Polynices
1284
'Tis well advised, and I will tell thee all.
Oh ! may that deity propitious smile
1285
Whose altar late I left, whence Theseus raised
This w^retched suppliant, and in converse free
Mixed gracious with me ! May I hope from you
The like benevolence ? And now, my father,
I'll tell thee wherefore Polynices came.
1290
Thou seest me banished from my native land —
Unjustly banished, for no other crime
But that I strove to keep the throne of Thebes,
By birthright mine, from him who drove me thence.
The young Eteocles : not his the claim
1295
By justice, nor to me his fame in arms
Superior ; but by soft persuasive arts
He won the rebel city to his love.
Thy curse, my father, was the cause of all —
I know it was ; for so the priests declared
1300
In oracles divine. To Argos then
I came, and, to Adrastus' daughter joined
In marriage, gained the Argive chiefs, renowned
For martial deeds ; seven valiant leaders march
To Thebes, resolved to conquer or to die.
1305
Therefore to thee, my father, came I here,
To beg thy aid for me and these my friends,
Companions of the war, who threaten Thebes
With their united powers, in order thus :
The wise and brave Amphiaraus, or skilled
1310
To cast the spear, or with prophetic tongue
Disclose the will of Heaven ; with CEneus' son
-^tolian Tydeus, and Eteocles,
At Argos born ; to these Hippomedon,
1315
Sent by Talaus, his renowned sire ;
Bold Capaneus, who threatens soon to raze
The walls of mighty Thebes ; to close the train,
Parthenopsean Areas comes, the son
Of Atalantis, from her virgin name
1320
So called. With these thy hapless son (the child
Of dire misfortune rather) leads his force
From Argos to rebellious Thebes. For these,
And for their children, for the lives of all,
Suppliant to thee we come — in humble prayer
1325
To deprecate thy wrath against a wretch
Who, injured much, but seeks the vengeance due
To a base brother, whose oppressive hand
Hath drove me from my country and my throne.
If there be truth in what the gods declare,
1330
On him shall victory smile for whom thy vows
Shall rise propitious ; therefore, by our gods
And native fountains, oh ! remit thy anger,
And smile upon me, on a banished man,
A beggar like thyself, who lives, like thee,
1335
By others' bounty — in one common fate
We are united, whilst the tyrant sits
In ease at home, and laughs our woes to :
Yet if thou wouldst but listen to my vows,
Soon might I cast him forth, restore thee soon
1340
To thy dear native hind, and seat myself
In my own kingdom. Thy assent, my father,
Is all I ask ; but, oh ! without thy aid
I have no hope of safety or revenge.
Oedipus at Colonus. Sophocles. Thomas Francklin (Translator). London. 1758–1759.
Current edition Experimental
English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) (English) (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759))
Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.
Editions (2)
Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 310 focus
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)
English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 310 focus
CH
How so?
German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 296 focus
Und wo verweilt, o Freunde, dieses Landes Fürst?
Der Chor.
Ihn birgt der Väter alte Burg; ein Späher, der
Auch mich daher beschieden, ging zu rufen ihn.
Oedipus.
Und glaubt ihr auch, der blinde Flüchtling werde so
Ihn kümmern oder rühren, um ihm selbst zu nah'n?
295
Der Chor.
Er kommt gewiß, sobald er deinen Namen hört.
Oedipus.
Wer aber wird denn diesen ihm verkündigen?
Der Chor.
Weit ist der Pfad hin; aber leicht verbreiten sich
Vielfach der Wand'rer Worte; die vernehmend, wird
Er sicher kommen. Fern ja scholl dein Name, Greis,
300
In alle Welt hin, daß er, auch mit mattem Schritt
Hinschleichend, eilig kommen wird, vernimmt er ihn.
1
Oedipus.
Er komme denn zum Heile seiner Stadt und mir!
Denn welcher Edle liebte nicht sein eignes Glück?
Antigone.
Was sag' ich, Vater? Wo verirrt mein Geist sich hin?
305
Oedipus.
Was hast du, Kind, Antigone?
Antigone.
Ich seh' ein Weib
Uns näher kommen, das ein Roß sikelischen
Geschlechtes reitet; und die Sonn' abwehrend, schirmt
Gesicht und Haupt ihr bergend ein Thessalerhut.
2
Wen seh' ich?
310
Und ist sie's wirklich oder nicht? Täuscht mich ein Wahn?
Ich glaub's, und glaub' es wieder nicht, und weiß nicht was.
Ich Arme!
Sie ist es wirklich: näher kommend lächelt sie
Mir zu mit heiterm Auge; ja, nun seh' ich klar,
315
Daß dieses nur Ismene's theure Züge sind.
Oedipus.
Wie sagst du, Tochter?
Antigone.
Deine Tochter seh' ich hier
Und meine Schwester: bald erweist die Stimme dir's.
Ismene. Die Vorigen.
Ismene.
meines Vaters und der trauten Schwester mir
So süße, liebe Stimme! Wie, nachdem ich kaum
320
Euch wiederfinde, seh' ich euch vor Trauer kaum!
Oedipus.
Mein Kind, du kamest?
Ismene.
Vater, ach! So find' ich dich?
Oedipus.
Kind, kamst du wirklich?
Ismene.
Ohne Leid und Sorge nicht.
Oedipus.
Umarme mich, o Tochter!
(den Vater und die Schwester umfangend)
Ismene.
Kind meines Blutes! Beid' umschling' ich euch.
325
Leben, ach, voll Dual und Noth!
Oedipus.
Weh mir und dieser!
Ismene.
Weßwegen kamst du? Und zum Dritten wehe mir!
Vater, nur aus Angst um dich.
Oedipus.
Nach mir verlangend?
Ismene.
Und um selbst die Botin dir
Zu sein mit diesem mir allein noch treuen Knecht.
Oedipus.
Wo sind die rüstigen Brüder, was betreiben die?
330
Ismene.
Laß sie gewähren! Schweres liegt auf ihnen jezt.
Oedipus.
English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 310 focus
Oedipus
Hear you his threats?
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
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?
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,
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
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.
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
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,
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-906-1 ἐξηγεῖ 1
mvp-comment-907-1 ποιούμενος ᾀρωγόν 2
mvp-comment-907-2 ὧδε 3
mvp-comment-907-3 ἀνέστησεν 4
mvp-comment-908-1 λέξαι τ’ ἀκοῦσαί τ’ 5
mvp-comment-908-2 ἐξόδῳ 6
mvp-comment-909-1 βουλήσομαι 7
mvp-comment-910-1 θέλω δὲ λέξαι 8
mvp-comment-911-1 πανάρχοις 9
mvp-comment-911-2 γεραίτερος 10
mvp-comment-911-3
In Attic prose the comparative of
mvp-comment-912-1 ἀνθ’ ὧν 11
mvp-comment-913-1 λόγῳ 12
mvp-comment-913-2 εἰς ἔλεγχον 13
mvp-comment-913-3 χειρὸς οὐδ’ ἔργου 14
mvp-comment-914-1 μάλιστα μὲν 15
mvp-comment-914-2 τὴν σὴν Ἐρινὺν 16
mvp-comment-914-3 μάντεων 17
mvp-comment-915-1
The
γὰρ seems meant to introduce a further account of what the
mvp-comment-915-2 τὸ Δωρικόν 18
mvp-comment-916-1 γῆς Ἀπίας 19
mvp-comment-917-1 τετίμηνται 20
mvp-comment-917-2 δορί 21
mvp-comment-918-1 τὸν ἑπτάλογχον … στόλον 22
mvp-comment-919-1 πανδίκως 23
mvp-comment-919-2 τοὺς τάδ’ ἐκπρ 24
mvp-comment-920-1 εἶεν 25
mvp-comment-921-1 αὐτός τ’ 26
mvp-comment-922-1 τάξεσιν … λόγχαις 27
mvp-comment-923-1 δορυσσοῦς 28
mvp-comment-923-2 δορυσσόος 29
mvp-comment-923-3 Ἀμφιάρεως 30
mvp-comment-923-4 τὰ πρῶτα μὲν … πρῶτα δέ 32
mvp-comment-923-5 οἰωνῶν ὁδοῖς 33
mvp-comment-924-1 The thirteen lines (1313— 1325) which contain the list of chiefs illustrate the poet's tact. There is no pomp of description, no superfluous detail; but the three most interesting points are lightly touched,—the character of Amphiaraus, the character of Capaneus, and the parentage of Parthenopaeus. The dramatic purpose is to dignify the strife, and to heighten the terror of the father's curse, which falls not only on the guilty son, but on his allies (cp. 1400).
mvp-comment-924-2 The list agrees in names, though not in order, with Aesch. Th. 377—652 , where each name is associated with one of the seven gates of Thebes, as probably in the epic Thebaid. (Cp. Ant. 141 ff., where the seven champions appear as having been slain and spoiled ,—the special doom of Amphiaraus being ignored.) Eur. Phoen. 1104 —1188 also has this list, except that Eteoclus is omitted, and Adrastus (the one survivor) substituted. In his Supplices Eteoclus and Adrastus are both included, while either Hippomedon or Amphiaraus seems to be omitted.
mvp-comment-925-1 Τυδεύς 34
mvp-comment-925-2 Ἐτέοκλος 35
mvp-comment-925-3 Ἱππομέδοντ’ 36
mvp-comment-926-1 κατασκαφῇ … δῃώσειν πυρί 37 πυρί 38 κατασκαφῇ 39
mvp-comment-926-2 Καπανεὺς 40
mvp-comment-927-1 Παρθενοπαῖος 41
mvp-comment-927-2 ἐπώνυμος τῆς πρόσθεν ἀδμήτης 42 χρόνῳ μητρὸς λοχευθείς 43
mvp-comment-927-3 χρόνῳ 44
mvp-comment-928-1 ἐγὼ δὲ σός 45
mvp-comment-928-2 πότμου 46
mvp-comment-929-1 ἀντὶ παίδων ... ἱκετεύομεν 47
mvp-comment-930-1 μῆνιν ...εἰκαθεῖν 48
mvp-comment-930-2 τοὐμοῦ 49
mvp-comment-931-1
Since
πάτρας must clearly go with both verbs, it would seem that, aided by
ἐξέωσε , the poet has used
ἀπεσύλησεν with the constr. of
mvp-comment-932-1 χρηστηρίων 50
mvp-comment-932-2 προσθῇ 51
mvp-comment-932-3 ἔφασκ’ 53
mvp-comment-933-1 κρηνῶν 54
mvp-comment-934-1 πιθέσθαι 55
mvp-comment-934-2
The
v.l.
πτωχὸς for
ξένος doubtless arose from a feeling that the word repeated should be that which immediately preceded
μέν (cp. on
5
): but
mvp-comment-935-1 θωπεύοντες 56
mvp-comment-936-1 δαίμον’ 57
mvp-comment-936-2 ἐξειληχότες 58
mvp-comment-936-3 ἐξειληφότες 59
mvp-comment-937-1 τάλας 60
mvp-comment-937-2 ἁβρύνετι 61
mvp-comment-938-1 φρενί 62
mvp-comment-939-1 ὄγκῳ 63
mvp-comment-939-2 σὺν 64
mvp-comment-939-3 διασκεδῶ 65
mvp-comment-939-4 στήσω … στήσω δ’ 66
mvp-comment-939-5 ἄγων 67
mvp-comment-940-1 οὐδὲ σωθῆναι 68
Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) focus
1286. mvp-comment-679-1 ἔνθεν From whose altar. ἀνέστησεν] On raising the suppliant, cp. supra 264. 276, and notes.
1290. mvp-comment-680-1 κυρεῖν To be made good. For this emphatic use of κυρέω, cp. Tr. 291, νῦν σοι τέρψις ἐμφανὴς κυρεῖ.
1291. mvp-comment-681-1 ἅ Cp. supra 1274, and note.
1294. mvp-comment-682-1 γονῇ ·· γεραιτέρᾳ Of elder birth. See Essay on Language § 42. p. 80.
1295. mvp-comment-683-1 φύσει By birth, answering to πεφυκώς, supra. Cp. Hdt. 7. 134, φύσει γεγονότες εὖ.
1297. mvp-comment-684-1 χειρὸς οὔτ᾽ ἔργου i. e. οὔτε χειρὸς οὔτ᾽ ἔργου. Cp. Aesch. Ag. 532, Πάρις γὰρ οὔτε συντελὴς πόλις, κ.τ.λ. The first οὔτε may be suppressed because of οὔτε preceding. But Hermann's conj., οὐδ', is not improbable.
1300. mvp-comment-685-1 The reading of Lis more distinct than that of Par. A, but there is still some degree of inexactness in the language. For μάλιστα μέν does not oppose Polynices' own opinion to the words of the prophets, but the anger of Oedipus to other causes of disaster at Thebes.
1301. mvp-comment-686-1 The connection shows that the μάντεις are the soothsayers of his new army, who had obtained information of the oracle given to the θεωροί from Thebes: infr. 1331-1332, cp. supr. 387 ff.
1301. mvp-comment-686-2 Ἄργος .. Δωρικόν) The plain of Argolis, as distinguished from the Pelasgic Argos in Thessaly. II. 2. 681. rex
1303.
mvp-comment-687-1
γῆς .. Ἀπίας
1304. mvp-comment-688-1 καὶ τετίμηνται δόρει And are honoured most in war. The superlative notion is continued from πρῶτοι. Ср. О. Т. 1205 and note.
1305. mvp-comment-689-1 τὸν ἑπτάλογχον.. στόλον The article is probably used by an anachronism: i. e. The well-known expedition of the seven chieftains. Cp. supra 1066, and note. For the adj. cp. infr. 1311.
1305. mvp-comment-689-2 ἐς Θήβας depends on the idea of motion implied in the sentence = στόλον στειλάμενος.
1306. mvp-comment-690-1 πανδίκως Might either die and make an end, as is fitting. The latter part of the compound is subordinate, but supplies a certain notion of fitness, i. e. πανδίκως = πάντως, ὡς δίκαιον. The same thought is present as in Aj. 479-480, ἀλλ᾽ ἡ καλῶς ζῆν, ἢ καλῶς τεθνηκέναι | τὸν εὐγενή χρή.
1310. mvp-comment-691-1 ἐμαυτοῦ On my own account. Essay on Language § 9. p. 12.
1311. mvp-comment-692-1 σὺν ἑπτά τε λόγχαις Cp. Ant. 106, τὸν . . Ἀργόθεν φῶτα βάντα πανσαγία: 141-142. ταχθέντες ἴσοι πρὸς ἴσους ἔλιπον Ζηνὶ τροπαίῳ πάγχαλκα τέλη. (1) The uplifted spear of each leader is singled out for special mention as that to which all eyes would turn for the signal to march, etc. Cp. Trach. 856, κελαινὰ λόγχα προμάχου δορός, Aesch. Eum. 766, εὖ κεκασμένον δορύ. Although λόγχη, like ἀσπίς, is sometimes used collectively, ἑπτὰ ἀσπίδες could never mean seven heavy-armed battalions. (2) If τάξις might have the special meaning of a troop of cavalry, it might mig be proposed to read λόχοις for λόγχαις.
1313. mvp-comment-693-1 Ἀμφιάρεως.
1314. mvp-comment-694-1 πρώτα δ᾽ οἰωνῶν ὁδοῖς And skilled before all men in the intricate meanings of the flight of birds.
1318-1319. mvp-comment-695-1 κατασκαφῇ Dative of the manner: πυρί, dative of the instrument: In utter demolition to burn with fire.
1320. mvp-comment-696-1 ὄρνυται Rushes on. The word indicates the fiery youth of Parthenopaeus.
1321. mvp-comment-697-1 ἐπώνυμος.. λοχευθείς Called so, because the late offspring of a mother, who beforetime was long a virgin. The genitive is governed partly by ἐπώνυμος and partly by λοχευθείς, which is added epexegetically. Cp. supra 1255, and note. Essay on Language § 43. p. 82.
1321. mvp-comment-697-2 χρόνῳ refers to the long-continued maidenhood of Atalanta, and is in construction either (1) with πρόσθεν, or rather (2) with λοχευθείς.
1322. mvp-comment-698-1 πιστός Steadfast: δίκαιος κἀγαθὸς παραστάτης, Ant. 671. An ornamental epithet, suitably applied by Polynices to one of his faithful companions. Cp. infra 1395.
1323-1325. mvp-comment-699-1 ἐγὼ δὲ.. ἄγω Polynices ends with the mention of himself, but, instead of continuing the enumeration, distinguishes himself from the rest as the leader of all.
1323-1325. mvp-comment-699-2 σός Sc. γόνος.
1323-1325. mvp-comment-699-3 τοῦ κακοῦ πότμου φυτευθείς Cp. Ο. Τ. 1080, ἐγὼ δ᾽ ἐμαυτὸν παῖδα τῆς τύχης νέμων, κ.τ.λ.
1323-1325. mvp-comment-699-4 Ἄργους is partly gen. of place = rdv ἐξ Ἄργους opposed to ἐς Θήβας, partly descriptive = 'Αργεῖον.
1326. mvp-comment-700-1 To make his supplication more impressive Polynices represents the whole army, which he has described, as joining in it. Ср. О. Т. 326-327, ἐπεὶ | πάντες σε προσκυνοῦμεν οἵδ᾽ ἱκτήριοι.
1326. mvp-comment-700-2 ἀντὶ.. ψυχῆς] 'By these thy children, and by thy life. This rare use of ἀντί is to be explained by the notion of equivalence. At the price of your children; i. e. As you love them. Cp. El. 537, ἀλλ ἀντ᾿ ἀδελφοῦ. 'But for his brother's sake.'
1328. mvp-comment-701-1 μήνιν εἰκαθεῖν Το yield your wrath.' The construction is singular, but εἰκαθεῖν = χαλᾶν. Essay on Language § 16. p. 23.
1330. mvp-comment-702-1 πάτρας The accusative would be an equally regular construction, but the genitive is preferred because admitting of a construction with both verbs.
1331-1332. mvp-comment-703-1 For, if any event is to be believed in as issuing from prophecy, the God declared the victory to be with those whom you support.' ἐκ χρηστηρίων, sc. ἀποβαίνον. προσθῇ, SC. ἀλκήν, or the like. Cp. Hdt. 2. 160, τῷ ἀστῷ ἀγωνιζομένῳ προσθήσονται.
1333. mvp-comment-704-1 Now, by the wells and by the Gods of our race. Although ὁμογνίων adheres closely to θεῶν, the same idea is extended to κρηνῶν, The wells of which our fathers drank. The v. r., πρὸς θεῶν, deserves attention.
1336. mvp-comment-705-1 ἄλλους.. θωπεύοντες Courting favours from others at Argos and at Athens. οἰκοῦμεν) We obtain a dwellingplace.
1337. mvp-comment-706-1 ἐξειληφότες Having received. Cp. Plat. Soph. 227 B, where there is a similar doubt between εἰλήφασι and εἰλήχασι and the MSS. are strongly in favour of εἰλήφασι. For ἐξειληχότες, which is equally probable, cp. El. 760.
1340-1341. mvp-comment-707-1 ὃν.. διασκεδῶ Whose forces I will scatter to the winds.' Eteocles stands for his power, as Polynices for his in Ant. 106, τὸν λεύκασπιν Αργόθεν φῶτα βάντα, κ.τ.λ.
1340. mvp-comment-708-1 τήμῇ · · φρενί If you will side with me. For this periphrasis, cp. Ant. 1015, τῆς σῆς ἐκ φρενός : ib. 1063, μὴ ᾿μπολήσων .. τὴν ἐμὴν φρένα: Τr. 538, ἐμπόλημα τῆς ἐμῆς φρενός.
1341.
mvp-comment-709-1
With little effort and in brief time.' ὄγκος, is originally bulk' or
mass. Hence it has the two secondary senses of (1)
importance, (2)
effort. Cp. Eur. Troad. 107-108, ὦ πολὺς ὄγκος ξυστελλομένων | προγόνων, ὡς οὐδὲν ἄρ᾽ ἦσθα. Virg. Aen. 1. 37,