räuber, dann bedarf's der Mühe nicht.
Denn ihnen eilen Andre nach; nie werden sie's
1020
Den Göttern danken, ihrem Arm entfloh'n zu sein.
Geh denn voran und merke: raubend wirst du Raub,
Und dich, den Jäger, fing das Glück; denn was der Trug
Gewann, der ungerechte, kann nicht dauernd sein.
Und helfen soll dir Keiner hier; ich weiß, allein
1025
Und ungerüstet übtest du nicht solchen Hohn
Des kecken Frevels, dessen du dich jezt erkühnt;
Auf andre Stüzen bautest du bei dieser That.
Deßwegen ziemt mir's, umzuschau'n, und diese Stadt
Soll nicht zu Schanden werden vor dem Einen Mann.
1030
Verstehst du dieses, oder dünkt mein Wort auch jezt
Dir leer, wie vorhin, als du deinen Plan entwarfst?
Kreon.
Nie werd' ich tadeln, was du sagst an diesem Ort;
Nach Hause kommend, weiß ich, was auch mir geziemt.
Nie werd' ich tadeln, was du sagst an diesem Ort;
Nach Hause kommend, weiß ich, was auch mir geziemt.
Theseus.
Droh' immer, aber gehe; du, mein Dedipus,
1035
Verweile hier in Frieden und vertraue mir:
Wenn ich zuvor nicht sterbe, werd' ich nimmer ruh'n,
Bevor ich deine Kinder dir zurückgebracht.
Droh' immer, aber gehe; du, mein Dedipus,
1035
Verweile hier in Frieden und vertraue mir:
Wenn ich zuvor nicht sterbe, werd' ich nimmer ruh'n,
Bevor ich deine Kinder dir zurückgebracht.
Oedipus.
Heil dir, o Theseus, daß du hegst solch edlen Sinn,
Und unser huldreich waltest, wie das Recht gebeut!
1040
(Theseus mit Kreon und Gefolge ab.)
Dedipus. Der Chor.
Erste Strophe.
Heil dir, o Theseus, daß du hegst solch edlen Sinn,
Und unser huldreich waltest, wie das Recht gebeut!
1040
Der Chor.
English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 1044-1095 focus
Chorus
Oh, to be where the enemy, turned to fight,
will soon join in Ares’ clash of bronze, by the shores of Apollo, perhaps, or by that torch-lit beach
1045
where the Great Goddesses maintain awful rites for mortals on whose lips the ministering Eumolpidae have laid the golden seal of silence. There, I think, the war-rousing
1050
Theseus and the two maiden sisters will soon meet within our borders, amid the war-cry of resisting men!
1055
Oh, to be where the enemy, turned to fight,
will soon join in Ares’ clash of bronze, by the shores of Apollo, perhaps, or by that torch-lit beach
1045
where the Great Goddesses maintain awful rites for mortals on whose lips the ministering Eumolpidae have laid the golden seal of silence. There, I think, the war-rousing
1050
Theseus and the two maiden sisters will soon meet within our borders, amid the war-cry of resisting men!
1055
Chorus
Or perhaps they will soon draw near to the pastures on the west of Oea’s snowy rock,
fleeing on young horses or in chariots racing full speed. He will be caught!
1060
Terrible is the neighboring Ares, terrible the might of the followers of Theseus. Yes, the steel of every bridle flashes,
1065
and against their opponents charges forward our whole cavalry, who honor horse-riding Athena, and the earth-girdling Sea-god, the dear son of Rhea.
1070
Or perhaps they will soon draw near to the pastures on the west of Oea’s snowy rock,
fleeing on young horses or in chariots racing full speed. He will be caught!
1060
Terrible is the neighboring Ares, terrible the might of the followers of Theseus. Yes, the steel of every bridle flashes,
1065
and against their opponents charges forward our whole cavalry, who honor horse-riding Athena, and the earth-girdling Sea-god, the dear son of Rhea.
1070
Chorus
Is the battle now or yet to be?
For somehow my mind presages to me that soon I will meet the maidens who have suffered fearfully, who have found fearful suffering at the hands of a kinsman.
Today Zeus will bring something to completion.
1075
I predict noble struggles. Oh, to be a dove with the strength and swiftness of a whirlwind, that I might reach an airy cloud, and hang my gaze above the fight!
1080
Is the battle now or yet to be?
For somehow my mind presages to me that soon I will meet the maidens who have suffered fearfully, who have found fearful suffering at the hands of a kinsman.
Today Zeus will bring something to completion.
1075
Today Zeus will bring something to completion.
I predict noble struggles. Oh, to be a dove with the strength and swiftness of a whirlwind, that I might reach an airy cloud, and hang my gaze above the fight!
1080
Chorus
Hear, all-ruling lord of the gods, all-seeing Zeus! Grant to the guardians of this land to achieve with triumphant might the capture that gives the prize into their hands! And may your daughter grant it too, dread Pallas Athena!
1085
And Apollo, the hunter, and his sister, who follows the spotted, swift-footed deer—I wish that they would come, a double help
1090
to this land and to its people.
1095
Hear, all-ruling lord of the gods, all-seeing Zeus! Grant to the guardians of this land to achieve with triumphant might the capture that gives the prize into their hands! And may your daughter grant it too, dread Pallas Athena!
1085
And Apollo, the hunter, and his sister, who follows the spotted, swift-footed deer—I wish that they would come, a double help
1090
to this land and to its people.
1095
Commentary
Commentary (R. C. Jebb) (OCR draft) (Commentary (R. C. Jebb))
mvp-comment-749-1 τῆς ἐκεῖ 1
mvp-comment-749-2
πομπὸν δ’κ.τ.λ.Three views of this clause require notice. I place first the view which seems to me right. 1. The construction is:—
( προστάσσω σὲ μὲν ) κατάρχειν ὁδοῦ τῆς ἐκεῖ, ἐμὲ δὲ πομπὸν χωρεῖν :
"my pleasure is,—that you should show the way thither (
i.e. , to where the maidens are), and that I should go as your escort."The governing verb which is supplied,
προστάσσω , contains the general notion
δοκεῖ μοι ,
"it seems good to me,"
"it is my pleasure." For
ἐμέ with inf. where
ἐγώ is subj., cp.
Od. 8.221
τῶν δ’ ἄλλων ἐμέ φημι πολὺ προφερέστερον εἶναι. Schaefer well cites
Il. 3.88
, where
ἄλλους μὲν κέλεται …
τεύχεα κάλ’ ἀποθέσθαι, …
αὐτὸν δ’ ἐν μέσσῳ καὶ ἀρηΐφιλον Μενέλαον
… μάχεσθαι
αὐτόν , referring to the subject of
κέλεται , is parallel with
ἐμέ here:
"Paris urges that
the others should lay their arms aside, but that
he and Menelaus should fight."The word
πομπόν (used in 723 of Creon's own followers) has here a touch of grim irony: cp.
Il. 13.416
ἐπεί ῥά οἱ ὤπασα πομπόν ,
"given him a companion," —
i.e. , sent his slayer to the shades along with him.
πομπόν could not well mean,
"as an escort for the maidens on their return." On this view
δ’ ἐμέ is better than
δέ με .
mvp-comment-749-3
2. Reading
μοι :—
"that you should go as my guide" : cp.
Od. 4.826
τοίη γάρ οἱ πομπὸς ἅμ’ ἔρχετα(Athena conducting Telemachus). The following clause
ἵν’...ἐκδείξῃς ἐμοί makes this somewhat weak.
mvp-comment-749-4
3. Governing
με by
πομπόν :
"that you should guide me on the way." Cp.
Ant. 786
καί σ’ οὔτ’ ἀθανάτων φύξιμος οὐδείς, where
σε is governed by the adj. This was the view of Erfurdt and Reisig: it was also held by Shilleto. But the supposed construction, always rare, is extremely harsh here, where
πομπόν would naturally be taken as agreeing with
με .
Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) focus
1019. mvp-comment-547-1 τῆς ἐκεῖ i. e. ἐκεῖσε. “To lead the way yonder.' Hdt. 7. 147, καὶ ἡμεῖς ἐκεῖ πλέομεν ἔνθαπερ καὶ οὗτοι.
1019. mvp-comment-547-2 πομπὸν δ᾽ * ἐμὲ | χωρεῖν That I, however, accompany you. The infinitive depends on the notion My will is, implied in the preceding words. ἐμέ in this connection is more expressive than με, and the authority of the MSS. respecting such a difference is slight.