Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus, Richard Jebb (Translator), 385

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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

Oedipus at Colonus. Sophocles. Richard Jebb (Translator). Cambridge. 1889.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.

Current edition Experimental

Oedipus at Colonus (English) (Sophocles the plays and fragments, Part 2: The Oedipus at Colonus. Jebb, Richard Claverhouse, Sir, translator. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1889. (Modernized by Perseus.))

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (2)

Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 385 focus

ἤδη γὰρ ἔσχες ἐλπίδʼ ὡς ἐμοῦ θεοὺς
385

ὤραν τινʼ ἕξειν, ὥστε σωθῆναί ποτε ;

Ἰσμήνη

ἔγωγε τοῖς νῦν 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 μέν σου, γῆς δὲ μὴ ʼμβαίνῃς ὅρων.
400

Οἰδίπους

ἡ δʼ ὠφέλησις τίς θύραισι 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 κρατῇς.
405

Οἰδίπους

ἢ καὶ κατασκιῶσι Θηβαίᾳ κόνει;

Ἰσμήνη

ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἐᾷ τοὔμφυλον αἷμά σʼ, ὦ πάτερ.

Οἰδίπους

οὐκ ἆρʼ ἐμοῦ γε μὴ κρατήσωσιν ποτέ.

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 προὔθεντο τὴν τυραννίδα;

Ἰσμήνη

ἀλγῶ κλύουσα ταῦτʼ ἐγώ. φέρω δʼ ὅμως.
420

Οἰδίπους

Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 385 focus

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

Translations (4)

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 385 focus

And hadst thou ever hoped the Gods would care
385

For mine affliction, and restore my life?

ISM

I hope it now since this last oracle.

OED

What oracle hath been declared, my child?

ISM

That they shall seek thee forth, alive or dead,

To bring salvation to the Theban race.
390

OED

Who can win safety through such help as mine?

ISM

’Tis said their victory depends on thee.

OED

When shrunk to nothing, am I indeed a man?

ISM

Yea, for the Gods uphold thee, who then destroyed.

OED

Poor work, to uphold in age who falls when young!
395

ISM

Know howsoe’er that Creon will be here

For this same end, ere many an hour be spent.

OED

For what end, daughter? Tell me in plain speech.

ISM

To set thee near their land, that thou may’st be

Beyond their borders, but within their power.
400

OED

What good am I, thus lying at their gate?

ISM

Thine inauspicious burial brings them woe.

OED

There needs no oracle to tell one that.

ISM

And therefore they would place thee near their land,

Where thou may’st have no power upon thyself.
405

OED

Say then, shall Theban dust o’ershadow me?

ISM

The blood of kindred cleaving to thy hand,

Father, forbids thee.

OED

Never, then, henceforth,

Shall they lay hold on me!

ISM

If that be true,

The brood of Cadmus shall have bale.

OED

What cause
410

Having appeared, will bring this doom to pass?
410

ISM

Thy wrath, when they are marshalled at thy tomb.

OED

From whom hast thou heard this?

ISM

Sworn messengers

Brought such report from Delphi’s holy shrine.

OED

Hath Phoebus so pronounced my destiny?

ISM

So they declare who brought the answer back.
415

OED

Did my sons hear?

ISM

They know it, both of them.

OED

Villains, who, being informed of such a word,

Turned not their thoughts toward me, but rather chose

Ambition and a throne!

ISM

It wounds mine ear
420

To hear it spoken, but the news I bring
420

Is to that stern effect.
420

OED

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 385 focus

Du hattest Hoffnung also, daß die Götter mein
380

Gedenken werden, daß mir Rettung einst erscheint?

Ismene.

Die schöpft' ich, Vater, aus des Gottes jüngstem Spruch.

Oedipus.

Wie lautet dieser? Was verhieß der Gott, o Kind?

Ismene.

Dich müßten, lebend oder todt, die Menschen dort

Dereinst noch suchen: so gebiet' ihr eignes Heil.
385

Oedipus.

Und welcher Segen käme wohl von solchem Mann?

Ismene.

Auf dir beruhe, heißt es, ihre Macht allein.

Oedipus.

Gestorben also, wär' ich erst ein rechter Held?

Ismene.

Jezt heben dich die Götter, die dich einst gestürzt.

Oedipus.

Nichts heißt's, den Greis erheben, der als Jüngling fiel.
390

Ismene.

Doch wisse, Kreon wird sofort aus diesem Grund

Vor dir erscheinen, nicht in allzulanger Frist.

Oedipus.

Was will er hier thun, Tochter? Das erkläre mir.

Ismene.

Dich nahe bringen Kadmos' Land, auf daß sie dich

Besizen, ohne daß du trittst in ihr Gebiet.
395

Oedipus.

Was frommt es, lieg' ich außerhalb des Landes Mark?

Ismene.

Dein Grab in fremdem Lande wird ein Fluch für sie.¹

Oedipus.

Auch ohne Göttersprüche sieht das Jeder ein.

Ismene.

Drum eben wollen jene dich dem Lande nah

Beisezen, wo du keine Macht hast über dich.
400

Oedipus.

Und decken sie mit Thebererde mein Gebein?

Ismene.

Mein Vater, solches duldet nie dein Blutvergeh'n.

Oedipus.

So sollen die sich meiner nie bemächtigen!

Ismene.

Dann lastet schwerer Fluch dereinst auf Kadmos' Volk.

Oedipus.

Durch welche Schickung, trautes Kind, erfüllt sich das?
405

Ismene.

Von deinem Zorne, wann sie steh'n auf deinem Grab.

Oedipus.

Durch wen vernahmst du, was du mir da sagst, o Kind?

Ismene.

Durch Opferboten, abgesandt zu Pytho's Herd.

Oedipus.

Und dieses hat Apollon ausgesagt von mir?

Ismene.

So melden, die zum Theberlande heimgekehrt.
410

Oedipus.

Und ward das Wort auch einem meiner Söhne kund?

Ismene.

Kund ward es ihnen beiden, und sie wissen's wohl.

Oedipus.

Und als die Schlechten das gehört, galt ihnen doch

Der Glanz des Thrones höher als die Kindespflicht?

Ismene.

Das hört' ich, und mit Schmerzen; doch verhehl' ich's nicht.
415

Oedipus.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 385 focus

I have ;

Their oracles have said it.

My daughter, tell me, what have they declared ?

Ismene
(Edi. Ha ! said what %

The time would come, they said, when Thebes

once more

Must seek thee, dead or living, for her safety.
390

Oedipus

Why, what could such a wretch as I do for

them?

Ismene

Their only hope, they say, is placed in thee.

Can it proceed 1

Ismene
(TiDi. I, that am nothing, grown so powerful ! Whenf <

The gods, who once depressed thee,

Now raise thee up again.

Who falls in youth will never rise in ago.

Ismene
(Edi. It cannot be ]

Ivnow, for this very purpose Creon comes ;

Ere long thou mayst expect him.

Oedipus

What to do,

My daughter ?

Ismene

To remove thee hence, and place thee

Nearer to Thebes, but not within her borders.

To them ?
400

Ismene
(Edi. If not within, what profit can it be

Thy tomb, raised in a foreign land,

They fear would prove most fatal.

CEni. But how know they

Ismene
[t must be so, unless some god declared it ?

For this alone they wish to have thee near

The borders, in their power, and not thy own,
405

Ismene
(Edi. To bury me at Thebes ?

That cannot be ;

Thy crime forbids it.

Ismene
(Edi. Then I'll never go. [ance.

a time will come when they shall feel thy venge-

This wished event ?

Ismene
(Edi. What strange vicissitude can e'er produce

Thy wrath, when at thy tomb

They shall be forced to meet.

Ismene
(Edi. Who told thee this ?

say.

Ismene

The sacred ministers
415

Of Delphos.
415

Oedipus

Came it from Apollo's shrine ?

Ismene

On their return to Thebes they did report it.

Ismene
(Edi. My sons, did they hear aught of this ?

Both heard.

And know it well.

|*referred a kingdom to their father's love,

Ismene
(Edi. Yet, impious as they are,

With grief I tell thee what with grief I heard.
420

Oedipus

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 385 focus

to thy father? Not for nought

Comest thou from Thebes, of this I am assured,.

Nor without bringing terror to my soul.

What late I suffer'd, while I sought the place.....

Of thy abode, my father, I forbear

To speak, unwilling to renew the sense

Of hardships by recounting them. But now

I come t' inform thee of the present ills./:..

Sprung up betwixt thy two unhappy sons..

Their first debate was whether they should yield

The royal seat to Creon, nor pollute

The city, reasoning on the ancient stain

Which mark'd their race, and thy ill-fated house.

Now from some god, and their flagitious mind,

A contest rages, threatening greater ills,

To seize the sceptre and the regal pow'r.

The younger fiercely of the throne deprives

The elder, Polynices, and by force

"Hath driv'n him from his country: he (for thus

Among us wide the swelling rumour flies)

An exile to the vales of Argos speeds;

There new alliance forms, and arms his friends.

Confederate in his cause; that Argos soon

His cause avenging, would subdue the realms

Of Thebes, and raise his glory to the skies.

These are not tales, my father, idly spread;

No; they are dreadful facts. But when the gods

Will pity thy distress, I cannot learn....ba

Oedipus

Hast thou an hope, my child, that yet the gods
385

Deign to regard me, and will save me yet?
385

I have from recent oracles this hope,

Ismene

My father.

Oedipus

What are they? What is by them

Ismene

Announced, my child?

The time will come, when thee

Living and dead the Thebans shall require
390

For their protection.
390

Oedipus

From a wretch like me

What succour can they hope?

Ismene

It is declared

Their pow'r depends on thee.

Oedipus

Am I a man

E'en when I am no more?

Ismene

The gods, whose pow'r

Once sunk thee, raise thee now.

Oedipus

How vain to raise
395

Ismene

In his old age the wretch that fell when young!

Yet be assured that Creon for this cause

Will come to thee: expect him here with speed.

Oedipus

What his intent explain to me, my child.

Ismene

Thee near the Theban land, but not allow'd

To pass its borders, in their pow'r to hold.
400

Oedipus

What succour from me, laid before their gates,

Fatal to them, if thy tomb

Expect they?

Ismene

Be elsewhere raised.

Oedipus

Without the god, this knowledge ?

Ismene

For this cause

Whose wisdom could attain,

Thee near their realms, but of thy self not lord,
405

It is their wish to place.
405

Oedipus

In Theban dust

Will they entomb me?

Ismene

That thy father's blood

Allows not.

Me then never may they hold

Oedipus

Beneath their pow'r !

Ismene

But to the sons of Thebes

This would be fatal.

Oedipus

What the potent cause
410

Of such a fate?
410

Ismene

Thy anger, at thy tomb

When they shall stand.

Oedipus

By whom art thou inform'd

Of what thou say'st, my child?

Ismene

By men who brought

Responses from the Delphic shrine.

Oedipus

Of me

This did the god declare?

Ismene

So they, to Thebes
415

Returning, made report.
415

Oedipus

Which of my sons.

Heard this?

Ismene

Both heard it, and both knew it well.

Oedipus

Could they hear this, vile wretches, and contemn

Their father, whilst they grasp at regal pow'r?

Ismene

I grieve to hear, yet I must bear these things.
420

Oedipus

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-285-1 ὡς … ἕξειν ¹

mvp-comment-285-2 ὡς … θεοὺς ἕξειν ²

mvp-comment-286-1 Since ἔγωγε is virtually one word, this v. cannot be regarded as an instance of γε used twice in the same sentence. Such repetition is allowable when more than one word is to be emphasised, as Eur. Phoen. 554

ἐπεὶ τά γ’ ἀρκοῦνθ’ ἱκανὰ τοῖς γε σώφροσιν

, but no certain example happens to occur in Soph.: see on O. T. 1030 .

mvp-comment-287-1 The purport of this new oracle seems to have been: — "The welfare of Thebes depends on Oed., alive or dead." Ismene paraphrases it: — "It shows that you will be in request with the Thebans some day (

ποτέ

, i.e. some day soon , 397 ), — not merely after your death, but while you live." She knows that Creon is coming in the hope of carrying Oed. back — not to Thebes, but to some place just beyond the Theban border, where his person, and afterwards his grave, should be under Theban control. Cp. on .

mvp-comment-288-1 εὐσοίας ³

mvp-comment-289-1 A and other MSS. have

τοιοῦδ’ ὑπ’

, which gives a clear constr. It seems arbitrary to assume that in L's reading

τίς δ’ ἂν τοιοῦδ’ ἀνδρὸς εὖ πράξειεν ἄν

the syllable lost was rather τι after τίς δ’ ἂν , the gen. being one of source. Herm. supports the latter view by O. T. 1006

σοῦ πρὸς δόμους ἐλθόντος εὖ πράξαιμί τι

, but there the gen. is absolute. Wecklein gives

τίς δ’ ἀντὶ τοιοῦδ’ ἀνδρὸς εὖ πράξειεν ἄν;

comparing

ἀνθ’ οὗ, ἀντὶ τοῦ

; but in such phrases

ἀντί

"in recompense for,"

not

"through the agency of."

mvp-comment-290-1 ἐν σοὶ ⁵

mvp-comment-290-2 γίγνεσθαι ⁶

mvp-comment-290-3 φασί ⁷

mvp-comment-290-4 κράτη ⁸

mvp-comment-291-1 ἀνήρ ⁹

mvp-comment-292-1 ὤλλυσαν ¹⁰

mvp-comment-293-1 see on 1

mvp-comment-293-2 δ\ς πέσῃ ¹¹

mvp-comment-294-1 καὶ μὴν ¹²

mvp-comment-294-2 γε ¹³

mvp-comment-295-1 βαιοῦ … χρόνου ¹⁴

mvp-comment-295-2 κοὐχὶ μ. ¹⁵

mvp-comment-296-1 στήσωσι ¹⁶

mvp-comment-297-1 ὅρων ¹⁷

mvp-comment-298-1 The tenor of this fine passage should be observed.

mvp-comment-298-2 Oedipus took

ἐν σοί

(392) to mean that the welfare of Thebes depended on his presence there. He is thinking of a restoration to his Theban home (395) . He asks, therefore, —"Of what use can I be to them if I am left at their doors, and not received within their land?" "They will suffer," she replies, "if your tomb is neglected." Oedipus does not see the force of this answer: he still infers (from θανόντα in 390 ) that, whatever may be his doom in life, he is at least to be buried at Thebes. "Why, of course they will," he replies (403) . " So " — pursues the daughter (404) — "they mean to keep you within their grasp." A new suspicion flashes on him. "They will bury me at Thebes?" "It cannot be." That is enough. He will never give himself into their hands. — Remark that he was supposing Apollo's former decree (91) to have been cancelled by this later one (389) . He now sees that the new oracle does not cancel the former, but merely confirms it in one aspect, viz. in the promise of

ἄτην τοῖς πέμψασιν

(93) .

mvp-comment-298-3 θύρασι ¹⁸

mvp-comment-298-4 κειμένου ¹⁹

mvp-comment-299-1 κείνοις ²⁰ βαρύς ²¹

mvp-comment-299-2 δυστυχῶν ²²

mvp-comment-300-1 Cp. O. T. 398

γνώμῃ κυρήσας οὐδ’ ἀπ’ οἰωνῶν μαθών

. It needed no oracle to tell one that they would incur divine anger for neglecting the first duties of piety towards their late king.

mvp-comment-301-1 σε προσθέσθαι ²³

mvp-comment-301-2 ἂν … κρατοῖς ²⁴

mvp-comment-302-1 καὶ ²⁵

mvp-comment-303-1 τοὔμφυλον αἷμα ²⁶

mvp-comment-304-1 συναλλαγῆς ²⁷

mvp-comment-305-1 σοῖς … τάφοις ²⁸

mvp-comment-306-1 θεωρῶν ²⁹

mvp-comment-306-2 ἑστίας ³⁰

mvp-comment-307-1 ἐφ’ ἡμῖν ³¹

mvp-comment-308-1 οἱ μολόντες ³²

mvp-comment-309-1 παίδων τις ³³

mvp-comment-310-1 καὶ εἶτα ³⁴

mvp-comment-310-2 τῶνδ’ ³⁵

mvp-comment-310-3 πάρος … προὔθεντο ³⁶

mvp-comment-311-1 τοὐμοῦ πόθου ³⁷

mvp-comment-312-1 φέρω δ’ ὅμως ³⁸

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

385. mvp-comment-213-1 ἤδη γὰρ ἔσχες ἐλπίδ' What? had you begun to entertain a hope?' ὡς ἐμοῦ θεοὺς | ὥραν τιν᾿ ἕξειν] A confusion of the two constructions, ὡς ἕξοιεν θεοί and ἕξειν θεούς. Cp. Aesch. Eum. 799, αὐτὸς ἦν ὁ μαρτυρῶν | ὡς ταῦτ᾽ Ὀρέστην δρῶντα μὴ βλαβὰς ἔχειν. See Essay on Language § 36. p. 67.

387. mvp-comment-214-1 τοῖς νῦν.. μαντεύμασιν By reason of what is now feretold.

390. mvp-comment-215-1 εὐσοίας χάριν For their own preservation. εὐσοίας is mentioned in the Scholia as the better reading.

391. mvp-comment-216-1 τοιοῦδ᾽ ὑπ᾿ ἀνδρός Who can derive prosperity from such as I am? Herm. reads τίς ἄν *τι τοιοῦδ᾽ ἀνδρός..;

392. mvp-comment-217-1 φασί They say. The subject is to be inferred from l. 413, viz. ἄνδρες θεωροὶ Δελφικῆς ἀφ᾽ ἑστίας. For similar vagueness of subject in reference to a reported prophecy, cp. О. Т. 110.

395. mvp-comment-218-1 φλαύρον A poor business. There is not much good in raising up in age one who fell in youth. On the omission of ἄv, see Essay on Language § 27. P. 45.

401. mvp-comment-219-1 θύραισι κειμένου Laid at their doors. The word κειμένου, though perhaps chosen with a view to what follows, as expressing Oedipus' presentiment of his end, has more immediate reference to the inactivity of age. A young warrior received within their gates might be of some avail, but what profit was there in an old man lying idle beyond their confines? Cp. the Homeric λυγρῷ ἐπὶ γήραος οὐδῷ, and Shakespeare's unregarded age in corners thrown. Y 2

402. mvp-comment-220-1 The difficulty of interpreting this line has arisen from not observing that the dative is governed of δυστυχῶν (= δυστυχῶς γιγνόμενος) as well as of βαρύς. Cp. supr. 308. Your burial, happening in a way unfortunate for them, is a danger to them.' According to this rendering, the point of the reply is obvious enough. It needs no divine intimation to teach us this.'

405. mvp-comment-221-1 μηδ᾽ ἵν᾽ ἂν σαυτοῦ κρατῆς But not in any place where you will be your own master. The subjunctive, as usual, after a relative adverb with av. Some editors have changed κρατῆς το κρατοῖς. But although this is favoured by the explanation of the Scholiast, ὅπου κρατοῖς ἂν σαυτοῦ, and by the comparison of l. 190, the change is unnecessary. For the adversative μηδέ, cp. El. 132, οὐδ᾽ ἐθέλω προλιπεῖν τύδε.

406. mvp-comment-222-1 κατασκιῶσι Will they overshadow me? Cp. infra 1707 τύμβον.. εὐσκιαστον: The Two Noble Kinsmen, 1, 1, Human grace Affords them dust and shadow.

407. mvp-comment-223-1 ἀλλ᾽ οὐκ ἐᾷ.. σ᾽ Sc κατασκιασθῆναι Θηβαίᾳ κύνει.

407. mvp-comment-223-2 τοῦμφυλον αἷμα The guilt of parricide. Cp. Ant. 703, νεῖκος.. ξύναιμον : О. Т. 1406. Cp. Plat. Legg. 9. 871 D. (of the punishment of homicide), ὁ δὲ ὀφλὼν θανάτῳ ζημιούσθω καὶ μὴ ἐν τῇ τοῦ παθόντος χώρᾳ θαπτέσθω, where it is added that the intention to kill is to be punished in the same way, except in the matter of burial.

410. mvp-comment-224-1 ποίας φανείσης συναλλαγῆς On what conjuncture having arisen?' 414. ἐφ᾽ ἡμῖν With regard to me.' Cp. Ο. Τ. 829, ἐπ᾿ ἀνδρὶ τῷδ᾽ ἂν ὀρθοίη λόγον.

415. mvp-comment-225-1 οἱ μολόντες Those who returned, viz. the θεωροί.

416. mvp-comment-226-1 For the indefinite Tus in a question, cp. supra 66, ἄρχει τις αὐτῶν; The use of τις = πότερος, where only two are spoken of, is remarkable.

419-420. mvp-comment-227-1 It may seem unreasonable in Oedipus to expect his sons to disregard the interest and the law of Thebes. But he is absorbed in his own destiny, and is full of indignation at the thought of being taken to the borders of his country without being restored to it. This he thinks that his sons ought to have interfered to prevent. He regards the oracle as expressing the intention of Phoebus to glorify him at the expense of his countrymen if they persist in rejecting him. See Introduction, p. 281, note 2.

420. mvp-comment-228-1 φέρω δ᾽ ὅμως But still, such are the news I bring. Cp. Aesch. Pers. 248, φέρει σαφές τι πρᾶγος κλύειν : Ag. 639, ὅταν . . πήματ᾿ ἄγγελος.. φέρῃ. 421 ff. The correspondence of clauses is not perfect, a new train of thought being introduced with δέ in 422. The broken thread is resumed in 425-426. Oedipus is saying, Let their quarrel go on to the end, and may the end be the worst for both. His passion interrupts him with the further thought, Let me only have the ending of it, and then-. For the expression, cp. Pind. Nem. 10. 29, 30, πᾶν δὲ τέλος ἐν τὶν ἔργων.

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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

Current edition Experimental

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

Ἰσμήνη ἔγωγε τοῖς νῦν 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 μέν σου, γῆς δὲ μὴ ʼμβαίνῃς ὅρων. 400

Οἰδίπους ἡ δʼ ὠφέλησις τίς θύραισι 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 κρατῇς. 405

Οἰδίπους ἢ καὶ κατασκιῶσι Θηβαίᾳ κόνει;

Ἰσμήνη ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἐᾷ τοὔμφυλον αἷμά σʼ, ὦ πάτερ.

Οἰδίπους οὐκ ἆρʼ ἐμοῦ γε μὴ κρατήσωσιν ποτέ.

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 προὔθεντο τὴν τυραννίδα;

Ἰσμήνη ἀλγῶ κλύουσα ταῦτʼ ἐγώ. φέρω δʼ ὅμως. 420

Οἰδίπους

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

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

ἤδη γὰρ ἔσχες ἐλπίδʼ ὡς ἐμοῦ θεοὺς
385

ὤραν τινʼ ἕξειν, ὥστε σωθῆναί ποτε ;

Ἰσμήνη

ἔγωγε τοῖς νῦν 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 μέν σου, γῆς δὲ μὴ ʼμβαίνῃς ὅρων.
400

Οἰδίπους

ἡ δʼ ὠφέλησις τίς θύραισι 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 κρατῇς.
405

Οἰδίπους

ἢ καὶ κατασκιῶσι Θηβαίᾳ κόνει;

Ἰσμήνη

ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἐᾷ τοὔμφυλον αἷμά σʼ, ὦ πάτερ.

Οἰδίπους

οὐκ ἆρʼ ἐμοῦ γε μὴ κρατήσωσιν ποτέ.

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 προὔθεντο τὴν τυραννίδα;

Ἰσμήνη

ἀλγῶ κλύουσα ταῦτʼ ἐγώ. φέρω δʼ ὅμως.
420

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.