μάτην γὰρ οὐδὲν ἀξίωμα δαιμόνων ἔχω φράσαι.
Oedipus at Colonus. Sophocles. ed. Lewis Campbell. Oxford. 1879.
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Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Greek) (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879))
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Editions (1)
Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 1447-1496 focus
Χορός
νέα τάδε νεόθεν ἦλθέ μοι
κακὰ βαρύποτμὰ παρʼ ἀλαοῦ ξένου,
εἴ τι μοῖρα μὴ κιγχάνει.
1450
μάταν γὰρ οὐδὲν ἀξίωμα δαιμόνων ἔχω φράσαι.
ὁρᾷ ὁρᾷ ταῦτʼ ἀεὶ χρόνος, τρέχων μὲν ἕτερα,
τὰ δὲ παρʼ ἦμαρ αὖθις αὔξων ἄνω.
1455
ἔκτυπεν αἰθήρ, ὦ Ζεῦ.
νέα τάδε νεόθεν ἦλθέ μοι
κακὰ βαρύποτμὰ παρʼ ἀλαοῦ ξένου,
εἴ τι μοῖρα μὴ κιγχάνει.
1450
μάταν γὰρ οὐδὲν ἀξίωμα δαιμόνων ἔχω φράσαι.
ὁρᾷ ὁρᾷ ταῦτʼ ἀεὶ χρόνος, τρέχων μὲν ἕτερα,
τὰ δὲ παρʼ ἦμαρ αὖθις αὔξων ἄνω.
1455
ἔκτυπεν αἰθήρ, ὦ Ζεῦ.
Οἰδίπους
ὦ τέκνα τέκνα, πῶς ἄν, εἴ τις ἔντοπος,
τὸν πάντʼ ἄριστον δεῦρο Θησέα πόροι;
ὦ τέκνα τέκνα, πῶς ἄν, εἴ τις ἔντοπος,
τὸν πάντʼ ἄριστον δεῦρο Θησέα πόροι;
Ἀντιγόνη
πάτερ, τί δʼ ἐστὶ τἀξίωμʼ ἐφʼ ᾧ καλεῖς;
πάτερ, τί δʼ ἐστὶ τἀξίωμʼ ἐφʼ ᾧ καλεῖς;
Οἰδίπους
Διὸς πτερωτὸς ἥδε μʼ αὐτίκʼ ἄξεται
1460
βροντὴ πρὸς Ἅιδην· ἀλλὰ πέμψαθʼ ὡς τάχος.
Διὸς πτερωτὸς ἥδε μʼ αὐτίκʼ ἄξεται
1460
βροντὴ πρὸς Ἅιδην· ἀλλὰ πέμψαθʼ ὡς τάχος.
Χορός
μέγας, ἴδε, μάλʼ ὅδʼ ἐρείπεται
κτύπος ἄφατος διόβολος· ἐς δʼ ἄκραν
δεῖμʼ ὑπῆλθε κρατὸς φόβαν.
1465
ἔπτηξα θυμόν· οὐρανία γὰρ ἀστραπὴ φλέγει πάλιν.
τί μὰν ἀφήσει τέλος; δέδοικα δʼ· οὐ γὰρ ἅλιον
ἀφορμᾷ ποτʼ, οὐκ ἄνευ ξυμφορᾶς.
1470
ὦ μέγας αἰθήρ, ὦ Ζεῦ.
μέγας, ἴδε, μάλʼ ὅδʼ ἐρείπεται
κτύπος ἄφατος διόβολος· ἐς δʼ ἄκραν
δεῖμʼ ὑπῆλθε κρατὸς φόβαν.
1465
ἔπτηξα θυμόν· οὐρανία γὰρ ἀστραπὴ φλέγει πάλιν.
τί μὰν ἀφήσει τέλος; δέδοικα δʼ· οὐ γὰρ ἅλιον
ἀφορμᾷ ποτʼ, οὐκ ἄνευ ξυμφορᾶς.
1470
ὦ μέγας αἰθήρ, ὦ Ζεῦ.
Οἰδίπους
ὦ παῖδες, ἥκει τῷδʼ ἐπʼ ἀνδρὶ θέσφατος
βίου τελευτὴ κοὐκέτʼ ἔστʼ ἀποστροφή.
ὦ παῖδες, ἥκει τῷδʼ ἐπʼ ἀνδρὶ θέσφατος
βίου τελευτὴ κοὐκέτʼ ἔστʼ ἀποστροφή.
Ἀντιγόνη
πῶς οἶσθα; τῷ δὲ τοῦτο συμβαλὼν ἔχεις;
πῶς οἶσθα; τῷ δὲ τοῦτο συμβαλὼν ἔχεις;
Οἰδίπους
καλῶς κάτοιδʼ· ἀλλʼ ὡς τάχιστά μοι μολὼν
1475
ἄνακτα χώρας τῆσδέ τις πορευσάτω.
καλῶς κάτοιδʼ· ἀλλʼ ὡς τάχιστά μοι μολὼν
1475
ἄνακτα χώρας τῆσδέ τις πορευσάτω.
Χορός
ἔα ἔα, ἰδοὺ μάλʼ αὖθις ἀμφίσταται διαπρύσιος ὄτοβος.
ἵλαος, ὦ δαίμων, ἵλαος εἴ τι γᾷ
1480
ματέρι τυγχάνεις ἀφεγγὲς φέρων.
ἐναισίου δὲ σοῦ τύχοιμι, μηδʼ ἄλαστον ἄνδρʼ ἰδὼν
ἀκερδῆ χάριν μετάσχοιμί πως. Ζεῦ ἄνα σοὶ φωνῶ.
ἔα ἔα, ἰδοὺ μάλʼ αὖθις ἀμφίσταται διαπρύσιος ὄτοβος.
ἵλαος, ὦ δαίμων, ἵλαος εἴ τι γᾷ
1480
ματέρι τυγχάνεις ἀφεγγὲς φέρων.
ἐναισίου δὲ σοῦ τύχοιμι, μηδʼ ἄλαστον ἄνδρʼ ἰδὼν
ἀκερδῆ χάριν μετάσχοιμί πως. Ζεῦ ἄνα σοὶ φωνῶ.
Οἰδίπους
ἆρʼ ἐγγὺς ἁνήρ; ἆρʼ ἔτʼ ἐμψύχου, τέκνα,
κιχήσεταί μου καὶ κατορθοῦντος φρένα;
ἆρʼ ἐγγὺς ἁνήρ; ἆρʼ ἔτʼ ἐμψύχου, τέκνα,
κιχήσεταί μου καὶ κατορθοῦντος φρένα;
Ἀντιγόνη
τί δʼ ἂν θέλοις τὸ πιστὸν ἐμφῦναι φρενί;
τί δʼ ἂν θέλοις τὸ πιστὸν ἐμφῦναι φρενί;
Οἰδίπους
ἀνθʼ ὧν ἔπασχον εὖ, τελεσφόρον χάριν
δοῦναί σφιν, ἥνπερ τυγχάνων ὑπεσχόμην.
1490
ἀνθʼ ὧν ἔπασχον εὖ, τελεσφόρον χάριν
δοῦναί σφιν, ἥνπερ τυγχάνων ὑπεσχόμην.
1490
Χορός
ἰὼ ἰὼ παῖ, βᾶθι βᾶθʼ, εἴτʼ ἄκρα,
περὶ γύαλʼ ἐναλίῳ Ποσειδωνίῳ θεῷ, τυγχάνεις
βούθυτον ἑστίαν ἁγίζων, ἱκοῦ.
ὁ γὰρ ξένος σε καὶ πόλισμα καὶ φίλους ἐπαξιοῖ
δικαίαν χάριν παρασχεῖν παθών.
1495
σπεῦσον ἄϊσσʼ, ὦναξ.
ἰὼ ἰὼ παῖ, βᾶθι βᾶθʼ, εἴτʼ ἄκρα,
περὶ γύαλʼ ἐναλίῳ Ποσειδωνίῳ θεῷ, τυγχάνεις
βούθυτον ἑστίαν ἁγίζων, ἱκοῦ.
ὁ γὰρ ξένος σε καὶ πόλισμα καὶ φίλους ἐπαξιοῖ
δικαίαν χάριν παρασχεῖν παθών.
1495
σπεῦσον ἄϊσσʼ, ὦναξ.
Translations (2)
German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 1447 focus
Auf uns bricht von dem blinden Greis
Ein Unglück, ein neues, graunvoll herein,
Wenn sein Loos ihn jezt nicht ereilt.
1440
(ab.)
Denn was der Götter Schluß verhängt, erfolglos enden sah ich's nie.
Die Zeit, die Zeit führt es aus, welche für den einen Tag
Das Leid, morgen wieder Glück heißt erblüh'n.
(Laute Donnerschläge.)
Hoch in der Luft scholl's! Hilf, Zeus!
Auf uns bricht von dem blinden Greis
Ein Unglück, ein neues, graunvoll herein,
Wenn sein Loos ihn jezt nicht ereilt.
1440
Denn was der Götter Schluß verhängt, erfolglos enden sah ich's nie.
Die Zeit, die Zeit führt es aus, welche für den einen Tag
Das Leid, morgen wieder Glück heißt erblüh'n.
Hoch in der Luft scholl's! Hilf, Zeus!
Oedipus.
Kinder, Kinder, brächte doch ein Bürger hier
1445
Theseus, der Männer besten, mir zur Stelle her!
Kinder, Kinder, brächte doch ein Bürger hier
1445
Theseus, der Männer besten, mir zur Stelle her!
Antigone.
Wonach verlangt dich, Vater, daß du diesen rufst?
Wonach verlangt dich, Vater, daß du diesen rufst?
Oedipus.
Des Zeus beschwingter Donner wird mich bald hinab
Zum Hades führen: zögert nicht und sendet hin!
(Wiederholte Donnerschläge.)
Erste Gegenstrophe.
Des Zeus beschwingter Donner wird mich bald hinab
Zum Hades führen: zögert nicht und sendet hin!
Der Chor.
English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 1448-1495 focus
Chorus
Behold, new ills of heavy fate have newly come from the blind stranger,
unless, perhaps, fate is finding its goal. I cannot say that a purpose of the divinities is ever vain. Time sees all things forever, and raises up some things,
1450
then on the next day raises others back up again. The sky resounds! Zeus!
1455
Thunder.
Behold, new ills of heavy fate have newly come from the blind stranger,
unless, perhaps, fate is finding its goal. I cannot say that a purpose of the divinities is ever vain. Time sees all things forever, and raises up some things,
1450
then on the next day raises others back up again. The sky resounds! Zeus!
1455
Oedipus
Children, children! If there is any man still here, send him forth to bring back Theseus, excellent in all respects.
Children, children! If there is any man still here, send him forth to bring back Theseus, excellent in all respects.
Antigone
And what, father, is the purpose of your summons?
And what, father, is the purpose of your summons?
Oedipus
This winged thunder of Zeus will soon lead me to Hades. So send someone with speed.
1460
This winged thunder of Zeus will soon lead me to Hades. So send someone with speed.
1460
Thunder.
1477
Chorus
Listen! With a louder noise this one crashes down unspeakably,
hurled by Zeus! The hair of my head stands up for fear, my soul is dismayed; for again the lightning flashes in the sky. What end will it release?
1465
I fear it, for never does it fly forth in vain, or without serious results. O great Sky! O Zeus!
1470
Listen! With a louder noise this one crashes down unspeakably,
hurled by Zeus! The hair of my head stands up for fear, my soul is dismayed; for again the lightning flashes in the sky. What end will it release?
1465
I fear it, for never does it fly forth in vain, or without serious results. O great Sky! O Zeus!
1470
Oedipus
Children, the appointed end of life has reached this man; he can turn from it no more.
Children, the appointed end of life has reached this man; he can turn from it no more.
Antigone
How do you know? By what means do you understand this?
How do you know? By what means do you understand this?
Oedipus
I know it well. But let some one go, I pray you, as quickly as he can, and bring back the lord of this land.
1475
I know it well. But let some one go, I pray you, as quickly as he can, and bring back the lord of this land.
1475
Thunder.
1491
Chorus
Look! Look! Once again the piercing din is around us!
Be merciful, divinity, be merciful, if you are bringing anything of gloom for the land which is our mother! May I find you well disposed, and may I not, because I have cared for a man accursed, somehow obtain a favor without profit!
1480
Lord Zeus, to you I cry!
1485
Look! Look! Once again the piercing din is around us!
Be merciful, divinity, be merciful, if you are bringing anything of gloom for the land which is our mother! May I find you well disposed, and may I not, because I have cared for a man accursed, somehow obtain a favor without profit!
1480
Lord Zeus, to you I cry!
1485
Oedipus
Is the man near? Will he find me still alive, children, and master of my senses?
Is the man near? Will he find me still alive, children, and master of my senses?
Antigone
And what is the pledge that you would like to have firm in your mind?
And what is the pledge that you would like to have firm in your mind?
Oedipus
In return for his benefits,
I would grant him the fulfillment of the favor that I promised.
1490
In return for his benefits,
I would grant him the fulfillment of the favor that I promised.
1490
Chorus
Hurry, my son, come to us! If you chance to be in the glade sacrificing an ox to the sea-god Poseidon,
then come! For the stranger thinks you worthy, you and your city and your friends, to receive just return for benefits. Hasten quickly, lord!
1495
Hurry, my son, come to us! If you chance to be in the glade sacrificing an ox to the sea-god Poseidon,
then come! For the stranger thinks you worthy, you and your city and your friends, to receive just return for benefits. Hasten quickly, lord!
1495
Commentary
Commentary (R. C. Jebb) (OCR draft) (Commentary (R. C. Jebb))
Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) focus
1451. mvp-comment-773-1 For I cannot tell of any decree of Gods that hath been in vain.' For ἔχω φράσαι, cp. Aesch. Ag. 367, Διὸς πλαγὰν ἔχουσιν εἰπεῖν. And for the adverbas predicate, see Essay on Language p. 40. 1454-1455. Either (1) 'Time ever keeps (the execution of the Divine Will) in view, one day making some things rise and grow, and other things again on the day following. For this interpretation, cp. Aj. 646, ἅπανθ᾽ ὁ.. χρόνος φύει τ᾿ ἄδηλα καὶ φανέντα κρύπτεται: Ib. 131-132, ὡς ἡμέρα κλίνει τε κἀνάγει πάλιν | ἅπαντα τἀνθρώπεια: Τr. 132 ff.: Hdt. 1. 5, τὰ γὰρ τὸ πάλαι μεγάλα ἦν, τὰ πολλὰ αὐτῶν σμικρὰ γέγονε· τὰ δὲ ἐπ᾿ ἐμεῦ ἦν μεγάλα, πρότερον ἦν σμικρά. τὴν ἀνθρωπηΐην ὧν ἐπιστάμενος εὐδαιμονίαν οὐδαμὰ ἐν τωὐτῷ μένουσαν, ἐπιμνήσομαι ἀμφοτέρων ὁμοίως. And for αὔξων ἄνω, infr. 1567, πάλιν σε δαίμων δίκαιος αὔξοι. In this interpretation ἐπεὶ μέν is supposed to be used after the analogy of ὅτε μέν. And this is hardly admissible, if the usage, ὅτε μὲν ὅτε δὲ.. is to be explained, as seems most probable, by the original identity of the relative with the demonstrative. Cp. ὃς μὲν .. ὃς δὲ .. (2) To meet the difficulty Canter conjectured ἐκεῖ, i. e. In yonder case. Others have supposed that ἐπεί is the corruption of a verb or participle. The words τρέπων τὰ ἤδη αὐξηθέντα, in the confused note of the Scholiast, have suggested στρέφων (Schndw., who reads δέδοικα δ' in the antistrophe), i.e. turning backward: (τρέπει is nearer to the MSS, but the indicative could not be followed by a participle with dé coming between). But although Eur. fr. 540 says φεῦ τὰ τῶν εὐδαιμονούντων ὡς τάχα στρέφει θεός, the word is less natural here. Another conj., which gives the same general meaning without altering the rhythm, is áveis, 'letting go'-the opposite of ἀνέχων οἱ ἐπέχων :-'dropping some things, and lifting others on high.' Cp. Aj. 1214, νῦν δ᾽ οὗτος ἀνεῖται : Pind. Pyth. 2. 89, (χρὴ δὲ πρὸς θεὸν οὐκ ἐρίζειν) ὃς ἀνέχει ποτὲ μὲν τὰ κείνων, τότ᾽ αὖθ᾽ ἑτέροις ἔδωκεν μέγα κύδος. 1455- έτερα CA.
1451. mvp-comment-773-2 (τάδ᾽ ἐπ᾽ ἤματ᾿ B Vat.) (3) The above conjectures suppose an alteration of the antistrophe. The conj. ἐριπὼν μὲν ἕτερα, suggested in our former edition, requires no further change, and, in common with that of Schndw., gives the rhythm (ト(レト υιυΐυιτών. Dind. conj.
1451. mvp-comment-773-3 ἄγων. Qy. ἀπάγων ? (4) It has been suggested to give ἕτερα the meaning of bad, ' sinister,' as in Pind. Pyth. 3. 34, 5, δαίμων δ᾽ ἕτερος | ἐς κακὸν τρέψας ἐδαμάσσατό νιν. But this does not help us to a clear context. (5) The MS. reading τὰ δὲ πήματ᾿ can be rendered metrical by the simple insertion of γε: τὰ δέ γε πήματ'. But πήματα αὔξειν ἄνω is not a natural expression, whether a succession of miseries is spoken of, as in Aesch. Cho. 1020, μόχθων δ᾽ ὁ μὲν αὐτίχ᾽, ὁ δ᾽ ἥξει, or αὔξειν πήματα is imagined to mean to cure misfortune. Although the text is uncertain, the general meaning probably is, Time casts down some things, and others that yesterday were mean, to-day he glorifies. Cp. Aj. 131-132, ὡς ἡμέρα κλίνει τε κἀνάγει πάλιν | ἅπαντα τἀνθρώπεια.