κρήνης ἐνεγκοῦ, διʼ
ὁσίων χειρῶν θιγών.
470
Oedipus at Colonus. Sophocles. ed. Lewis Campbell. Oxford. 1879.
Table of Contents
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Current edition Experimental
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)) — 510-548 focus
Χορός
δεινὸν μὲν τὸ πάλαι κείμενον ἤδη κακόν, ὦ ξεῖνʼ, ἐπεγείρειν·
510
ὅμως δʼ ἔραμαι πυθέσθαι
δεινὸν μὲν τὸ πάλαι κείμενον ἤδη κακόν, ὦ ξεῖνʼ, ἐπεγείρειν·
510
ὅμως δʼ ἔραμαι πυθέσθαι
Οἰδίπους
τί τοῦτο;
τί τοῦτο;
Χορός
τᾶς δειλαίας ἀπόρου φανείσας
ἀλγηδόνος, ᾇ ξυνέστας.
τᾶς δειλαίας ἀπόρου φανείσας
ἀλγηδόνος, ᾇ ξυνέστας.
Οἰδίπους
μὴ πρὸς ξενίας ἀνοίξῃς
515
τᾶς σᾶς ἃ πέπονθʼ ἀναιδῆ.
μὴ πρὸς ξενίας ἀνοίξῃς
515
τᾶς σᾶς ἃ πέπονθʼ ἀναιδῆ.
Χορός
τό τοι πολὺ καὶ μηδαμὰ λῆγον
χρῄζω, ξεῖνʼ, ὀρθὸν ἄκουσμʼ ἀκοῦσαι.
τό τοι πολὺ καὶ μηδαμὰ λῆγον
χρῄζω, ξεῖνʼ, ὀρθὸν ἄκουσμʼ ἀκοῦσαι.
Οἰδίπους
ὤμοι.
ὤμοι.
Χορός
στέρξον, ἱκετεύω.
στέρξον, ἱκετεύω.
Οἰδίπους
φεῦ φεῦ.
φεῦ φεῦ.
Χορός
πείθου· κἀγὼ γὰρ ὅσον σὺ προσχρῄζεις.
520
πείθου· κἀγὼ γὰρ ὅσον σὺ προσχρῄζεις.
520
Οἰδίπους
ἤνεγκʼ οὖν κακότατʼ, ὦ ξένοι, ἤνεγκʼ ἀέκων μέν,
θεὸς ἴστω,
τούτων δʼ αὐθαίρετον οὐδέν.
ἤνεγκʼ οὖν κακότατʼ, ὦ ξένοι, ἤνεγκʼ ἀέκων μέν,
θεὸς ἴστω,
τούτων δʼ αὐθαίρετον οὐδέν.
Χορός
ἀλλʼ ἐς τί;
ἀλλʼ ἐς τί;
Οἰδίπους
κακᾷ μʼ εὐνᾷ πόλις οὐδὲν ἴδριν
525
γάμων ἐνέδησεν ἄτᾳ.
κακᾷ μʼ εὐνᾷ πόλις οὐδὲν ἴδριν
525
γάμων ἐνέδησεν ἄτᾳ.
Χορός
ἦ ματρόθεν, ὡς ἀκούω,
δυσώνυμα λέκτρʼ ἐπλήσω;
ἦ ματρόθεν, ὡς ἀκούω,
δυσώνυμα λέκτρʼ ἐπλήσω;
Οἰδίπους
ὤμοι θάνατος μὲν τάδʼ ἀκούειν,
ὦ ξεῖνʼ· αὗται δὲ δύʼ ἐξ ἐμοῦ μὲν
530
ὤμοι θάνατος μὲν τάδʼ ἀκούειν,
ὦ ξεῖνʼ· αὗται δὲ δύʼ ἐξ ἐμοῦ μὲν
530
Χορός
πῶς φῄς;
πῶς φῄς;
Οἰδίπους
παῖδε, δύο δʼ ἄτα
παῖδε, δύο δʼ ἄτα
Χορός
ὦ Ζεῦ.
ὦ Ζεῦ.
Οἰδίπους
ματρὸς κοινᾶς ἀπέβλαστον ὠδῖνος.
ματρὸς κοινᾶς ἀπέβλαστον ὠδῖνος.
Χορός
σαί τʼ εἴσʼ ἄρʼ ἀπόγονοί τε καὶ
535
σαί τʼ εἴσʼ ἄρʼ ἀπόγονοί τε καὶ
535
Οἰδίπους
κοιναί γε πατρὸς ἀδελφεαί.
κοιναί γε πατρὸς ἀδελφεαί.
Χορός
ἰώ.
ἰώ.
Οἰδίπους
ἰὼ δῆτα μυρίων γʼ ἐπιστροφαὶ κακῶν.
ἰὼ δῆτα μυρίων γʼ ἐπιστροφαὶ κακῶν.
Χορός
ἔπαθες
ἔπαθες
Οἰδίπους
ἔπαθον ἄλαστʼ ἔχειν.
ἔπαθον ἄλαστʼ ἔχειν.
Χορός
ἔρεξας
ἔρεξας
Οἰδίπους
οὐκ ἔρεξα.
οὐκ ἔρεξα.
Χορός
τί γάρ;
τί γάρ;
Οἰδίπους
ἐδεξάμην
δῶρον, ὃ μήποτʼ ἐγὼ ταλακάρδιος
540
ἐπωφέλησας πόλεος ἐξελέσθαι.
ἐδεξάμην
δῶρον, ὃ μήποτʼ ἐγὼ ταλακάρδιος
540
ἐπωφέλησας πόλεος ἐξελέσθαι.
Χορός
δύστανε, τί γάρ; ἔθου φόνον
δύστανε, τί γάρ; ἔθου φόνον
Οἰδίπους
τί τοῦτο; τί δʼ ἐθέλεις μαθεῖν;
τί τοῦτο; τί δʼ ἐθέλεις μαθεῖν;
Χορός
πατρός;
πατρός;
Οἰδίπους
παπαῖ. δευτέραν ἔπαισας, ἐπὶ νόσῳ νόσον,
παπαῖ. δευτέραν ἔπαισας, ἐπὶ νόσῳ νόσον,
Χορός
ἔκανες
545
ἔκανες
545
Οἰδίπους
ἔκανον. ἔχει δέ μοι
ἔκανον. ἔχει δέ μοι
Χορός
τί τοῦτο;
τί τοῦτο;
Οἰδίπους
πρὸς δίκας τι.
πρὸς δίκας τι.
Χορός
τί γάρ;
τί γάρ;
Οἰδίπους
ἐγὼ φράσω.
καὶ γὰρ ἄν, οὓς ἐφόνευσʼ, ἔμʼ ἀπώλεσαν·
νόμῳ δὲ καθαρός, ἄϊδρις εἰς τόδʼ ἦλθον.
ἐγὼ φράσω.
καὶ γὰρ ἄν, οὓς ἐφόνευσʼ, ἔμʼ ἀπώλεσαν·
νόμῳ δὲ καθαρός, ἄϊδρις εἰς τόδʼ ἦλθον.
Translations (3)
English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 470 focus
MESS
Ay, there is the main marvel. How he moved
From hence, thou knowest, for thou too wert here,
And saw’st that of his friends none guided him,
But he they loved was leader to them all.
Now, when he came to the steep pavement, rooted
With adamant foundation deep in Earth,
1590
On one of many paths he took his stand
Near the stone basin, where Peirithoüs
And Theseus graved their everlasting league.
There, opposite the mass of Laurian ore,
Turned from the hollow pear-tree and the tomb
1595
Of marble, he sate down, and straight undid
His travel-soiled attire, then called aloud
On both his children, and bade some one fetch
Pure water from a running stream. And they,
Hasting together to the neighbouring hill
1600
Of green Demeter, goddess of the Spring,
Brought back their sire’s commission speedily,
And bathed, and clothed him with the sacred robe.
When he was satisfied, and nothing now
Remained undone of all he bade them do,
1605
The God of darkness thundered, and the maids
Stood horror-stricken on hearing; then together
Fell at their father’s knees and wept and wailed
Loudly and long with beating of the breast.
He, when that sound of sorrow pierced his ear,
1610
Caressed them in his arms and said:—‘My daughters,
From this day forth you have no more a father.
All that was mine is ended, and no longer
Shall ye continue your hard ministry
Of labour for my life.—And yet, though hard,
Not unendurable, since all the toil
1615
Was rendered light through love, which ye can never
Receive on earth so richly, as from him
Bereaved of whom ye now shall live forlorn.’
Such was the talk, mingled with sobs and crying,
1620
As each clung fast to each. But when they came
1620
To an end of weeping and those sounds were stilled,
First all was silent; then a sudden voice
Hurried him onward, making each man’s hair
Bristle on end with force of instant fear.
Now here, now there, not once but oftentimes,
1625
A God called loudly, ‘Oedipus, Oedipus!
Why thus delay our going? This long while
We are stayed for and thou tarriest. Come away!’
He, when he knew the summons of the God,
Gave word for royal Theseus to go near;
1630
And when he came, said: ‘Friend for ever kind,
Reach thy right hand, I pray thee (that first pledge)
To these my children:—daughters, yours to him!—
And give thy sacred word that thou wilt never
Betray these willingly: but still perform
1635
All that thou mayest with true thought for their good.’
He, with grand calmness like his noble self,
Promised on oath to keep this friendly bond.
And when he had done so, Oedipus forthwith
Stroking his children with his helpless hands
1640
Spake thus:—‘My daughters, you must steel your hearts
1640
To noble firmness, and depart from hence,
Nor ask to see or hear forbidden things.
Go, go at once! Theseus alone must stay
Sole rightful witness of these mysteries.’
Those accents were the last we all might hear.
1645
Then, following the two maids, with checkless tears
And groans we took our way. But by and by,
At distance looking round, we saw,—not him,
Who was not there,—but Theseus all alone
Holding his hand before his eyes, as if
1650
Some apparition unendurable
Had dazed his vision. In a little while,
We marked him making reverence in one prayer
To the Earth, and to the home of Gods on high.
But by what fate He perished, mortal man,
1655
Save Theseus, none can say. No lightning-flash
From heaven, no tempest rising from the deep,
Caused his departure in that hour, but either
Some messenger from heaven, or, from beneath,
The lower part of Earth, where comes no pain,
1660
Opening kindly to receive him in.
Not to be mourned, nor with a tearful end
Of sickness was he taken from the Earth,
But wondrously, beyond recorded fate.
If any deem my words unwise, I care not
1665
In that man’s judgement to be counted wise.
Ay, there is the main marvel. How he moved
From hence, thou knowest, for thou too wert here,
And saw’st that of his friends none guided him,
But he they loved was leader to them all.
Now, when he came to the steep pavement, rooted
With adamant foundation deep in Earth,
1590
On one of many paths he took his stand
Near the stone basin, where Peirithoüs
And Theseus graved their everlasting league.
There, opposite the mass of Laurian ore,
Turned from the hollow pear-tree and the tomb
1595
Of marble, he sate down, and straight undid
His travel-soiled attire, then called aloud
On both his children, and bade some one fetch
Pure water from a running stream. And they,
Hasting together to the neighbouring hill
1600
Of green Demeter, goddess of the Spring,
Brought back their sire’s commission speedily,
And bathed, and clothed him with the sacred robe.
When he was satisfied, and nothing now
Remained undone of all he bade them do,
1605
The God of darkness thundered, and the maids
Stood horror-stricken on hearing; then together
Fell at their father’s knees and wept and wailed
Loudly and long with beating of the breast.
He, when that sound of sorrow pierced his ear,
1610
Caressed them in his arms and said:—‘My daughters,
From this day forth you have no more a father.
All that was mine is ended, and no longer
Shall ye continue your hard ministry
Of labour for my life.—And yet, though hard,
Not unendurable, since all the toil
1615
Was rendered light through love, which ye can never
Receive on earth so richly, as from him
Bereaved of whom ye now shall live forlorn.’
Such was the talk, mingled with sobs and crying,
As each clung fast to each. But when they came
1620
To an end of weeping and those sounds were stilled,
First all was silent; then a sudden voice
Hurried him onward, making each man’s hair
Bristle on end with force of instant fear.
Now here, now there, not once but oftentimes,
1625
A God called loudly, ‘Oedipus, Oedipus!
Why thus delay our going? This long while
We are stayed for and thou tarriest. Come away!’
He, when he knew the summons of the God,
Gave word for royal Theseus to go near;
1630
And when he came, said: ‘Friend for ever kind,
Reach thy right hand, I pray thee (that first pledge)
To these my children:—daughters, yours to him!—
And give thy sacred word that thou wilt never
Betray these willingly: but still perform
1635
All that thou mayest with true thought for their good.’
He, with grand calmness like his noble self,
Promised on oath to keep this friendly bond.
And when he had done so, Oedipus forthwith
Stroking his children with his helpless hands
1640
Spake thus:—‘My daughters, you must steel your hearts
1640
To noble firmness, and depart from hence,
Nor ask to see or hear forbidden things.
Go, go at once! Theseus alone must stay
Sole rightful witness of these mysteries.’
Those accents were the last we all might hear.
1645
Then, following the two maids, with checkless tears
And groans we took our way. But by and by,
At distance looking round, we saw,—not him,
Who was not there,—but Theseus all alone
Holding his hand before his eyes, as if
1650
Some apparition unendurable
Had dazed his vision. In a little while,
We marked him making reverence in one prayer
To the Earth, and to the home of Gods on high.
But by what fate He perished, mortal man,
1655
Save Theseus, none can say. No lightning-flash
From heaven, no tempest rising from the deep,
Caused his departure in that hour, but either
Some messenger from heaven, or, from beneath,
The lower part of Earth, where comes no pain,
1660
Opening kindly to receive him in.
Not to be mourned, nor with a tearful end
Of sickness was he taken from the Earth,
But wondrously, beyond recorded fate.
If any deem my words unwise, I care not
1665
In that man’s judgement to be counted wise.
German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 461 focus
Wohl werth des Mitleids, Dedipus, erscheinst du selbst
Und deine Töchter! Aber da du meinem Land
Dich jezt zum Helfer selbst erbeutst mit diesem Wort:
So will ich treulich rathen, was dir frommen kann.
Wohl werth des Mitleids, Dedipus, erscheinst du selbst
Und deine Töchter! Aber da du meinem Land
Dich jezt zum Helfer selbst erbeutst mit diesem Wort:
So will ich treulich rathen, was dir frommen kann.
Oedipus.
Theurer, Alles will ich thun; du rathe nur.
460
Theurer, Alles will ich thun; du rathe nur.
460
Der Chor.
Versühne diese Götterfrau'n, zu welchen du
Zuerst gekommen, als du diesen Grund betratst.
Versühne diese Götterfrau'n, zu welchen du
Zuerst gekommen, als du diesen Grund betratst.
Oedipus.
In welcher Weise? Lehret mich's o Fremdlinge.
In welcher Weise? Lehret mich's o Fremdlinge.
Der Chor.
Aus unversiegtem Borne bring' heran zuerst
1
Weihwasser, das du schöpfen mußt mit reiner Hand.
465
Aus unversiegtem Borne bring' heran zuerst
1
Weihwasser, das du schöpfen mußt mit reiner Hand.
465
Oedipus.
Und wenn ich dieses lautre Naß herbeigeschafft -?
Und wenn ich dieses lautre Naß herbeigeschafft -?
Der Chor.
Sind Krüge hier, des kunsterfahr'nen Mannes Werk:
2
An beiden Henkeln und am Rand bekränze die
Sind Krüge hier, des kunsterfahr'nen Mannes Werk:
2
An beiden Henkeln und am Rand bekränze die
Oedipus.
Mit Zweigen oder Flocken oder sonst womit?
Mit neugeschornem Wollenvließ vom jungen Lamm.
470
Gut! Aber wie vollend' ich dann das Uebrige?
Mit Zweigen oder Flocken oder sonst womit?
Mit neugeschornem Wollenvließ vom jungen Lamm.
470
Gut! Aber wie vollend' ich dann das Uebrige?
Der Chor.
Trankopfer spende, nach des Ostens Licht gewandt.
3
Trankopfer spende, nach des Ostens Licht gewandt.
3
Oedipus.
Aus jenen Krügen, die du nanntest, spend' ich sie?
Aus jenen Krügen, die du nanntest, spend' ich sie?
Der Chor.
Dreifachen Quellguß; doch den ganzen lezten Krug -
Dreifachen Quellguß; doch den ganzen lezten Krug -
Oedipus.
Womit erfüll' ich diesen? Sag' auch dies mir an.
475
Womit erfüll' ich diesen? Sag' auch dies mir an.
475
Der Chor.
Mit Wasser, Honig; doch gesell' ihm keinen Wein.
4
Mit Wasser, Honig; doch gesell' ihm keinen Wein.
4
Oedipus.
Und wenn der schwarzbelaubte Grund die Spende trank -?
Und wenn der schwarzbelaubte Grund die Spende trank -?
Der Chor.
So leg' auf diesen dreimal neun Delsprossen hin
5
Mit beiden Händen, und zugleich sprich dies Gebet.
So leg' auf diesen dreimal neun Delsprossen hin
5
Mit beiden Händen, und zugleich sprich dies Gebet.
Oedipus.
Dies laß mich hören; ist es doch das Höchste mir.
480
Dies laß mich hören; ist es doch das Höchste mir.
480
Der Chor.
„So wie man euch die Holden nennt, so nehmet auch
Mit holdem Herzen auf den Flehenden!"
So bete selber, oder wer für dich es sei,
Mit leisem Flüstern, nicht mit laut erhob'nem Ruf.
Ohn' umzublicken, weiche dann. Und wenn du dies
485
Vollbrachtest, werd' ich dir getrost zur Seite steh'n;
Im andern Fall, o Fremdling, bangt mir deinethalb.
„So wie man euch die Holden nennt, so nehmet auch
Mit holdem Herzen auf den Flehenden!"
So bete selber, oder wer für dich es sei,
Mit leisem Flüstern, nicht mit laut erhob'nem Ruf.
Ohn' umzublicken, weiche dann. Und wenn du dies
485
Vollbrachtest, werd' ich dir getrost zur Seite steh'n;
Im andern Fall, o Fremdling, bangt mir deinethalb.
Oedipus.
Vernahmt ihr, Kinder, dieser Eingebornen Wort?
Vernahmt ihr, Kinder, dieser Eingebornen Wort?
Antigone.
Wir hörten Alles: ordne, was geschehen soll.
Wir hörten Alles: ordne, was geschehen soll.
Oedipus.
Ich kann den Weg nicht wandeln; denn zwiefaches Leid,
490
Die matten Glieder wehren's und des Auges Nacht.
Doch euer Eine gehe schnell und ordne dies.
Denn Eine Seele, denk ich, gnügt für tausend auch,
Das auszurichten, wenn sie naht mit lautrem Sinn.
An's Werk denn eilet ungesäumt; nur lasset mich
495
Hier nicht allein; denn meinem Leibe fehlt die Kraft,
Verlassen, ohne Führer, seinen Pfad zu geh'n.
Ich kann den Weg nicht wandeln; denn zwiefaches Leid,
490
Die matten Glieder wehren's und des Auges Nacht.
Doch euer Eine gehe schnell und ordne dies.
Denn Eine Seele, denk ich, gnügt für tausend auch,
Das auszurichten, wenn sie naht mit lautrem Sinn.
An's Werk denn eilet ungesäumt; nur lasset mich
495
Hier nicht allein; denn meinem Leibe fehlt die Kraft,
Verlassen, ohne Führer, seinen Pfad zu geh'n.
Ismene.
Ich geh' es auszurichten; doch die Stätte, wo
Ich Alles finden werde, laß mich wissen erst.
Ich geh' es auszurichten; doch die Stätte, wo
Ich Alles finden werde, laß mich wissen erst.
Der Chor.
Jenseits des Haines, Tochter; wenn dir Andres noch
500
Gebricht, so wohnt er nahe, der dir rathen wird.
Jenseits des Haines, Tochter; wenn dir Andres noch
500
Gebricht, so wohnt er nahe, der dir rathen wird.
Ismene.
Dort will ich hingeh'n: hüte du, Antigone,
Indessen hier den Vater; denn selbst harter Müh'n
Darf nicht gedenken, wer die Müh'n um Eltern trägt.
Dedipus. Antigone. Der Chor.
Dort will ich hingeh'n: hüte du, Antigone,
Indessen hier den Vater; denn selbst harter Müh'n
Darf nicht gedenken, wer die Müh'n um Eltern trägt.
Der Chor.
English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 510-546c focus
Chorus
Terrible it is, stranger, to arouse the old woe that has for so long been laid to rest: and yet I yearn to hear—
510
Terrible it is, stranger, to arouse the old woe that has for so long been laid to rest: and yet I yearn to hear—
510
Oedipus
What now?
What now?
Chorus
—Of that grief-filled anguish, cureless, with which you have wrestled.
—Of that grief-filled anguish, cureless, with which you have wrestled.
Oedipus
By your hospitality, do not uncover the shame that I have suffered!
515
By your hospitality, do not uncover the shame that I have suffered!
515
Chorus
Seeing that the tale is wide-spread and in no way weakens, I wish, friend, to hear it straight.
Seeing that the tale is wide-spread and in no way weakens, I wish, friend, to hear it straight.
Oedipus
Ah me!
Ah me!
Chorus
Grant the favor, I beg!
Grant the favor, I beg!
Oedipus
Alas, alas!
Alas, alas!
Chorus
Grant my wish, as I have granted yours to the full.
520
Grant my wish, as I have granted yours to the full.
520
Oedipus
I have suffered the greatest misery, strangers—suffered it through unintended deeds—may the god know it! No part was of my own choice.
I have suffered the greatest misery, strangers—suffered it through unintended deeds—may the god know it! No part was of my own choice.
Chorus
But in what way?
But in what way?
Oedipus
In an evil marriage, the city bound me, unknowing, to ruin.
525
In an evil marriage, the city bound me, unknowing, to ruin.
525
Chorus
Is it true, as I hear, that you made your mother the partner of your bed, to its infamy?
Is it true, as I hear, that you made your mother the partner of your bed, to its infamy?
Oedipus
Ah, me! These words, strangers, are like death to my ears. And those two maidens of mine—
Ah, me! These words, strangers, are like death to my ears. And those two maidens of mine—
Chorus
What will you say?
530
What will you say?
530
Oedipus
—Two daughters—two curses—
—Two daughters—two curses—
Chorus
O Zeus!
O Zeus!
Oedipus
—of mine, sprung from the travail of the womb that bore me too.
—of mine, sprung from the travail of the womb that bore me too.
Chorus
These, then, are at once your daughters, and—
These, then, are at once your daughters, and—
Oedipus
—Sisters, indeed, of their father.
535
—Sisters, indeed, of their father.
535
Chorus
Oh!
Oh!
Oedipus
Indeed, woes untold sweep back upon my soul!
Indeed, woes untold sweep back upon my soul!
Chorus
You have suffered—
You have suffered—
Oedipus
I have suffered woes grievous to bear.
I have suffered woes grievous to bear.
Chorus
You have performed—
You have performed—
Oedipus
I have not performed!
I have not performed!
Chorus
How?
How?
Oedipus
A gift was given to me—O, wretched that I am, if only I had never won from the city that gift for my services!
A gift was given to me—O, wretched that I am, if only I had never won from the city that gift for my services!
Chorus
Cursed man! What of this? Did you commit the murder—
Cursed man! What of this? Did you commit the murder—
Oedipus
What now? What would you learn?
What now? What would you learn?
Chorus
—Of your father?
—Of your father?
Oedipus
Oh! oh! a second stab—wound on wound!
Oh! oh! a second stab—wound on wound!
Chorus
You killed—
545
You killed—
545
Oedipus
I killed—yet I have a plea—
I killed—yet I have a plea—
Chorus
What can you plead?
What can you plead?
Oedipus
—A plea of justice.
—A plea of justice.
Chorus
What?
What?
Oedipus
I will tell you: I killed in ignorance and perished utterly. Pure before the law, without knowledge of my act, I have come to this!
I will tell you: I killed in ignorance and perished utterly. Pure before the law, without knowledge of my act, I have come to this!
Commentary
Commentary (R. C. Jebb) (OCR draft) (Commentary (R. C. Jebb))
mvp-comment-352-1 δῑ ὁσίων χειρῶν 1
Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) focus
470. mvp-comment-255-1 ἐνεγκοῦ Have brought. ferendam cura.
470. mvp-comment-255-2 δι᾽ ὁσίων χειρῶν θιγών The minute directions belong to the ceremonial of the place possibly still in use in the time of Sophocles. ὁσίαι χεῖρες here as in Aesch. Cho. 378, are hands pure from guilt. So Horace, Od. 3. 23. 17, Immunis aram si tetigit manus, Non sumtuosa blandior hostia Mollivit aversos Penates Farre pio et saliente mica, in lines which also recall the spirit of infra 498-499, ἀρκεῖν γὰρ οἶμαι κἀντὶ μυρίων μίαν | ψυχὴν τάδ' ἐκτίνουσαν, ὴν εὔνους παρῇ. The precept to wash the hands (Schndw.) is probably included, but with a ceremonial significance. Cp. Αj. 655, λύμαθ᾽ ἁγνίσας ἐμά.