θεοῖσι γῆρας οὐδὲ κατθανεῖν ποτε,
Oedipus at Colonus. Sophocles. ed. Lewis Campbell. Oxford. 1879.
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Χορός
καὶ μὴν ἄναξ ὅδʼ ἡμὶν Αἰγέως γόνος
Θησεὺς κατʼ ὀμφὴν σὴν ἐφʼ ἁστάλη πάρα.
550
καὶ μὴν ἄναξ ὅδʼ ἡμὶν Αἰγέως γόνος
Θησεὺς κατʼ ὀμφὴν σὴν ἐφʼ ἁστάλη πάρα.
550
Θησεύς
πολλῶν ἀκούων ἔν τε τῷ πάρος χρόνῳ
τὰς αἱματηρὰς ὀμμάτων διαφθορὰς
ἔγνωκά σʼ, ὦ παῖ Λαΐου, τανῦν θʼ ὁδοῖς
ἐν ταῖσδʼ ἀκούων μᾶλλον ἐξεπίσταμαι.
σκευή τε γάρ σε καὶ τὸ δύστηνον κάρα
555
δηλοῦτον ἡμῖν ὄνθʼ ὃς εἶ, καί σʼ οἰκτίσας
θέλω ʼπερέσθαι, δύσμορʼ Οἰδίπους, τίνα
πόλεως ἐπέστης προστροπὴν ἐμοῦ τʼ ἔχων,
αὐτός τε χἠ σὴ δύσμορος παραστάτις.
δίδασκε· δεινὴν γάρ τινʼ ἂν πρᾶξιν τύχοις
560
λέξας ὁποίας ἐξαφισταίμην ἐγώ,
ὃς οἶδα καὐτὸς ὡς ἐπαιδεύθην ξένος,
ὥσπερ σύ, χὢς εἷς πλεῖστʼ ἀνὴρ ἐπὶ ξένης
ἤθλησα κινδυνεύματʼ ἐν τὠμῷ κάρᾳ·
ὥστε ξένον γʼ ἂν οὐδένʼ ὄνθʼ, ὥσπερ σὺ νῦν,
565
ὑπεκτραποίμην μὴ οὐ συνεκσῴζειν· ἐπεὶ
ἔξοιδʼ ἀνὴρ ὢν χὤτι τῆς εἰς αὔριον
οὐδὲν πλέον μοι σοῦ μέτεστιν ἡμέρας.
πολλῶν ἀκούων ἔν τε τῷ πάρος χρόνῳ
τὰς αἱματηρὰς ὀμμάτων διαφθορὰς
ἔγνωκά σʼ, ὦ παῖ Λαΐου, τανῦν θʼ ὁδοῖς
ἐν ταῖσδʼ ἀκούων μᾶλλον ἐξεπίσταμαι.
σκευή τε γάρ σε καὶ τὸ δύστηνον κάρα
555
δηλοῦτον ἡμῖν ὄνθʼ ὃς εἶ, καί σʼ οἰκτίσας
θέλω ʼπερέσθαι, δύσμορʼ Οἰδίπους, τίνα
πόλεως ἐπέστης προστροπὴν ἐμοῦ τʼ ἔχων,
αὐτός τε χἠ σὴ δύσμορος παραστάτις.
δίδασκε· δεινὴν γάρ τινʼ ἂν πρᾶξιν τύχοις
560
λέξας ὁποίας ἐξαφισταίμην ἐγώ,
ὃς οἶδα καὐτὸς ὡς ἐπαιδεύθην ξένος,
ὥσπερ σύ, χὢς εἷς πλεῖστʼ ἀνὴρ ἐπὶ ξένης
ἤθλησα κινδυνεύματʼ ἐν τὠμῷ κάρᾳ·
ὥστε ξένον γʼ ἂν οὐδένʼ ὄνθʼ, ὥσπερ σὺ νῦν,
565
ὑπεκτραποίμην μὴ οὐ συνεκσῴζειν· ἐπεὶ
ἔξοιδʼ ἀνὴρ ὢν χὤτι τῆς εἰς αὔριον
οὐδὲν πλέον μοι σοῦ μέτεστιν ἡμέρας.
Οἰδίπους
Θησεῦ, τὸ σὸν γενναῖον ἐν σμικρῷ λόγῳ
παρῆκεν, ὥστε βραχέα μοι δεῖσθαι φράσαι.
570
σὺ γάρ μʼ ὅς εἰμι κἀφʼ ὅτου πατρὸς γεγὼς
καὶ γῆς ὁποίας ἦλθον, εἰρηκὼς κυρεῖς·
ὥστʼ ἐστί μοι τὸ λοιπὸν οὐδὲν ἄλλο πλὴν
εἰπεῖν ἃ χρῄζω, χὠ λόγος διοίχεται.
Θησεῦ, τὸ σὸν γενναῖον ἐν σμικρῷ λόγῳ
παρῆκεν, ὥστε βραχέα μοι δεῖσθαι φράσαι.
570
σὺ γάρ μʼ ὅς εἰμι κἀφʼ ὅτου πατρὸς γεγὼς
καὶ γῆς ὁποίας ἦλθον, εἰρηκὼς κυρεῖς·
ὥστʼ ἐστί μοι τὸ λοιπὸν οὐδὲν ἄλλο πλὴν
εἰπεῖν ἃ χρῄζω, χὠ λόγος διοίχεται.
Θησεύς
τοῦτʼ αὐτὸ νῦν δίδασχʼ, ὅπως ἂν ἐκμάθω.
575
τοῦτʼ αὐτὸ νῦν δίδασχʼ, ὅπως ἂν ἐκμάθω.
575
Οἰδίπους
δώσων ἱκάνω τοὐμὸν ἄθλιον δέμας
σοὶ δῶρον, οὐ σπουδαῖον εἰς ὄψιν· τὰ δὲ
κέρδη παρʼ αὐτοῦ κρείσσονʼ ἢ μορφὴ καλή.
579
δώσων ἱκάνω τοὐμὸν ἄθλιον δέμας
σοὶ δῶρον, οὐ σπουδαῖον εἰς ὄψιν· τὰ δὲ
κέρδη παρʼ αὐτοῦ κρείσσονʼ ἢ μορφὴ καλή.
Θησεύς
ποῖον δὲ κέρδος ἀξιοῖς ἥκειν φέρων;
ποῖον δὲ κέρδος ἀξιοῖς ἥκειν φέρων;
Οἰδίπους
χρόνῳ μάθοις ἄν, οὐχὶ τῷ παρόντι που.
580
χρόνῳ μάθοις ἄν, οὐχὶ τῷ παρόντι που.
580
Θησεύς
ποίῳ γὰρ ἡ σὴ προσφορὰ δηλώσεται;
ποίῳ γὰρ ἡ σὴ προσφορὰ δηλώσεται;
Οἰδίπους
ὅταν θάνω ʼγὼ καὶ σύ μου ταφεὺς γένῃ
ὅταν θάνω ʼγὼ καὶ σύ μου ταφεὺς γένῃ
Θησεύς
τὰ λοίσθιʼ αἰτεῖ τοῦ βίου, τὰ δʼ ἐν μέσῳ
ἢ λῆστιν ἴσχεις ἢ διʼ οὐδενὸς ποεῖ.
τὰ λοίσθιʼ αἰτεῖ τοῦ βίου, τὰ δʼ ἐν μέσῳ
ἢ λῆστιν ἴσχεις ἢ διʼ οὐδενὸς ποεῖ.
Οἰδίπους
ἐνταῦθα γάρ μοι κεῖνα συγκομίζεται.
585
ἐνταῦθα γάρ μοι κεῖνα συγκομίζεται.
585
Θησεύς
ἀλλʼ ἐν βραχεῖ δὴ τήνδε μʼ ἐξαιτεῖ χάριν.
ἀλλʼ ἐν βραχεῖ δὴ τήνδε μʼ ἐξαιτεῖ χάριν.
Οἰδίπους
ὅρα γε μήν· οὐ σμικρός, οὔχ, ἁγὼν ὅδε.
ὅρα γε μήν· οὐ σμικρός, οὔχ, ἁγὼν ὅδε.
Θησεύς
πότερα τὰ τῶν σῶν ἐκγόνων κἀμοῦ λέγεις;—
πότερα τὰ τῶν σῶν ἐκγόνων κἀμοῦ λέγεις;—
Οἰδίπους
κεῖνοι κομίζειν κεῖσʼ ἄναξ, χρῄζουσί με.
κεῖνοι κομίζειν κεῖσʼ ἄναξ, χρῄζουσί με.
Θησεύς
ἀλλʼ εἰ θέλοντά γʼ οὐδὲ σοὶ φεύγειν καλόν.
590
ἀλλʼ εἰ θέλοντά γʼ οὐδὲ σοὶ φεύγειν καλόν.
590
Οἰδίπους
ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ, ὅτʼ αὐτὸς ἤθελον, παρίεσαν.
ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ, ὅτʼ αὐτὸς ἤθελον, παρίεσαν.
Θησεύς
ὦ μῶρε, θυμὸς δʼ ἐν κακοῖς οὐ ξύμφορον.
ὦ μῶρε, θυμὸς δʼ ἐν κακοῖς οὐ ξύμφορον.
Οἰδίπους
ὅταν μάθῃς μου, νουθέτει, τανῦν δʼ ἔα.
ὅταν μάθῃς μου, νουθέτει, τανῦν δʼ ἔα.
Θησεύς
δίδασκʼ· ἄνευ γνώμης γὰρ οὔ με χρὴ λέγειν.
δίδασκʼ· ἄνευ γνώμης γὰρ οὔ με χρὴ λέγειν.
Οἰδίπους
πέπονθα, Θησεῦ, δεινὰ πρὸς κακοῖς κακά.
595
πέπονθα, Θησεῦ, δεινὰ πρὸς κακοῖς κακά.
595
Θησεύς
ἦ τὴν παλαιὰν ξυμφορὰν γένους ἐρεῖς;
ἦ τὴν παλαιὰν ξυμφορὰν γένους ἐρεῖς;
Οἰδίπους
οὐ δῆτʼ, ἐπεὶ πᾶς τοῦτό γʼ Ἑλλήνων θροεῖ.
οὐ δῆτʼ, ἐπεὶ πᾶς τοῦτό γʼ Ἑλλήνων θροεῖ.
Θησεύς
τί γὰρ τὸ μεῖζον ἢ κατʼ ἄνθρωπον νοσεῖς;
τί γὰρ τὸ μεῖζον ἢ κατʼ ἄνθρωπον νοσεῖς;
Οἰδίπους
οὕτως ἔχει μοι. γῆς ἐμῆς ἀπηλάθην
πρὸς τῶν ἐμαυτοῦ σπερμάτων· ἔστιν δέ μοι
600
πάλιν κατελθεῖν μήποθʼ, ὡς πατροκτόνῳ.
οὕτως ἔχει μοι. γῆς ἐμῆς ἀπηλάθην
πρὸς τῶν ἐμαυτοῦ σπερμάτων· ἔστιν δέ μοι
600
πάλιν κατελθεῖν μήποθʼ, ὡς πατροκτόνῳ.
Θησεύς
πῶς δῆτα σʼ ἂν πεμψαίαθʼ, ὥστʼ οἰκεῖν δίχα;
πῶς δῆτα σʼ ἂν πεμψαίαθʼ, ὥστʼ οἰκεῖν δίχα;
Οἰδίπους
τὸ θεῖον αὐτοὺς ἐξαναγκάσει στόμα.
τὸ θεῖον αὐτοὺς ἐξαναγκάσει στόμα.
Θησεύς
ποῖον πάθος δείσαντας ἐκ χρηστηρίων;
ποῖον πάθος δείσαντας ἐκ χρηστηρίων;
Οἰδίπους
ὅτι σφʼ ἀνάγκη τῇδε πληγῆναι χθονί.
605
ὅτι σφʼ ἀνάγκη τῇδε πληγῆναι χθονί.
605
Θησεύς
καὶ πῶς γένοιτʼ ἂν τἀμὰ κἀκείνων πικρά;
607
καὶ πῶς γένοιτʼ ἂν τἀμὰ κἀκείνων πικρά;
Οἰδίπους
ὦ φίλτατʼ Αἰγέως παῖ, μόνοις οὐ γίγνεται
θεοῖσι γῆρας οὐδὲ κατθανεῖν ποτε.
τὰ δʼ ἄλλα συγχεῖ πάνθʼ ὁ παγκρατὴς χρόνος.
φθίνει μὲν ἰσχὺς γῆς, φθίνει δὲ σώματος,
610
θνῄσκει δὲ πίστις, βλαστάνει δʼ ἀπιστία,
καὶ πνεῦμα ταὐτὸν οὔποτʼ οὔτʼ ἐν ἀνδράσιν
φίλοις βέβηκεν οὔτε πρὸς πόλιν πόλει.
τοῖς μὲν γὰρ ἤδη, τοῖς δʼ ἐν ὑστέρῳ χρόνῳ
τὰ τερπνὰ πικρὰ γίγνεται καὖθις φίλα.
615
καὶ ταῖσι Θήβαις εἰ τανῦν εὐημερεῖ
καλῶς τὰ πρὸς σέ, μυρίας ὁ μυρίος
χρόνος τεκνοῦται νύκτας ἡμέρας τʼ ἰών,
ἐν αἷς τὰ νῦν ξύμφωνα δεξιώματα
δόρει διασκεδῶσιν ἐκ σμικροῦ λόγου·
620
ἵνʼ οὑμὸς εὕδων καὶ κεκρυμμένος νέκυς
ψυχρός ποτʼ αὐτῶν θερμὸν αἷμα πίεται,
εἰ Ζεὺς ἔτι Ζεὺς χὠ Διὸς Φοῖβος σαφής.
ἀλλʼ οὐ γὰρ αὐδᾶν ἡδὺ τἀκίνητʼ ἔπη,
ἔα μʼ ἐν οἷσιν ἠρξάμην, τὸ σὸν μόνον
625
πιστὸν φυλάσσων, κοὔποτʼ Οἰδίπουν ἐρεῖς
ἀχρεῖον οἰκητῆρα δέξασθαι τόπων
τῶν ἐνθάδʼ, εἴπερ μὴ θεοὶ ψεύσουσί με.
ὦ φίλτατʼ Αἰγέως παῖ, μόνοις οὐ γίγνεται
θεοῖσι γῆρας οὐδὲ κατθανεῖν ποτε.
τὰ δʼ ἄλλα συγχεῖ πάνθʼ ὁ παγκρατὴς χρόνος.
φθίνει μὲν ἰσχὺς γῆς, φθίνει δὲ σώματος,
610
θνῄσκει δὲ πίστις, βλαστάνει δʼ ἀπιστία,
καὶ πνεῦμα ταὐτὸν οὔποτʼ οὔτʼ ἐν ἀνδράσιν
φίλοις βέβηκεν οὔτε πρὸς πόλιν πόλει.
τοῖς μὲν γὰρ ἤδη, τοῖς δʼ ἐν ὑστέρῳ χρόνῳ
τὰ τερπνὰ πικρὰ γίγνεται καὖθις φίλα.
615
καὶ ταῖσι Θήβαις εἰ τανῦν εὐημερεῖ
καλῶς τὰ πρὸς σέ, μυρίας ὁ μυρίος
χρόνος τεκνοῦται νύκτας ἡμέρας τʼ ἰών,
ἐν αἷς τὰ νῦν ξύμφωνα δεξιώματα
δόρει διασκεδῶσιν ἐκ σμικροῦ λόγου·
620
ἵνʼ οὑμὸς εὕδων καὶ κεκρυμμένος νέκυς
ψυχρός ποτʼ αὐτῶν θερμὸν αἷμα πίεται,
εἰ Ζεὺς ἔτι Ζεὺς χὠ Διὸς Φοῖβος σαφής.
ἀλλʼ οὐ γὰρ αὐδᾶν ἡδὺ τἀκίνητʼ ἔπη,
ἔα μʼ ἐν οἷσιν ἠρξάμην, τὸ σὸν μόνον
625
πιστὸν φυλάσσων, κοὔποτʼ Οἰδίπουν ἐρεῖς
ἀχρεῖον οἰκητῆρα δέξασθαι τόπων
τῶν ἐνθάδʼ, εἴπερ μὴ θεοὶ ψεύσουσί με.
Χορός
ἄναξ, πάλαι καὶ ταῦτα καὶ τοιαῦτʼ ἔπη
γῇ τῇδʼ ὅδʼ ἁνὴρ ὡς τελῶν ἐφαίνετο.
630
ἄναξ, πάλαι καὶ ταῦτα καὶ τοιαῦτʼ ἔπη
γῇ τῇδʼ ὅδʼ ἁνὴρ ὡς τελῶν ἐφαίνετο.
630
Θησεύς
τίς δῆτʼ ἂν ἀνδρὸς εὐμένειαν ἐκβάλοι
τοιοῦδʼ, ὅτῳ πρῶτον μὲν ἡ δορύξενος
κοινή παρʼ ἡμῖν αἰέν ἐστιν ἑστία;
ἔπειτα δʼ ἱκέτης δαιμόνων ἀφιγμένος
γῇ τῇδε κἀμοὶ δασμὸν οὐ σμικρὸν τίνει.
635
ἁγὼ σεβισθεὶς οὔποτʼ ἐκβαλῶ χάριν
τὴν τοῦδε, χώρᾳ δʼ ἔμπολιν κατοικιῶ.
εἰ δʼ ἐνθάδʼ ἡδὺ τῷ ξένῳ μίμνειν, σέ νιν
τάξω φυλάσσειν, εἴτʼ ἐμοῦ στείχειν μέτα,
τόδʼ ἡδύ, τούτων, Οἰδίπους, δίδωμί σοι
640
κρίναντι χρῆσθαι· τῇδε γὰρ ξυνοίσομαι.
642
τίς δῆτʼ ἂν ἀνδρὸς εὐμένειαν ἐκβάλοι
τοιοῦδʼ, ὅτῳ πρῶτον μὲν ἡ δορύξενος
κοινή παρʼ ἡμῖν αἰέν ἐστιν ἑστία;
ἔπειτα δʼ ἱκέτης δαιμόνων ἀφιγμένος
γῇ τῇδε κἀμοὶ δασμὸν οὐ σμικρὸν τίνει.
635
ἁγὼ σεβισθεὶς οὔποτʼ ἐκβαλῶ χάριν
τὴν τοῦδε, χώρᾳ δʼ ἔμπολιν κατοικιῶ.
εἰ δʼ ἐνθάδʼ ἡδὺ τῷ ξένῳ μίμνειν, σέ νιν
τάξω φυλάσσειν, εἴτʼ ἐμοῦ στείχειν μέτα,
τόδʼ ἡδύ, τούτων, Οἰδίπους, δίδωμί σοι
640
κρίναντι χρῆσθαι· τῇδε γὰρ ξυνοίσομαι.
Οἰδίπους
ὦ Ζεῦ, διδοίης τοῖσι τοιούτοισιν εὖ.
ὦ Ζεῦ, διδοίης τοῖσι τοιούτοισιν εὖ.
Θησεύς
τί δῆτα χρῄζεις; ἦ δόμους στείχειν ἐμούς;
τί δῆτα χρῄζεις; ἦ δόμους στείχειν ἐμούς;
Οἰδίπους
εἴ μοι θέμις γʼ ἦν· ἀλλʼ ὁ χῶρός ἐσθʼ ὅδε,
εἴ μοι θέμις γʼ ἦν· ἀλλʼ ὁ χῶρός ἐσθʼ ὅδε,
Θησεύς
ἐν ᾧ τί πράξεις; οὐ γὰρ ἀντιστήσομαι.
645
ἐν ᾧ τί πράξεις; οὐ γὰρ ἀντιστήσομαι.
645
Οἰδίπους
ἐν ᾧ κρατήσω τῶν ἔμʼ ἐκβεβληκότων.
ἐν ᾧ κρατήσω τῶν ἔμʼ ἐκβεβληκότων.
Θησεύς
μέγʼ ἂν λέγοις δώρημα τῆς συνουσίας.
μέγʼ ἂν λέγοις δώρημα τῆς συνουσίας.
Οἰδίπους
εἰ σοί γʼ ἅπερ φῂς ἐμμενεῖ τελοῦντί μοι.
εἰ σοί γʼ ἅπερ φῂς ἐμμενεῖ τελοῦντί μοι.
Θησεύς
θάρσει τὸ τοῦδέ γʼ ἀνδρός· οὔ σε μὴ προδῶ.
θάρσει τὸ τοῦδέ γʼ ἀνδρός· οὔ σε μὴ προδῶ.
Οἰδίπους
οὔτοι σʼ ὑφʼ ὅρκου γʼ ὡς κακὸν πιστώσομαι.
650
οὔτοι σʼ ὑφʼ ὅρκου γʼ ὡς κακὸν πιστώσομαι.
650
Θησεύς
οὔκουν πέρα γʼ ἂν οὐδὲν ἢ λόγῳ φέροις.
οὔκουν πέρα γʼ ἂν οὐδὲν ἢ λόγῳ φέροις.
Οἰδίπους
πῶς οὖν ποήσεις;
πῶς οὖν ποήσεις;
Θησεύς
τοῦ μάλιστʼ ὄκνος σʼ ἔχει;
τοῦ μάλιστʼ ὄκνος σʼ ἔχει;
Οἰδίπους
ἥξουσιν ἄνδρες
ἥξουσιν ἄνδρες
Θησεύς
ἀλλὰ τοῖσδʼ ἔσται μέλον.
ἀλλὰ τοῖσδʼ ἔσται μέλον.
Οἰδίπους
ὅρα με λείπων
ὅρα με λείπων
Θησεύς
μὴ δίδασχʼ ἃ χρή με δρᾶν.
μὴ δίδασχʼ ἃ χρή με δρᾶν.
Οἰδίπους
ὀκνοῦντʼ ἀνάγκη.
655
ὀκνοῦντʼ ἀνάγκη.
655
Θησεύς
τοὐμὸν οὐκ ὀκνεῖ κέαρ.
τοὐμὸν οὐκ ὀκνεῖ κέαρ.
Οἰδίπους
οὐκ οἶσθʼ ἀπειλὰς
οὐκ οἶσθʼ ἀπειλὰς
Θησεύς
οἶδʼ ἐγώ σε μή τινα
ἐνθένδʼ ἀπάξοντʼ ἄνδρα πρὸς βίαν ἐμοῦ.
πολλαὶ δʼ ἀπειλαὶ πολλὰ δὴ μάτην ἔπη
θυμῷ κατηπείλησαν, ἀλλʼ ὁ νοῦς ὅταν
αὑτοῦ γένηται, φροῦδα τἀπειλήματα.
660
κείνοις δʼ ἴσως κεἰ δείνʼ ἐπερρώσθη λέγειν
τῆς σῆς ἀγωγῆς, οἶδʼ ἐγώ, φανήσεται
μακρὸν τὸ δεῦρο πέλαγος οὐδὲ πλώσιμον.
θαρσεῖν μὲν οὖν ἔγωγε κἂν ἐμῆς ἄνευ
γνώμης ἐπαινῶ, Φοῖβος εἰ προὔπεμψέ σε·
665
ὅμως δὲ κἀμοῦ μὴ παρόντος οἶδʼ ὅτι
τοὐμὸν φυλάξει σʼ ὄνομα μὴ πάσχειν κακῶς.
οἶδʼ ἐγώ σε μή τινα
ἐνθένδʼ ἀπάξοντʼ ἄνδρα πρὸς βίαν ἐμοῦ.
πολλαὶ δʼ ἀπειλαὶ πολλὰ δὴ μάτην ἔπη
θυμῷ κατηπείλησαν, ἀλλʼ ὁ νοῦς ὅταν
αὑτοῦ γένηται, φροῦδα τἀπειλήματα.
660
κείνοις δʼ ἴσως κεἰ δείνʼ ἐπερρώσθη λέγειν
τῆς σῆς ἀγωγῆς, οἶδʼ ἐγώ, φανήσεται
μακρὸν τὸ δεῦρο πέλαγος οὐδὲ πλώσιμον.
θαρσεῖν μὲν οὖν ἔγωγε κἂν ἐμῆς ἄνευ
γνώμης ἐπαινῶ, Φοῖβος εἰ προὔπεμψέ σε·
665
ὅμως δὲ κἀμοῦ μὴ παρόντος οἶδʼ ὅτι
τοὐμὸν φυλάξει σʼ ὄνομα μὴ πάσχειν κακῶς.
Translations (2)
German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 607 focus
O Sohn des Aegeus, theurer Mann, den Göttern nur
605
Naht nie das Alter, ihnen naht niemals der Tod.
Doch alles Andre stürzt die Allgewalt der Zeit:
Die Kraft der Erde welkt, es welkt des Leibes Kraft;
Hin stirbt die Treue, Treuebruch sprießt hoch empor.
Und ohne Wandel athmet nie derselbe Hauch
610
Der Lieb' in Männerherzen, noch bei Volk und Volk.
Denn heute dort, hier morgen wandelt sich die Gunst
In bittern Hader, und in Huld sich wieder um.
Und wenn des Friedens heller Tag die Theber jezt
Mit dir vereinigt, doch gebiert in ihrem Lauf
615
Endlose Zeit endlose Nächte, Tage noch,
Worin die heute festverbundnen Hände sich
Um leichten Vorwand trennen durch des Speers Gewalt,
Wo mein entschlafner und im Grab geborgner Leib
Erkaltet einst ihr warmes Herzblut trinken wird,
620
Wenn Zeus noch Zeus, und sein Apollon Wahres spricht.
Doch sag' ich ungern, was ich nicht enthüllen darf;
Dir gnüge denn mein erstes Wort, und wahre mur
1
Das deine treulich; und gewiß, dann klagst du nie,
Es sei ein unnüz werthlos Haupt in Dedipus
625
Dem Land erschienen, lügen mir die Götter nicht.
O Sohn des Aegeus, theurer Mann, den Göttern nur
605
Naht nie das Alter, ihnen naht niemals der Tod.
Doch alles Andre stürzt die Allgewalt der Zeit:
Die Kraft der Erde welkt, es welkt des Leibes Kraft;
Hin stirbt die Treue, Treuebruch sprießt hoch empor.
Und ohne Wandel athmet nie derselbe Hauch
610
Der Lieb' in Männerherzen, noch bei Volk und Volk.
Denn heute dort, hier morgen wandelt sich die Gunst
In bittern Hader, und in Huld sich wieder um.
Und wenn des Friedens heller Tag die Theber jezt
Mit dir vereinigt, doch gebiert in ihrem Lauf
615
Endlose Zeit endlose Nächte, Tage noch,
Worin die heute festverbundnen Hände sich
Um leichten Vorwand trennen durch des Speers Gewalt,
Wo mein entschlafner und im Grab geborgner Leib
Erkaltet einst ihr warmes Herzblut trinken wird,
620
Wenn Zeus noch Zeus, und sein Apollon Wahres spricht.
Doch sag' ich ungern, was ich nicht enthüllen darf;
Dir gnüge denn mein erstes Wort, und wahre mur
1
Das deine treulich; und gewiß, dann klagst du nie,
Es sei ein unnüz werthlos Haupt in Dedipus
625
Dem Land erschienen, lügen mir die Götter nicht.
Der Chor.
Schon lange hat, o König, dies und Aehnliches
2
Der Mann für unsrer Väter Land zu thun gelobt.
Schon lange hat, o König, dies und Aehnliches
2
Der Mann für unsrer Väter Land zu thun gelobt.
Theseus.
Wer möchte solches Mannes wohlgewognen Sinn
Abweisen, dem hier allezeit der freundliche,
630
Gastfreie Herd in unsrer Wohnung offen steht,
Und welcher, Hülfe suchend bei den Göttinnen,
Mir und dem Lande nicht geringen Lohn bezahlt?
Dies heilig achtend, will ich niemals seine Huld
Abweisen, will ihm Bürgerrecht im Lande leih'n.
635
Gefällt's ihm hier zu bleiben, dann gebiet' ich euch,
3
Sein wohl zu wahren; ist es ihm, mit mir zu geh'n,
Genehm, so gönn' ich, Dedipus, auch hier Gewalt
Und freie Wahl dir: so gewähr' ich, was du willst.
Wer möchte solches Mannes wohlgewognen Sinn
Abweisen, dem hier allezeit der freundliche,
630
Gastfreie Herd in unsrer Wohnung offen steht,
Und welcher, Hülfe suchend bei den Göttinnen,
Mir und dem Lande nicht geringen Lohn bezahlt?
Dies heilig achtend, will ich niemals seine Huld
Abweisen, will ihm Bürgerrecht im Lande leih'n.
635
Gefällt's ihm hier zu bleiben, dann gebiet' ich euch,
3
Sein wohl zu wahren; ist es ihm, mit mir zu geh'n,
Genehm, so gönn' ich, Dedipus, auch hier Gewalt
Und freie Wahl dir: so gewähr' ich, was du willst.
Oedipus.
English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 549-665 focus
Chorus
Look, there comes our lord, Theseus son of Aegeus,
at the sound of your voice, to do that for which he was summoned.
550
Enter Theseus.
Look, there comes our lord, Theseus son of Aegeus,
at the sound of your voice, to do that for which he was summoned.
550
Theseus
Through hearing from many in the past about the bloody marring of your sight, I recognized it was you, son of Laius; and now on coming here, through sight I am more fully certain.
For your clothing and that heart-rending face alike assure me that it is you. And in all compassion I ask you, ill-fated Oedipus, with what petition to the city and to me have you taken your place here, you and the poor maiden at your side. Declare it. Dire indeed must be the fortune which you tell,
555
for me to stand aloof from it; since I know that I myself also was reared in exile, just as you, and that in foreign lands I wrestled with perils to my life, like no other man.
560
Never, then, would I turn aside from a stranger, such as you are now, or refuse to help in his deliverance. For I know well that I am a man, and that my portion of tomorrow is no greater than yours.
565
Through hearing from many in the past about the bloody marring of your sight, I recognized it was you, son of Laius; and now on coming here, through sight I am more fully certain.
For your clothing and that heart-rending face alike assure me that it is you. And in all compassion I ask you, ill-fated Oedipus, with what petition to the city and to me have you taken your place here, you and the poor maiden at your side. Declare it. Dire indeed must be the fortune which you tell,
555
for me to stand aloof from it; since I know that I myself also was reared in exile, just as you, and that in foreign lands I wrestled with perils to my life, like no other man.
560
Never, then, would I turn aside from a stranger, such as you are now, or refuse to help in his deliverance. For I know well that I am a man, and that my portion of tomorrow is no greater than yours.
565
Oedipus
Theseus, in a few words your nobleness has come to such a point
that I need make only a brief reply. You have said who I am, from what father I am sprung, and from what land I have come; and so nothing else remains for me but to speak my wish, and the tale is told.
570
Theseus, in a few words your nobleness has come to such a point
that I need make only a brief reply. You have said who I am, from what father I am sprung, and from what land I have come; and so nothing else remains for me but to speak my wish, and the tale is told.
570
Theseus
Then inform me of this very thing, so that I may learn it.
575
Then inform me of this very thing, so that I may learn it.
575
Oedipus
I come to offer you my care-worn body as a gift—not one fine to look on, but the gains from it are better than beauty.
579
I come to offer you my care-worn body as a gift—not one fine to look on, but the gains from it are better than beauty.
Theseus
And what gain do you claim to have brought?
And what gain do you claim to have brought?
Oedipus
Later you may learn it—but not yet.
580
Later you may learn it—but not yet.
580
Theseus
At what time, then, will the benefit become clear?
At what time, then, will the benefit become clear?
Oedipus
When I am dead, and you have given me burial.
When I am dead, and you have given me burial.
Theseus
You crave life’s last service; but for all between you have no memory, or no care.
You crave life’s last service; but for all between you have no memory, or no care.
Oedipus
Indeed, for by that service I gather in all the rest.
585
Indeed, for by that service I gather in all the rest.
585
Theseus
Well then, this favor you crave from me is brief indeed.
Well then, this favor you crave from me is brief indeed.
Oedipus
Yet take care; the struggle here is no light one. No, indeed.
Yet take care; the struggle here is no light one. No, indeed.
Theseus
Do you mean in respect to your sons, or to me?
Do you mean in respect to your sons, or to me?
Oedipus
They will compel you to convey me there to
Thebes
.
They will compel you to convey me there to
Thebes
.
Theseus
But if you are willing, then exile is not becoming.
590
But if you are willing, then exile is not becoming.
590
Oedipus
No, when I was willing, they refused.
No, when I was willing, they refused.
Theseus
Foolish man, anger amidst woes is not suitable.
Foolish man, anger amidst woes is not suitable.
Oedipus
When you have heard my story, admonish; till then, forbear.
When you have heard my story, admonish; till then, forbear.
Theseus
Speak. I must not pronounce without knowledge.
Speak. I must not pronounce without knowledge.
Oedipus
I have suffered, Theseus, terrible woes upon woes.
595
I have suffered, Theseus, terrible woes upon woes.
595
Theseus
Will you speak of the ancient trouble of your race?
Will you speak of the ancient trouble of your race?
Oedipus
No, indeed; all Greeks speak of that.
No, indeed; all Greeks speak of that.
Theseus
How, then, do you suffer beyond what is mortal?
How, then, do you suffer beyond what is mortal?
Oedipus
The circumstance is this: from my country I have been driven by my own sons;
and I may not return, since I am guilty of a father’s blood.
600
The circumstance is this: from my country I have been driven by my own sons;
and I may not return, since I am guilty of a father’s blood.
600
Theseus
Why would they have you brought back, if you must dwell apart?
Why would they have you brought back, if you must dwell apart?
Oedipus
The word of the god will compel them.
The word of the god will compel them.
Theseus
What suffering do they fear from the oracles?
What suffering do they fear from the oracles?
Oedipus
That they must be struck down in this land.
605
That they must be struck down in this land.
605
Theseus
And how should bitterness come between them and me?
607
And how should bitterness come between them and me?
Oedipus
Dearest son of Aegeus, to the gods alone old age and death never come, but everything else sinks into chaos from time which overpowers all.
Earth’s strength decays, and so too the strength of the body; trust dies; distrust is born; and the same spirit is never steadfast among friends, or between city and city. For some now, for others tomorrow, sweet feelings turn to bitter, and then once more to being dear.
610
And if now the sun shines brightly between
Thebes
and you, yet time in his course gives birth to days and nights untold, in which from a small cause they will
615
scatter with the spear today’s pledges of concord. Then one day my slumbering and buried corpse, cold in death, will drink their warm blood, if Zeus is still Zeus, and Phoebus, the son of Zeus, speaks clear.
But, since I would not break silence concerning words that must not spoken, allow me to cease where I began.
620
Only keep your own pledge good, and never will you say that in vain you welcomed Oedipus to dwell in this land—if indeed the gods do not deceive me.
625
Dearest son of Aegeus, to the gods alone old age and death never come, but everything else sinks into chaos from time which overpowers all.
Earth’s strength decays, and so too the strength of the body; trust dies; distrust is born; and the same spirit is never steadfast among friends, or between city and city. For some now, for others tomorrow, sweet feelings turn to bitter, and then once more to being dear.
610
And if now the sun shines brightly between
Thebes
and you, yet time in his course gives birth to days and nights untold, in which from a small cause they will
615
scatter with the spear today’s pledges of concord. Then one day my slumbering and buried corpse, cold in death, will drink their warm blood, if Zeus is still Zeus, and Phoebus, the son of Zeus, speaks clear.
But, since I would not break silence concerning words that must not spoken, allow me to cease where I began.
620
But, since I would not break silence concerning words that must not spoken, allow me to cease where I began.
Only keep your own pledge good, and never will you say that in vain you welcomed Oedipus to dwell in this land—if indeed the gods do not deceive me.
625
Chorus
Lord, from the first this man has shown a
will to bring these words, or similar ones, to completion for our land.
630
Lord, from the first this man has shown a
will to bring these words, or similar ones, to completion for our land.
630
Theseus
Who, then, would reject the goodwill of such a one? To whom, first, the hearth of a spear-friend is always available on our side, by reciprocal right; then too he has come as a suppliant to our gods,
paying no small recompense to this land and to me. In reverence for these claims, I will never spurn his favor, and I will establish a dwelling for him as a citizen in the land. And if it is the pleasure of the stranger to remain here, I will command you to
635
protect him; or, if it pleases him, to come with me. This choice or that, Oedipus, you may take; your desire will be mine.
640
642
Who, then, would reject the goodwill of such a one? To whom, first, the hearth of a spear-friend is always available on our side, by reciprocal right; then too he has come as a suppliant to our gods,
paying no small recompense to this land and to me. In reverence for these claims, I will never spurn his favor, and I will establish a dwelling for him as a citizen in the land. And if it is the pleasure of the stranger to remain here, I will command you to
635
protect him; or, if it pleases him, to come with me. This choice or that, Oedipus, you may take; your desire will be mine.
640
Oedipus
O Zeus, may you be good to men such as these!
O Zeus, may you be good to men such as these!
Theseus
What is your wish, then? Will you come to my house?
What is your wish, then? Will you come to my house?
Oedipus
Yes, I would, if it were right. But this is the place—
Yes, I would, if it were right. But this is the place—
Theseus
What will you do here? Speak, for I will not hinder you.
645
What will you do here? Speak, for I will not hinder you.
645
Oedipus
—Where I will conquer those who cast me out.
—Where I will conquer those who cast me out.
Theseus
The promised gift of your presence would be great.
The promised gift of your presence would be great.
Oedipus
It shall be, if you keep your pledge with me.
It shall be, if you keep your pledge with me.
Theseus
Have courage concerning me; never will I betray you.
Have courage concerning me; never will I betray you.
Oedipus
I will not bind you with an oath as if an evil man.
650
I will not bind you with an oath as if an evil man.
650
Theseus
Well, you would win nothing more than by my word.
Well, you would win nothing more than by my word.
Oedipus
What will you do, then?
What will you do, then?
Theseus
What is it that you fear?
What is it that you fear?
Oedipus
Men will come—
Men will come—
Theseus
But these men here will see to that.
But these men here will see to that.
Oedipus
Beware that if you leave me—
Beware that if you leave me—
Theseus
Do not instruct me in my duties.
Do not instruct me in my duties.
Oedipus
Fear constrains me—
655
Fear constrains me—
655
Theseus
My heart feels no fear.
My heart feels no fear.
Oedipus
You do not know the threats—
You do not know the threats—
Theseus
I know that none will lead you from here against my will. Often threats have blustered in men’s hearts with words loud and vain; but when the mind comes to itself once more,
the threats have vanished. For those men, too, perhaps—yes, even if in boldness they have spoken dreadful things of bringing you back, the voyage here will prove long and hard to sail. Now I exhort you, apart from any decision of mine, to take heart,
660
if indeed Phoebus has been your escort here. Even if I am not present, still my name, I know, will shield you from harm.
665
I know that none will lead you from here against my will. Often threats have blustered in men’s hearts with words loud and vain; but when the mind comes to itself once more,
the threats have vanished. For those men, too, perhaps—yes, even if in boldness they have spoken dreadful things of bringing you back, the voyage here will prove long and hard to sail. Now I exhort you, apart from any decision of mine, to take heart,
660
if indeed Phoebus has been your escort here. Even if I am not present, still my name, I know, will shield you from harm.
665
Commentary
Commentary (R. C. Jebb) (OCR draft) (Commentary (R. C. Jebb))
mvp-comment-454-1 γῆρας … κατθανεῖν 1