Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus, Lewis Campbell (Translator), 255

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THE

And who would dare reject his proffered good?

Whose bond with us of warrior amity

Hath ne’er been sundered,—and to day he comes

A God-sent suppliant, whose sacred hand

Is rich with gifts for Athens and for me.
635

In reverent heed whereof I ne’er will scorn

The boon he brings, but plant him in our land.

And if it please our friend to linger here,

Ye shall protect him:—if to go with me

Best likes thee, Oedipus,—ponder, and use
640

Thy preference. For my course shall join with thine.

Oedipus at Colonus. Sophocles. Lewis Campbell (Translator). London, New York and Toronto. 1906.

Current edition Experimental

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) (English) (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906))

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (2)

Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 255 focus

οἰκτείρομεν καὶ τόνδε συμφορᾶς χάριν·

255

Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 254-509 focus

Χορός

ἀλλʼ ἴσθι, τέκνον Οἰδίπου, σέ τʼ ἐξ ἴσου

οἰκτίρομεν καὶ τόνδε συμφορᾶς χάριν·
255

τὰ δʼ ἐκ θεῶν τρέμοντες οὐ σθένοιμεν ἂν

φωνεῖν πέρα τῶν πρὸς σὲ νῦν εἰρημένων.

Οἰδίπους

τί δῆτα δόξης ἢ τί κληδόνος καλῆς

μάτην ῥεούσης ὠφέλημα γίγνεται,

εἰ τάς γʼ Ἀθήνας φασὶ θεοσεβεστάτας
260

εἶναι, μόνας δὲ τὸν κακούμενον ξένον

σῴζειν οἵας τε καὶ μόνας ἀρκεῖν ἔχειν;

κἄμοιγε ποῦ τοῦτʼ ἐστίν, οἵτινες βάθρων

ἐκ τῶνδέ μʼ ἐξάραντες εἶτʼ ἐλαύνετε,

ὄνομα μόνον δείσαντες; οὐ γὰρ δὴ τό γε
265

σῶμʼ οὐδὲ τἄργα τἄμʼ· ἐπεὶ τά γʼ ἔργα μου

πεπονθότʼ ἐστὶ μᾶλλον ἢ δεδρακότα,

εἴ σοι τὰ μητρὸς καὶ πατρὸς χρείη λέγειν,

ὧν οὕνεκʼ ἐκφοβεῖ με· τοῦτʼ ἐγὼ καλῶς

ἔξοιδα. καίτοι πῶς ἐγὼ κακὸς φύσιν,
270

ὅστις παθὼν μὲν ἀντέδρων, ὥστʼ εἰ φρονῶν

ἔπρασσον, οὐδʼ ἂν ὧδʼ ἐγιγνόμην κακός;

νῦν δʼ οὐδὲν εἰδὼς ἱκόμην ἵνʼ ἱκόμην,

ὑφʼ ὧν δʼ ἔπασχον, εἰδότων ἀπωλλύμην.

ἀνθʼ ὧν ἱκνοῦμαι πρὸς θεῶν ὑμᾶς, ξένοι,
275

ὥσπερ με κἀνεστήσαθʼ, ὧδε σώσατε,

καὶ μὴ θεοὺς τιμῶντες εἶτα τοὺς θεοὺς

μοίρας ποιεῖσθε μηδαμῶς· ἡγεῖσθε δὲ

βλέπειν μὲν αὐτοὺς πρὸς τὸν εὐσεβῆ βροτῶν,

βλέπειν δὲ πρὸς τοὺς δυσσεβεῖς, φυγὴν δέ του
280

μήπω γενέσθαι φωτὸς ἀνοσίου βροτῶν.

ξὺν οἷς σὺ μὴ κάλυπτε τὰς εὐδαίμονας

ἔργοις Ἀθήνας ἀνοσίοις ὑπηρετῶν,

ἀλλʼ ὥσπερ ἔλαβες τὸν ἱκέτην ἐχέγγυον,

ῥύου με κἀκφύλασσε· μηδέ μου κάρα
285

τὸ δυσπρόσοπτον εἰσορῶν ἀτιμάσῃς,

ἥκω γὰρ ἱερὸς εὐσεβής τε καὶ φέρων

ὄνησιν ἀστοῖς τοῖσδʼ· ὅταν δʼ ὁ κύριος

παρῇ τις, ὑμῶν ὅστις ἐστὶν ἡγεμών,

τότʼ εἰσακούων πάντʼ ἐπιστήσει· τὰ δὲ
290

μεταξὺ τούτου μηδαμῶς γίγνου κακός.

Χορός

ταρβεῖν μέν, ὦ γεραιέ, τἀνθυμήματα

πολλή ʼστʼ ἀνάγκη τἀπὸ σοῦ· λόγοισι γὰρ

οὐκ ὠνόμασται βραχέσι· τοὺς δὲ τῆσδε γῆς

ἄνακτας ἀρκεῖ ταῦτά μοι διειδέναι.
295

296

Οἰδίπους

καὶ ποῦ ʼσθʼ ὁ κραίνων τῆσδε τῆς χώρας, ξένοι;

Χορός

πατρῷον ἄστυ γῆς ἔχει· σκοπὸς δέ νιν,

ὃς κἀμὲ δεῦρʼ ἔπεμψεν, οἴχεται στελῶν.

Οἰδίπους

ἦ καὶ δοκεῖτε τοῦ τυφλοῦ τινʼ ἐντροπὴν

ἢ φροντίδʼ, ἕξειν, αὐτὸν ὥστʼ ἐλθεῖν πέλας;
300

Χορός

καὶ κάρθʼ, ὅταν περ τοὔνομʼ αἴσθηται τὸ σόν.

Οἰδίπους

τίς δʼ ἔσθʼ ὁ κείνῳ τοῦτο τοὔπος ἀγγελῶν;

Χορός

μακρὰ κέλευθος· πολλὰ δʼ ἐμπόρων ἔπη

φιλεῖ πλανᾶσθαι, τῶν ἐκεῖνος ἀΐων,

θάρσει, παρέσται. πολὺ γάρ, ὦ γέρον, τὸ σὸν
305

ὄνομα διήκει πάντας, ὥστε κεἰ βραδὺς

εὕδει, κλύων σοῦ δεῦρʼ ἀφίξεται ταχύς.

Οἰδίπους

ἀλλʼ εὐτυχὴς ἵκοιτο τῇ θʼ αὑτοῦ πόλει

ἐμοί τε· τίς γὰρ ἐσθλὸς οὐχ αὑτῷ φίλος;

Ἀντιγόνη

ὦ Ζεῦ, τί λέξω; ποῖ φρενῶν ἔλθω, πάτερ;
310

Οἰδίπους

τί δʼ ἔστι, τέκνον Ἀντιγόνη;

Ἀντιγόνη

γυναῖχʼ ὁρῶ

στείχουσαν ἡμῶν ἆσσον, Αἰτναίας ἐπὶ

πώλου βεβῶσαν· κρατὶ δʼ ἡλιοστεγὴς

κυνῆ πρόσωπα Θεσσαλίς νιν ἀμπέχει.

τί φῶ;
315

ἆρʼ ἔστιν; ἆρʼ οὐκ ἔστιν; ἢ γνώμη πλανᾷ;

καὶ φημὶ κἀπόφημι κοὐκ ἔχω τί φῶ.

τάλαινα.

οὐκ ἔστιν ἄλλη· φαιδρὰ γοῦν ἀπʼ ὀμμάτων

σαίνει με προσστείχουσα· σημαίνει δʼ ὅτι
320

μόνης τόδʼ ἐστὶ δῆλον Ἰσμήνης κάρα.

Οἰδίπους

πῶς εἶπας, ὦ παῖ;

Ἀντιγόνη

παῖδα σήν, ἐμὴν δʼ ὁρᾶν

ὅμαιμον· αὐδῇ δʼ αὐτίκʼ ἔξεστιν μαθεῖν.

Ἰσμήνη

ὦ δισσὰ πατρὸς καὶ κασιγνήτης ἐμοὶ

ἥδιστα προσφωνήμαθʼ, ὡς ὑμᾶς μόλις
325

εὑροῦσα λύπῃ δεύτερον μόλις βλέπω.

Οἰδίπους

ὦ τέκνον, ἥκεις;

Ἰσμήνη

ὦ πάτερ δύσμοιρʼ ὁρᾶν.

Οἰδίπους

τέκνον, πέφηνας;

Ἰσμήνη

οὐκ ἄνευ μόχθου γέ μοι.

Οἰδίπους

πρόσψαυσον, ὦ παῖ.

Ἰσμήνη

θιγγάνω δυοῖν ὁμοῦ.

Οἰδίπους

ὦ σπέρμʼ ὅμαιμον.
330

Ἰσμήνη

ὦ δυσάθλιαι τροφαί.

Οἰδίπους

ἦ τῆσδε κἀμοῦ;

Ἰσμήνη

δυσμόρου τʼ ἐμοῦ τρίτης.

Οἰδίπους

τέκνον, τί δʼ ἦλθες;

Ἰσμήνη

σῇ, πάτερ, προμηθίᾳ.

Οἰδίπους

πότερα πόθοισι;

Ἰσμήνη

καὶ λόγων γʼ αὐτάγγελος,

ξὺν ᾧπερ εἶχον οἰκετῶν πιστῷ μόνῳ.

Οἰδίπους

οἱ δʼ αὐθόμαιμοι ποῦ νεανίαι πονεῖν;
335

Ἰσμήνη

εἴσʼ οὗπέρ εἰσι· δεινὰ τἀν κείνοις τανῦν.

337

Οἰδίπους

ὦ πάντʼ ἐκείνω τοῖς ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ νόμοις

φύσιν κατεικασθέντε καὶ βίου τροφάς·

ἐκεῖ γὰρ οἱ μὲν ἄρσενες κατὰ στέγας

θακοῦσιν ἱστουργοῦντες, αἱ δὲ σύννομοι
340

τἄξω βίου τροφεῖα πορσύνουσʼ ἀεί.

σφῷν δʼ, ὦ τέκνʼ, οὓς μὲν εἰκὸς ἦν πονεῖν τάδε,

κατʼ οἶκον οἰκουροῦσιν ὥστε παρθένοι,

σφὼ δʼ ἀντʼ ἐκείνων τἀμὰ δυστήνου κακὰ

ὑπερπονεῖτον. ἡ μὲν ἐξ ὅτου νέας
345

τροφῆς ἔληξε καὶ κατίσχυσεν δέμας,

ἀεὶ μεθʼ ἡμῶν δύσμορος πλανωμένη

γερονταγωγεῖ, πολλὰ μὲν κατʼ ἀγρίαν

ὕλην ἄσιτος νηλίπους τʼ ἀλωμένη,

πολλοῖσι δʼ ὄμβροις ἡλίου τε καύμασιν
350

μοχθοῦσα τλήμων δεύτερʼ ἡγεῖται τὰ τῆς

οἴκοι διαίτης, εἰ πατὴρ τροφὴν ἔχοι.

σὺ δʼ, ὦ τέκνον, πρόσθεν μὲν ἐξίκου πατρὶ

μαντεῖʼ ἄγουσα πάντα, Καδμείων λάθρᾳ,

ἃ τοῦδʼ ἐχρήσθη σώματος, φύλαξ τέ μου
355

πιστὴ κατέστης, γῆς ὅτʼ ἐξηλαυνόμην·

νῦν δʼ αὖ τίνʼ ἥκεις μῦθον, Ἰσμήνη, πατρὶ

φέρουσα; τίς σʼ ἐξῆρεν οἴκοθεν στόλος;

ἥκεις γὰρ οὐ κενή γε, τοῦτʼ ἐγὼ σαφῶς

ἔξοιδα, μὴ οὐχὶ δεῖμʼ ἐμοὶ φέρουσά τι.
360

Ἰσμήνη

ἐγὼ τὰ μὲν παθήμαθʼ ἅπαθον, πάτερ,

ζητοῦσα τὴν σὴν ποῦ κατοικοίης τροφήν,

παρεῖσʼ ἐάσω· δὶς γὰρ οὐχὶ βούλομαι

πονοῦσά τʼ ἀλγεῖν καὶ λέγουσʼ αὖθις πάλιν.

ἃ δʼ ἀμφὶ τοῖν σοῖν δυσμόροιν παίδοιν κακὰ
365

νῦν ἐστι, ταῦτα σημανοῦσʼ ἐλήλυθα.

πρὶν μὲν γὰρ αὐτοῖς ἦν ἔρως Κρέοντί τε

θρόνους ἐᾶσθαι μηδὲ χραίνεσθαι πόλιν,

λόγῳ σκοποῦσι τὴν πάλαι γένους φθοράν,

οἵα κατέσχε τὸν σὸν ἄθλιον δόμον·
370

νῦν δʼ ἐκ θεῶν του κἀλιτηρίου φρενὸς

εἰσῆλθε τοῖν τρὶς ἀθλίοιν ἔρις κακή,

ἀρχῆς λαβέσθαι καὶ κράτους τυραννικοῦ.

χὠ μὲν νεάζων καὶ χρόνῳ μείων γεγὼς

τὸν πρόσθε γεννηθέντα Πολυνείκη θρόνων
375

ἀποστερίσκει, κἀξελήλακεν πάτρας.

ὁ δʼ, ὡς καθʼ ἡμᾶς ἔσθʼ ὁ πληθύων λόγος,

τὸ κοῖλον Ἄργος βὰς φυγὰς προσλαμβάνει

κῆδός τε καινὸν καὶ ξυνασπιστὰς φίλους

ὡς αὐτίκʼ Ἄργος ἢ τὸ Καδμείων πέδον
380

τιμῇ καθέξον ἢ πρὸς οὐρανὸν βιβῶν.

ταῦτʼ οὐκ ἀριθμός ἐστιν, ὦ πάτερ, λόγων,

ἀλλʼ ἔργα δεινά· τοὺς δὲ σοὺς ὅπου θεοὶ

πόνους κατοικτιοῦσιν οὐκ ἔχω μαθεῖν.

385

Οἰδίπους

ἤδη γὰρ ἔσχες ἐλπίδʼ ὡς ἐμοῦ θεοὺς
385

ὤραν τινʼ ἕξειν, ὥστε σωθῆναί ποτε;

Ἰσμήνη

ἔγωγε τοῖς νὺν γʼ, ὦ πάτερ, μαντεύμασιν.

Οἰδίπους

ποίοισι τούτοις; τί δὲ τεθέσπισται, τέκνον;

Ἰσμήνη

σὲ τοῖς ἐκεῖ ζητητὸν ἀνθρώποις ποτὲ

θανόντʼ ἔσεσθαι ζῶντά τʼ εὐσοίας χάριν.
390

Οἰδίπους

τίς δʼ ἂν τοιοῦδʼ ὑπʼ ἀνδρὸς εὖ πράξειεν ἄν;

Ἰσμήνη

ἐν σοὶ τὰ κείνων φασὶ γίγνεσθαι κράτη.

Οἰδίπους

ὅτʼ οὐκέτʼ εἰμί, τηνικαῦτʼ ἄρʼ εἴμʼ ἀνήρ;

Ἰσμήνη

νῦν γὰρ θεοί σʼ ὀρθοῦσι, πρόσθε δʼ ὤλλυσαν.

Οἰδίπους

γέροντα δʼ ὀρθοῦν φλαῦρον ὃς νέος πέσῃ.
395

Ἰσμήνη

καὶ μὴν Κρέοντά γʼ ἴσθι σοι τούτων χάριν

ἥξοντα βαιοῦ κοὐχὶ μυρίου χρόνου.

Οἰδίπους

ὅπως τί δράσῃ, θύγατερ; ἑρμήνευέ μοι.

Ἰσμήνη

ὥς σʼ ἄγχι γῆς στήσωσι Καδμείας, ὅπως

κρατῶσι μὲν σοῦ, γῆς δὲ μὴ ʼμβαίνῃς ὅρων.
400

Οἰδίπους

ἡ δʼ ὠφέλησις τίς θύρασι κειμένου;

Ἰσμήνη

κείνοις ὁ τύμβος δυστυχῶν ὁ σὸς βαρύς.

Οἰδίπους

κἄνευ θεοῦ τις τοῦτό γʼ ἂν γνώμῃ μάθοι.

Ἰσμήνη

τούτου χάριν τοίνυν σε προσθέσθαι πέλας

χώρας θέλουσι, μηδʼ ἵνʼ ἂν σαυτοῦ κρατοῖς.
405

Οἰδίπους

ἦ καὶ κατασκιῶσι Θηβαίᾳ κόνει;

Ἰσμήνη

ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἐᾷ τοὔμφυλον αἷμά σʼ, ὦ πάτερ.

Οἰδίπους

οὐκ ἆρʼ ἐμοῦ γε μὴ κρατήσωσίν ποτε.

Ἰσμήνη

ἔσται ποτʼ ἆρα τοῦτο Καδμείοις βάρος.

Οἰδίπους

ποίας φανείσης, ὦ τέκνον, συναλλαγῆς;
410

Ἰσμήνη

τῆς σῆς ὑπʼ ὀργῆς, σοῖς ὅταν στῶσιν τάφοις.

Οἰδίπους

ἃ δʼ ἐννέπεις, κλύουσα τοῦ λέγεις, τέκνον;

Ἰσμήνη

ἀνδρῶν θεωρῶν Δελφικῆς ἀφʼ ἑστίας.

Οἰδίπους

καὶ ταῦτʼ ἐφʼ ἡμῖν Φοῖβος εἰρηκὼς κυρεῖ;

Ἰσμήνη

ὥς φασιν οἱ μολόντες εἰς Θήβης πέδον.
415

Οἰδίπους

παίδων τις οὖν ἤκουσε τῶν ἐμῶν τάδε;

Ἰσμήνη

ἄμφω γʼ ὁμοίως, κἀξεπίστασθον καλῶς.

Οἰδίπους

κᾆθʼ οἱ κάκιστοι τῶνδʼ ἀκούσαντες, πάρος

τοὐμοῦ πόθου προύθεντο τὴν τυραννίδα;

Ἰσμήνη

ἀλγῶ κλύουσα ταῦτʼ ἐγώ, φέρω δʼ ὅμως.
420

421

Οἰδίπους

ἀλλʼ οἱ θεοί σφιν μήτε τὴν πεπρωμένην

ἔριν κατασβέσειαν, ἔν τʼ ἐμοὶ τέλος

αὐτοῖν γένοιτο τῆσδε τῆς μάχης πέρι,

ἧς νῦν ἔχονται κἀπαναίρονται δόρυ·

ὡς οὔτʼ ἂν ὃς νῦν σκῆπτρα καὶ θρόνους ἔχει
425

μείνειεν οὔτʼ ἂν οὑξεληλυθὼς πάλιν

ἔλθοι ποτʼ αὖθις· οἵ γε τὸν φύσαντʼ ἐμὲ

οὕτως ἀτίμως πατρίδος ἐξωθούμενον

οὐκ ἔσχον οὐδʼ ἤμυναν, ἀλλʼ ἀνάστατος

αὐτοῖς ἐπέμφθην κἀξεκηρύχθην φυγάς.
430

εἴποις ἂν ὡς θέλοντι τοῦτʼ ἐμοὶ τότε

πόλις τὸ δῶρον εἰκότως κατῄνεσεν.

οὐ δῆτʼ, ἐπεί τοι τὴν μὲν αὐτίχʼ ἡμέραν,

ὁπηνίκʼ ἔζει θυμός, ἥδιστον δέ μοι

τὸ κατθανεῖν ἦν καὶ τὸ λευσθῆναι πέτροις,
435

οὐδεὶς ἔρωτʼ ἐς τόνδʼ ἐφαίνετʼ ὠφελῶν·

χρόνῳ δʼ, ὅτʼ ἤδη πᾶς ὁ μόχθος ἦν πέπων,

κἀμάνθανον τὸν θυμὸν ἐκδραμόντα μοι

μείζω κολαστὴν τῶν πρὶν ἡμαρτημένων,

τὸ τηνίκʼ ἤδη τοῦτο μὲν πόλις βίᾳ
440

ἤλαυνέ μʼ ἐκ γῆς χρόνιον, οἱ δʼ ἐπωφελεῖν,

οἱ τοῦ πατρός, τῷ πατρὶ δυνάμενοι, τὸ δρᾶν

οὐκ ἠθέλησαν, ἀλλʼ ἔπους σμικροῦ χάριν

φυγάς σφιν ἔξω πτωχὸς ἠλώμην ἀεί.

ἐκ ταῖνδε δʼ, οὔσαιν παρθένοιν, ὅσον φύσις
445

δίδωσιν αὐταῖν, καὶ τροφὰς ἔχω βίου

καὶ γῆς ἄδειαν καὶ γένους ἐπάρκεσιν·

τὼ δʼ ἀντὶ τοῦ φύσαντος εἱλέσθην θρόνους

καὶ σκῆπτρα κραίνειν καὶ τυραννεύειν χθονός.

ἀλλʼ οὔ τι μὴ λάχωσι τοῦδε συμμάχου,
450

οὐδέ σφιν ἀρχῆς τῆσδε Καδμείας ποτὲ

ὄνησις ἥξει· τοῦτʼ ἐγῷδα, τῆσδέ τε

μαντεῖʼ ἀκούων συννοῶν τε τἀξ ἐμοῦ

παλαίφαθʼ ἁμοὶ Φοῖβος ἤνυσέν ποτε.

πρὸς ταῦτα καὶ Κρέοντα πεμπόντων ἐμοῦ
455

μαστῆρα, κεἴ τις ἄλλος ἐν πόλει σθένει.

ἐὰν γὰρ ὑμεῖς, ὦ ξένοι, θέληθʼ ὁμοῦ

προστάτισι ταῖς σεμναῖσι δημούχοις θεαῖς

ἀλκὴν ποεῖσθαι, τῇδε τῇ πόλει μέγαν

σωτῆρʼ ἀρεῖσθε, τοῖς δʼ ἐμοῖς ἐχθροῖς πόνους.
460

461

Χορός

ἐπάξιος μέν, Οἰδίπους, κατοικτίσαι,

αὐτός τε παῖδές θʼ αἵδʼ· ἐπεὶ δὲ τῆσδε γῆς

σωτῆρα σαυτὸν τῷδʼ ἐπεμβάλλεις λόγῳ,

παραινέσαι σοι βούλομαι τὰ σύμφορα.

Οἰδίπους

ὦ φίλταθʼ, ὡς νῦν πᾶν τελοῦντι προξένει.
465

Χορός

θοῦ νῦν καθαρμὸν τῶνδε δαιμόνων, ἐφʼ ἃς

τὸ πρῶτον ἵκου καὶ κατέστειψας πέδον.

Οἰδίπους

τρόποισι ποίοις; ὦ ξένοι, διδάσκετε.

Χορός

πρῶτον μὲν ἱερὰς ἐξ ἀειρύτου χοὰς

κρήνης ἐνεγκοῦ, διʼ ὁσίων χειρῶν θιγών.
470

Οἰδίπους

ὅταν δὲ τοῦτο χεῦμʼ ἀκήρατον λάβω;

Χορός

κρατῆρές εἰσιν, ἀνδρὸς εὔχειρος τέχνη,

ὧν κρᾶτʼ ἔρεψον καὶ λαβὰς ἀμφιστόμους.

Οἰδίπους

θαλλοῖσιν ἢ κρόκαισιν, ἢ ποίῳ τρόπῳ;

Χορός

οἰός γε νεαρᾶς νεοπόκῳ μαλλῷ λαβών.
475

Οἰδίπους

εἶεν· τὸ δʼ ἔνθεν ποῖ τελευτῆσαί με χρή;

Χορός

χοὰς χέασθαι στάντα πρὸς πρώτην ἕω.

Οἰδίπους

ἦ τοῖσδε κρωσσοῖς οἷς λέγεις χέω τάδε;

Χορός

τρισσάς γε πηγάς· τὸν τελευταῖον δʼ ὅλον.

Οἰδίπους

τοῦ τόνδε πλήσας θῶ; δίδασκε καὶ τόδε.
480

Χορός

ὕδατος, μελίσσης· μηδὲ προσφέρειν μέθυ.

Οἰδίπους

ὅταν δὲ τούτων γῆ μελάμφυλλος τύχῃ;

Χορός

τρὶς ἐννέʼ αὐτῇ κλῶνας ἐξ ἀμφοῖν χεροῖν

τιθεὶς ἐλαίας τάσδʼ ἐπεύχεσθαι λιτάς.

Οἰδίπους

τούτων ἀκοῦσαι βούλομαι· μέγιστα γάρ.
485

Χορός

ὥς σφας καλοῦμεν Εὐμενίδας, ἐξ εὐμενῶν

στέρνων δέχεσθαι τὸν ἱκέτην σωτήριον,

αἰτοῦ σύ τʼ αὐτὸς κεἴ τις ἄλλος ἀντὶ σοῦ,

ἄπυστα φωνῶν μηδὲ μηκύνων βοήν·

ἔπειτʼ ἀφέρπειν ἄστροφος. καὶ ταῦτά σοι
490

δράσαντι θαρσῶν ἂν παρασταίην ἐγώ·

ἄλλως δὲ δειμαίνοιμʼ ἄν, ὦ ξένʼ, ἀμφὶ σοι.

Οἰδίπους

ὦ παῖδε, κλύετον τῶνδε προσχώρων ξένων;

Ἀντιγόνη

ἠκούσαμέν τε χὤ τι δεῖ πρόστασσε δρᾶν.

Οἰδίπους

ἐμοὶ μὲν οὐχ ὁδωτά· λείπομαι γὰρ ἐν
495

τῷ μὴ δύνασθαι μήδʼ ὁρᾶν, δυοῖν κακοῖν·

σφῷν δʼ ἁτέρα μολοῦσα πραξάτω τάδε.

ἀρκεῖν γὰρ οἶμαι κἀντὶ μυρίων μίαν

ψυχὴν τάδʼ ἐκτίνουσαν, ἢν εὔνους παρῇ.

ἀλλʼ ἐν τάχει τι πράσσετον· μόνον δέ με
500

μὴ λείπετʼ· οὐ γὰρ ἂν σθένοι τοὐμὸν δέμας

ἔρημον ἕρπειν οὐδʼ ὑφηγητοῦ δίχα.

Ἰσμήνη

ἀλλʼ εἶμʼ ἐγὼ τελοῦσα· τὸν τόπον δʼ ἵνα

χρῆσταί μʼ ἐφευρεῖν, τοῦτο βούλομαι μαθεῖν.

Χορός

τοὐκεῖθεν ἄλσους, ὦ ξένη, τοῦδʼ· ἢν δέ του
505

σπάνιν τινʼ ἴσχῃς, ἔστʼ ἔποικος ὃς φράσει.

Ἰσμήνη

χωροῖμʼ ἂν ἐς τόδʼ· Ἀντιγόνη, σὺ δʼ ἐνθάδε

φύλασσε πατέρα τόνδε· τοῖς τεκοῦσι γὰρ

οὐδʼ εἰ πονεῖ τις, δεῖ πόνου μνήμην ἔχειν.

Translations (4)

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 254 focus

So wisse, Kind des Oedipus: dein Mißgeschick,

Wie dieses Mannes herbes Loos, weckt unsern Schmerz.
250

Doch bebend vor der Götter Zorn, vermögen wir

Nicht mehr zu sagen, als du schon gehört von uns.

Oedipus.

Was kann die Meinung frommen, was der stolze Ruf,

Wofern er eitel wesenlos als Trug zerrinnt,

Wofern sie sagen, unter allen Städten sei
255

Athen die frömmste, die den fluchbelad'nen Gast

Allein erretten, ihn beschirmen könn' allein,

Und mir sich solches nicht bewährt? Ihr locktet mich

Zuerst von diesem Size, dann vertreibt ihr mich,

Nur meinen Namen fürchtend, traun, nicht meinen Leib,
260

Noch meine Thaten. Sind ja doch die Thaten, die

Ich übte, mehr erlitten als vollbracht von mir,

Soll ich's von meinen Eltern nicht verheimlichen,

Um welcher willen ihr mich scheut, das weiß ich nur

Zu wohl. Indeß wie wär' ich böse von Natur,
265

Der fremdes Unrecht nur vergalt, und wenn er auch

Mit Wissen so sich rächte, doch kein Böses that?

Nun aber kam ich unbewußt, wohin ich kam;

Die das verschuldet, suchten wissend meinen Tod.

Drum fleh' ich euch, o Freunde, bei den Göttern an:
270

Wie ihr mich triebt von dannen, also schüzt mich auch;

Und wenn ihr dort die Götter ehrt, mißachtet hier

Auch nicht die Macht der Götter und vergesset nie:

Sie sehen, wo sich fromm bewährt ein Sterblicher,

Sie seh'n das Thun der Bösen, und für Frevler ja
275

Gab's auf der weiten Erde kein Entrinnen noch.

Sie denn verehrend, schände nicht den stolzen Ruhm

Athens, indem du gottvergess'nen Werken fröhnst:

Nein, wie du mich, den Fleh'nden, dir vertrauend fand'st,

So schirme mich und rette, nicht verachte mich,
280

Anschauend hier mein graunerregend Angesicht.

Denn fromm und heilig nah' ich euch und bringe Heil¹

Und Segen diesem Volke. Wenn der Herr erscheint,

Der über euch gebietet, wer er immer sei,

Dann wirst du Alles hören und versteh'n; indeß,
285

Eh dieser anlangt, übe nicht Verrath an mir.

Der Chor.

O Greis, die Worte, die du mir zum Herzen sprachst,

Wohl muß ich sie verehren; denn du legtest sie

In nicht gemeiner Rede dar: doch wenn dem Herrn

Des Landes hievon Kunde wird, genügt es mir.
290

Oedipus.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 255 focus

Theseus
(Edi. This Creon, whom thou seest, hath ravished

Ha ! wliat sayst thou ?

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 255 focus

Chorus

Fear not, thou shalt have aid : though I am old,

The nation's strength is not decay'd through age.

English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 254-507 focus

Chorus

Feel sure, daughter of Oedipus, that we pity you and him alike

for your misfortune; but dreading the punishment of the gods, we could not say anything beyond what we have now said to you.
255

Oedipus

What help comes, then, of repute or fair fame, if it ends in idle breath;

seeing that Athens , as men say, is god-fearing beyond all, and alone has the power to shelter the outraged stranger, and alone the power to help him?
And where are these things for me, when, after making me rise up from this rocky seat, you then drive me from the land, afraid of my name alone?
260

Not, surely, afraid of my person or of my acts; since my acts, at least, have been in suffering rather than doing—if I must mention the tale of my mother and my father, because of which you fear me. That know I full well.
265

And yet how was I innately evil? I, who was merely requiting a wrong, so that, had I been acting with knowledge, even then I could not be accounted evil. But, as it was, all unknowing I went where I went—while they who wronged me knowingly sought my ruin.
270

Therefore, strangers, I beseech you by the gods: just as you made me leave my seat, so protect me, and do not, while you render honor to the gods, consider those gods to be fools. But rather consider that they look on the god-fearing man
275

and on the godless, and that never yet has an impious man found escape.
With the help of those gods, do not becloud the prosperity of Athens by paying service to unholy deeds. As you have received the suppliant under your pledge,
280

rescue me and guard me to the end; nor dishonor me when you look on this face unlovely to behold, for I have come to you as one sacred and pious, bearing comfort for this people. But when the master has come,
285

whoever is your leader, then you will hear and know all; meanwhile show yourselves in no way evil.
290

Chorus

The thoughts you urge, old man, must move awe; they have been set forth in grave words.

But I am content that the rulers of our country should judge in this case.
295

296

Oedipus

And where, strangers, is the lord of this realm?

Chorus

He is at the city of his fathers in our land. The messenger who sent us here has gone to fetch him.

Oedipus

Do you think that he will have any regard or care for the blind man,

so as to come here himself?
300

Chorus

Yes, surely, as soon as he learns of your name.

Oedipus

Who is there to bring him that word?

Chorus

The way is long, and many words from travellers often wander about. When he hears them, he will soon be with us, never fear.

For your name, old man, has been loudly trumpeted through all lands, so that even if he is taking his ease, and slow to move, when he hears of you he will swiftly arrive.
305

Oedipus

Well, may he come with good fortune both for his own city and for me! What noble man is not his own friend?

Antigone

O Zeus! What shall I say? What shall I think, my father?
310

Oedipus

What is it, Antigone, my child?

Antigone

I see a woman coming towards us, mounted on a colt of Etna ; she wears a Thessalian bonnet to screen her face from the sun.

What shall I say? Is it she, or is it not? Does my judgment err? Yes—no—I cannot tell—ah, me! It is no other, yes! She greets me with bright glances
315

as she draws near, and makes a signal. Here is Ismene, clearly, and no other before me.
320

Oedipus

What is that you say, my child?

Antigone

That I see your daughter, my sister. By her voice right away you can know her.

Ismene

Father and sister, names most sweet to me! How hard it was to find you!

And how hard now to look upon you for my tears!
325

Oedipus

My child, have you come?

Ismene

Father, your fate is sad to see!

Oedipus

Are you with us, my child?

Ismene

Not without toil, indeed, for myself.

Oedipus

Touch me, my daughter!

Ismene

I give a hand to each at once.

Oedipus

Ah my children, my sisters!
330

Ismene

Alas, twice-wretched life!

Oedipus

Her life and mine?

Ismene

And mine, wretched me, makes a third.

Oedipus

Child, why have you come?

Ismene

Through concern for you, father.

Oedipus

Through longing to see me?

Ismene

Yes, and to bring you news by my own mouth, with the only faithful servant that I had.

Oedipus

And where are the young men, your brothers, in our need?
335

Ismene

They are where they are; their circumstances now are terrible.

337

Oedipus

True image of the ways of Egypt that they show in their spirit and their life! For there the men sit weaving in the house,

but the wives go forth to win the daily bread. And in your case, my daughters, those to whom these toils belonged keep the house at home like maidens, while you two, in their place, bear your poor father’s woes.
340

The one, from the time when her youth was past and she came into her strength, has always been this old man’s guide in weary wanderings, often roaming, hungry and barefoot, through the wild woods, often battered by rains and scorching sun.
345

And the comforts of home, poor girl, she holds in the second place, so long as her father should have her care.
And you, my child, in former days came forth, bringing your father, unknown to the Cadmeans, all the oracles that had been given concerning Oedipus.
350

You became a faithful guardian on my behalf, when I was being driven from the land. Now, in turn, what new tidings have you brought your father, Ismene? On what mission have you set forth from home? For you do not come empty-handed, I know well,
355

or without some cause of fear for me.
360

Ismene

The sufferings that I bore, father, in seeking where you dwelt, I will pass by; I would not renew the pain in the recital.

But the evils that now beset your ill-fated sons—it is of these that I have come to tell. At first it was their decision that the throne should be left to Creon, and the city spared pollution, when they thought calmly about the ancient blight on our race,
365

and how it has clung to your unfortunate house. But now, moved by some god and by sinful heart, an evil strife has seized them—thrice-deluded!—to grasp at rule and the power of a tyrant. And the younger son has stripped the elder, Polyneices, of the throne,
370

and has driven him from his fatherland. But he, as the widespread rumor says among us, has gone to the valley of Argos as an exile, and is taking to himself a new marriage connection, and warriors for his friends, intending that Argos soon get hold of the Cadmean land,
375

or send its praises to the sky. These are not empty words, my father, but terrible deeds; and where the gods will have pity on your grief, I cannot tell.
380

385

Oedipus

What, had you come to hope that the gods would ever have concern enough for me to give me rescue?
385

Ismene

Yes, that is my hope, father, from the present oracles.

Oedipus

What are they? What has been prophesied, my child?

Ismene

That you will be desired some day, in life and death, by the men of that land,

for their safety’s sake.
390

Oedipus

And who could profit from such a one as I?

Ismene

Their power, it is said, proves to be in your hands.

Oedipus

When I no longer exist, then I am a man?

Ismene

Yes, for the gods now raise you up; but before they worked your ruin.

Oedipus

It is a paltry thing to raise up age, when youth was ruined.
395

Ismene

Well, know at least that Creon will come to you on this account—and soon, not late.

Oedipus

With what purpose, daughter? Interpret that to me.

Ismene

To plant you near the Cadmean land, so that they may have you in their power,

while you may not set foot within their borders.
400

Oedipus

And how can I profit them while I rest beyond their gates?

Ismene

Your tomb contains a curse for them, if it should suffer misfortune.

Oedipus

I need no god to help my wits so far.

Ismene

For this reason, therefore, they wish to get you as their neighbor;

but in a place where they will have you at their mercy.
405

Oedipus

Will they really cover me in Theban dust?

Ismene

No, the guilt of related blood forbids you, father.

Oedipus

Then never will they become my masters.

Ismene

Someday then this will be a grief for the Cadmeans.

Oedipus

In what conjunction of events, my child?
410

Ismene

Under the power of your anger, when they stand at your tomb.

Oedipus

And who has told you this, my child?

Ismene

Sacred envoys, from the Delphian hearth.

Oedipus

And has Phoebus indeed spoken this concerning me?

Ismene

So say the men who have come back to Thebes .
415

Oedipus

Has either of my sons heard this?

Ismene

Yes, both have heard it, and know it well.

Oedipus

And then those most evil of sons, aware of this, preferred the kingship to the wish of recalling me?

Ismene

It grieves me to hear this, but I must bear it.
420

421

Oedipus

Then may the gods not quench their fated strife, and may it fall to me to decide this war on which they are now setting their hands, raising spear against spear!

For then neither would he who now holds the scepter and the throne survive, nor would the exile ever return; seeing that when I, their father, was being thrust without honor from my country, they did not stop or defend me. No, they saw me sent forth homeless,
425

and heard the crier proclaim my sentence of exile.
Perhaps you will say that that was my own wish then, and that the city fittingly granted me that gift. Not so! For on that first day, when my heart seethed,
430

and my sweetest wish was for death—indeed, death by stoning—no one was found to help me in that desire. But after a time, when all my anguish was now softened, and when I began to feel that my heart had been excessive in punishing those past errors,
435

then it was that the city set about to drive me by force from the land, after all that time. And my sons, when they had the strength to bring help—sons to their own father—they would not do it. For lack of one little word from them, I was left to wander, an outcast and a beggar forever.
440

Instead, it is from these, maidens as they are, insofar as nature enables them, that I obtain my daily food, and a shelter in the land, and the aid of family. Their brothers have bartered their father for the throne, the scepter of power, and the rule of the realm.
445

No, never will they win Oedipus for an ally, nor will good ever come to them from this reign at Thebes ; that I know, when I hear this maiden’s oracles and reflect on the old prophecies stored in my own mind, which Phoebus has fulfilled for me at last.
450

Therefore let them send Creon to seek me—or whoever else is mighty in Thebes . For if you, strangers, with the help of the dread goddesses who reign among your district, are willing to defend me, you will obtain a great savior for this city,
455

and troubles for my enemies.
460

461

Chorus

You are worthy of compassion, Oedipus, both you and these maidens. And since to this plea you append your power to save our land, I wish to advise you for your advantage.

Oedipus

Dearest friends, be my patrons, and I will bring everything to completion.
465

Chorus

Then make atonement to these divinities, to whom you have come first, and on whose ground you have trespassed.

Oedipus

With what rites? Instruct me, strangers.

Chorus

First, from an ever-flowing

spring bring sacred drink-offerings, borne in ritually pure hands.
470

Oedipus

And when I have gotten this unmixed draught?

Chorus

There are bowls, the work of a skilled craftsman; crown their edges and the handles at either side.

Oedipus

With olive branches, or woollen cloths, or in what way?

Chorus

Take the freshly-shorn wool of a ewe-lamb.
475

Oedipus

Good; and then to what last rite shall I proceed?

Chorus

Pour the drink-offerings, with your face to the dawn.

Oedipus

Shall I pour them with these vessels of which you speak?

Chorus

Yes, in three streams; but the last vessel—

Oedipus

With what shall I fill this, before I set it down? Teach me this also.
480

Chorus

With water and honey; but add no wine.

Oedipus

And when the ground under the dark shade has drunk these?

Chorus

Three times lay on it nine branches of olive with both your hands, and meanwhile make this prayer.

Oedipus

I wish to hear this prayer; it is the most important part.
485

Chorus

We call them Eumenides, so that with well-wishing power they may receive the suppliant as his saviors. Let this be your prayer, or of whoever prays for you. Speak inaudibly, and do not lift up your voice; then depart, without looking behind.

If you should do this, I would be bold enough to come to your aid; but otherwise, stranger, I would fear for you.
490

Oedipus

Daughters, do you hear these strangers who dwell nearby?

Antigone

We have listened. Tell us what to do.

Oedipus

I cannot make the trip; for I am disabled by lack of strength and lack of sight, twin evils. But let one of you two go and do these things. For I think that one soul suffices to pay this debt for ten thousand, if it comes with good will.
495

Act, then, with speed. But do not abandon me, for my body would not have the strength to move, without help or a guiding hand.
500

Ismene

Then I will go to perform the rite; but where I am to find the place—this I wish to learn.

Chorus

On the further side of this grove, stranger. And if you have need of anything, there is a guardian of the place. He will direct you.
505

Ismene

Off to my task. But you, Antigone, watch our father here. In the case of parents, if we toil, we must not keep a memory of it. Ismene exits.

Commentary

Commentary (R. C. Jebb) (OCR draft) (Commentary (R. C. Jebb))

mvp-comment-474-1 δῆτ’ ¹

mvp-comment-474-2 ἐκβάλοι ²

mvp-comment-475-1 ὅτῳ ³

mvp-comment-475-2 κοινή ⁴

mvp-comment-475-3 αἰέν ⁵

mvp-comment-475-4 δορύξενος ⁶

mvp-comment-475-5 Wecklein brackets the whole passage from 632

ὅτῳ

down to 637

τὴν τοῦδε

"a later addition,"

because (1) there could be no

ξενία

when Oedipus did not even know the name of Theseus (68), and (2)

σεβισθεὶς

in 636 is suspicious. On this, see ad loc. As to (1), the

ξενία

to which Theseus refers is not a personal friendship, but a hereditary alliance between the royal houses, as in Eur. Suppl. 930 Polyneices (whom he had not seen before) is his

ξένος

. Cp. on . After Wecklein's excision, we have

τίς δῆτ’ ἂν ἀνδρὸς εὐμένειαν ἐκβάλοι

τοιοῦδε; χώρᾳ δ’ ἔμπαλιν κατοικιῶ

. This is incoherent.

mvp-comment-476-1 ἀφιγμένος ⁷

mvp-comment-476-2 δασμός ⁸

mvp-comment-477-1 The aor. σεβισθεὶς only here:

σεβίζειν

1007 ,

σεβίσασα

Ant. 943 ,

σεβίζομαι ⁹

Aesch. Suppl. 922 . In later Gk. the pass. aor. of σεβάζομαι was deponent, as Anth. P. 7. 122

αἴ, αἲ Πυθαγόρης τί τόσον κυάμους ἐσεβάσθη;

It appears rash to deny that ἐσεβίσθην could be so used. The deponent use of

ἐσέφθην

is attested only by Plat. Phaedr. 254 B

( σεφθεῖσα )

, and Hesych. 1. 1456

ἐσέφθην· ἐσεβάσθην, ἡσύχασα, ᾐσχύνθην. Σοφοκλῆς Δαιδάλῳ

(fr. 168 Nauck).

mvp-comment-477-2 ἐκβαλῶ ¹⁰

mvp-comment-478-1 ἔμπολιν ¹¹

mvp-comment-478-2 ἔμπαλιν ¹²

mvp-comment-478-3 δέ ¹³

mvp-comment-479-1 σέ ¹⁴

mvp-comment-480-1 εἰ δὲ τόδε — στείχειν μετ’ ἐμοῦ, — ἡδύ ἐστι — δίδωμί σοι, τούτων κρίναντι ( ὁπότερον βούλει ), χρῆσθαι ( αὐτᾦ ¹⁵

mvp-comment-480-2 τούτων ¹⁶

mvp-comment-480-3 δίδωμι … χρῆσθαι ¹⁷

mvp-comment-480-4 With

εἴτ’ ἐμοῦ

, the constr. would be,

εἴτε μετ’ ἐμοῦ στείχειν

(

ἡδὺ αὐτῷ ἐστι, στείχειν πάρεστιν

), a word expressing consent being evolved from

τάξω

. But (1) this is harsher than O. T. 91

εἰ τῶνδε χρῄζεις πλησιαζόντων κλύειν

ἕτοιμος εἰπεῖν, εἴτε καὶ στείχειν ἔσω

(

χρῄζεις

), where

ἕτοιμος

is more easily fitted to the second clause; though somewhat similar is Eur. Ion 1120

πεπυσμέναι γάρ, εἰ θανεῖν ἡμᾶς ¹⁸ χρεών,

ἥδιον ἂν θάνοιμεν, εἴθ’ ὁρᾶν φάος

(

χρεών

), sc.

ἥδιον ἂν ὁρῷμεν

. And (2) in proposing the second alternative,—that Oed. should accompany him,—it is more suitable that he should address Oed. himself.

mvp-comment-480-5 τῇδε ¹⁹

mvp-comment-480-6 ξυνοίσομαι ²⁰

Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) focus

632-633. mvp-comment-349-1 ὅτου.. ἑστία Whose friendly alliance, first of all, has been ever known amongst us as a common possession; the family of Cadmus being πρόξενοι of Athens and not merely ξένοι of Theseus;

publicum hospitium dicit, ut opponatur ἰδιοξένῳ.

Linw. Or (2), reading ὅτῳ with Suidas, Who, first of all, has a home and place of defence always open to him in our land;' κοινή, in right of a mutual bond. Semper apud se paratum esse Oedipo hospitium pro mutua quadam vel inter ipsos vel inter majores eorum necessitudine.' Herm. Euripides represents Polynices as having been the ξένος of Theseus: Eur. Suppl. 930. For the alliance supposed to exist between Athens and Thebes, cp. supr. 606, 616, 618, infr. 758, 929. used for ξενία, like δόρυ for. πόλεμος. For the expression of a similar feeling, cp. Plat. Legg. 1. 642 Β, τυγχάνει ἡμῶν ἡ ἑστία τῆς πόλεως οὖσα ὑμῶν πρόξενος.

633. mvp-comment-350-1 αἰέν On all occasions,' i. e. independently of his other claims on us.

634-635. mvp-comment-351-1 ἔπειτα.. τίνει The sentence returns from the relative to an independent construction. Essay on Language p. 64. Theseus with noble brevity, (supr. 569), gives two or more reasons in one. Oedipus is (1) an ally, (2) a suppliant claiming Divine protection, (3) he promises to secure victory for Athens.

637. mvp-comment-352-1 ἔμπαλιν On the contrary. The conjectural emendation ἔμπολιν (Musgr.) is unnecessary, and if it were accepted the opposition of clauses would not be sufficiently marked by δé. The word ἔμπολις occurs only once, infra 1156. ('Non opus ἔμπαλιν : fortius ἔμπολιν.' Herm.)

638. mvp-comment-353-1 εἰ δ΄.. μίμνειν δέ = But with regard to the particular spot, referring to the comprehensive word χώρᾳ preceding.

640. mvp-comment-354-1 τούτων, κ.τ.λ. A general apodosis relating to both the preceding clauses is substituted for the apodosis of the latter clause.

640. mvp-comment-354-2 τούτων . . κρίναντι χρῆσθαι χρῆσθαι, sc. τῷ ἑτέρῳ. To make choice between these alternatives and use the one so chosen.' Cp. Ο. Τ. 640, δρᾶσαι.. δυοῖν ἀποκρίνας κακοῖν.

641. mvp-comment-355-1 τῇδε Sc. ᾗ ἂν σὺ κρίνῃς. Cp. Εl. 1301-1302, ὧδ᾽ ὅπως καὶ σοὶ φίλον | καὶ τοὐμὸν ἔσται τῇδ᾽.

641. mvp-comment-355-2 ξυνοίσομαι I will concur. 647. μέγ᾽ ἂν λέγοις .. συνουσίας] You seem to intimate a great boon which your abode with us will confer.' ἂν λέγοις = ἔοικας λέγειν, cp. El. 1372, οὐκ ἂν μακρῶν ἔθ᾽ ἡμὲν οὐδὲν ἂν λόγων | Πυλάδη, τόδ' εἴη τοὔργον. τῆς συνουσίας, genitive of relation (Essay on Language § 9. p. 13), A great gift in respect of your dwelling with us.

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Οἰδίπους καὶ ποῦ ʼσθʼ ὁ κραίνων τῆσδε τῆς χώρας, ξένοι;

Χορός πατρῷον ἄστυ γῆς ἔχει· σκοπὸς δέ νιν, ὃς κἀμὲ δεῦρʼ ἔπεμψεν, οἴχεται στελῶν.

Οἰδίπους ἦ καὶ δοκεῖτε τοῦ τυφλοῦ τινʼ ἐντροπὴν ἢ φροντίδʼ, ἕξειν, αὐτὸν ὥστʼ ἐλθεῖν πέλας; 300

Χορός καὶ κάρθʼ, ὅταν περ τοὔνομʼ αἴσθηται τὸ σόν.

Οἰδίπους τίς δʼ ἔσθʼ ὁ κείνῳ τοῦτο τοὔπος ἀγγελῶν;

Οἰδίπους ἀλλʼ εὐτυχὴς ἵκοιτο τῇ θʼ αὑτοῦ πόλει ἐμοί τε· τίς γὰρ ἐσθλὸς οὐχ αὑτῷ φίλος;

Ἀντιγόνη ὦ Ζεῦ, τί λέξω; ποῖ φρενῶν ἔλθω, πάτερ; 310

Οἰδίπους τί δʼ ἔστι, τέκνον Ἀντιγόνη;

Οἰδίπους πῶς εἶπας, ὦ παῖ;

Ἀντιγόνη παῖδα σήν, ἐμὴν δʼ ὁρᾶν ὅμαιμον· αὐδῇ δʼ αὐτίκʼ ἔξεστιν μαθεῖν.

Ἰσμήνη ὦ δισσὰ πατρὸς καὶ κασιγνήτης ἐμοὶ ἥδιστα προσφωνήμαθʼ, ὡς ὑμᾶς μόλις 325 εὑροῦσα λύπῃ δεύτερον μόλις βλέπω.

Οἰδίπους ὦ τέκνον, ἥκεις;

Ἰσμήνη ὦ πάτερ δύσμοιρʼ ὁρᾶν.

Οἰδίπους τέκνον, πέφηνας;

Ἰσμήνη οὐκ ἄνευ μόχθου γέ μοι.

Οἰδίπους πρόσψαυσον, ὦ παῖ.

Ἰσμήνη θιγγάνω δυοῖν ὁμοῦ.

Οἰδίπους ὦ σπέρμʼ ὅμαιμον. 330

Ἰσμήνη ὦ δυσάθλιαι τροφαί.

Οἰδίπους ἦ τῆσδε κἀμοῦ;

Ἰσμήνη δυσμόρου τʼ ἐμοῦ τρίτης.

Οἰδίπους τέκνον, τί δʼ ἦλθες;

Ἰσμήνη σῇ, πάτερ, προμηθίᾳ.

Οἰδίπους πότερα πόθοισι;

Ἰσμήνη καὶ λόγων γʼ αὐτάγγελος, ξὺν ᾧπερ εἶχον οἰκετῶν πιστῷ μόνῳ.

Οἰδίπους οἱ δʼ αὐθόμαιμοι ποῦ νεανίαι πονεῖν; 335

Ἰσμήνη εἴσʼ οὗπέρ εἰσι· δεινὰ τἀν κείνοις τανῦν.

Οἰδίπους ἤδη γὰρ ἔσχες ἐλπίδʼ ὡς ἐμοῦ θεοὺς 385 ὤραν τινʼ ἕξειν, ὥστε σωθῆναί ποτε;

Ἰσμήνη ἔγωγε τοῖς νὺν γʼ, ὦ πάτερ, μαντεύμασιν.

Οἰδίπους ποίοισι τούτοις; τί δὲ τεθέσπισται, τέκνον;

Ἰσμήνη σὲ τοῖς ἐκεῖ ζητητὸν ἀνθρώποις ποτὲ θανόντʼ ἔσεσθαι ζῶντά τʼ εὐσοίας χάριν. 390

Οἰδίπους τίς δʼ ἂν τοιοῦδʼ ὑπʼ ἀνδρὸς εὖ πράξειεν ἄν;

Ἰσμήνη ἐν σοὶ τὰ κείνων φασὶ γίγνεσθαι κράτη.

Οἰδίπους ὅτʼ οὐκέτʼ εἰμί, τηνικαῦτʼ ἄρʼ εἴμʼ ἀνήρ;

Ἰσμήνη νῦν γὰρ θεοί σʼ ὀρθοῦσι, πρόσθε δʼ ὤλλυσαν.

Οἰδίπους γέροντα δʼ ὀρθοῦν φλαῦρον ὃς νέος πέσῃ. 395

Ἰσμήνη καὶ μὴν Κρέοντά γʼ ἴσθι σοι τούτων χάριν ἥξοντα βαιοῦ κοὐχὶ μυρίου χρόνου.

Οἰδίπους ὅπως τί δράσῃ, θύγατερ; ἑρμήνευέ μοι.

Ἰσμήνη ὥς σʼ ἄγχι γῆς στήσωσι Καδμείας, ὅπως κρατῶσι μὲν σοῦ, γῆς δὲ μὴ ʼμβαίνῃς ὅρων. 400

Οἰδίπους ἡ δʼ ὠφέλησις τίς θύρασι κειμένου;

Ἰσμήνη κείνοις ὁ τύμβος δυστυχῶν ὁ σὸς βαρύς.

Οἰδίπους κἄνευ θεοῦ τις τοῦτό γʼ ἂν γνώμῃ μάθοι.

Ἰσμήνη τούτου χάριν τοίνυν σε προσθέσθαι πέλας χώρας θέλουσι, μηδʼ ἵνʼ ἂν σαυτοῦ κρατοῖς. 405

Οἰδίπους ἦ καὶ κατασκιῶσι Θηβαίᾳ κόνει;

Ἰσμήνη ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἐᾷ τοὔμφυλον αἷμά σʼ, ὦ πάτερ.

Οἰδίπους οὐκ ἆρʼ ἐμοῦ γε μὴ κρατήσωσίν ποτε.

Ἰσμήνη ἔσται ποτʼ ἆρα τοῦτο Καδμείοις βάρος.

Οἰδίπους ποίας φανείσης, ὦ τέκνον, συναλλαγῆς; 410

Ἰσμήνη τῆς σῆς ὑπʼ ὀργῆς, σοῖς ὅταν στῶσιν τάφοις.

Οἰδίπους ἃ δʼ ἐννέπεις, κλύουσα τοῦ λέγεις, τέκνον;

Ἰσμήνη ἀνδρῶν θεωρῶν Δελφικῆς ἀφʼ ἑστίας.

Οἰδίπους καὶ ταῦτʼ ἐφʼ ἡμῖν Φοῖβος εἰρηκὼς κυρεῖ;

Ἰσμήνη ὥς φασιν οἱ μολόντες εἰς Θήβης πέδον. 415

Οἰδίπους παίδων τις οὖν ἤκουσε τῶν ἐμῶν τάδε;

Ἰσμήνη ἄμφω γʼ ὁμοίως, κἀξεπίστασθον καλῶς.

Οἰδίπους κᾆθʼ οἱ κάκιστοι τῶνδʼ ἀκούσαντες, πάρος τοὐμοῦ πόθου προύθεντο τὴν τυραννίδα;

Ἰσμήνη ἀλγῶ κλύουσα ταῦτʼ ἐγώ, φέρω δʼ ὅμως. 420

Οἰδίπους ὦ φίλταθʼ, ὡς νῦν πᾶν τελοῦντι προξένει. 465

Χορός θοῦ νῦν καθαρμὸν τῶνδε δαιμόνων, ἐφʼ ἃς τὸ πρῶτον ἵκου καὶ κατέστειψας πέδον.

Οἰδίπους τρόποισι ποίοις; ὦ ξένοι, διδάσκετε.

Χορός πρῶτον μὲν ἱερὰς ἐξ ἀειρύτου χοὰς κρήνης ἐνεγκοῦ, διʼ ὁσίων χειρῶν θιγών. 470

Οἰδίπους ὅταν δὲ τοῦτο χεῦμʼ ἀκήρατον λάβω;

Χορός κρατῆρές εἰσιν, ἀνδρὸς εὔχειρος τέχνη, ὧν κρᾶτʼ ἔρεψον καὶ λαβὰς ἀμφιστόμους.

Οἰδίπους θαλλοῖσιν ἢ κρόκαισιν, ἢ ποίῳ τρόπῳ;

Χορός οἰός γε νεαρᾶς νεοπόκῳ μαλλῷ λαβών. 475

Οἰδίπους εἶεν· τὸ δʼ ἔνθεν ποῖ τελευτῆσαί με χρή;

Χορός χοὰς χέασθαι στάντα πρὸς πρώτην ἕω.

Οἰδίπους ἦ τοῖσδε κρωσσοῖς οἷς λέγεις χέω τάδε;

Χορός τρισσάς γε πηγάς· τὸν τελευταῖον δʼ ὅλον.

Οἰδίπους τοῦ τόνδε πλήσας θῶ; δίδασκε καὶ τόδε. 480

Χορός ὕδατος, μελίσσης· μηδὲ προσφέρειν μέθυ.

Οἰδίπους ὅταν δὲ τούτων γῆ μελάμφυλλος τύχῃ;

Χορός τρὶς ἐννέʼ αὐτῇ κλῶνας ἐξ ἀμφοῖν χεροῖν τιθεὶς ἐλαίας τάσδʼ ἐπεύχεσθαι λιτάς.

Οἰδίπους τούτων ἀκοῦσαι βούλομαι· μέγιστα γάρ. 485

Οἰδίπους ὦ παῖδε, κλύετον τῶνδε προσχώρων ξένων;

Ἀντιγόνη ἠκούσαμέν τε χὤ τι δεῖ πρόστασσε δρᾶν.

Ἰσμήνη ἀλλʼ εἶμʼ ἐγὼ τελοῦσα· τὸν τόπον δʼ ἵνα χρῆσταί μʼ ἐφευρεῖν, τοῦτο βούλομαι μαθεῖν.

Οἰδίπους

καὶ ποῦ ʼσθʼ ὁ κραίνων τῆσδε τῆς χώρας, ξένοι;

Χορός

πατρῷον ἄστυ γῆς ἔχει· σκοπὸς δέ νιν,

ὃς κἀμὲ δεῦρʼ ἔπεμψεν, οἴχεται στελῶν.

Οἰδίπους

ἦ καὶ δοκεῖτε τοῦ τυφλοῦ τινʼ ἐντροπὴν

ἢ φροντίδʼ, ἕξειν, αὐτὸν ὥστʼ ἐλθεῖν πέλας;
300

Χορός

καὶ κάρθʼ, ὅταν περ τοὔνομʼ αἴσθηται τὸ σόν.

Οἰδίπους

τίς δʼ ἔσθʼ ὁ κείνῳ τοῦτο τοὔπος ἀγγελῶν;

Οἰδίπους

ἀλλʼ εὐτυχὴς ἵκοιτο τῇ θʼ αὑτοῦ πόλει

ἐμοί τε· τίς γὰρ ἐσθλὸς οὐχ αὑτῷ φίλος;

Ἀντιγόνη

ὦ Ζεῦ, τί λέξω; ποῖ φρενῶν ἔλθω, πάτερ;
310

Οἰδίπους

τί δʼ ἔστι, τέκνον Ἀντιγόνη;

Οἰδίπους

πῶς εἶπας, ὦ παῖ;

Ἀντιγόνη

παῖδα σήν, ἐμὴν δʼ ὁρᾶν

ὅμαιμον· αὐδῇ δʼ αὐτίκʼ ἔξεστιν μαθεῖν.

Ἰσμήνη

ὦ δισσὰ πατρὸς καὶ κασιγνήτης ἐμοὶ

ἥδιστα προσφωνήμαθʼ, ὡς ὑμᾶς μόλις
325

εὑροῦσα λύπῃ δεύτερον μόλις βλέπω.

Οἰδίπους

ὦ τέκνον, ἥκεις;

Ἰσμήνη

ὦ πάτερ δύσμοιρʼ ὁρᾶν.

Οἰδίπους

τέκνον, πέφηνας;

Ἰσμήνη

οὐκ ἄνευ μόχθου γέ μοι.

Οἰδίπους

πρόσψαυσον, ὦ παῖ.

Ἰσμήνη

θιγγάνω δυοῖν ὁμοῦ.

Οἰδίπους

ὦ σπέρμʼ ὅμαιμον.
330

Ἰσμήνη

ὦ δυσάθλιαι τροφαί.

Οἰδίπους

ἦ τῆσδε κἀμοῦ;

Ἰσμήνη

δυσμόρου τʼ ἐμοῦ τρίτης.

Οἰδίπους

τέκνον, τί δʼ ἦλθες;

Ἰσμήνη

σῇ, πάτερ, προμηθίᾳ.

Οἰδίπους

πότερα πόθοισι;

Ἰσμήνη

καὶ λόγων γʼ αὐτάγγελος,

ξὺν ᾧπερ εἶχον οἰκετῶν πιστῷ μόνῳ.

Οἰδίπους

οἱ δʼ αὐθόμαιμοι ποῦ νεανίαι πονεῖν;
335

Ἰσμήνη

εἴσʼ οὗπέρ εἰσι· δεινὰ τἀν κείνοις τανῦν.

Οἰδίπους

ἤδη γὰρ ἔσχες ἐλπίδʼ ὡς ἐμοῦ θεοὺς
385

ὤραν τινʼ ἕξειν, ὥστε σωθῆναί ποτε;

Ἰσμήνη

ἔγωγε τοῖς νὺν γʼ, ὦ πάτερ, μαντεύμασιν.

Οἰδίπους

ποίοισι τούτοις; τί δὲ τεθέσπισται, τέκνον;

Ἰσμήνη

σὲ τοῖς ἐκεῖ ζητητὸν ἀνθρώποις ποτὲ

θανόντʼ ἔσεσθαι ζῶντά τʼ εὐσοίας χάριν.
390

Οἰδίπους

τίς δʼ ἂν τοιοῦδʼ ὑπʼ ἀνδρὸς εὖ πράξειεν ἄν;

Ἰσμήνη

ἐν σοὶ τὰ κείνων φασὶ γίγνεσθαι κράτη.

Οἰδίπους

ὅτʼ οὐκέτʼ εἰμί, τηνικαῦτʼ ἄρʼ εἴμʼ ἀνήρ;

Ἰσμήνη

νῦν γὰρ θεοί σʼ ὀρθοῦσι, πρόσθε δʼ ὤλλυσαν.

Οἰδίπους

γέροντα δʼ ὀρθοῦν φλαῦρον ὃς νέος πέσῃ.
395

Ἰσμήνη

καὶ μὴν Κρέοντά γʼ ἴσθι σοι τούτων χάριν

ἥξοντα βαιοῦ κοὐχὶ μυρίου χρόνου.

Οἰδίπους

ὅπως τί δράσῃ, θύγατερ; ἑρμήνευέ μοι.

Ἰσμήνη

ὥς σʼ ἄγχι γῆς στήσωσι Καδμείας, ὅπως

κρατῶσι μὲν σοῦ, γῆς δὲ μὴ ʼμβαίνῃς ὅρων.
400

Οἰδίπους

ἡ δʼ ὠφέλησις τίς θύρασι κειμένου;

Ἰσμήνη

κείνοις ὁ τύμβος δυστυχῶν ὁ σὸς βαρύς.

Οἰδίπους

κἄνευ θεοῦ τις τοῦτό γʼ ἂν γνώμῃ μάθοι.

Ἰσμήνη

τούτου χάριν τοίνυν σε προσθέσθαι πέλας

χώρας θέλουσι, μηδʼ ἵνʼ ἂν σαυτοῦ κρατοῖς.
405

Οἰδίπους

ἦ καὶ κατασκιῶσι Θηβαίᾳ κόνει;

Ἰσμήνη

ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἐᾷ τοὔμφυλον αἷμά σʼ, ὦ πάτερ.

Οἰδίπους

οὐκ ἆρʼ ἐμοῦ γε μὴ κρατήσωσίν ποτε.

Ἰσμήνη

ἔσται ποτʼ ἆρα τοῦτο Καδμείοις βάρος.

Οἰδίπους

ποίας φανείσης, ὦ τέκνον, συναλλαγῆς;
410

Ἰσμήνη

τῆς σῆς ὑπʼ ὀργῆς, σοῖς ὅταν στῶσιν τάφοις.

Οἰδίπους

ἃ δʼ ἐννέπεις, κλύουσα τοῦ λέγεις, τέκνον;

Ἰσμήνη

ἀνδρῶν θεωρῶν Δελφικῆς ἀφʼ ἑστίας.

Οἰδίπους

καὶ ταῦτʼ ἐφʼ ἡμῖν Φοῖβος εἰρηκὼς κυρεῖ;

Ἰσμήνη

ὥς φασιν οἱ μολόντες εἰς Θήβης πέδον.
415

Οἰδίπους

παίδων τις οὖν ἤκουσε τῶν ἐμῶν τάδε;

Ἰσμήνη

ἄμφω γʼ ὁμοίως, κἀξεπίστασθον καλῶς.

Οἰδίπους

κᾆθʼ οἱ κάκιστοι τῶνδʼ ἀκούσαντες, πάρος

τοὐμοῦ πόθου προύθεντο τὴν τυραννίδα;

Ἰσμήνη

ἀλγῶ κλύουσα ταῦτʼ ἐγώ, φέρω δʼ ὅμως.
420

Οἰδίπους

ὦ φίλταθʼ, ὡς νῦν πᾶν τελοῦντι προξένει.
465

Χορός

θοῦ νῦν καθαρμὸν τῶνδε δαιμόνων, ἐφʼ ἃς

τὸ πρῶτον ἵκου καὶ κατέστειψας πέδον.

Οἰδίπους

τρόποισι ποίοις; ὦ ξένοι, διδάσκετε.

Χορός

πρῶτον μὲν ἱερὰς ἐξ ἀειρύτου χοὰς

κρήνης ἐνεγκοῦ, διʼ ὁσίων χειρῶν θιγών.
470

Οἰδίπους

ὅταν δὲ τοῦτο χεῦμʼ ἀκήρατον λάβω;

Χορός

κρατῆρές εἰσιν, ἀνδρὸς εὔχειρος τέχνη,

ὧν κρᾶτʼ ἔρεψον καὶ λαβὰς ἀμφιστόμους.

Οἰδίπους

θαλλοῖσιν ἢ κρόκαισιν, ἢ ποίῳ τρόπῳ;

Χορός

οἰός γε νεαρᾶς νεοπόκῳ μαλλῷ λαβών.
475

Οἰδίπους

εἶεν· τὸ δʼ ἔνθεν ποῖ τελευτῆσαί με χρή;

Χορός

χοὰς χέασθαι στάντα πρὸς πρώτην ἕω.

Οἰδίπους

ἦ τοῖσδε κρωσσοῖς οἷς λέγεις χέω τάδε;

Χορός

τρισσάς γε πηγάς· τὸν τελευταῖον δʼ ὅλον.

Οἰδίπους

τοῦ τόνδε πλήσας θῶ; δίδασκε καὶ τόδε.
480

Χορός

ὕδατος, μελίσσης· μηδὲ προσφέρειν μέθυ.

Οἰδίπους

ὅταν δὲ τούτων γῆ μελάμφυλλος τύχῃ;

Χορός

τρὶς ἐννέʼ αὐτῇ κλῶνας ἐξ ἀμφοῖν χεροῖν

τιθεὶς ἐλαίας τάσδʼ ἐπεύχεσθαι λιτάς.

Οἰδίπους

τούτων ἀκοῦσαι βούλομαι· μέγιστα γάρ.
485

Οἰδίπους

ὦ παῖδε, κλύετον τῶνδε προσχώρων ξένων;

Ἀντιγόνη

ἠκούσαμέν τε χὤ τι δεῖ πρόστασσε δρᾶν.

Ἰσμήνη

ἀλλʼ εἶμʼ ἐγὼ τελοῦσα· τὸν τόπον δʼ ἵνα

χρῆσταί μʼ ἐφευρεῖν, τοῦτο βούλομαι μαθεῖν.

Χορός

τοὐκεῖθεν ἄλσους, ὦ ξένη, τοῦδʼ· ἢν δέ του
505

σπάνιν τινʼ ἴσχῃς, ἔστʼ ἔποικος ὃς φράσει.

Ἰσμήνη

χωροῖμʼ ἂν ἐς τόδʼ· Ἀντιγόνη, σὺ δʼ ἐνθάδε

φύλασσε πατέρα τόνδε· τοῖς τεκοῦσι γὰρ

οὐδʼ εἰ πονεῖ τις, δεῖ πόνου μνήμην ἔχειν.

So wisse, Kind des Oedipus: dein Mißgeschick,

Wie dieses Mannes herbes Loos, weckt unsern Schmerz.
250

Doch bebend vor der Götter Zorn, vermögen wir

Nicht mehr zu sagen, als du schon gehört von uns.