Sophocles Oedipus at Colonus 1073

Chorus

Wandering stranger, you will not say your watcher was a false prophet, for I see your daughters once again drawing near.

Oedipus

Where? Where? What is that? What do you mean?

Antigone

Father, father,

I wish some god would grant that your eyes might see this excellent man, who has brought us here to you!

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Oedipus

My child, are you really here?

Antigone

Yes, for these strong arms have saved us—Theseus and his dearest followers.

Oedipus

Come here, my children, to your father!

Grant me your embrace—restored beyond all hope!

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Antigone

We shall grant your wish, for we crave the favor we bestow.

Oedipus

Where, then, where are you?

Antigone

Here we are, approaching you together.

Oedipus

Dearest offspring!

Antigone

Everything is dear to its parent.

Oedipus

Supports of a man—

Antigone

Ill-fated as he is ill-fated.

Oedipus

I hold my dearest. Now, if I should die, I would not be wholly wretched, since you have come to me. Press close to me on either side, children, cling to your father, and rest from your wandering, so desolate, so grievous!

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And tell me what has happened as briefly as you can, since brief speech suffices for young maidens.

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Antigone

Here is our savior: you should hear the story from him, father, since the deed was his. So short will by part be.

Oedipus

Stranger, do not be amazed at my persistence, if I prolong my words to my children,

found again beyond my hope. I well know that my present joy in them has come to me from you, and you alone, for you—and not any other mortal—have rescued them. May the gods grant to you my wish,

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both to you yourself and to this land; for among you, above all mankind, I have found piety, the spirit of decency, and lips that tell no lie. I know these things, and I repay them with these words; for what I have, I have through you, and no one else.

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Stretch out to me your right hand, lord, that I may touch it; and if it is right, let me kiss your cheek. But what am I saying? Wretched as I have become, how could I wish you to touch a man in whom every stain of evils has made its dwelling?

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I will not touch you—nor will I allow it, if you do consent. They alone, who know them, can share these burdens. Receive my greeting where you stand, and in the future too give me your righteous care, as you have given it up to this hour.

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Theseus

I feel no amazement, if you have had a lengthy conversation

from joy in these children, or if your first concern has been for their words rather than for me. Indeed, there is nothing to vex me in that. Not with words so much as with deeds would I add luster to my life. You have this proof:

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I have cheated you in none of my sworn promises, old man. Here am I, with the maidens living, uninjured by those threats. As to how the struggle was won, what need have I vainly to boast of what you will learn from these two when you are together?

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But there is a matter that has just presented itself to me, as I came here. Give me your counsel regarding it; for, though it is small, it is food for wonder. And mortal man must consider nothing beneath his concern.

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Oedipus

What is it, son of Aegeus? Tell me; I myself know nothing of what you inquire.

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Theseus

They say a man—not from your city, yet of your race—has somehow thrown himself down, as a suppliant, at our altar of Poseidon, where I was sacrificing when I first set out here.

Oedipus

What land does he come form? What does he desire by his supplication?

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Theseus

I know one thing only: they tell me he asks to speak briefly with you, a thing of no great burden.

Oedipus

On what topic? That suppliant state is of no small account.

Theseus

He asks, they say, no more than that he may confer with you,

and return unharmed from his journey here.

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Oedipus

Who can he be that implores the god in this way?

Theseus

Consider whether there is anyone in your race at Argos , who might desire this favor from you.

Oedipus

Dearest friend, say no more!

Theseus

What is wrong?

Oedipus

Do not ask me for—

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Theseus

For what? Speak!

Oedipus

From hearing these things I know who the suppliant is.

Theseus

And who can he be, that I should have an objection to him?

Oedipus

My son, lord, a hated son whose words would vex my ear like the words of no man besides.

Theseus

What? Can you not listen, without doing what you do not wish to do? Why does it pain you to hear him?

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Oedipus

Lord, that voice has become most hateful to his father. Do not constrain me to yield in this.

Theseus

But consider whether his suppliant state constrains you;

what if you have a duty of respect for the god?

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Antigone

Father, listen to me; I will offer counsel though I am young. Allow this man here to gratify his own feelings and the god as he wishes, and for your daughters’ sake allow our brother to come.

He will not tear you by force from your resolve—never fear—with such words as will not be for your good. What harm can there be in listening to words? Deeds wickedly devised, as you know, are betrayed by speech. You sired him,

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so, even if he wrongs you with the most impious of wrongs, father, it is not right for you to wrong him in return.
  Let him come! Other men too have evil offspring and a sharp anger, but they hear advice and are charmed from their mood by the gentle spells of friends.

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Look to the past, away from the present; consider all the pains that you have suffered through your father and mother. If you consider those things, I know well that you will perceive that what results from an evil anger is evil. Your reasons to reflect on this are not trivial,

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bereft of your unseeing eyes.
  Yield to us! It is not a fine thing for those seeking justice to keep asking; nor is it good that a man should be treated well, and thereafter not know how to requite it.

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Oedipus

My child, by your pleading you overcome me; but your pleasure here is my grief.

Still, let it be as is dear to you. Only, if that man is to come here, stranger, let no one ever become master over my soul.

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Theseus

Once only do I need hear such words, and no more, old man. I do not want to boast,

but you may feel sure that your life is safe, while any of the gods preserves mine. Theseus exits.

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