ὅν, ὦ Γᾶς παῖ καὶ Ταρτάρου,
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)) — 1579-1669 focus
Ἄγγελος
ἄνδρες πολῖται, ξυντομωτάτως, μὲν ἂν
τύχοιμι λέξας Οἰδίπουν ὀλωλότα·
1580
ἃ δʼ ἦν τὰ πραχθέντʼ, οὔθʼ ὁ μῦθος ἐν βραχεῖ
φράσαι πάρεστιν οὔτε τἄργʼ ὅσʼ ἦν ἐκεῖ.
ἄνδρες πολῖται, ξυντομωτάτως, μὲν ἂν
τύχοιμι λέξας Οἰδίπουν ὀλωλότα·
1580
ἃ δʼ ἦν τὰ πραχθέντʼ, οὔθʼ ὁ μῦθος ἐν βραχεῖ
φράσαι πάρεστιν οὔτε τἄργʼ ὅσʼ ἦν ἐκεῖ.
Χορός
ὄλωλε γὰρ δύστηνος;
ὄλωλε γὰρ δύστηνος;
Ἄγγελος
ὡς λελοιπότα
κεῖνον τὸν ἀεὶ βίοτον ἐξεπίστασο.
ὡς λελοιπότα
κεῖνον τὸν ἀεὶ βίοτον ἐξεπίστασο.
Χορός
πῶς; ἆρα θείᾳ κἀπόνῳ τάλας τύχῃ;
1585
πῶς; ἆρα θείᾳ κἀπόνῳ τάλας τύχῃ;
1585
Ἄγγελος
ταῦτʼ ἐστὶν ἤδη κἀποθαυμάσαι πρέπον.
ὡς μὲν γὰρ ἐνθένδʼ εἷρπε, καὶ σύ που παρὼν
ἔξοισθʼ, ὑφηγητῆρος οὐδενὸς φίλων,
ἀλλʼ αὐτὸς ἡμῖν πᾶσιν ἐξηγούμενος.
ἐπεὶ δʼ ἀφῖκτο τὸν καταρράκτην ὀδὸν
1590
χαλκοῖς βάθροισι γῆθεν ἐρριζωμένον,
ἔστη κελεύθων ἐν πολυσχίστων μιᾷ,
κοίλου πέλας κρατῆρος, οὗ τὰ Θησέως
Περίθου τε κεῖται πίστʼ ἀεὶ ξυνθήματα.
ἀφʼ οὗ μέσος στὰς τοῦ τε Θορικίου πέτρου
1595
κοίλης τʼ ἀχέρδου κἀπὸ λαΐνου τάφου,
καθέζετʼ· εἶτʼ ἔλυσε δυσπινεῖς στολάς.
κἄπειτʼ ἀΰσας παῖδας ἠνώγει ῥυτῶν
ὑδάτων ἐνεγκεῖν λουτρὰ καὶ χοάς ποθεν·
τὼ δʼ εὐχλόου Δήμητρος εἰς προσόψιον
1600
πάγον μολοῦσαι τάσδʼ ἐπιστολὰς πατρὶ
ταχεῖ ʼπόρευσαν σῦν χρόνῳ, λουτροῖς τέ νιν
ἐσθῆτί τʼ ἐξήσκησαν ᾗ νομίζεται.
ἐπεὶ δὲ παντὸς εἶχε δρῶντος ἡδονὴν
κοὐκ ἦν ἔτʼ οὐδὲν ἀργὸν ὧν ἐφίετο,
1605
κτύπησε μὲν Ζεὺς χθόνιος αἱ δὲ παρθένοι
ῥίγησαν, ὡς ἤκουσαν· ἐς δὲ γούνατα
πατρὸς πεσοῦσαι ʼκλαιον οὐδʼ ἀνίεσαν
στέρνων ἀραγμοὺς οὐδὲ παμμήκεις γόους.
ὁ δʼ ὡς ἀκούει φθόγγον ἐξαίφνης πικρόν,
1610
πτύξας ἐπʼ αὐταῖς χεῖρας εἶπεν· ὦ τέκνα,
οὐκ ἔστʼ ἔθʼ ὑμῖν τῇδʼ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ πατήρ.
ὄλωλε γὰρ δὴ πάντα τἀμά, κοὐκέτι
τὴν δυσπόνητον ἕξετʼ ἀμφʼ ἐμοὶ τροφήν·
σκληρὰν μέν, οἶδα, παῖδες· ἀλλʼ ἓν γὰρ μόνον
1615
τὰ πάντα λύει ταῦτʼ ἔπος μοχθήματα.
τὸ γὰρ φιλεῖν οὐκ ἔστιν ἐξ ὅτου πλέον
ἢ τοῦδε τἀνδρὸς ἔσχεθʼ, οὗ τητώμεναι
τὸ λοιπὸν ἤδη τὸν βίον διάζετον.
1620
ταῦτʼ ἐστὶν ἤδη κἀποθαυμάσαι πρέπον.
ὡς μὲν γὰρ ἐνθένδʼ εἷρπε, καὶ σύ που παρὼν
ἔξοισθʼ, ὑφηγητῆρος οὐδενὸς φίλων,
ἀλλʼ αὐτὸς ἡμῖν πᾶσιν ἐξηγούμενος.
ἐπεὶ δʼ ἀφῖκτο τὸν καταρράκτην ὀδὸν
1590
χαλκοῖς βάθροισι γῆθεν ἐρριζωμένον,
ἔστη κελεύθων ἐν πολυσχίστων μιᾷ,
κοίλου πέλας κρατῆρος, οὗ τὰ Θησέως
Περίθου τε κεῖται πίστʼ ἀεὶ ξυνθήματα.
ἀφʼ οὗ μέσος στὰς τοῦ τε Θορικίου πέτρου
1595
κοίλης τʼ ἀχέρδου κἀπὸ λαΐνου τάφου,
καθέζετʼ· εἶτʼ ἔλυσε δυσπινεῖς στολάς.
κἄπειτʼ ἀΰσας παῖδας ἠνώγει ῥυτῶν
ὑδάτων ἐνεγκεῖν λουτρὰ καὶ χοάς ποθεν·
τὼ δʼ εὐχλόου Δήμητρος εἰς προσόψιον
1600
πάγον μολοῦσαι τάσδʼ ἐπιστολὰς πατρὶ
ταχεῖ ʼπόρευσαν σῦν χρόνῳ, λουτροῖς τέ νιν
ἐσθῆτί τʼ ἐξήσκησαν ᾗ νομίζεται.
ἐπεὶ δὲ παντὸς εἶχε δρῶντος ἡδονὴν
κοὐκ ἦν ἔτʼ οὐδὲν ἀργὸν ὧν ἐφίετο,
1605
κτύπησε μὲν Ζεὺς χθόνιος αἱ δὲ παρθένοι
ῥίγησαν, ὡς ἤκουσαν· ἐς δὲ γούνατα
πατρὸς πεσοῦσαι ʼκλαιον οὐδʼ ἀνίεσαν
στέρνων ἀραγμοὺς οὐδὲ παμμήκεις γόους.
ὁ δʼ ὡς ἀκούει φθόγγον ἐξαίφνης πικρόν,
1610
πτύξας ἐπʼ αὐταῖς χεῖρας εἶπεν· ὦ τέκνα,
οὐκ ἔστʼ ἔθʼ ὑμῖν τῇδʼ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ πατήρ.
ὄλωλε γὰρ δὴ πάντα τἀμά, κοὐκέτι
τὴν δυσπόνητον ἕξετʼ ἀμφʼ ἐμοὶ τροφήν·
σκληρὰν μέν, οἶδα, παῖδες· ἀλλʼ ἓν γὰρ μόνον
1615
τὰ πάντα λύει ταῦτʼ ἔπος μοχθήματα.
τὸ γὰρ φιλεῖν οὐκ ἔστιν ἐξ ὅτου πλέον
ἢ τοῦδε τἀνδρὸς ἔσχεθʼ, οὗ τητώμεναι
τὸ λοιπὸν ἤδη τὸν βίον διάζετον.
Ἄγγελος
τοιαῦτʼ ἐπʼ ἀλλήλοισιν ἀμφικείμενοι
1620
λύγδην ἔκλαιον πάντες. ὡς δὲ πρὸς τέλος
γόων ἀφίκοντʼ οὐδʼ ἔτʼ ὠρώρει βοή,
ἦν μὲν σιωπή· φθέγμα δʼ ἐξαίφνης τινὸς
θώϋξεν αὐτόν, ὥστε πάντας ὀρθίας
στῆσαι φόβῳ δείσαντας ἐξαίφνης τρίχας,
1625
καλεῖ γὰρ αὐτὸν πολλὰ πολλαχῇ θεός·
ὦ οὗτος οὗτος, Οἰδίπους, τί μέλλομεν
χωρεῖν; πάλαι δὴ τἀπὸ σοῦ βραδύνεται.
ὁ δʼ ὡς ἐπῄσθετʼ ἐκ θεοῦ καλούμενος,
αὐδᾷ μολεῖν οἱ γῆς ἄνακτα Θησέα.
1630
κἀπεὶ προσῆλθεν, εἶπεν· ὦ φίλον κάρα,
δός μοι χερὸς σῆς πίστιν ὁρκίαν τέκνοις,
ὑμεῖς τε, παῖδες, τῷδε· καὶ καταίνεσον
μήποτε προδώσειν τάσδʼ ἑκών, τελεῖν δʼ ὅσʼ ἂν
μέλλῃς φρονῶν εὖ ξυμφέροντʼ αὐτοῖς ἀεί.
1635
ὁ δʼ, ὡς ἀνὴρ γενναῖος, οὐκ οἴκτου μέτα
κατῄνεσεν τάδʼ ὅρκιος δράσειν ξένῳ.
ὅπως δὲ ταῦτʼ ἔδρασεν, εὐθὺς Οἰδίπους
ψαύσας ἀμαυραῖς χερσὶν ὧν παίδων λέγει·
ὦ παῖδε, τλάσας χρὴ τὸ γενναῖον φρενὶ
1640
χωρεῖν τόπων ἐκ τῶνδε, μηδʼ ἃ μὴ θέμις
λεύσσειν δικαιοῦν μηδὲ φωνούντων κλύειν,
ἀλλʼ ἕρπεθʼ ὡς τάχιστα· πλὴν ὁ κύριος
Θησεὺς παρέστω μανθάνων τὰ δρώμενα.
τοσαῦτα φωνήσαντος εἰσηκούσαμεν
1645
ξύμπαντες· ἀστακτὶ δὲ σὺν ταῖς παρθένοις
στένοντες ὡμαρτοῦμεν. ὡς δʼ ἀπήλθομεν,
χρόνῳ βραχεῖ στραφέντες ἐξαπείδομεν
τὸν ἄνδρα τὸν μὲν οὐδαμοῦ παρόντʼ ἔτι,
ἄνακτα δʼ αὐτὸν ὀμμάτων ἐπίσκιον
1650
χεῖρʼ ἀντέχοντα κρατός, ὡς δεινοῦ τινος
φόβου φανέντος οὐδʼ ἀνασχετοῦ βλέπειν.
ἔπειτα μέντοι βαιὸν οὐδὲ σὺν χρόνῳ
ὁρῶμεν αὐτὸν γῆν τε προσκυνοῦνθʼ ἅμα
καὶ τὸν θεῶν Ὄλυμπον ἐν ταὐτῷ λόγῳ.
1655
μόρῳ δʼ ὁποίῳ κεῖνος ὤλετʼ, οὐδʼ ἂν εἷς
θνητῶν φράσειε, πλὴν τὸ Θησέως κάρα.
οὐ γάρ τις αὐτὸν οὔτε πυρφόρος θεοῦ
κεραυνὸς ἐξέπραξεν οὔτε ποντία
θύελλα κινηθεῖσα τῷ τότʼ ἐν χρόνῳ,
1660
ἀλλʼ ἤ τις ἐκ θεῶν πομπὸς ἢ τὸ νερτέρων
εὔνουν διαστὰν γῆς ἀλύπητον βάθρον.
ἁνὴρ γὰρ οὐ στενακτὸς οὐδὲ σὺν νόσοις
ἀλγεινὸς ἐξεπέμπετʼ, ἀλλʼ εἴ τις βροτῶν
θαυμαστός. εἰ δὲ μὴ δοκῶ φρονῶν λέγειν,
1665
οὐκ ἂν παρείμην οἷσι μὴ δοκῶ φρονεῖν.
τοιαῦτʼ ἐπʼ ἀλλήλοισιν ἀμφικείμενοι
1620
λύγδην ἔκλαιον πάντες. ὡς δὲ πρὸς τέλος
γόων ἀφίκοντʼ οὐδʼ ἔτʼ ὠρώρει βοή,
ἦν μὲν σιωπή· φθέγμα δʼ ἐξαίφνης τινὸς
θώϋξεν αὐτόν, ὥστε πάντας ὀρθίας
στῆσαι φόβῳ δείσαντας ἐξαίφνης τρίχας,
1625
καλεῖ γὰρ αὐτὸν πολλὰ πολλαχῇ θεός·
ὦ οὗτος οὗτος, Οἰδίπους, τί μέλλομεν
χωρεῖν; πάλαι δὴ τἀπὸ σοῦ βραδύνεται.
ὁ δʼ ὡς ἐπῄσθετʼ ἐκ θεοῦ καλούμενος,
αὐδᾷ μολεῖν οἱ γῆς ἄνακτα Θησέα.
1630
κἀπεὶ προσῆλθεν, εἶπεν· ὦ φίλον κάρα,
δός μοι χερὸς σῆς πίστιν ὁρκίαν τέκνοις,
ὑμεῖς τε, παῖδες, τῷδε· καὶ καταίνεσον
μήποτε προδώσειν τάσδʼ ἑκών, τελεῖν δʼ ὅσʼ ἂν
μέλλῃς φρονῶν εὖ ξυμφέροντʼ αὐτοῖς ἀεί.
1635
ὁ δʼ, ὡς ἀνὴρ γενναῖος, οὐκ οἴκτου μέτα
κατῄνεσεν τάδʼ ὅρκιος δράσειν ξένῳ.
ὅπως δὲ ταῦτʼ ἔδρασεν, εὐθὺς Οἰδίπους
ψαύσας ἀμαυραῖς χερσὶν ὧν παίδων λέγει·
ὦ παῖδε, τλάσας χρὴ τὸ γενναῖον φρενὶ
1640
χωρεῖν τόπων ἐκ τῶνδε, μηδʼ ἃ μὴ θέμις
λεύσσειν δικαιοῦν μηδὲ φωνούντων κλύειν,
ἀλλʼ ἕρπεθʼ ὡς τάχιστα· πλὴν ὁ κύριος
Θησεὺς παρέστω μανθάνων τὰ δρώμενα.
τοσαῦτα φωνήσαντος εἰσηκούσαμεν
1645
ξύμπαντες· ἀστακτὶ δὲ σὺν ταῖς παρθένοις
στένοντες ὡμαρτοῦμεν. ὡς δʼ ἀπήλθομεν,
χρόνῳ βραχεῖ στραφέντες ἐξαπείδομεν
τὸν ἄνδρα τὸν μὲν οὐδαμοῦ παρόντʼ ἔτι,
ἄνακτα δʼ αὐτὸν ὀμμάτων ἐπίσκιον
1650
χεῖρʼ ἀντέχοντα κρατός, ὡς δεινοῦ τινος
φόβου φανέντος οὐδʼ ἀνασχετοῦ βλέπειν.
ἔπειτα μέντοι βαιὸν οὐδὲ σὺν χρόνῳ
ὁρῶμεν αὐτὸν γῆν τε προσκυνοῦνθʼ ἅμα
καὶ τὸν θεῶν Ὄλυμπον ἐν ταὐτῷ λόγῳ.
1655
μόρῳ δʼ ὁποίῳ κεῖνος ὤλετʼ, οὐδʼ ἂν εἷς
θνητῶν φράσειε, πλὴν τὸ Θησέως κάρα.
οὐ γάρ τις αὐτὸν οὔτε πυρφόρος θεοῦ
κεραυνὸς ἐξέπραξεν οὔτε ποντία
θύελλα κινηθεῖσα τῷ τότʼ ἐν χρόνῳ,
1660
ἀλλʼ ἤ τις ἐκ θεῶν πομπὸς ἢ τὸ νερτέρων
εὔνουν διαστὰν γῆς ἀλύπητον βάθρον.
ἁνὴρ γὰρ οὐ στενακτὸς οὐδὲ σὺν νόσοις
ἀλγεινὸς ἐξεπέμπετʼ, ἀλλʼ εἴ τις βροτῶν
θαυμαστός. εἰ δὲ μὴ δοκῶ φρονῶν λέγειν,
1665
οὐκ ἂν παρείμην οἷσι μὴ δοκῶ φρονεῖν.
Χορός
ποῦ δʼ αἵ τε παῖδες χοἰ προπέμψαντες φίλων;
ποῦ δʼ αἵ τε παῖδες χοἰ προπέμψαντες φίλων;
Ἄγγελος
αἵδʼ οὐχ ἑκάς· γόων γὰρ οὐκ ἀσήμονες
φθόγγοι σφε σημαίνουσι δεῦρʼ ὁρμωμένας.
αἵδʼ οὐχ ἑκάς· γόων γὰρ οὐκ ἀσήμονες
φθόγγοι σφε σημαίνουσι δεῦρʼ ὁρμωμένας.
Translations (2)
German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 1579 focus
Wohl, edle Bürger, kann ich's euch am kürzesten
Verkünden, wenn ich sage: todt ist Dedipus.
Doch wie's geschah, und Alles, was sich dort begab,
Vermag ich nicht in kurzer Rede darzuthun.
So starb er denn, der Arme?
1565
Wohl, o zweifle nicht,
1565
Beschloß er seiner Tage gramgebeugten Lauf.
Wohl, edle Bürger, kann ich's euch am kürzesten
Verkünden, wenn ich sage: todt ist Dedipus.
Doch wie's geschah, und Alles, was sich dort begab,
Vermag ich nicht in kurzer Rede darzuthun.
So starb er denn, der Arme?
1565
Wohl, o zweifle nicht,
1565
Beschloß er seiner Tage gramgebeugten Lauf.
Der Chor.
Wie? Schied er schmerzlos und entrückten Götter ihn?
Wie? Schied er schmerzlos und entrückten Götter ihn?
Der Bote.
Dies eben ward ihm, ein bewundernswerthes Loos.
Denn wie er ging von hinnen, weißt du selber wohl,
(Du warst zugegen,) wie er, nicht von Freundeshand
1570
Geleitet, selbst uns allen frei die Pfade wies.
Und als er kam zur Schwelle, die, in tiefem Grund
Mit eh'rnen Stufen wurzelnd, dort hinab sich senkt;
Da stand er still an einem vielgespalt'nen Pfad,
Der hohlen Deffnung nahe, wo den ew'gen Bund
1575
Der Treue Theseus schwuren und Peirithoos:
Und zwischen dieser und dem Stein von Thorikos,
1
Dem hohlen Birnbaum und dem Felsengrabe saß
Er nieder, löste sein Gewand, von Schmuz bedeckt,
Nief dann den Töchtern und gebot, ein laut'res Bad
1580
Vom Quell heranzubringen und den Opfertrank.
Und sie, zum sichtbar'n Hügel dort der grünenden
2
Demeter eilend, richten schnell dem Vater aus,
Wonach er sie gesendet, und beschicken ihn
Mit Bädern und Gewanden, wie's der Brauch gebeut.
3
1585
Und als er jedes Dienstes nun befriedigt war,
Und nichts gebrach von Allem, was er forderte,
Scholl unterirdischer Donner, daß die Töchter sich
Entsezten, wie sie's hörten; laut auf weinten sie,
Zu seinen Knieen stürzend, und zerschlugen sich
1590
Die Brust, erhoben laute Klag' in Einem fort.
Der Vater, kaum vernehmend ihren Weheruf,
Schlang seinen Arm um beide, sprach: „o Kinder, ach!
Von diesem Tag an habt ihr keinen Vater mehr.
Mein Leben nahm der Tod dahin; so habt ihr nun
1595
Um mich die mühevolle Sorge nimmermehr.
Wohl war sie hart, ich weiß es; doch ein einzig Wort
4
Wiegt all das Leid auf, welches ihr um mich ertrugt.
Denn größre Liebe konntet ihr von keinem Mann
Empfangen, als vom Vater, ohne den ihr jezt
1600
Verlassen eurer Tage Rest hinleben sollt."
Dies eben ward ihm, ein bewundernswerthes Loos.
Denn wie er ging von hinnen, weißt du selber wohl,
(Du warst zugegen,) wie er, nicht von Freundeshand
1570
Geleitet, selbst uns allen frei die Pfade wies.
Und als er kam zur Schwelle, die, in tiefem Grund
Mit eh'rnen Stufen wurzelnd, dort hinab sich senkt;
Da stand er still an einem vielgespalt'nen Pfad,
Der hohlen Deffnung nahe, wo den ew'gen Bund
1575
Der Treue Theseus schwuren und Peirithoos:
Und zwischen dieser und dem Stein von Thorikos,
1
Dem hohlen Birnbaum und dem Felsengrabe saß
Er nieder, löste sein Gewand, von Schmuz bedeckt,
Nief dann den Töchtern und gebot, ein laut'res Bad
1580
Vom Quell heranzubringen und den Opfertrank.
Und sie, zum sichtbar'n Hügel dort der grünenden
2
Demeter eilend, richten schnell dem Vater aus,
Wonach er sie gesendet, und beschicken ihn
Mit Bädern und Gewanden, wie's der Brauch gebeut.
3
1585
Und als er jedes Dienstes nun befriedigt war,
Und nichts gebrach von Allem, was er forderte,
Scholl unterirdischer Donner, daß die Töchter sich
Entsezten, wie sie's hörten; laut auf weinten sie,
Zu seinen Knieen stürzend, und zerschlugen sich
1590
Die Brust, erhoben laute Klag' in Einem fort.
Der Vater, kaum vernehmend ihren Weheruf,
Schlang seinen Arm um beide, sprach: „o Kinder, ach!
Von diesem Tag an habt ihr keinen Vater mehr.
Mein Leben nahm der Tod dahin; so habt ihr nun
1595
Um mich die mühevolle Sorge nimmermehr.
Wohl war sie hart, ich weiß es; doch ein einzig Wort
4
Wiegt all das Leid auf, welches ihr um mich ertrugt.
Denn größre Liebe konntet ihr von keinem Mann
Empfangen, als vom Vater, ohne den ihr jezt
1600
Verlassen eurer Tage Rest hinleben sollt."
English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 1579-1668 focus
Messenger
Citizens, my news might be summed up most briefly thus: Oedipus is dead.
But the story of the happening cannot be told in brief words, as the deeds done there were not brief.
1580
Citizens, my news might be summed up most briefly thus: Oedipus is dead.
But the story of the happening cannot be told in brief words, as the deeds done there were not brief.
1580
Chorus
Is he gone, the unfortunate man?
Is he gone, the unfortunate man?
Messenger
You may be sure that he has left this life.
You may be sure that he has left this life.
Chorus
How? By a fate divine and painless, the poor man?
1585
How? By a fate divine and painless, the poor man?
1585
Messenger
In that you touch upon what is indeed worthy of wonder. How he departed from here, you yourself must know since you were here: with no one of his friends as guide, but rather with himself leading the way for us all.
When he had come to the Descending Way, which is bound by steps of bronze to earth’s deep roots, he paused at one of the many branching paths near the basin in the rock, where the faithful covenant of Theseus and Peirithous has its memorial.
1590
He stood midway between that basin and the Leaping stone, and between the hollow pear-tree and the marble tomb; then he sat down and loosened his filthy clothing.
And then he called his daughters, and asked them to bring water from some flowing source, so that he might wash and make a drink-offering.
1595
They went to the hill which was in view, the hill of Demeter who guards the tender plants, and in a short time brought what their father had commanded. Then they washed him and dressed him, as is the custom.
But when all his desire was fulfilled,
1600
and nothing that he required was still undone, then Zeus of the Underworld sent forth his thunder, and the maidens shuddered as they heard. They fell weeping at their father’s knees, and did not cease from beating their breast, and from wailing loud.
1605
When he heard their sudden bitter cry, he put his arms around them and said:
My children, on this day your father no longer exists. Now I have perished utterly, and no longer will you bear the burden of tending me,
1610
which was no light one, I well know, my children. Yet just one word turns all those toils to nothing: you have been treated as friends by no one more than by this man; and now you will have me with you no longer, through all your days to come.
1615
1620
In this way, clinging close to one another, the father and his daughters sobbed and wept. But when they came to the end of their crying, and the sound of wailing went forth no more, there was a silence; suddenly a voice called aloud to him, so that everyone
1620
felt hair rising from the sudden terror. The god called him again and again:
Oedipus, Oedipus, why do you delay our going? Too long you have been lingering.
And when he perceived that he was called by the god,
1625
he asked that lord Theseus should come to him; and when he did, he said:
Friend, give me the sworn pledge of your right hand for my children; and you, my daughters, for him. Promise never to betray them by your own free will, but always to accomplish whatever you think for their benefit.
1630
And he, as a man of noble spirit, without lamentation swore to keep that promise to the stranger.
When Theseus had done this, straightway Oedipus felt for his children with blind hands, and said:
1635
Children, you must bear up nobly in your hearts and depart from this place; do not consider it just to look upon what is not right, or to hear such speech as you may not hear. Go in haste; let only Theseus be entitled to remain to learn of those things which will be done.
1640
So he spoke, and everyone of us listened; with streaming tears and mourning we followed the maidens away. But when we had gone off, very soon we looked back and saw that Oedipus was nowhere any more and our lord was alone,
1645
holding his hand in front of his face to screen his eyes, as if he had seen some terrifying sight, one that no one could endure to behold. And then after a short time,
1650
we saw him adore together the earth and
Olympus
of the gods in the same prayer.
But by what fate Oedipus perished, no man can tell, except Theseus alone. It was no fiery thunderbolt of the god that removed him,
1655
nor any rising of whirlwind from the sea; it was either an escort from the gods, or else the dark world of the dead kindly split open to receive him. The man passed away without lamentation or sickness or suffering, and beyond all mortal men he was wondrous.
1660
And if in anyone’s eyes I seem to speak senselessly, I would not try to win his belief when he counts me senseless.
1665
In that you touch upon what is indeed worthy of wonder. How he departed from here, you yourself must know since you were here: with no one of his friends as guide, but rather with himself leading the way for us all.
When he had come to the Descending Way, which is bound by steps of bronze to earth’s deep roots, he paused at one of the many branching paths near the basin in the rock, where the faithful covenant of Theseus and Peirithous has its memorial.
1590
He stood midway between that basin and the Leaping stone, and between the hollow pear-tree and the marble tomb; then he sat down and loosened his filthy clothing.
And then he called his daughters, and asked them to bring water from some flowing source, so that he might wash and make a drink-offering.
1595
And then he called his daughters, and asked them to bring water from some flowing source, so that he might wash and make a drink-offering.
They went to the hill which was in view, the hill of Demeter who guards the tender plants, and in a short time brought what their father had commanded. Then they washed him and dressed him, as is the custom.
But when all his desire was fulfilled,
1600
But when all his desire was fulfilled,
and nothing that he required was still undone, then Zeus of the Underworld sent forth his thunder, and the maidens shuddered as they heard. They fell weeping at their father’s knees, and did not cease from beating their breast, and from wailing loud.
1605
When he heard their sudden bitter cry, he put his arms around them and said:
My children, on this day your father no longer exists. Now I have perished utterly, and no longer will you bear the burden of tending me,
1610
which was no light one, I well know, my children. Yet just one word turns all those toils to nothing: you have been treated as friends by no one more than by this man; and now you will have me with you no longer, through all your days to come.
1615
In this way, clinging close to one another, the father and his daughters sobbed and wept. But when they came to the end of their crying, and the sound of wailing went forth no more, there was a silence; suddenly a voice called aloud to him, so that everyone
1620
felt hair rising from the sudden terror. The god called him again and again:
Oedipus, Oedipus, why do you delay our going? Too long you have been lingering.
And when he perceived that he was called by the god,
1625
And when he perceived that he was called by the god,
he asked that lord Theseus should come to him; and when he did, he said:
Friend, give me the sworn pledge of your right hand for my children; and you, my daughters, for him. Promise never to betray them by your own free will, but always to accomplish whatever you think for their benefit.
1630
And he, as a man of noble spirit, without lamentation swore to keep that promise to the stranger.
When Theseus had done this, straightway Oedipus felt for his children with blind hands, and said:
1635
When Theseus had done this, straightway Oedipus felt for his children with blind hands, and said:
Children, you must bear up nobly in your hearts and depart from this place; do not consider it just to look upon what is not right, or to hear such speech as you may not hear. Go in haste; let only Theseus be entitled to remain to learn of those things which will be done.
1640
So he spoke, and everyone of us listened; with streaming tears and mourning we followed the maidens away. But when we had gone off, very soon we looked back and saw that Oedipus was nowhere any more and our lord was alone,
1645
holding his hand in front of his face to screen his eyes, as if he had seen some terrifying sight, one that no one could endure to behold. And then after a short time,
1650
we saw him adore together the earth and
Olympus
of the gods in the same prayer.
But by what fate Oedipus perished, no man can tell, except Theseus alone. It was no fiery thunderbolt of the god that removed him,
1655
But by what fate Oedipus perished, no man can tell, except Theseus alone. It was no fiery thunderbolt of the god that removed him,
nor any rising of whirlwind from the sea; it was either an escort from the gods, or else the dark world of the dead kindly split open to receive him. The man passed away without lamentation or sickness or suffering, and beyond all mortal men he was wondrous.
1660
And if in anyone’s eyes I seem to speak senselessly, I would not try to win his belief when he counts me senseless.
1665
Chorus
Where are his daughters and the escort of their friends?
Where are his daughters and the escort of their friends?
Messenger
Not far away; the sounds of mourning show plainly that they are approaching.
Not far away; the sounds of mourning show plainly that they are approaching.
Commentary
Commentary (R. C. Jebb) (OCR draft) (Commentary (R. C. Jebb))
Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) focus
1574. mvp-comment-839-1 ὦ Γᾶς παῖ καὶ Ταρτάρου These words are addressed not to Cerberus, but in all probability to Death, who is invoked as a person more than once in Sophocles (Phil. 797, Aj. 854), cp. infr. 1578 and note. In what sense could Cerberus be called the child of Earth? In Hes. Theog. 211, foll., Death is the Child of Night, without a father, and Cerberus, ib. 310, is the son of Echidna and Typhon. But in these genealogies the poets used considerable freedom. And in the same spirit in which Sophocles calls the Erinyes daughters of Earth and Darkness, Death may be apostrophized as the son of Earth, who receives the bodies of the Dead, and Tartarus, which (cp. supra 1389), like Olympus, has less of a special and local meaning in Sophocles than in Homer. The name of Death is omitted, like that of Persephone, the Erinyes, and Cerberus, while the kingly title 'Αϊδωνεύς is given to Hades. Cp. supra 1548, and note.