Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus, Thomas Francklin (Translator), 607

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Dearest fon of Ægeus,

From age and death exempt, the gods alone

Immortal and unchangeable remain,

Whilst all things else fall by the hand of Time,

The universal conqueror. Earth laments
610

Her fertile powers exhausted. Human strength

Is withered soon. E'en faith and truth decay,

That Thebes shall yield

And from their ashes fraud and falsehood rise.

Nor friendship long from mjtn to man endures,
615

Or realm to realm. To each successive rise

Bitter and sweet, and happiness and woe.

Athens and Thebes thou seest united now,

And all is well; but passing time shall bring

The fatal day (and slight will be the cause)
620

That soon shall change the bonds of amity
620

And holy faith, for feuds and deadliest hate.

Then, buried long in earth, shall this cold corse

Drink their warm blood, which from the mutual wound

Frequent shall flow. It must be as I tell thee.

If Jove be Jove, and great Apollo true.
625

But why should I reveal the fixed decree

Of all-deciding Heaven ? Permit me now

To end where I began. Thy plighted faith

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)) — 607 focus

ὦ φίλτατʼ Αἰγέως παῖ, μόνοις οὐ γίγνεται

θεοῖσι γῆρας οὐδὲ κατθανεῖν ποτε,

τὰ δʼ ἄλλα συγχεῖ πάνθʼ ὁ παγκρατὴς χρόνος.

φθίνει μὲν ἰσχὺς γῆς, φθίνει δὲ σώματος,
610

θνήσκει δὲ πίστις, βλαστάνει δʼ ἀπιστία,

καὶ πνεῦμα ταὐτὸν οὔποτʼ οὔτʼ ἐν ἀνδράσιν

φίλοις βέβηκεν οὔτε πρὸς πόλιν πόλει.

τοῖς μὲν γὰρ ἤδη, τοῖς δʼ ἐν ὑστέρῳ χρόνῳ

τὰ τερπνὰ πικρὰ γίγνεται καὖθις φίλα.
615

καὶ ταῖσι Θήβαις εἰ τανῦν εὐημερεῖ

καλῶς *τὸ πρὸς σέ, μυρίας ὁ μυρίος

χρόνος τεκνοῦται νύκτας ἡμέρας τʼ ἰών,

ἐν αἷς τὰ νῦν ξύμφωνα δεξιώματα

δόρει διασκεδῶσιν ἐκ σμικροῦ λόγου·
620

ἵνʼ οὑμὸς εὕδων καὶ κεκρυμμένος νέκυς

ψυχρός ποτʼ αὐτῶν θερμὸν αἷμα πίεται,

εἰ Ζεὺς ἔτι Ζεὺς χὠ Διὸς Φοῖβος σαφής.

ἀλλʼ οὐ γὰρ αὐδᾶν ἡδὺ τἀκίνητʼ ἔπη,

ἔα μʼ ἐν οἷσιν ἠρξάμην, τὸ σὸν μόνον
625

πιστὸν φυλάσσων, κοὔποτʼ Οἰδίπουν ἐρεῖς

ἀχρεῖον οἰκητῆρα δέξασθαι τόπων

τῶν ἐνθάδʼ, εἴπερ μὴ θεοὶ ψεύσουσί με.

Χορός

ἄναξ, πάλαι καὶ ταῦτα καὶ τοιαῦτʼ ἔπη

γῇ τῇδʼ ὅδʼ ἁνὴρ ὡς τελῶν ἐφαίνετο.
630

Θησεύς

τίς δῆτʼ ἂν ἀνδρὸς εὐμένειαν ἐκβάλοι

τοιοῦδʼ, ὅτου πρῶτον μὲν ἡ δορύξενος

κοινὴ παρʼ ἡμῖν αἰέν ἐστιν ἑστία;

ἔπειτα δʼ ἱκέτης δαιμόνων ἀφιγμένος

γῇ τῇδε κἀμοὶ δασμὸν οὐ σμικρὸν τίνει.
635
[104 b.

ἁγὼ σεβισθεὶς οὔποτʼ ἐκβαλῶ χάριν

τὴν τοῦδε, χώρᾳ δʼ ἔμπαλιν κατοικιῶ.

εἰ δʼ ἐνθάδʼ ἡδὺ τῷ ξένῳ μίμνειν, σέ νιν

τάξω φυλάσσειν· εἰ δʼ ἐμοῦ στείχειν μέτα

τόδʼ ἡδύ, - τούτων, Οἰδίπου, δίδωμί σοι
640

κρίναντι χρῆσθαι, τῇδε γὰρ ξυνοίσομαι.

Οἰδίπους

Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 549-667 focus

Χορός

καὶ μὴν ἄναξ ὅδʼ ἡμὶν Αἰγέως γόνος

Θησεὺς κατʼ ὀμφὴν σὴν ἐφʼ ἁστάλη πάρα.
550

Θησεύς

πολλῶν ἀκούων ἔν τε τῷ πάρος χρόνῳ

τὰς αἱματηρὰς ὀμμάτων διαφθορὰς

ἔγνωκά σʼ, ὦ παῖ Λαΐου, τανῦν θʼ ὁδοῖς

ἐν ταῖσδʼ ἀκούων μᾶλλον ἐξεπίσταμαι.

σκευή τε γάρ σε καὶ τὸ δύστηνον κάρα
555

δηλοῦτον ἡμῖν ὄνθʼ ὃς εἶ, καί σʼ οἰκτίσας

θέλω ʼπερέσθαι, δύσμορʼ Οἰδίπους, τίνα

πόλεως ἐπέστης προστροπὴν ἐμοῦ τʼ ἔχων,

αὐτός τε χἠ σὴ δύσμορος παραστάτις.

δίδασκε· δεινὴν γάρ τινʼ ἂν πρᾶξιν τύχοις
560

λέξας ὁποίας ἐξαφισταίμην ἐγώ,

ὃς οἶδα καὐτὸς ὡς ἐπαιδεύθην ξένος,

ὥσπερ σύ, χὢς εἷς πλεῖστʼ ἀνὴρ ἐπὶ ξένης

ἤθλησα κινδυνεύματʼ ἐν τὠμῷ κάρᾳ·

ὥστε ξένον γʼ ἂν οὐδένʼ ὄνθʼ, ὥσπερ σὺ νῦν,
565

ὑπεκτραποίμην μὴ οὐ συνεκσῴζειν· ἐπεὶ

ἔξοιδʼ ἀνὴρ ὢν χὤτι τῆς εἰς αὔριον

οὐδὲν πλέον μοι σοῦ μέτεστιν ἡμέρας.

Οἰδίπους

Θησεῦ, τὸ σὸν γενναῖον ἐν σμικρῷ λόγῳ

παρῆκεν, ὥστε βραχέα μοι δεῖσθαι φράσαι.
570

σὺ γάρ μʼ ὅς εἰμι κἀφʼ ὅτου πατρὸς γεγὼς

καὶ γῆς ὁποίας ἦλθον, εἰρηκὼς κυρεῖς·

ὥστʼ ἐστί μοι τὸ λοιπὸν οὐδὲν ἄλλο πλὴν

εἰπεῖν ἃ χρῄζω, χὠ λόγος διοίχεται.

Θησεύς

τοῦτʼ αὐτὸ νῦν δίδασχʼ, ὅπως ἂν ἐκμάθω.
575

Οἰδίπους

δώσων ἱκάνω τοὐμὸν ἄθλιον δέμας

σοὶ δῶρον, οὐ σπουδαῖον εἰς ὄψιν· τὰ δὲ

κέρδη παρʼ αὐτοῦ κρείσσονʼ ἢ μορφὴ καλή.

579

Θησεύς

ποῖον δὲ κέρδος ἀξιοῖς ἥκειν φέρων;

Οἰδίπους

χρόνῳ μάθοις ἄν, οὐχὶ τῷ παρόντι που.
580

Θησεύς

ποίῳ γὰρ ἡ σὴ προσφορὰ δηλώσεται;

Οἰδίπους

ὅταν θάνω ʼγὼ καὶ σύ μου ταφεὺς γένῃ

Θησεύς

τὰ λοίσθιʼ αἰτεῖ τοῦ βίου, τὰ δʼ ἐν μέσῳ

ἢ λῆστιν ἴσχεις ἢ διʼ οὐδενὸς ποεῖ.

Οἰδίπους

ἐνταῦθα γάρ μοι κεῖνα συγκομίζεται.
585

Θησεύς

ἀλλʼ ἐν βραχεῖ δὴ τήνδε μʼ ἐξαιτεῖ χάριν.

Οἰδίπους

ὅρα γε μήν· οὐ σμικρός, οὔχ, ἁγὼν ὅδε.

Θησεύς

πότερα τὰ τῶν σῶν ἐκγόνων κἀμοῦ λέγεις;—

Οἰδίπους

κεῖνοι κομίζειν κεῖσʼ ἄναξ, χρῄζουσί με.

Θησεύς

ἀλλʼ εἰ θέλοντά γʼ οὐδὲ σοὶ φεύγειν καλόν.
590

Οἰδίπους

ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ, ὅτʼ αὐτὸς ἤθελον, παρίεσαν.

Θησεύς

ὦ μῶρε, θυμὸς δʼ ἐν κακοῖς οὐ ξύμφορον.

Οἰδίπους

ὅταν μάθῃς μου, νουθέτει, τανῦν δʼ ἔα.

Θησεύς

δίδασκʼ· ἄνευ γνώμης γὰρ οὔ με χρὴ λέγειν.

Οἰδίπους

πέπονθα, Θησεῦ, δεινὰ πρὸς κακοῖς κακά.
595

Θησεύς

ἦ τὴν παλαιὰν ξυμφορὰν γένους ἐρεῖς;

Οἰδίπους

οὐ δῆτʼ, ἐπεὶ πᾶς τοῦτό γʼ Ἑλλήνων θροεῖ.

Θησεύς

τί γὰρ τὸ μεῖζον ἢ κατʼ ἄνθρωπον νοσεῖς;

Οἰδίπους

οὕτως ἔχει μοι. γῆς ἐμῆς ἀπηλάθην

πρὸς τῶν ἐμαυτοῦ σπερμάτων· ἔστιν δέ μοι
600

πάλιν κατελθεῖν μήποθʼ, ὡς πατροκτόνῳ.

Θησεύς

πῶς δῆτα σʼ ἂν πεμψαίαθʼ, ὥστʼ οἰκεῖν δίχα;

Οἰδίπους

τὸ θεῖον αὐτοὺς ἐξαναγκάσει στόμα.

Θησεύς

ποῖον πάθος δείσαντας ἐκ χρηστηρίων;

Οἰδίπους

ὅτι σφʼ ἀνάγκη τῇδε πληγῆναι χθονί.
605

Θησεύς

καὶ πῶς γένοιτʼ ἂν τἀμὰ κἀκείνων πικρά;

607

Οἰδίπους

ὦ φίλτατʼ Αἰγέως παῖ, μόνοις οὐ γίγνεται

θεοῖσι γῆρας οὐδὲ κατθανεῖν ποτε.

τὰ δʼ ἄλλα συγχεῖ πάνθʼ ὁ παγκρατὴς χρόνος.

φθίνει μὲν ἰσχὺς γῆς, φθίνει δὲ σώματος,
610

θνῄσκει δὲ πίστις, βλαστάνει δʼ ἀπιστία,

καὶ πνεῦμα ταὐτὸν οὔποτʼ οὔτʼ ἐν ἀνδράσιν

φίλοις βέβηκεν οὔτε πρὸς πόλιν πόλει.

τοῖς μὲν γὰρ ἤδη, τοῖς δʼ ἐν ὑστέρῳ χρόνῳ

τὰ τερπνὰ πικρὰ γίγνεται καὖθις φίλα.
615

καὶ ταῖσι Θήβαις εἰ τανῦν εὐημερεῖ

καλῶς τὰ πρὸς σέ, μυρίας ὁ μυρίος

χρόνος τεκνοῦται νύκτας ἡμέρας τʼ ἰών,

ἐν αἷς τὰ νῦν ξύμφωνα δεξιώματα

δόρει διασκεδῶσιν ἐκ σμικροῦ λόγου·
620

ἵνʼ οὑμὸς εὕδων καὶ κεκρυμμένος νέκυς

ψυχρός ποτʼ αὐτῶν θερμὸν αἷμα πίεται,

εἰ Ζεὺς ἔτι Ζεὺς χὠ Διὸς Φοῖβος σαφής.

ἀλλʼ οὐ γὰρ αὐδᾶν ἡδὺ τἀκίνητʼ ἔπη,

ἔα μʼ ἐν οἷσιν ἠρξάμην, τὸ σὸν μόνον
625

πιστὸν φυλάσσων, κοὔποτʼ Οἰδίπουν ἐρεῖς

ἀχρεῖον οἰκητῆρα δέξασθαι τόπων

τῶν ἐνθάδʼ, εἴπερ μὴ θεοὶ ψεύσουσί με.

Χορός

ἄναξ, πάλαι καὶ ταῦτα καὶ τοιαῦτʼ ἔπη

γῇ τῇδʼ ὅδʼ ἁνὴρ ὡς τελῶν ἐφαίνετο.
630

Θησεύς

τίς δῆτʼ ἂν ἀνδρὸς εὐμένειαν ἐκβάλοι

τοιοῦδʼ, ὅτῳ πρῶτον μὲν ἡ δορύξενος

κοινή παρʼ ἡμῖν αἰέν ἐστιν ἑστία;

ἔπειτα δʼ ἱκέτης δαιμόνων ἀφιγμένος

γῇ τῇδε κἀμοὶ δασμὸν οὐ σμικρὸν τίνει.
635

ἁγὼ σεβισθεὶς οὔποτʼ ἐκβαλῶ χάριν

τὴν τοῦδε, χώρᾳ δʼ ἔμπολιν κατοικιῶ.

εἰ δʼ ἐνθάδʼ ἡδὺ τῷ ξένῳ μίμνειν, σέ νιν

τάξω φυλάσσειν, εἴτʼ ἐμοῦ στείχειν μέτα,

τόδʼ ἡδύ, τούτων, Οἰδίπους, δίδωμί σοι
640

κρίναντι χρῆσθαι· τῇδε γὰρ ξυνοίσομαι.

642

Οἰδίπους

ὦ Ζεῦ, διδοίης τοῖσι τοιούτοισιν εὖ.

Θησεύς

τί δῆτα χρῄζεις; ἦ δόμους στείχειν ἐμούς;

Οἰδίπους

εἴ μοι θέμις γʼ ἦν· ἀλλʼ ὁ χῶρός ἐσθʼ ὅδε,

Θησεύς

ἐν ᾧ τί πράξεις; οὐ γὰρ ἀντιστήσομαι.
645

Οἰδίπους

ἐν ᾧ κρατήσω τῶν ἔμʼ ἐκβεβληκότων.

Θησεύς

μέγʼ ἂν λέγοις δώρημα τῆς συνουσίας.

Οἰδίπους

εἰ σοί γʼ ἅπερ φῂς ἐμμενεῖ τελοῦντί μοι.

Θησεύς

θάρσει τὸ τοῦδέ γʼ ἀνδρός· οὔ σε μὴ προδῶ.

Οἰδίπους

οὔτοι σʼ ὑφʼ ὅρκου γʼ ὡς κακὸν πιστώσομαι.
650

Θησεύς

οὔκουν πέρα γʼ ἂν οὐδὲν ἢ λόγῳ φέροις.

Οἰδίπους

πῶς οὖν ποήσεις;

Θησεύς

τοῦ μάλιστʼ ὄκνος σʼ ἔχει;

Οἰδίπους

ἥξουσιν ἄνδρες

Θησεύς

ἀλλὰ τοῖσδʼ ἔσται μέλον.

Οἰδίπους

ὅρα με λείπων

Θησεύς

μὴ δίδασχʼ ἃ χρή με δρᾶν.

Οἰδίπους

ὀκνοῦντʼ ἀνάγκη.
655

Θησεύς

τοὐμὸν οὐκ ὀκνεῖ κέαρ.

Οἰδίπους

οὐκ οἶσθʼ ἀπειλὰς

Θησεύς

οἶδʼ ἐγώ σε μή τινα

ἐνθένδʼ ἀπάξοντʼ ἄνδρα πρὸς βίαν ἐμοῦ.

πολλαὶ δʼ ἀπειλαὶ πολλὰ δὴ μάτην ἔπη

θυμῷ κατηπείλησαν, ἀλλʼ ὁ νοῦς ὅταν

αὑτοῦ γένηται, φροῦδα τἀπειλήματα.
660

κείνοις δʼ ἴσως κεἰ δείνʼ ἐπερρώσθη λέγειν

τῆς σῆς ἀγωγῆς, οἶδʼ ἐγώ, φανήσεται

μακρὸν τὸ δεῦρο πέλαγος οὐδὲ πλώσιμον.

θαρσεῖν μὲν οὖν ἔγωγε κἂν ἐμῆς ἄνευ

γνώμης ἐπαινῶ, Φοῖβος εἰ προὔπεμψέ σε·
665

ὅμως δὲ κἀμοῦ μὴ παρόντος οἶδʼ ὅτι

τοὐμὸν φυλάξει σʼ ὄνομα μὴ πάσχειν κακῶς.

Translations (4)

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 607 focus

Dear son of Aegeus, to the Gods alone

Comes never Age nor Death. All else i’ the world

Time, the all subduer, merges in oblivion.

Earth and men’s bodies weaken, fail, and perish.
610

Faith withers, breach of faith springs up and glows

And neither men nor cities that are friends

Breathe the same spirit with continuing breath.

Love shall be turned to hate, and hate to love

With many hereafter, as with some to-day.
615

And though, this hour, between great Thebes and thee

No cloud be in the heaven, yet moving Time

Enfolds a countless brood of days to come,

Wherein for a light cause they shall destroy

Your now harmonious league with severing war,
620

Even where my slumbering form, buried in death,

Coldly shall drink the life blood of my foes,

If Zeus be Zeus, and his son Phoebus true.

I would not speak aloud of mysteries.

Then let me leave where I began. Preserve
625

Thine own good faith, and thou shalt never say,

Unless Heaven’s promise fail me, that for nought

Athens took Oedipus to dwell with her.

CH

My lord, long since the stranger hath professed

Like augury of blessings to our land.
630

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.

OED

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 607 focus

O Sohn des Aegeus, theurer Mann, den Göttern nur
605

Naht nie das Alter, ihnen naht niemals der Tod.

Doch alles Andre stürzt die Allgewalt der Zeit:

Die Kraft der Erde welkt, es welkt des Leibes Kraft;

Hin stirbt die Treue, Treuebruch sprießt hoch empor.

Und ohne Wandel athmet nie derselbe Hauch
610

Der Lieb' in Männerherzen, noch bei Volk und Volk.

Denn heute dort, hier morgen wandelt sich die Gunst

In bittern Hader, und in Huld sich wieder um.

Und wenn des Friedens heller Tag die Theber jezt

Mit dir vereinigt, doch gebiert in ihrem Lauf
615

Endlose Zeit endlose Nächte, Tage noch,

Worin die heute festverbundnen Hände sich

Um leichten Vorwand trennen durch des Speers Gewalt,

Wo mein entschlafner und im Grab geborgner Leib

Erkaltet einst ihr warmes Herzblut trinken wird,
620

Wenn Zeus noch Zeus, und sein Apollon Wahres spricht.

Doch sag' ich ungern, was ich nicht enthüllen darf;

Dir gnüge denn mein erstes Wort, und wahre mur¹

Das deine treulich; und gewiß, dann klagst du nie,

Es sei ein unnüz werthlos Haupt in Dedipus
625

Dem Land erschienen, lügen mir die Götter nicht.

Der Chor.

Schon lange hat, o König, dies und Aehnliches²

Der Mann für unsrer Väter Land zu thun gelobt.

Theseus.

Wer möchte solches Mannes wohlgewognen Sinn

Abweisen, dem hier allezeit der freundliche,
630

Gastfreie Herd in unsrer Wohnung offen steht,

Und welcher, Hülfe suchend bei den Göttinnen,

Mir und dem Lande nicht geringen Lohn bezahlt?

Dies heilig achtend, will ich niemals seine Huld

Abweisen, will ihm Bürgerrecht im Lande leih'n.
635

Gefällt's ihm hier zu bleiben, dann gebiet' ich euch,³

Sein wohl zu wahren; ist es ihm, mit mir zu geh'n,

Genehm, so gönn' ich, Dedipus, auch hier Gewalt

Und freie Wahl dir: so gewähr' ich, was du willst.

Oedipus.

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 607 focus

O friendly son of Ægeus, to the gods

Alone is giv'n exemption from old age

And death; all else th' all-powerful hand of time

Crumbles to dust. The vigour of the earth,

The vigour of the body wastes away;
610

Faith withers to the root, and Perfidy

Puts forth fresh branches. So in men, in states

Leagued now in friendship, the same spirit long

Never remains; but what is grateful now,

Instant to some, to some in distant time,
615

Becomes detested, then delights again.

So now though all is amity and peace.

'Twixt thee and Thebes, yet ever-changing time

Will, in its progress, ever-changing nights

And days beget, in which your plighted hands,

Arm'd for a trivial cause, shall burst your leagues;
620

That my cold corse, at rest beneath the earth,

Shall drink their warm blood, if Jove reigns supreme

And Phœbus, son of Jove, declares the truth.

But to unfold what silence ought to veil

Delights me not; permit me to proceed
625

In what I first began; keep but thy faith,

Thou didst receive an useless habitant

(Unless the gods beguile me) to this land.

Chorus

These and like things this man before, O king,

Declared he for this country would achieve.
630

Theseus

The warm benevolence of such a man

Who would reject? To him among us first

The common hospitable altar stands;

Then coming suppliant to these awful pow'rs,

To me and to my country he repays

An ample recompense; revering which

His courtesy I never will reject,
635

But give him in this land to dwell secure.

If here the stranger wishes to abide,

I give thee charge to guard him: if thy will

Inclines thee, Edipus, with me to go,

Thou hast thy choice; my will assents to thine.

ADIP. Thou ruler of the skies, on men like these
640

Pour down thy blessings!
640

What dost thou resolve?

English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 549-665 focus

Chorus

Look, there comes our lord, Theseus son of Aegeus,

at the sound of your voice, to do that for which he was summoned.
550

Enter Theseus.

Theseus

Through hearing from many in the past about the bloody marring of your sight, I recognized it was you, son of Laius; and now on coming here, through sight I am more fully certain.

For your clothing and that heart-rending face alike assure me that it is you. And in all compassion I ask you, ill-fated Oedipus, with what petition to the city and to me have you taken your place here, you and the poor maiden at your side. Declare it. Dire indeed must be the fortune which you tell,
555

for me to stand aloof from it; since I know that I myself also was reared in exile, just as you, and that in foreign lands I wrestled with perils to my life, like no other man.
560

Never, then, would I turn aside from a stranger, such as you are now, or refuse to help in his deliverance. For I know well that I am a man, and that my portion of tomorrow is no greater than yours.
565

Oedipus

Theseus, in a few words your nobleness has come to such a point

that I need make only a brief reply. You have said who I am, from what father I am sprung, and from what land I have come; and so nothing else remains for me but to speak my wish, and the tale is told.
570

Theseus

Then inform me of this very thing, so that I may learn it.
575

Oedipus

I come to offer you my care-worn body as a gift—not one fine to look on, but the gains from it are better than beauty.

579

Theseus

And what gain do you claim to have brought?

Oedipus

Later you may learn it—but not yet.
580

Theseus

At what time, then, will the benefit become clear?

Oedipus

When I am dead, and you have given me burial.

Theseus

You crave life’s last service; but for all between you have no memory, or no care.

Oedipus

Indeed, for by that service I gather in all the rest.
585

Theseus

Well then, this favor you crave from me is brief indeed.

Oedipus

Yet take care; the struggle here is no light one. No, indeed.

Theseus

Do you mean in respect to your sons, or to me?

Oedipus

They will compel you to convey me there to Thebes .

Theseus

But if you are willing, then exile is not becoming.
590

Oedipus

No, when I was willing, they refused.

Theseus

Foolish man, anger amidst woes is not suitable.

Oedipus

When you have heard my story, admonish; till then, forbear.

Theseus

Speak. I must not pronounce without knowledge.

Oedipus

I have suffered, Theseus, terrible woes upon woes.
595

Theseus

Will you speak of the ancient trouble of your race?

Oedipus

No, indeed; all Greeks speak of that.

Theseus

How, then, do you suffer beyond what is mortal?

Oedipus

The circumstance is this: from my country I have been driven by my own sons;

and I may not return, since I am guilty of a father’s blood.
600

Theseus

Why would they have you brought back, if you must dwell apart?

Oedipus

The word of the god will compel them.

Theseus

What suffering do they fear from the oracles?

Oedipus

That they must be struck down in this land.
605

Theseus

And how should bitterness come between them and me?

607

Oedipus

Dearest son of Aegeus, to the gods alone old age and death never come, but everything else sinks into chaos from time which overpowers all.

Earth’s strength decays, and so too the strength of the body; trust dies; distrust is born; and the same spirit is never steadfast among friends, or between city and city. For some now, for others tomorrow, sweet feelings turn to bitter, and then once more to being dear.
610

And if now the sun shines brightly between Thebes and you, yet time in his course gives birth to days and nights untold, in which from a small cause they will
615

scatter with the spear today’s pledges of concord. Then one day my slumbering and buried corpse, cold in death, will drink their warm blood, if Zeus is still Zeus, and Phoebus, the son of Zeus, speaks clear.
But, since I would not break silence concerning words that must not spoken, allow me to cease where I began.
620

Only keep your own pledge good, and never will you say that in vain you welcomed Oedipus to dwell in this land—if indeed the gods do not deceive me.
625

Chorus

Lord, from the first this man has shown a

will to bring these words, or similar ones, to completion for our land.
630

Theseus

Who, then, would reject the goodwill of such a one? To whom, first, the hearth of a spear-friend is always available on our side, by reciprocal right; then too he has come as a suppliant to our gods,

paying no small recompense to this land and to me. In reverence for these claims, I will never spurn his favor, and I will establish a dwelling for him as a citizen in the land. And if it is the pleasure of the stranger to remain here, I will command you to
635

protect him; or, if it pleases him, to come with me. This choice or that, Oedipus, you may take; your desire will be mine.
640

642

Oedipus

O Zeus, may you be good to men such as these!

Theseus

What is your wish, then? Will you come to my house?

Oedipus

Yes, I would, if it were right. But this is the place—

Theseus

What will you do here? Speak, for I will not hinder you.
645

Oedipus

—Where I will conquer those who cast me out.

Theseus

The promised gift of your presence would be great.

Oedipus

It shall be, if you keep your pledge with me.

Theseus

Have courage concerning me; never will I betray you.

Oedipus

I will not bind you with an oath as if an evil man.
650

Theseus

Well, you would win nothing more than by my word.

Oedipus

What will you do, then?

Theseus

What is it that you fear?

Oedipus

Men will come—

Theseus

But these men here will see to that.

Oedipus

Beware that if you leave me—

Theseus

Do not instruct me in my duties.

Oedipus

Fear constrains me—
655

Theseus

My heart feels no fear.

Oedipus

You do not know the threats—

Theseus

I know that none will lead you from here against my will. Often threats have blustered in men’s hearts with words loud and vain; but when the mind comes to itself once more,

the threats have vanished. For those men, too, perhaps—yes, even if in boldness they have spoken dreadful things of bringing you back, the voyage here will prove long and hard to sail. Now I exhort you, apart from any decision of mine, to take heart,
660

if indeed Phoebus has been your escort here. Even if I am not present, still my name, I know, will shield you from harm.
665

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-454-1 γῆρας … κατθανεῖν ¹

mvp-comment-455-1 συγχεῖ ²

mvp-comment-455-2 παγκρατὴς ³

mvp-comment-456-1 φθίνει μὲν … φθίνει δὲ ⁴

mvp-comment-456-2 γῆς ⁵

mvp-comment-457-1 βλαστάνει ⁶

mvp-comment-458-1 πνεῦμα ⁷

mvp-comment-459-1 βέβηκεν ¹⁰

mvp-comment-459-2 πόλει ¹¹

mvp-comment-460-1 τοῖς μὲν γὰρ ἤδη ¹²

mvp-comment-460-2 ἤδη ¹³

mvp-comment-460-3 καὖθις φίλα ¹⁴

mvp-comment-461-1 Θήβαις ¹⁵

mvp-comment-462-1 καλῶς ¹⁶

mvp-comment-462-2 τὰ ¹⁷

mvp-comment-462-3 τὸ πρὸς σέ ¹⁸

mvp-comment-462-4 ὁ μυρίος ¹⁹

mvp-comment-463-1 τεκνοῦται ²⁰

mvp-comment-463-2 ἰών ²¹

mvp-comment-464-1 ἐν αἷς ²²

mvp-comment-464-2 δεξιώματα ²³

mvp-comment-465-1 δόρει διασκεδῶσιν ²⁴

mvp-comment-465-2 δόρει ²⁵

mvp-comment-466-1 ἵν’ ²⁶

mvp-comment-466-2 εὕδων ²⁷

mvp-comment-467-1 ψυχρὸς … θερμὸν ²⁸

mvp-comment-468-1 σαφής ²⁹

mvp-comment-469-1 τἀκίνητα ³⁰

mvp-comment-470-1 ἔα με ³¹

mvp-comment-470-2 τὸ σὸν … πιστὸν φυλάσσων ³²

mvp-comment-471-1 εἴπερ μὴ ψεύσουσι ³³

mvp-comment-471-2 εἴπερ ³⁴

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

609. mvp-comment-337-1 συγχεῖ Obliterates, and so destroys. Cp. Hdt. 4. 127, συγχέειν τοὺς πατρωΐους τάφους: 7. 115, τὴν ὁδὸν .. οὐ συγχέουσι : Eur. Ι. Α. 37, καὶ ταὐτὰ πάλιν γράμματα συγχεῖς: Plat. Theaet. 194 E, ἀσαφῆ δὲ (ἴσχουσι) καὶ οἱ τὰ ὑγρὰ (ἔχοντες μνημεῖα) ὑπὸ γὰρ τοῦ συγχεῖσθαι ταχὺ γίγνεται ἀμυδρά. Essay on Language p. 105.

609. mvp-comment-337-2 παγκρατής i. e. πάντα κρατῶν. Allmastering. Cp. ὁ παγκρατὴς ὕπνος, Αj. 675.

610. mvp-comment-338-1 φθίνει.. φθίνει Ε. on L. § 44. p.83. 612,13. καὶ πνεῦμα ταὐτὸν .. πόλει] 'And the same spirit does not last between friend and friend, nor between city and city. By a metaphor derived from the most ancient, and not altogether lost in modern times, the feeling of love or hatred is regarded as a breathing or exhalation. Cp. Aesch. Agam. 1206, ἀλλ᾽ ἦν παλαιστὴς κάρτ᾿ ἐμοὶ πνέων χάριν: Aesch. Cho. 34, κότον πνέων: ib. 952, ὀλέθριον πνέουσ᾽ ἐν ἐχθροῖς κότον: Aesch. Suppl. 30, δέξαιθ'.. αἰδοίῳ πνεύματι χώρας: Plut. Dion. p. 197, τὸ τῶν δημαγωγῶν πνεῦμα. Hence a change of feeling is further compared to a change of wind, as in Aesch. Ag. 219, φρενὸς πνέων δυσσεβῆ τροπαίαν. For the thought, cp. Aj. 679 ff. ὅ τ᾽ ἐχθρὸς ἡμῖν ἐς τοσόνδ' ἐχθαρτέος κ.τ.λ.

613. mvp-comment-339-1 βέβηκεν Almost = ἔστιν, -see Essay on Language p. 97,-but (in relation to πνεῦμα) retaining the notion of fixity or continued movement. For the perfect of βαίνω, expressing a settled state or condition, cp. esp. infra 1684, νῷν δ᾽ ὀλεθρία νὺξ ἐπ᾿ ὄμμασιν βέβακε.

615. mvp-comment-340-1 καὖθις φίλα It often happens in Greek that both sides of a complex statement are put forward when only one is relevant. Cp. Aj. 679 ff. quoted above, Trach. 134-135, τῷ δ᾽ ἐπέρχεται | χαίρειν τε καὶ στέρεσθαι. But the poet may have chosen to indicate the possibility of future reconcilement between Athens and Thebes.

616. mvp-comment-341-1 εἰ Emphatic, =κεί. Cp. Ant. 551, εἰ γέλωτ᾽ ἐν σοὶ γελῶ. Essay on Language § 28. p. 47.

616-617. mvp-comment-342-1 εὐημερεί καλῶς *τό Elmsley mentions that some MSS. give τέ acgive cented, which may be a remaining trace of the original reading τό or τά, εὐημερεῖ καλῶς τε, i. e. quasi eὖ καλῶς τε ἡμερεῖ, is indefensible, and the objection to the tautology καλῶς εὐημερεῖ is unfounded. See Essay on Language § 40. p. 75. And though on the part of Thebes towards you all be now serene as heart can wish. εὐημερεῖ continues the metaphor in πνεῦμα. τὸ πρὸς σε is epexegetic of the impersonal subject of εὐημερεῖ. All looks fair and well in relation to you:' or (bringing out the image a little more), There is no cloud in the heavens between Thebes and you. For the construction, cp. supra, πρὸς πόλιν πόλει, and Hdt. 3. 49. εἰ μέν νυν Περιάνδρου τελευτήσαντος τοῖσι Κορινθίοισι φίλα ἦν πρὸς Κερκυραίους.

617-618. mvp-comment-343-1 μυρίας .. ἰών There are countless nights and days which time begets in his onward course. For the form of sentence. cp. El. 1364-1366, τοὺς γὰρ ἐν μέσῳ λόγους, πολλαὶ κυκλοῦνται νύκτες ἡμέραι τ᾽ ἴσαι, αἱ ταῦτά σοι δείξουσιν, Ηλέκτρα, σαφή-a passage which also illustrates the present tense, as used of something future but certain.

619-620. mvp-comment-344-1 ἐν αἷς .. δεξιώματα In which they will sunder with the sword on slight pretext your now well-plighted fellowship. The letter corresponding to a in L is rather an unfinished ∞ ( x ) than an a.

620. mvp-comment-345-1 ἐκ σμικροῦ λόγου Out of a small occasion. Cp. Εl. 415-416, πολλά τοι σμικροὶ λόγοι | ἔσφηλαν ἤδη καὶ κατώρθωσαν βροτούς.

621. mvp-comment-346-1 ἵν' On the very spot where. 623. Cp. Aj. 783, εἰ Κάλχας σοφός.

624. mvp-comment-347-1 τἀκίνητα For κινεῖν of breaking silence, cp. Ant. 1060, τἀκίνητα διὰ φρενῶν: Ο. Τ. 354, οὕτως ἀναιδῶς ἐξεκίνησας τόδε | τὸ ῥῆμα; 625-626. τὸ σὸν μόνον | πιστὸν φυλάσσων] Either, (1) ‘Only keeping care- fully thine own good faith, or (with πιστόν as supplementary predicate), (2) Only keeping thine own part faithful. The position of πιστόν favours (2).

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Χορός ἄναξ, πάλαι καὶ ταῦτα καὶ τοιαῦτʼ ἔπη γῇ τῇδʼ ὅδʼ ἁνὴρ ὡς τελῶν ἐφαίνετο. 630

Οἰδίπους

Χορός καὶ μὴν ἄναξ ὅδʼ ἡμὶν Αἰγέως γόνος Θησεὺς κατʼ ὀμφὴν σὴν ἐφʼ ἁστάλη πάρα. 550

Θησεύς τοῦτʼ αὐτὸ νῦν δίδασχʼ, ὅπως ἂν ἐκμάθω. 575

Οἰδίπους δώσων ἱκάνω τοὐμὸν ἄθλιον δέμας σοὶ δῶρον, οὐ σπουδαῖον εἰς ὄψιν· τὰ δὲ κέρδη παρʼ αὐτοῦ κρείσσονʼ ἢ μορφὴ καλή.

Θησεύς ποῖον δὲ κέρδος ἀξιοῖς ἥκειν φέρων;

Οἰδίπους χρόνῳ μάθοις ἄν, οὐχὶ τῷ παρόντι που. 580

Θησεύς ποίῳ γὰρ ἡ σὴ προσφορὰ δηλώσεται;

Οἰδίπους ὅταν θάνω ʼγὼ καὶ σύ μου ταφεὺς γένῃ

Θησεύς τὰ λοίσθιʼ αἰτεῖ τοῦ βίου, τὰ δʼ ἐν μέσῳ ἢ λῆστιν ἴσχεις ἢ διʼ οὐδενὸς ποεῖ.

Οἰδίπους ἐνταῦθα γάρ μοι κεῖνα συγκομίζεται. 585

Θησεύς ἀλλʼ ἐν βραχεῖ δὴ τήνδε μʼ ἐξαιτεῖ χάριν.

Οἰδίπους ὅρα γε μήν· οὐ σμικρός, οὔχ, ἁγὼν ὅδε.

Θησεύς πότερα τὰ τῶν σῶν ἐκγόνων κἀμοῦ λέγεις;—

Οἰδίπους κεῖνοι κομίζειν κεῖσʼ ἄναξ, χρῄζουσί με.

Θησεύς ἀλλʼ εἰ θέλοντά γʼ οὐδὲ σοὶ φεύγειν καλόν. 590

Οἰδίπους ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ, ὅτʼ αὐτὸς ἤθελον, παρίεσαν.

Θησεύς ὦ μῶρε, θυμὸς δʼ ἐν κακοῖς οὐ ξύμφορον.

Οἰδίπους ὅταν μάθῃς μου, νουθέτει, τανῦν δʼ ἔα.

Θησεύς δίδασκʼ· ἄνευ γνώμης γὰρ οὔ με χρὴ λέγειν.

Οἰδίπους πέπονθα, Θησεῦ, δεινὰ πρὸς κακοῖς κακά. 595

Θησεύς ἦ τὴν παλαιὰν ξυμφορὰν γένους ἐρεῖς;

Οἰδίπους οὐ δῆτʼ, ἐπεὶ πᾶς τοῦτό γʼ Ἑλλήνων θροεῖ.

Θησεύς τί γὰρ τὸ μεῖζον ἢ κατʼ ἄνθρωπον νοσεῖς;

Οἰδίπους οὕτως ἔχει μοι. γῆς ἐμῆς ἀπηλάθην πρὸς τῶν ἐμαυτοῦ σπερμάτων· ἔστιν δέ μοι 600 πάλιν κατελθεῖν μήποθʼ, ὡς πατροκτόνῳ.

Θησεύς πῶς δῆτα σʼ ἂν πεμψαίαθʼ, ὥστʼ οἰκεῖν δίχα;

Οἰδίπους τὸ θεῖον αὐτοὺς ἐξαναγκάσει στόμα.

Θησεύς ποῖον πάθος δείσαντας ἐκ χρηστηρίων;

Οἰδίπους ὅτι σφʼ ἀνάγκη τῇδε πληγῆναι χθονί. 605

Θησεύς καὶ πῶς γένοιτʼ ἂν τἀμὰ κἀκείνων πικρά;

Χορός ἄναξ, πάλαι καὶ ταῦτα καὶ τοιαῦτʼ ἔπη γῇ τῇδʼ ὅδʼ ἁνὴρ ὡς τελῶν ἐφαίνετο. 630

Οἰδίπους ὦ Ζεῦ, διδοίης τοῖσι τοιούτοισιν εὖ.

Θησεύς τί δῆτα χρῄζεις; ἦ δόμους στείχειν ἐμούς;

Οἰδίπους εἴ μοι θέμις γʼ ἦν· ἀλλʼ ὁ χῶρός ἐσθʼ ὅδε,

Θησεύς ἐν ᾧ τί πράξεις; οὐ γὰρ ἀντιστήσομαι. 645

Οἰδίπους ἐν ᾧ κρατήσω τῶν ἔμʼ ἐκβεβληκότων.

Θησεύς μέγʼ ἂν λέγοις δώρημα τῆς συνουσίας.

Οἰδίπους εἰ σοί γʼ ἅπερ φῂς ἐμμενεῖ τελοῦντί μοι.

Θησεύς θάρσει τὸ τοῦδέ γʼ ἀνδρός· οὔ σε μὴ προδῶ.

Οἰδίπους οὔτοι σʼ ὑφʼ ὅρκου γʼ ὡς κακὸν πιστώσομαι. 650

Θησεύς οὔκουν πέρα γʼ ἂν οὐδὲν ἢ λόγῳ φέροις.

Οἰδίπους πῶς οὖν ποήσεις;

Θησεύς τοῦ μάλιστʼ ὄκνος σʼ ἔχει;

Οἰδίπους ἥξουσιν ἄνδρες

Θησεύς ἀλλὰ τοῖσδʼ ἔσται μέλον.

Οἰδίπους ὅρα με λείπων

Θησεύς μὴ δίδασχʼ ἃ χρή με δρᾶν.

Οἰδίπους ὀκνοῦντʼ ἀνάγκη. 655

Θησεύς τοὐμὸν οὐκ ὀκνεῖ κέαρ.

Οἰδίπους οὐκ οἶσθʼ ἀπειλὰς

CH My lord, long since the stranger hath professed Like augury of blessings to our land. 630

OED

Der Chor. Schon lange hat, o König, dies und Aehnliches 2 Der Mann für unsrer Väter Land zu thun gelobt.

Oedipus.

Chorus These and like things this man before, O king, Declared he for this country would achieve. 630

Chorus Look, there comes our lord, Theseus son of Aegeus, at the sound of your voice, to do that for which he was summoned. 550

Oedipus Theseus, in a few words your nobleness has come to such a point that I need make only a brief reply. You have said who I am, from what father I am sprung, and from what land I have come; and so nothing else remains for me but to speak my wish, and the tale is told. 570

Theseus Then inform me of this very thing, so that I may learn it. 575

Oedipus I come to offer you my care-worn body as a gift—not one fine to look on, but the gains from it are better than beauty.

Theseus And what gain do you claim to have brought?

Oedipus Later you may learn it—but not yet. 580

Theseus At what time, then, will the benefit become clear?

Oedipus When I am dead, and you have given me burial.

Theseus You crave life’s last service; but for all between you have no memory, or no care.

Oedipus Indeed, for by that service I gather in all the rest. 585

Theseus Well then, this favor you crave from me is brief indeed.

Oedipus Yet take care; the struggle here is no light one. No, indeed.

Theseus Do you mean in respect to your sons, or to me?

Oedipus They will compel you to convey me there to Thebes .

Theseus But if you are willing, then exile is not becoming. 590

Oedipus No, when I was willing, they refused.

Theseus Foolish man, anger amidst woes is not suitable.

Oedipus When you have heard my story, admonish; till then, forbear.

Theseus Speak. I must not pronounce without knowledge.

Oedipus I have suffered, Theseus, terrible woes upon woes. 595

Theseus Will you speak of the ancient trouble of your race?

Oedipus No, indeed; all Greeks speak of that.

Χορός

ἄναξ, πάλαι καὶ ταῦτα καὶ τοιαῦτʼ ἔπη

γῇ τῇδʼ ὅδʼ ἁνὴρ ὡς τελῶν ἐφαίνετο.
630

Χορός

καὶ μὴν ἄναξ ὅδʼ ἡμὶν Αἰγέως γόνος

Θησεὺς κατʼ ὀμφὴν σὴν ἐφʼ ἁστάλη πάρα.
550

Θησεύς

τοῦτʼ αὐτὸ νῦν δίδασχʼ, ὅπως ἂν ἐκμάθω.
575

Οἰδίπους

δώσων ἱκάνω τοὐμὸν ἄθλιον δέμας

σοὶ δῶρον, οὐ σπουδαῖον εἰς ὄψιν· τὰ δὲ

κέρδη παρʼ αὐτοῦ κρείσσονʼ ἢ μορφὴ καλή.

Θησεύς

ποῖον δὲ κέρδος ἀξιοῖς ἥκειν φέρων;

Οἰδίπους

χρόνῳ μάθοις ἄν, οὐχὶ τῷ παρόντι που.
580

Θησεύς

ποίῳ γὰρ ἡ σὴ προσφορὰ δηλώσεται;

Οἰδίπους

ὅταν θάνω ʼγὼ καὶ σύ μου ταφεὺς γένῃ

Θησεύς

τὰ λοίσθιʼ αἰτεῖ τοῦ βίου, τὰ δʼ ἐν μέσῳ

ἢ λῆστιν ἴσχεις ἢ διʼ οὐδενὸς ποεῖ.

Οἰδίπους

ἐνταῦθα γάρ μοι κεῖνα συγκομίζεται.
585

Θησεύς

ἀλλʼ ἐν βραχεῖ δὴ τήνδε μʼ ἐξαιτεῖ χάριν.

Οἰδίπους

ὅρα γε μήν· οὐ σμικρός, οὔχ, ἁγὼν ὅδε.

Θησεύς

πότερα τὰ τῶν σῶν ἐκγόνων κἀμοῦ λέγεις;—

Οἰδίπους

κεῖνοι κομίζειν κεῖσʼ ἄναξ, χρῄζουσί με.

Θησεύς

ἀλλʼ εἰ θέλοντά γʼ οὐδὲ σοὶ φεύγειν καλόν.
590

Οἰδίπους

ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ, ὅτʼ αὐτὸς ἤθελον, παρίεσαν.

Θησεύς

ὦ μῶρε, θυμὸς δʼ ἐν κακοῖς οὐ ξύμφορον.

Οἰδίπους

ὅταν μάθῃς μου, νουθέτει, τανῦν δʼ ἔα.

Θησεύς

δίδασκʼ· ἄνευ γνώμης γὰρ οὔ με χρὴ λέγειν.

Οἰδίπους

πέπονθα, Θησεῦ, δεινὰ πρὸς κακοῖς κακά.
595

Θησεύς

ἦ τὴν παλαιὰν ξυμφορὰν γένους ἐρεῖς;

Οἰδίπους

οὐ δῆτʼ, ἐπεὶ πᾶς τοῦτό γʼ Ἑλλήνων θροεῖ.

Θησεύς

τί γὰρ τὸ μεῖζον ἢ κατʼ ἄνθρωπον νοσεῖς;

Οἰδίπους

οὕτως ἔχει μοι. γῆς ἐμῆς ἀπηλάθην

πρὸς τῶν ἐμαυτοῦ σπερμάτων· ἔστιν δέ μοι
600

πάλιν κατελθεῖν μήποθʼ, ὡς πατροκτόνῳ.

Θησεύς

πῶς δῆτα σʼ ἂν πεμψαίαθʼ, ὥστʼ οἰκεῖν δίχα;

Οἰδίπους

τὸ θεῖον αὐτοὺς ἐξαναγκάσει στόμα.

Θησεύς

ποῖον πάθος δείσαντας ἐκ χρηστηρίων;

Οἰδίπους

ὅτι σφʼ ἀνάγκη τῇδε πληγῆναι χθονί.
605

Θησεύς

καὶ πῶς γένοιτʼ ἂν τἀμὰ κἀκείνων πικρά;

Χορός

ἄναξ, πάλαι καὶ ταῦτα καὶ τοιαῦτʼ ἔπη

γῇ τῇδʼ ὅδʼ ἁνὴρ ὡς τελῶν ἐφαίνετο.
630

Οἰδίπους

ὦ Ζεῦ, διδοίης τοῖσι τοιούτοισιν εὖ.

Θησεύς

τί δῆτα χρῄζεις; ἦ δόμους στείχειν ἐμούς;

Οἰδίπους

εἴ μοι θέμις γʼ ἦν· ἀλλʼ ὁ χῶρός ἐσθʼ ὅδε,

Θησεύς

ἐν ᾧ τί πράξεις; οὐ γὰρ ἀντιστήσομαι.
645

Οἰδίπους

ἐν ᾧ κρατήσω τῶν ἔμʼ ἐκβεβληκότων.

Θησεύς

μέγʼ ἂν λέγοις δώρημα τῆς συνουσίας.

Οἰδίπους

εἰ σοί γʼ ἅπερ φῂς ἐμμενεῖ τελοῦντί μοι.

Θησεύς

θάρσει τὸ τοῦδέ γʼ ἀνδρός· οὔ σε μὴ προδῶ.

Οἰδίπους

οὔτοι σʼ ὑφʼ ὅρκου γʼ ὡς κακὸν πιστώσομαι.
650

Θησεύς

οὔκουν πέρα γʼ ἂν οὐδὲν ἢ λόγῳ φέροις.

Οἰδίπους

πῶς οὖν ποήσεις;

Θησεύς

τοῦ μάλιστʼ ὄκνος σʼ ἔχει;

Οἰδίπους

ἥξουσιν ἄνδρες

Θησεύς

ἀλλὰ τοῖσδʼ ἔσται μέλον.

Οἰδίπους

ὅρα με λείπων

Θησεύς

μὴ δίδασχʼ ἃ χρή με δρᾶν.

Οἰδίπους

ὀκνοῦντʼ ἀνάγκη.
655

Θησεύς

τοὐμὸν οὐκ ὀκνεῖ κέαρ.

Οἰδίπους

οὐκ οἶσθʼ ἀπειλὰς

CH

My lord, long since the stranger hath professed

Like augury of blessings to our land.
630

Der Chor.

Schon lange hat, o König, dies und Aehnliches²

Der Mann für unsrer Väter Land zu thun gelobt.

Chorus

These and like things this man before, O king,

Declared he for this country would achieve.
630

Chorus

Look, there comes our lord, Theseus son of Aegeus,

at the sound of your voice, to do that for which he was summoned.
550

Oedipus

Theseus, in a few words your nobleness has come to such a point

that I need make only a brief reply. You have said who I am, from what father I am sprung, and from what land I have come; and so nothing else remains for me but to speak my wish, and the tale is told.
570

Theseus

Then inform me of this very thing, so that I may learn it.
575

Oedipus

I come to offer you my care-worn body as a gift—not one fine to look on, but the gains from it are better than beauty.

Theseus

And what gain do you claim to have brought?

Oedipus

Later you may learn it—but not yet.
580

Theseus

At what time, then, will the benefit become clear?

Oedipus

When I am dead, and you have given me burial.

Theseus

You crave life’s last service; but for all between you have no memory, or no care.

Oedipus

Indeed, for by that service I gather in all the rest.
585

Theseus

Well then, this favor you crave from me is brief indeed.

Oedipus

Yet take care; the struggle here is no light one. No, indeed.

Theseus

Do you mean in respect to your sons, or to me?

Oedipus

They will compel you to convey me there to Thebes .

Theseus

But if you are willing, then exile is not becoming.
590

Oedipus

No, when I was willing, they refused.

Theseus

Foolish man, anger amidst woes is not suitable.

Oedipus

When you have heard my story, admonish; till then, forbear.

Theseus

Speak. I must not pronounce without knowledge.

Oedipus

I have suffered, Theseus, terrible woes upon woes.
595

Theseus

Will you speak of the ancient trouble of your race?

Oedipus

No, indeed; all Greeks speak of that.

Theseus

How, then, do you suffer beyond what is mortal?

Oedipus

The circumstance is this: from my country I have been driven by my own sons;

and I may not return, since I am guilty of a father’s blood.
600

Theseus

Why would they have you brought back, if you must dwell apart?

Oedipus

The word of the god will compel them.

Theseus

What suffering do they fear from the oracles?

Oedipus

That they must be struck down in this land.
605