Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus, Thomas Francklin (Translator), 87

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

View: By Card

← Previous Next →

Antigone

This way bent, behold

On a Sicilian steed, a woman comes.

Her face concealed by a Thessalian veil,

To shield her from the sun : am I deceived,

Or is it she? I know not what to think.

It is my sister, now she smiles upon me ;

It must, it can be none but my Ismene.

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)) — 87 focus

ὅς μοι, τὰ πόλλʼ ἐκεῖνʼ ὅτʼ ἐξέχρη κακά,

Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 117-253b focus

Χορός

ὅρα. τίς ἄρʼ ἦν; ποῦ ναίει;

ποῦ κυρεῖ ἐκτόπιος συθεὶς ὁ πάντων

ὁ πάντων ἀκορέστατος;
120

προσδέρκου λεῦσσέ νιν,

προσπεύθου πανταχῇ.

πλανάτας πλανάτας τις ὁ πρέσβυς οὐδʼ

ἔγχωρος· προσέβα γὰρ οὐκ
125

ἄν ποτʼ ἀστιβὲς ἄλσος ἐς

τᾶνδʼ ἀμαιμακετᾶν κορᾶν,

ἃς τρέμομεν λέγειν

καὶ παραμειβόμεσθʼ ἀδέρκτως,
130

ἀφώνως, ἀλόγως τὸ τᾶς.

εὐφάμου στόμα φροντίδος

ἱέντες, τὰ δὲ νῦν τινʼ ἥκειν

λόγος οὐδὲν ἅζονθʼ,

ὃν ἐγὼ λεύσσων περὶ πᾶν οὔπω
135

δύναμαι τέμενος

γνῶναι ποῦ μοί ποτε ναίει.

Οἰδίπους

ὅδʼ ἐκεῖνος ἐγώ· φωνῇ γὰρ ὁρῶ,

τὸ φατιζόμενον.

Χορός

ἰὼ ἰώ,
140

δεινὸς μὲν ὁρᾶν, δεινὸς δὲ κλύειν.

Οἰδίπους

μή μʼ, ἱκετεύω, προσίδητʼ ἄνομον.

Χορός

Ζεῦ ἀλεξῆτορ, τίς ποθʼ ὁ πρέσβυς;

Οἰδίπους

οὐ πάνυ μοίρας εὐδαιμονίσαι

πρώτης, ὦ τῆσδʼ ἔφοροι χώρας.
145

δηλῶ δʼ· οὐ γὰρ ἂν ὧδʼ ἀλλοτρίοις

ὄμμασιν εἷρπον

κἀπὶ σμικροῖς μέγας ὥρμουν.

149

Χορός

ἐή, ἀλαῶν ὀμμάτων

ἆρα καὶ ἦσθα φυτάλμιος; δυσαίων
150

μακραίων γʼ, ὅσʼ ἐπεικάσαι.

ἀλλʼ οὐ μὰν ἔν γʼ ἐμοὶ

προσθήσει τάσδʼ ἀράς.

περᾷς γάρ, περᾷς· ἀλλʼ ἵνα τῷδʼ ἐν ἀ-
155

φθέγκτῳ μὴ προπέσῃς νάπει

ποιάεντι, κάθυδρος οὗ

κρατὴρ μειλιχίων ποτῶν

ῥεύματι συντρέχει,
160

τόν, ξένε πάμμορʼ, εὖ φύλαξαι;

μετάσταθʼ ἀπόβαθι. πολ-

λὰ κέλευθος ἐρατύει·

κλύεις, ὦ πολύμοχθʼ ἀλᾶτα;
165

λόγον εἴ τινʼ οἴσεις

πρὸς ἐμὰν λέσχαν, ἀβάτων ἀποβάς,

ἵνα πᾶσι νόμος,

φώνει· πρόσθεν δʼ ἀπερύκου.

Οἰδίπους

θύγατερ, ποῖ τις φροντίδος ἔλθῃ;
170

Ἀντιγόνη

ὦ πάτερ, ἀστοῖς ἴσα χρὴ μελετᾶν,

εἴκοντας ἃ δεῖ κἀκούοντας.

Οἰδίπους

πρόσθιγέ νύν μου.

Ἀντιγόνη

ψαύω καὶ δή.

Οἰδίπους

ὦ ξένε, μὴ δῆτʼ ἀδικηθῶ σοὶ

πιστεύσας καὶ μεταναστάς.
175

176

Χορός

οὔ τοι μήποτέ σʼ ἐκ τῶνδʼ ἑδράνων,

ὦ γέρον, ἄκοντά τις ἄξει.

Οἰδίπους

ἔτʼ οὖν;

Χορός

ἔτι βαῖνε πόρσω.

Οἰδίπους

ἔτι;

Χορός

προβίβαζε, κούρα,
180

πόρσω· σὺ γὰρ ἀΐεις.

Ἀντιγόνη

Οἰδίπους

Ἀντιγόνη

ἕπεο μάν, ἕπεʼ ὧδʼ ἀμαυρῷ κώλῳ, πάτερ, ᾇ σʼ ἄγω.

Οἰδίπους

Χορός

τόλμα ξεῖνος ἐπὶ ξένης,

ὦ τλάμων, ὅ τι καὶ πόλις
185

τέτροφεν ἄφιλον ἀποστυγεῖν

καὶ τὸ φίλον σέβεσθαι.

Οἰδίπους

ἄγε νυν σύ με, παῖ,

ἵνʼ ἂν εὐσεβίας ἐπιβαίνοντες

τὸ μὲν εἴποιμεν, τὸ δʼ ἀκούσαιμεν,
190

καὶ μὴ χρείᾳ πολεμῶμεν.

192

Χορός

αὐτοῦ· μηκέτι τοῦδʼ αὐτοπέτρου βήματος ἔξω πόδα κλίνῃς.

Οἰδίπους

οὕτως;

Χορός

ἅλις, ὡς ἀκούεις.

Οἰδίπους

ἦ ἑσθῶ;
195

Χορός

λέχριός γʼ ἐπʼ ἄκρου

λᾶος βραχὺς ὀκλάσας.

Ἀντιγόνη

πάτερ, ἐμὸν τόδʼ· ἐν ἁσυχαίᾳ

Οἰδίπους

ἰώ μοί μοι.

Ἀντιγόνη

βάσει βάσιν ἅρμοσαι,

γεραὸν ἐς χέρα σῶμα σὸν
200

προκλίνας φιλίαν ἐμάν.

Οἰδίπους

ὤμοι δύσφρονος ἄτας.

Χορός

ὦ τλάμων, ὅτε νῦν χαλᾷς,

αὔδασον, τίς ἔφυς βροτῶν;

τίς ὁ πολύπονος ἄγει; τίνʼ ἂν
205

σοῦ πατρίδʼ ἐκπυθοίμαν;

207

Οἰδίπους

ὦ ξένοι,

ἀπόπτολις· ἀλλὰ μὴ

Χορός

τί τόδʼ ἀπεννέπεις, γέρον;

Οἰδίπους

μὴ μὴ μή μʼ ἀνέρῃ τίς εἰμι,
210

μηδʼ ἐξετάσῃς πέρα ματεύων.

Χορός

τί τόδʼ;

Οἰδίπους

αἰνὰ φύσις.

Χορός

αὔδα.

Οἰδίπους

τέκνον, ὤμοι, τί γεγώνω;

Χορός

τίνος εἶ σπέρματος, ὦ ξένε, φώνει, πατρόθεν.

Οἰδίπους

ὤμοι ἐγώ, τί πάθω, τέκνον ἐμόν;
215

Ἀντιγόνη

λέγʼ, ἐπείπερ ἐπʼ ἔσχατα βαίνεις.

Οἰδίπους

ἀλλʼ ἐρῶ· οὐ γὰρ ἔχω κατακρυφάν.

Χορός

μακρὰ μέλλετον, ἀλλὰ τάχυνε.

Οἰδίπους

Λαΐου ἴστε τινʼ;
220

Χορός

ὢ ἰοὺ ἰού.

Οἰδίπους

τό τε Λαβδακιδᾶν γένος;

Χορός

ὦ Ζεῦ.

Οἰδίπους

ἄθλιον Οἰδιπόδαν;

Χορός

σὺ γὰρ ὅδʼ εἶ;

Οἰδίπους

δέος ἴσχετε μηδὲν ὅσʼ αὐδῶ.

Χορός

ἰὼ ὢ ὤ.

Οἰδίπους

δύσμορος.

Χορός

ὢ ὤ.

Οἰδίπους

θύγατερ, τί ποτʼ αὐτίκα κύρσει;
225

Χορός

ἔξω πόρσω βαίνετε χώρας.

Οἰδίπους

ἃ δʼ ὑπέσχεο ποῖ καταθήσεις,

Χορός

οὐδενὶ μοιριδία τίσις ἔρχεται

ἃν προπάθῃ τὸ τίνειν· ἀπάτα δʼ ἀπά-
230

ταις ἑτέραις ἑτέρα παραβαλλομέ-

να πόνον, οὐ χάριν, ἀντιδίδωσιν ἔ-

χειν. σὺ δὲ τῶνδʼ ἑδράνων πάλιν ἔκτοπος

αὖθις ἄφορμος ἐμᾶς χθονὸς ἔκθορε,

μή τι πέρα χρέος
235

ἐμᾷ πόλει προσάψῃς.

Ἀντιγόνη

ὦ ξένοι

αἰδόφρονες, ἀλλʼ ἐπεὶ

γεραὸν πατέρα τόνδʼ ἐμὸν

οὐκ ἀνέτλατʼ, ἔργων
240

ἀκόντων ἀΐοντες αὐδάν,

ἀλλʼ ἐμὲ τὰν μελέαν, ἱκετεύομεν, ὦ ξένοι, οἰκτίραθʼ, ἃ

πατρὸς ὑπὲρ τοὐμοῦ μόνου

ἄντομαι οὐκ ἀλαοῖς προσορωμένα

ὄμμα σὸν ὄμμασιν, ὥς τις ἀφʼ αἵματος
245

ὑμετέρου προφανεῖσα, τὸν ἄθλιον

αἰδοῦς κῦρσαι· ἐν ὔμμι γὰρ ὡς θεῷ

κείμεθα τλάμονες. ἀλλʼ ἴτε, νεύσατε τὰν ἀδόκητον χάριν·

πρός σʼ ὅ τι σοι φίλον ἐκ σέθεν ἄντομαι,
250

ἢ τέκνον ἢ λέχος ἢ χρέος ἢ θεός·

οὐ γὰρ ἴδοις ἂν ἀθρῶν βροτὸν ὅστις ἄν,

εἰ θεὸς ἄγοι,

ἐκφυγεῖν δύναιτο.

Translations (4)

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 87 focus

CH

O Heaven!

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 75 focus

Um nicht zu irren, höre noch: (denn edel scheinst
75

Du mir von Anseh'n, außer daß dies Loos dich traf;)

Bleib' hier, o Fremdling, wo du mir zuerst erschienst,

Bis ich Kolonos' Bürgern, nicht dem Volk der Stadt,¹

Den Fall zu melden gehe; die entscheiden dann,

Ob hier du bleiben, ob du wieder ziehen sollst.
80
Oedipus. Antigone.

Oedipus.

Tochter, ging der Fremde schon hinweg von uns?

Antigone.

Schon ging er; Alles kannst du denn in Ruhe nun,

Mein Vater, sagen; ich allein bin nahe dir.

Oedipus (betend).

Ihr hehren, furchtbar'n Wesen! Nun ich mich zuerst

Auf eurem Grund in diesem Lande niederließ,
85

Ogrollet mir nicht, hegt dem Phöbos keinen Groll,

Der, als er dieses viele Leid verkündigte,

Das Ziel des Jammers mir verhieß nach langer Frist,

Käm' ich zum lezten Lande, wo ich gastliche

Zuflucht, o strenge Mächte, fänd' in eurem Siz;
90

Hier ende meines Lebens gramgebeugter Lauf,

Und bringe denen, die mich aufgenommen, Heil,

Fluch denen, die mich in die Fern' hinausgebannt.

Als Zeichen dessen komme mir, verhieß der Gott,

Erdbeben oder Donner oder Bliz von Zeus.
95

Wahrhaft erkenn' ich heute, daß auf diesem Pfad

Nur ihr's gewesen, welche mich mit sichrer Hand

In diesen Hain geleitet; denn ich träfe sonst

Nicht euch zuerst auf meinem Weg, ich Nüchterner

(ab.)

Euch, die den Wein verschmähen, säß' an heiliger,²
100

An dieser rauhen Stätte nicht. Ihr Göttinnen,

So gönnt, Apollons Ruf gemäß, nun endlich mir

Der Stunden lezte, die das Band des Lebens löst,

Dünkt euch noch nicht zu wenig, was ich duldete,

Allzeit in Drangsal ringend, wie kein Sterblicher!
105

Auf, holde Töchter aus des Skotos altem Blut!³

Auf, die du dich der stolzen Pallas eigen nennst,

Vor allen andern hochverehrte Stadt Athen!

Mitleidig schaut hier Dedipus' unſeliges

Gebilde; nicht mehr ist ja dies mein alter Leib!
110

Antigone.

Halt' ein, o Vater; denn es, nah'n dort Einige,

Schon alt an Jahren, die nach deinem Size späh'n.

Oedipus.

Ich werde schweigen; führe du vom Weg mich ab,

Und birg mich hier im Haine, bis ich ihren Sinn

Erforscht aus ihren Reden; denn durch Forschen nur
115

Gewinnt man Vorsicht und Bedacht in allem Thun.

(Sie ziehen sich in den Hain zurück. Der Chor tritt auf.)

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 87 focus

Chorus

Thy pleaded reason with great force, old man,

Commands respect; nor briefly is it urged, বাব

And it contents me well that on these things...

The rulers of the land for me decide.
295

English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 118-250 focus

The Chorus of elders of Colonus enters the orchestra.

Chorus

Look! Who was he, then? Where is he staying? Where has he rushed from this place,

man most insatiate of all who live? Scan the ground, look well, press the search everywhere. A wanderer that old man must have been,
120

a wanderer, not a dweller in the land; otherwise he never would have advanced into this untrodden grove of the maidens with whom none may strive.
125

Their name we tremble to speak; we pass them by with eyes turned away, moving our lips, without sound or word, in still devotion.
But now it is said that one has come who reveres them not at all;
130

and him I cannot yet discern, though I look round all the holy place, nor do I know where to find his lodging.
135
Oedipus steps forward with Antigone.

Oedipus

Behold the man you seek! In sound is my sight, as the saying goes.

Chorus

Oh! Oh! Fearful he is to see, and fearful to hear!
140

Oedipus

Do not regard me, I beg you, as a lawless man.

Chorus

Zeus defend us! Who may this old man be?

Oedipus

Not so wholly of the best fate

that you would call him fortunate, guardians of this land! It is plain; otherwise I would not be creeping, as you see, by the eyes of others, and buoying my strength upon weakness.
145

148

Chorus

Alas! Were you sightless even from birth?

Evil have been your days, and many, it appears. But at least if I can help it, you shall not add this curse to your lot. You go too far—too far!
150

That your rash steps may intrude on the field of this voiceless, grassy glade, where the waters of the mixing bowl blend their stream with the flow of honied offerings, beware, unhappiest of strangers.
155

Retire! Withdraw! Let a wide space part us. Do you hear, toil-worn wanderer? If you have anything to say in converse with us,
160

leave forbidden ground, and speak where it is lawful for all; but, till then, refrain.
165

Oedipus

Daughter, to what counsel shall we incline?
170

Antigone

My father, we must behave just as the townspeople do, listening and giving way where it is necessary.

Oedipus

Then give me your hand.

Antigone

I lay it in yours.

Oedipus

Strangers, let me not suffer wrong

when I have trusted in you, and have passed from my refuge!
175

176

Chorus

Never, old man, never will anyone remove you from your resting-place here against your will.

Oedipus begins to move forward.

Oedipus

Further, then?

Chorus

Come still further.

Oedipus

Further?
180

Chorus

Lead him onward, maiden, for you hear us and obey.

Antigone

Oedipus

Antigone

Come, follow this way with your dark steps, father, as I lead you.

Oedipus

Chorus

Stranger in a foreign land,

poor man, have the courage to detest what the city steadfastly holds as not dear, and to reverence what it holds dear!
185

Oedipus

Lead me, then, child, to a spot where I may speak and listen within piety’s domain,

and let us not wage war with necessity.
190

192

Chorus

There! Do not incline your steps beyond that ledge of bedrock.

Oedipus

This far?

Chorus

Enough, I say

Oedipus

Shall I sit down?
195

Chorus

Yes, move sideways, and crouch low on the edge of the rock.

Antigone

Father, this is my task: calmly to—

Oedipus

Ah me! ah me!

Antigone

—fit step to step, and lean your aged frame upon my dear arm.
200

Oedipus

Alas for my sad destruction!

Antigone seats him on the rock.

Chorus

Ah, poor man, since now you are at ease, speak! What is your lineage among mortals? With what name are you led on your weary path?

What fatherland can you tell us of?
205

207

Oedipus

Strangers, I am without a city, but do not—

Chorus

What is this that you forbid, old man?

Oedipus

do not, do not ask me who I am! Do not seek or probe further!
210

Chorus

What does this mean?

Oedipus

Horrid the birth—

Chorus

Speak!

Oedipus

My child—ah, me!—what shall I say?

Chorus

What is your lineage, stranger? Speak! And who is your father?
215

Oedipus

Woe is me! What will become of me, my child?

Antigone

Speak, for you are driven to the verge.

Oedipus

Then speak I will. I have no way to hide it.

Chorus

You two make a long delay. Come, hasten!

Oedipus

Do you know of a son of Laius?
220

Chorus

Oh!

Oedipus

—And the race of the Labdacidae?

Chorus

O Zeus!

Oedipus

—and the pitiful Oedipus?

Chorus

You are he?

Oedipus

Have no fear of any words that I speak—

Chorus

Ah, no, no!

Oedipus

Unhappy that I am!

Chorus

Oh, oh!

Oedipus

Daughter, what is about to happen?
225

Chorus

Out with you! Go forth from the land!

Oedipus

And your promise—to what fulfillment will you bring it?

Chorus

No man is visited by the punishment of fate if he requites deeds which were first done to himself.

Deceit on the one part matches deceits on the other, and gives pain instead of pleasure for reward. And you—back with you! Out from your seat!
230

Away from my land with all speed, that you may not fasten some heavier burden on my city!
235

Antigone

Reverent strangers, since you have not endured my aged father—knowing, as you do,

the rumor of his unintended deeds—pity at least my poor self, I implore you, who supplicate you for my father alone. I beg you with eyes that can still look
240

on your own, like one sprung from your own blood, that this sufferer may meet with reverent treatment.
On you, as on a god, we depend in our misery. But come, grant the favor for which we hardly dare hope!
245

I implore you by everything that you hold dear at home: by child, by wife, or treasure, or god! Look well and you will not find the mortal who, if a god should lead him on, could escape.
250

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-233-1 τί δ’ ἔστι; ¹

mvp-comment-234-1 Αἰτναίας … πώλου ²

mvp-comment-234-2 Αἰτναίας ³

mvp-comment-235-1 κρατὶ ⁴

mvp-comment-235-2 Θεσσαλὶς κυνῆ ⁵

mvp-comment-236-1 πρόσωπα ⁶

mvp-comment-237-1 Elms. cp. Eur. I. T. 577

ἆρ’ εἰσίν; ἆρ’ οὐκ εἰσί; τίς φράσειεν ἄν;

mvp-comment-237-2 πλανᾷ ⁷

mvp-comment-238-1 Arist. Metaphys. 3. 6

ἀδύνατον ἅμα καταφάναι καὶ ἀποφάναι ἀληθῶς.

mvp-comment-238-2 τί φῶ ⁹

mvp-comment-239-1 φαιδρὰ ¹⁰

mvp-comment-239-2 σαίνει με ¹¹

mvp-comment-240-1 The δῆλον of the MSS. can mean only "manifest to me" (a very weak sense): for it could not bear the emphatic sense, "in living presence" (as opp. to "in my fancy"). Nor, again, can it well be taken as a parenthetic adv., "'tis clear" (like Ai. 906

αὐτὸς πρὸς αὑτοῦ· δῆλον·

). The conjecture ἀδελφὸν (cp. Ant. 1

ὦ κοινὸν αὐτάδελφον Ἰσμήνης κάρα

) may be right.

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

312-314. mvp-comment-174-1 Αἰτναίας .. Θεσσαλίς The epithets (see Scholia) are picturesque, and also call attention to the condition of Ismene, who having still a home at Thebes is well clothed and mounted, whereas Antigone is barefoot and sunburnt, infr. 348-349. The particular meaning of Αίτναία πῶλος and Θεσσαλὶς κυνῆ is of course uncertain, except that the one implies a horse of a fine breed and the other denotes a comfortable and shady riding-hat.

313. mvp-comment-175-1 βεβῶσαν Essay on Language p. 97.

313. mvp-comment-175-2 κρατὶ δ᾽ ἡλιοστερής The implied use of στέρομαι = to avert, keep away, may be paralleled from Aesch. Supp. 1063, Ζεὺς ἄναξ ἀποστεροίη γάμον δυσάνορα δάϊον. Essay on Language p. 98. Hence the substitution of ἡλιοσκεπής, or ἡλιοστεγής, which, equally with this, would be ἅπαξ λεγόμενα, is unnecessary. The use of the word is more natural if κρατί is dative of reference, than when κρατί is taken separately as a locative dative, though both constructions may be thought of; i.e. And on her head to screen it from the sun. Cp.

her sun-expelling mask.

Shak. G. of V. 4, 2.

315. mvp-comment-176-1 τί φῶ; The uncertainty of Antigone continues until Ismene is dismounted and advances towards them. The single iambus is very unusual.

316. mvp-comment-177-1 ἢ γνώμη πλανᾷ Or does my judgment deceive me?

318. mvp-comment-178-1 τάλαινα Unhappy that I am. Said in the distraction of her doubt.

319-320. mvp-comment-179-1 φαιδρὰ ἀπ᾿ ὀμμάτων | σαίνει με She greets me with bright looks from her eyes. σαίνω is first to wag the tail (said of a dog or other quadruped). then to make signs of recognition or of pleased attention, and lastly is transferred to the impression produced on the person to whom this action is directed. Cp. Ant. 1214, παιδός με σαίνει φθόγγος: Aesch. Cho. 194, σαίνομαι δ' ὑπ᾿ ἐλπίδος.

320-321. mvp-comment-180-1 σημαίνει κάρα And in doing so convinces me that this is certainly no other than Ismene's self.

320-321. mvp-comment-180-2 δῆλον after σημαίνει has been thought pleonastic, but the pleonasm is expressive.

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Antigone This way bent, behold On a Sicilian steed, a woman comes. Her face concealed by a Thessalian veil, To shield her from the sun : am I deceived, Or is it she? I know not what to think. It is my sister, now she smiles upon me ; It must, it can be none but my Ismene.

Current edition Experimental

Οἰδίπους ὅδʼ ἐκεῖνος ἐγώ· φωνῇ γὰρ ὁρῶ, τὸ φατιζόμενον.

Χορός ἰὼ ἰώ, 140 δεινὸς μὲν ὁρᾶν, δεινὸς δὲ κλύειν.

Οἰδίπους μή μʼ, ἱκετεύω, προσίδητʼ ἄνομον.

Χορός Ζεῦ ἀλεξῆτορ, τίς ποθʼ ὁ πρέσβυς;

Οἰδίπους οὐ πάνυ μοίρας εὐδαιμονίσαι πρώτης, ὦ τῆσδʼ ἔφοροι χώρας. 145 δηλῶ δʼ· οὐ γὰρ ἂν ὧδʼ ἀλλοτρίοις ὄμμασιν εἷρπον κἀπὶ σμικροῖς μέγας ὥρμουν.

Οἰδίπους θύγατερ, ποῖ τις φροντίδος ἔλθῃ; 170

Ἀντιγόνη ὦ πάτερ, ἀστοῖς ἴσα χρὴ μελετᾶν, εἴκοντας ἃ δεῖ κἀκούοντας.

Οἰδίπους πρόσθιγέ νύν μου.

Ἀντιγόνη ψαύω καὶ δή.

Οἰδίπους ὦ ξένε, μὴ δῆτʼ ἀδικηθῶ σοὶ πιστεύσας καὶ μεταναστάς. 175

Χορός οὔ τοι μήποτέ σʼ ἐκ τῶνδʼ ἑδράνων, ὦ γέρον, ἄκοντά τις ἄξει.

Οἰδίπους ἔτʼ οὖν;

Χορός ἔτι βαῖνε πόρσω.

Οἰδίπους ἔτι;

Χορός προβίβαζε, κούρα, 180 πόρσω· σὺ γὰρ ἀΐεις.

Ἀντιγόνη

Οἰδίπους

Ἀντιγόνη ἕπεο μάν, ἕπεʼ ὧδʼ ἀμαυρῷ κώλῳ, πάτερ, ᾇ σʼ ἄγω.

Οἰδίπους

Χορός τόλμα ξεῖνος ἐπὶ ξένης, ὦ τλάμων, ὅ τι καὶ πόλις 185 τέτροφεν ἄφιλον ἀποστυγεῖν καὶ τὸ φίλον σέβεσθαι.

Οἰδίπους ἄγε νυν σύ με, παῖ, ἵνʼ ἂν εὐσεβίας ἐπιβαίνοντες τὸ μὲν εἴποιμεν, τὸ δʼ ἀκούσαιμεν, 190 καὶ μὴ χρείᾳ πολεμῶμεν.

Χορός αὐτοῦ· μηκέτι τοῦδʼ αὐτοπέτρου βήματος ἔξω πόδα κλίνῃς.

Οἰδίπους οὕτως;

Χορός ἅλις, ὡς ἀκούεις.

Οἰδίπους ἦ ἑσθῶ; 195

Χορός λέχριός γʼ ἐπʼ ἄκρου λᾶος βραχὺς ὀκλάσας.

Ἀντιγόνη πάτερ, ἐμὸν τόδʼ· ἐν ἁσυχαίᾳ

Οἰδίπους ἰώ μοί μοι.

Ἀντιγόνη βάσει βάσιν ἅρμοσαι, γεραὸν ἐς χέρα σῶμα σὸν 200 προκλίνας φιλίαν ἐμάν.

Οἰδίπους ὤμοι δύσφρονος ἄτας.

Χορός ὦ τλάμων, ὅτε νῦν χαλᾷς, αὔδασον, τίς ἔφυς βροτῶν; τίς ὁ πολύπονος ἄγει; τίνʼ ἂν 205 σοῦ πατρίδʼ ἐκπυθοίμαν;

Οἰδίπους ὦ ξένοι, ἀπόπτολις· ἀλλὰ μὴ

Χορός τί τόδʼ ἀπεννέπεις, γέρον;

Οἰδίπους μὴ μὴ μή μʼ ἀνέρῃ τίς εἰμι, 210 μηδʼ ἐξετάσῃς πέρα ματεύων.

Χορός τί τόδʼ;

Οἰδίπους αἰνὰ φύσις.

Χορός αὔδα.

Οἰδίπους τέκνον, ὤμοι, τί γεγώνω;

Χορός τίνος εἶ σπέρματος, ὦ ξένε, φώνει, πατρόθεν.

Οἰδίπους ὤμοι ἐγώ, τί πάθω, τέκνον ἐμόν; 215

Ἀντιγόνη λέγʼ, ἐπείπερ ἐπʼ ἔσχατα βαίνεις.

Οἰδίπους ἀλλʼ ἐρῶ· οὐ γὰρ ἔχω κατακρυφάν.

Χορός μακρὰ μέλλετον, ἀλλὰ τάχυνε.

Οἰδίπους Λαΐου ἴστε τινʼ; 220

Χορός ὢ ἰοὺ ἰού.

Οἰδίπους τό τε Λαβδακιδᾶν γένος;

Χορός ὦ Ζεῦ.

Οἰδίπους ἄθλιον Οἰδιπόδαν;

Χορός σὺ γὰρ ὅδʼ εἶ;

Οἰδίπους δέος ἴσχετε μηδὲν ὅσʼ αὐδῶ.

Χορός ἰὼ ὢ ὤ.

Οἰδίπους δύσμορος.

Χορός ὢ ὤ.

Οἰδίπους θύγατερ, τί ποτʼ αὐτίκα κύρσει; 225

Χορός ἔξω πόρσω βαίνετε χώρας.

Οἰδίπους ἃ δʼ ὑπέσχεο ποῖ καταθήσεις,

CH O Heaven!

Oedipus. Tochter, ging der Fremde schon hinweg von uns?

Antigone. Schon ging er; Alles kannst du denn in Ruhe nun, Mein Vater, sagen; ich allein bin nahe dir.

Antigone. Halt' ein, o Vater; denn es, nah'n dort Einige, Schon alt an Jahren, die nach deinem Size späh'n.

Oedipus. Ich werde schweigen; führe du vom Weg mich ab, Und birg mich hier im Haine, bis ich ihren Sinn Erforscht aus ihren Reden; denn durch Forschen nur 115 Gewinnt man Vorsicht und Bedacht in allem Thun. (Sie ziehen sich in den Hain zurück. Der Chor tritt auf.)

Chorus Thy pleaded reason with great force, old man, Commands respect; nor briefly is it urged, বাব And it contents me well that on these things... The rulers of the land for me decide. 295

Oedipus Behold the man you seek! In sound is my sight, as the saying goes.

Chorus Oh! Oh! Fearful he is to see, and fearful to hear! 140

Oedipus Do not regard me, I beg you, as a lawless man.

Chorus Zeus defend us! Who may this old man be?

Oedipus Not so wholly of the best fate that you would call him fortunate, guardians of this land! It is plain; otherwise I would not be creeping, as you see, by the eyes of others, and buoying my strength upon weakness. 145

Oedipus Daughter, to what counsel shall we incline? 170

Antigone My father, we must behave just as the townspeople do, listening and giving way where it is necessary.

Oedipus Then give me your hand.

Antigone I lay it in yours.

Oedipus Strangers, let me not suffer wrong when I have trusted in you, and have passed from my refuge! 175

Chorus Never, old man, never will anyone remove you from your resting-place here against your will. Oedipus begins to move forward.

Oedipus Further, then?

Chorus Come still further.

Oedipus Further? 180

Antigone

This way bent, behold

On a Sicilian steed, a woman comes.

Her face concealed by a Thessalian veil,

To shield her from the sun : am I deceived,

Or is it she? I know not what to think.

It is my sister, now she smiles upon me ;

It must, it can be none but my Ismene.

Οἰδίπους

ὅδʼ ἐκεῖνος ἐγώ· φωνῇ γὰρ ὁρῶ,

τὸ φατιζόμενον.

Χορός

ἰὼ ἰώ,
140

δεινὸς μὲν ὁρᾶν, δεινὸς δὲ κλύειν.

Οἰδίπους

μή μʼ, ἱκετεύω, προσίδητʼ ἄνομον.

Χορός

Ζεῦ ἀλεξῆτορ, τίς ποθʼ ὁ πρέσβυς;

Οἰδίπους

οὐ πάνυ μοίρας εὐδαιμονίσαι

πρώτης, ὦ τῆσδʼ ἔφοροι χώρας.
145

δηλῶ δʼ· οὐ γὰρ ἂν ὧδʼ ἀλλοτρίοις

ὄμμασιν εἷρπον

κἀπὶ σμικροῖς μέγας ὥρμουν.

Οἰδίπους

θύγατερ, ποῖ τις φροντίδος ἔλθῃ;
170

Ἀντιγόνη

ὦ πάτερ, ἀστοῖς ἴσα χρὴ μελετᾶν,

εἴκοντας ἃ δεῖ κἀκούοντας.

Οἰδίπους

πρόσθιγέ νύν μου.

Ἀντιγόνη

ψαύω καὶ δή.

Οἰδίπους

ὦ ξένε, μὴ δῆτʼ ἀδικηθῶ σοὶ

πιστεύσας καὶ μεταναστάς.
175

Χορός

οὔ τοι μήποτέ σʼ ἐκ τῶνδʼ ἑδράνων,

ὦ γέρον, ἄκοντά τις ἄξει.

Οἰδίπους

ἔτʼ οὖν;

Χορός

ἔτι βαῖνε πόρσω.

Οἰδίπους

ἔτι;

Χορός

προβίβαζε, κούρα,
180

πόρσω· σὺ γὰρ ἀΐεις.

Ἀντιγόνη

ἕπεο μάν, ἕπεʼ ὧδʼ ἀμαυρῷ κώλῳ, πάτερ, ᾇ σʼ ἄγω.

Χορός

τόλμα ξεῖνος ἐπὶ ξένης,

ὦ τλάμων, ὅ τι καὶ πόλις
185

τέτροφεν ἄφιλον ἀποστυγεῖν

καὶ τὸ φίλον σέβεσθαι.

Οἰδίπους

ἄγε νυν σύ με, παῖ,

ἵνʼ ἂν εὐσεβίας ἐπιβαίνοντες

τὸ μὲν εἴποιμεν, τὸ δʼ ἀκούσαιμεν,
190

καὶ μὴ χρείᾳ πολεμῶμεν.

Χορός

αὐτοῦ· μηκέτι τοῦδʼ αὐτοπέτρου βήματος ἔξω πόδα κλίνῃς.

Οἰδίπους

οὕτως;

Χορός

ἅλις, ὡς ἀκούεις.

Οἰδίπους

ἦ ἑσθῶ;
195

Χορός

λέχριός γʼ ἐπʼ ἄκρου

λᾶος βραχὺς ὀκλάσας.

Ἀντιγόνη

πάτερ, ἐμὸν τόδʼ· ἐν ἁσυχαίᾳ

Οἰδίπους

ἰώ μοί μοι.

Ἀντιγόνη

βάσει βάσιν ἅρμοσαι,

γεραὸν ἐς χέρα σῶμα σὸν
200

προκλίνας φιλίαν ἐμάν.

Οἰδίπους

ὤμοι δύσφρονος ἄτας.

Χορός

ὦ τλάμων, ὅτε νῦν χαλᾷς,

αὔδασον, τίς ἔφυς βροτῶν;

τίς ὁ πολύπονος ἄγει; τίνʼ ἂν
205

σοῦ πατρίδʼ ἐκπυθοίμαν;

Οἰδίπους

ὦ ξένοι,

ἀπόπτολις· ἀλλὰ μὴ

Χορός

τί τόδʼ ἀπεννέπεις, γέρον;

Οἰδίπους

μὴ μὴ μή μʼ ἀνέρῃ τίς εἰμι,
210

μηδʼ ἐξετάσῃς πέρα ματεύων.

Χορός

τί τόδʼ;

Οἰδίπους

αἰνὰ φύσις.

Χορός

αὔδα.

Οἰδίπους

τέκνον, ὤμοι, τί γεγώνω;

Χορός

τίνος εἶ σπέρματος, ὦ ξένε, φώνει, πατρόθεν.

Οἰδίπους

ὤμοι ἐγώ, τί πάθω, τέκνον ἐμόν;
215

Ἀντιγόνη

λέγʼ, ἐπείπερ ἐπʼ ἔσχατα βαίνεις.

Οἰδίπους

ἀλλʼ ἐρῶ· οὐ γὰρ ἔχω κατακρυφάν.

Χορός

μακρὰ μέλλετον, ἀλλὰ τάχυνε.

Οἰδίπους

Λαΐου ἴστε τινʼ;
220

Χορός

ὢ ἰοὺ ἰού.

Οἰδίπους

τό τε Λαβδακιδᾶν γένος;

Χορός

ὦ Ζεῦ.

Οἰδίπους

ἄθλιον Οἰδιπόδαν;

Χορός

σὺ γὰρ ὅδʼ εἶ;

Οἰδίπους

δέος ἴσχετε μηδὲν ὅσʼ αὐδῶ.

Χορός

ἰὼ ὢ ὤ.

Οἰδίπους

δύσμορος.

Χορός

ὢ ὤ.

Οἰδίπους

θύγατερ, τί ποτʼ αὐτίκα κύρσει;
225

Χορός

ἔξω πόρσω βαίνετε χώρας.

Οἰδίπους

ἃ δʼ ὑπέσχεο ποῖ καταθήσεις,

CH

O Heaven!

Oedipus.

Tochter, ging der Fremde schon hinweg von uns?

Antigone.

Schon ging er; Alles kannst du denn in Ruhe nun,

Mein Vater, sagen; ich allein bin nahe dir.

Antigone.

Halt' ein, o Vater; denn es, nah'n dort Einige,

Schon alt an Jahren, die nach deinem Size späh'n.

Oedipus.

Ich werde schweigen; führe du vom Weg mich ab,

Und birg mich hier im Haine, bis ich ihren Sinn

Erforscht aus ihren Reden; denn durch Forschen nur
115

Gewinnt man Vorsicht und Bedacht in allem Thun.

(Sie ziehen sich in den Hain zurück. Der Chor tritt auf.)

Chorus

Thy pleaded reason with great force, old man,

Commands respect; nor briefly is it urged, বাব

And it contents me well that on these things...

The rulers of the land for me decide.
295

Oedipus

Behold the man you seek! In sound is my sight, as the saying goes.

Chorus

Oh! Oh! Fearful he is to see, and fearful to hear!
140

Oedipus

Do not regard me, I beg you, as a lawless man.

Chorus

Zeus defend us! Who may this old man be?

Oedipus

Not so wholly of the best fate

that you would call him fortunate, guardians of this land! It is plain; otherwise I would not be creeping, as you see, by the eyes of others, and buoying my strength upon weakness.
145

Oedipus

Daughter, to what counsel shall we incline?
170

Antigone

My father, we must behave just as the townspeople do, listening and giving way where it is necessary.

Oedipus

Then give me your hand.

Antigone

I lay it in yours.

Oedipus

Strangers, let me not suffer wrong

when I have trusted in you, and have passed from my refuge!
175

Chorus

Never, old man, never will anyone remove you from your resting-place here against your will.

Oedipus begins to move forward.

Oedipus

Further, then?

Chorus

Come still further.

Oedipus

Further?
180

Chorus

Lead him onward, maiden, for you hear us and obey.

Antigone

Come, follow this way with your dark steps, father, as I lead you.

Chorus

Stranger in a foreign land,

poor man, have the courage to detest what the city steadfastly holds as not dear, and to reverence what it holds dear!
185

Oedipus

Lead me, then, child, to a spot where I may speak and listen within piety’s domain,

and let us not wage war with necessity.
190

Chorus

There! Do not incline your steps beyond that ledge of bedrock.

Oedipus

This far?