Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus, Richard Jebb (Translator), 1500-1555

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Enter Theseus.

Theseus

What din is this that once more rings forth from you all, from my people as clearly as from the stranger? Can a thunderbolt from Zeus be the cause, or rushing hail in its fierce onset? When the god sends such a storm, forebodings of every sort may find a place.
1500

Oedipus

Lord, you have appeared at my desire, and to you some god granted noble fortune at this coming.
1505

Theseus

And what new thing has now occurred, son of Laius?

Oedipus

My life hangs in the balance; and I wish to die without cheating you and this city of the promises I made.

Theseus

And what is the proof of your fate that you depend on?
1510

Oedipus

The gods themselves herald the news to me, nor do they cheat me of any of the appointed signs.

Theseus

What makes these things clear? Tell me, old man.

Oedipus

The thunder, crash after crash; the lightning, flash after flash,

hurled from the unconquered hand.
1515

Theseus

I am persuaded, for in much I find you a prophet whose voice is not false. Then say what must be done.

Oedipus

I will expound myself, son of Aegeus, the treasures which will be laid up for this city, such as age can never hurt.

Immediately, with no hand to guide me, I will lead to the place where I must die. But as to that place, never reveal it to another man, neither where it is hidden, nor in what region it lies, so that it may be an eternal defence for you, better than many shields, better than the spear of neighbors which brings relief.
1520

But as for mysteries which speech may not profane, you will learn them yourself when you come to that place alone, since I cannot declare them either to any of these people, or even to my own children, though I love them.
1525

Reserve them always to yourself, and when you reach the end of life, reveal them to your eldest son alone, and let him reveal them to his successor in turn forever.
In this way you will keep this city unscathed by the men born of the Dragon’s teeth. Countless cities commit outrage
1530

even though their neighbor commits no sin. For the gods are slow to punish, yet they are sure, when men scorn holiness and turn to frenzy. Do not desire this, son of Aegeus! But you know such things as these without my teaching.
1535

Let us now set forth to that place—the divine summons urges me—and hesitate no longer.
1540
As if suddenly inpired, he moves with slow but firm steps towards the left of the stage, beckoning the others onward.

Children, follow me. For now in turn it is I that shine forth wondrously as a leader for you, as you were your father’s. Onward. Do not touch me, but

allow me unaided to find the sacred tomb where it is my fate to be buried in this land.
This way, here—come this way! Hermes the Conductor and the goddess of the dead lead me in this direction.
Light of day, no light to me, once you were mine,
1545

but now my body feels you for the last time! For now I go to hide the end of my life in the house of Hades. But you, dearest of strangers, may you yourself be prosperous, and this land, and your followers. In your prosperity,
1550

remember me in my death, and be fortunate evermore. He exits, followed by his daughters, Theseus, and attendants.
1555

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)) — 1500 focus

τίς αὖ παρʼ ὑμῶν κοινὸς ἠχεῖται κτύπος,
1500

σαφὴς μὲν αὐτῶν, ἐμφανὴς δὲ τοῦ ξένου;

μή τις Διὸς κεραυνός, ἤ τις ὀμβρία

χάλαζʼ ἐπιρράξασα; πάντα γὰρ θεοῦ

τοιαῦτα χειμάζοντος εἰκάσαι πάρα.

Οἰδίπους

ἄναξ, ποθοῦντι προὐφάνης, καί σοι θεῶν
1505

τύχην τις ἐσθλὴν †θῆκε τῆσδε τῆς ὁδοῦ.

Θησεύς

τί δʼ ἐστίν, ὦ παῖ Λαΐου, νέορτον αὖ;

Οἰδίπους

ῥοπὴ βίου μοι. καί σʼ ἅπερ ξυνῄνεσα

θέλω πόλιν τε τήνδε μὴ ψεύσας θανεῖν.

Θησεύς

ἐν τῷ δὲ κεῖσαι τοῦ μόρου τεκμηρίῳ;
1510

Οἰδίπους

αὐτοὶ θεοὶ κήρυκες ἀγγέλλουσί μοι,

ψεύδοντες οὐδὲν σημάτων προκειμένων.

Θησεύς

πῶς εἶπας, ὦ γεραιέ, δηλοῦσθαι τάδε ;

Οἰδίπους

αἱ πολλὰ βρονταὶ διατελεῖς τὰ πολλά τε

*στράψαντα χειρὸς τῆς ἀνικήτου βέλη.
1515

Θησεύς

πείθεις με· πολλὰ γάρ σε θεσπίζονθʼ ὁρῶ

κοὐ ψευδόφημα· χὤ τι χρὴ ποιεῖν λέγε.

Οἰδίπους

ἐγὼ διδάξω, τέκνον Αἰγέως, ἅ σοι

γήρως ἄλυπα τῇδε κείσεται πόλει.

χῶρον μὲν αὐτὸς αὐτίκʼ ἐξηγήσομαι,
1520

ἄθικτος ἡγητῆρος, οὗ με χρὴ θανεῖν.

τοῦτον δὲ φράζε μή ποτʼ ἀνθρώπων τινί,

μήθʼ οὗ κέκευθε μήτʼ ἐν οἷς κεῖται τόποις·

ὥς σοι πρὸ πολλῶν ἀσπίδων ἀλκὴν ὅδε

δορός τʼ ἐπακτοῦ γειτόνων ἀεὶ τιθῇ.
1525

ἃ δʼ ἐξάγιστα μηδὲ κινεῖται λόγῳ

αὐτὸς μαθήσει κεῖσʼ ὅταν μόλῃς μόνος·

ὡς οὔτʼ ἂν ἀστῶν τῶνδʼ ἂν ἐξείποιμί τῳ

οὔτʼ ἂν τέκνοισι τοῖς ἐμοῖς, στέργων ὅμως.

ἀλλʼ αὐτὸς ἀεὶ σῶζε, χὤταν εἰς τέλος
1530

τοῦ ζῆν ἀφικνῇ, τῷ προφερτάτῳ μόνῳ

σήμαινʼ, ὁ δʼ ἀεὶ τὠπιόντι δεικνύτω.

χοὔτως ἀδῇον τήνδʼ ἐνοικήσεις πόλιν

σπαρτῶν ἀπʼ ἀνδρῶν· αἱ δὲ μυρίαι πόλεις,

κἂν εὖ τις οἰκῇ, ῥᾳδίως καθύβρισαν.
1535

θεοὶ γὰρ εὖ μέν, ὀψὲ δʼ εἰσορῶσʼ, ὅταν

τὰ θεῖʼ ἀφείς τις εἰς τὸ μαίνεσθαι τραπῇ·

ὃ μὴ σύ, τέκνον Αἰγέως, βούλου παθεῖν.

τὰ μὲν τοιαῦτʼ οὖν εἰδότʼ ἐκδιδάσκομεν.

χῶρον δʼ, ἐπείγει γάρ με τοὐκ θεοῦ παρόν,
1540

στείχωμεν ἤδη, μηδʼ *ἐπιστρεφώμεθα.

ὦ παῖδες, ὧδʼ ἕπεσθʼ. ἐγὼ γὰρ ἡγεμὼν

σφῷν αὖ πέφασμαι καινός, ὥσπερ σφὼ πατρί.

χωρεῖτε, καὶ μὴ ψαύετʼ, ἀλλʼ ἐᾶτέ με

αὐτὸν τὸν ἱερὸν τύμβον ἐξευρεῖν, ἵνα
1545

μοῖρʼ ἀνδρὶ τῷδε τῇδε κρυφθῆναι χθονί.

τῇδʼ, ὧδε, τῇδε βᾶτε· τῇδε γάρ μʼ ἄγει

Ἑρμῆς ὁ πομπὸς ἥ τε νερτέρα θεός.

ὦ φῶς ἀφεγγές, πρόσθε πού ποτʼ ἦσθʼ ἐμόν,

νῦν δʼ ἔσχατόν σου τοὐμὸν ἅπτεται δέμας.
1550

ἤδη γὰρ ἕρπω τὸν τελευταῖον βίον

κρύψων παρʼ Ἅιδην. ἀλλά, φίλτατε ξένων,

αὐτός τε χώρα θʼ ἥδε πρόσπολοί τε σοὶ

εὐδαίμονες γένοισθε, κἀπʼ εὐπραξίᾳ

μέμνησθέ μου θανόντος εὐτυχεῖς ἀεί.
1555

Χορός

Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 1500-1555 focus

Θησεύς

τίς αὖ παρʼ ὑμῶν κοινὸς ἠχεῖται κτύπος,
1500

σαφὴς μὲν ἀστῶν, ἐμφανὴς δὲ τοῦ ξένου;

μή τις Διὸς κεραυνὸς ἤ τις ὀμβρία

χάλαζʼ ἐπιρράξασα; πάντα γὰρ θεοῦ

τοιαῦτα χειμάζοντος εἰκάσαι πάρα.

Οἰδίπους

ἄναξ, ποθοῦντι προυφάνης, καί σοι θεῶν
1505

τύχην τις ἐσθλὴν τῆσδʼ ἔθηκε τῆς ὁδοῦ.

Θησεύς

τί δʼ ἐστίν, ὦ παῖ Λαΐου, νέορτον αὖ;

Οἰδίπους

ῥοπὴ βίου μοι· καί σʼ ἅπερ ξυνῄνεσα

θέλω πόλιν τε τήνδε μὴ ψεύσας θανεῖν.

Θησεύς

τῷ δʼ ἐκπέπεισαι τοῦ μόρου τεκμηρίῳ;
1510

Οἰδίπους

αὐτοὶ θεοὶ κήρυκες ἀγγέλλουσί μοι,

ψεύδοντες οὐδὲν σῆμα τῶν προκειμένων.

Θησεύς

πῶς εἶπας, ὦ γεραιέ, δηλοῦσθαι τάδε;

Οἰδίπους

αἱ πολλὰ βρονταὶ διατελεῖς τὰ πολλά τε

στράψαντα χειρὸς τῆς ἀνικήτου βέλη.
1515

Θησεύς

πείθεις με· πολλὰ γάρ σε θεσπίζονθʼ ὁρῶ

κοὐ ψευδόφημα· χὤ τι χρὴ ποιεῖν λέγε.

Οἰδίπους

ἐγὼ διδάξω, τέκνον Αἰγέως, ἅ σοι

γήρως ἄλυπα τῇδε κείσεται πόλει.

χῶρον μὲν αὐτὸς αὐτίκʼ ἐξηγήσομαι,
1520

ἄθικτος ἡγητῆρος, οὗ με χρὴ θανεῖν.

τοῦτον δὲ φράζε μή ποτʼ ἀνθρώπων τινί,

μήθʼ οὗ κέκευθε μήτʼ ἐν οἷς κεῖται τόποις·

ὥς σοι πρὸ πολλῶν ἀσπίδων ἀλκὴν ὅδε

δορός τʼ ἐπακτοῦ γειτονῶν ἀεὶ τιθῇ.
1525

ἃ δʼ ἐξάγιστα μηδὲ κινεῖται λόγῳ,

αὐτὸς μαθήσει, κεῖσʼ ὅταν μόλῃς μόνος·

ὡς οὔτʼ ἂν ἀστῶν τῶνδʼ ἂν ἐξείποιμί τῳ

οὔτʼ ἂν τέκνοισι τοῖς ἐμοῖς, στέργων ὅμως.

ἀλλʼ αὐτὸς αἰεὶ σῷζε, χὤταν εἰς τέλος
1530

τοῦ ζῆν ἀφικνῇ, τῷ προφερτάτῳ μόνῳ

σήμαινʼ, ὁ δʼ αἰεὶ τὠπιόντι δεικνύτω.

χοὔτως ἀδῇον τήνδʼ ἐνοικήσεις πόλιν

σπαρτῶν ἀπʼ ἀνδρῶν· αἱ δὲ μυρίαι πόλεις,

κἂν εὖ τις οἰκῇ, ῥᾳδίως καθύβρισαν.
1535

θεοὶ γὰρ εὖ μέν, ὀψὲ δʼ εἰσορῶσʼ, ὅταν

τὰ θεῖʼ ἀφείς τις εἰς τὸ μαίνεσθαι τραπῇ·

ὃ μὴ σύ, τέκνον Αἰγέως, βούλου παθεῖν.

τὰ μὲν τοιαῦτʼ οὖν εἰδότʼ ἐκδιδάσκομεν.

χῶρον δʼ, ἐπείγει γάρ με τοὐκ θεοῦ παρόν,
1540

στείχωμεν ἤδη μηδʼ ἔτʼ ἐντρεπώμεθα.

ὦ παῖδες, ὧδʼ ἕπεσθʼ· ἐγὼ γὰρ ἡγεμὼν

σφῷν αὖ πέφασμαι καινός, ὥσπερ σφὼ πατρί.

χωρεῖτε καὶ μὴ ψαύετʼ, ἀλλʼ ἐᾶτέ με

αὐτὸν τὸν ἱερὸν τύμβον ἐξευρεῖν, ἵνα
1545

μοῖρʼ ἀνδρὶ τῷδε τῇδε κρυφθῆναι χθονί.

τῇδʼ ὧδε, τῇδε βᾶτε· τῇδε γάρ μʼ ἄγει

Ἑρμῆς ὁ πομπὸς ἥ τε νερτέρα θεός.

ὦ φῶς ἀφεγγές, πρόσθε πού ποτʼ ἦσθʼ ἐμόν,

νῦν δʼ ἔσχατόν σου τοὐμὸν ἅπτεται δέμας.
1550

ἤδη γὰρ ἕρπω τὸν τελευταῖον βίον

κρύψων παρʼ Ἅιδην. ἀλλά, φίλτατε ξένων,

αὐτός τε χώρα θʼ ἥδε πρόσπολοί τε σοὶ

εὐδαίμονες γένοισθε, κἀπʼ εὐπραξίᾳ

μέμνησθέ μου θανόντος εὐτυχεῖς ἀεί.
1555

Translations (4)

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 1500 focus

Why sounds again from hence your joint appeal,
1500

Wherein the stranger’s voice is loudly heard?

Is it some lightning-bolt new-fallen from Zeus,

Or cloud-born hail that is come rattling down?

From Heavens so black with storm nought can surprise.

OED

Prince, thou art come to my desire. Some God
1505

Hath happily directed this thy way.

THE

What is befallen? Son of Laius, tell!

OED

My path slopes downward, and before my death

I would confirm to Athens and to thee

My promised boon.

THE

What sign dost thou perceive
1510

That proves thine end so near?
1510

OED

The Gods themselves

With herald voices are proclaiming it,

Nought failing of the fore-appointed signs.

THE

What are these tokens, aged monarch, say?

OED

The loud continual thunder, and the darts

That flash in volleys from the unconquered hand.
1515

THE

I may not doubt thee; for thy speech, I feel,

Hath ample witness of prophetic power.

What must I do?

OED

I will instruct thee now,

Aegeus’ great son! in rites that shall remain

An ageless treasure to thy countrymen.

I will presently, with no man guiding me,
1520

Conduct thee to the spot, where I must die.

This is thy secret, not to be revealed

To any one of men, or where ’tis hid

Or whereabout it lies. So through all time

This neighbouring mound shall yield thee mightier aid
1525

Than many a shield and help of alien spears.
1525

More shalt thou learn, too sacred to divulge,

When yonder thou art come thyself alone.

Since to none other of these citizens

Nor even unto the children of my love

May I disclose it. ’Tis for thee to keep
1530

Inviolate while thou livest, and when thy days

Have ending, breathe it to the foremost man

Alone, and he in turn unto the next

Successively. So shalt thou ever hold

Athens unravaged by the dragon brood.

Cities are numberless, and any one
1535

May lightly insult even those who dwell secure.

For the eye of Heaven though late yet surely sees

When, casting off respect, men turn to crime.

Erechtheus’ heir! let that be far from thee!

A warning needless to a man so wise!
1540

Now go we—for this leading of the God
1540

Is urgent—to the place, nor loiter more.

This way, my children! follow me! For I

Am now your guide, as ye were mine. Come on!

Nay, touch me not, but leave me of myself

To find the holy sepulchre, wherein
1545

This form must rest beneath Athenian soil.

Come this way! Come! This way are leading me

Guide Hermes and the Queen of realms below.

O Light, all dark to me! In former time

Bright seemed thy shining! Now thy latest ray

Sheds vital influence o’er this frame. I go
1550

To hide the close of my disastrous life

With Hades. Kind Athenian friend, farewell!

May’st thou, thy followers, and this glorious land

Be happy, and in your endless happiness

Remember him who blessed you in his death.
1555

CHORUS
CHORUS .

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 1500 focus

Was tönt vereinigt euer Ruf mir abermals,

Von euch vernehmlich, deutlich aus des Fremdlings Mund?

War's, weil ein Bliz Kronions, weil ein Hagelsturm
1485

Mit Regen losgebrochen? Denn zu fürchten ja

Ist Alles, wenn in Wettern also stürmt der Gott.

Oedipus.

Ersehnt, o König, kommst du mir, und edles Glück

Hat eine Gottheit dir bestimmt für diesen Gang.

Theseus.

Und was begab sich Neues, Sohn des Laïos?
1490

Oedipus.

Mein Leben neigt zum Ende; sterbend will ich nun

Erfüllen, was ich dir gelobt und dieser Stadt.

Theseus.

Und welches Zeichen wurde dir vom nahen Tod?

Oedipus.

Die Götter selbst sind Boten, sind Herolde mir,

In keinem Zeichen trügend, das sie mir gesandt.
1495

Theseus.

Was, meinst du, that dir ihren Willen kund, o Greis?

Oedipus.

Die Donner, rastlos, ohne Zahl, die Blize, die

Kastlos herniederzucken aus Krommons Hand.

Theseus.

Ich will es glauben; seh' ich doch so Vieles dich,

Und keinen Trug, weissagen. Sprich: was soll gescheh'n?
1500

Oedipus.

O Sohn des Aegeus, höre denn, was dieser Stadt,

Vom Alter ewig ungetrübt, erblühen wird.

Ich führe selbst euch ungesäumt an jenen Ort,

Berührt von keinem Führer, wo ich sterben muß.

Und diesen Ort entdecke keinem Menschen je,
1505

Nicht wo verborgen, noch in welchem Raum er ist;

Und mehr denn Schildesmenge schüzt er allezeit

Vor fremden Söldnern und vor Nachbarstädten euch.¹

Doch was geheim ist, was kein Mund entweihen darf,²

Vernimmst du selber, wenn du dorthin kommst allein;
1510

Denn dieser Bürger keinem darf ich's anvertrau'n,

Noch meinen Kindern, die mir doch so theuer sind.

Du nur bewahr' es immer, und gelangtest du

Zum Ziel des Lebens, thu' es nur dem Aelt'sten kund,

Und dieser meld' es allezeit dem Folgenden.
1515

So bleibt dem Volk der Saatgebor'nen deine Stadt³

Stets unzerstörbar. Sinken tausend Städte doch,

Sogar bei guter Führung, leicht in Uebermuth.

Wohl sieht die Gottheit endlich doch den Frevler an,

Der sich zum Wahnsinn wendend ihr Gebot verhöhnt.
1520

Nicht wolle, Theseus, daß sich das an dir erfüllt!

Doch solche Mahnung geb' ich hier dem Wissenden.

Und nun denn unaufhaltsam führt der Gott mich fort

Laßt uns dem Ort zuschreiten, ohn' uns umzuseh'n!

(er erhebt sich)

Folgt, meine Töchter, folgt mir! Euch erschein' ich jezt
1525

Ein neuer Führer, so wie ihr's dem Vater wart.

Geht hin, berühre Keines mich, nein, laßt mich selbst

Die heil'ge Stätte finden, wo mir mein Geschick

Verhängt zu ruhen, eingesenkt in dieses Land.

Dort sehet - dorthin schreitet; dorthin leitet mich
1530

Der Führer Hermes und die Schattenkönigin.

Erloschner Lichtstrahl, ehemals wohl warst du mein;

Und heut berührst du dieses Haupt zum leztemmal!

Denn jezt enteil' ich, mein vollendet Leben dort

In Hades' Haus zu bergen. Nun, geliebtester
1535

Der Freunde, Segen blühe dir und diesem Land

Und Allen, die dir dienen; und im Wohlergeh'n

Denkt mein, des Hingeschied'nen, glücklich allezeit!

(Dedipus mit Theseus, den Töchtern und dem Gefolge ab. Der Chor bleibt allein zurück.) Strophe.

Der Chor.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 1500 focus

E'en n.s I promised him.

Chorus

Oedipus, Antigone, Ismene, Chorus.

Theseus

Again this noise, this wild astonishment,

Amongst you all ! Was QEdipus the cause ?

Or did the bolt of Jove and rushing hail

Affright you 1 When the god in raging storms

Descends thus dreadful, we have cause to fear.

Propitious led thee hither.

Theseus
(Edi. 0 king ! thou com'st in happy hour ; some god

Son of Laius,
1510

What new event hath happened ?
1510

Oedipus

Know, my life

At length is verging to its latest hour ;

I wish to die, but first my vows to thee,

And to this city, faithful must perform.

Theseus

But who hath told thee thou so soon shalt die ?

Oedipus

The gods themselves, who never utter falsehood.

By signs infallible have warned me of it.
1515

Theseus

How spake they to thee?

QSdi. In repeated thunder

And lightning from th' all- powerful hand of Jove.

Oedipus

I do believe thee, for thy prophecies

Were never false ; but say, what must be done ?

The bliss reserved for thee in thy age —

For thee, and for thy country. I must go
1520

To my appointed place, and there shall die :

I go without a guide, nor must thou tell

To mortal ear where CEdipus doth He,

For ever hid. O king ! that sacred place

Shall be thy sure defence, and better far

Than many a shield, or all the social aid
1525

Of firm alliance in the field of war.

What more remains, unutterable now,

Of higher import, thither when thou com'st

To thee alone shall be delivered ; nought

Shall I reveal, or to the citizens,

Or e'en to those, beloved as they are.
1530

My pious daughters. Thou must ever keep

The solemn secret ; only, when thy life

Draws near its end, disclose it to thy son,

Heir of thy kingdom, and to him alone.

Erom king to king thus shall the tale devolve,

And thus thy Athens be for ever safe
1535

From Theban force \ even the best of cities,

Where justice rules, may swerve from virtue's laws

And be oppressive ; but the gods, though late,

Will one day punish all who disobey

Their sacred mandates; therefore, son of ^geus,

Be careful and be just : but this to thee
1540

I need not say. Quick, let us to the place,

For so the gods decree ; there must I go,

Thence never to return. Come then, my daughteis :

Long have you been my pious guides ; hencefortli

I must be yours. Follow, but touch me not ;
1545

Let me find out the tomb where I must hide
1545

My poor remains : that way my journey lies.

Away : thou god of shades, gi^eat Mercury,

And Proserpine, infernal powers, conduct me !

O sightless eyes ! where are ye ? Never more

Shall these hands touch your unavailing orbs.
1550

O light and life ! farewell : at length I go
1550

To hide me in the tomb ; but oh ! for tliee.

My best beloved friend, and this fair land.

And these thy subjects, may prosperity

Attend you still, and may you sometimes dei-u

Amidst your bliss to think on (Edipus ! [Exeunt,
1555

Theseus

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 1500 focus

Again these cries! What mean they? for distinet
1500

I hear your voices, I the stranger's hear.

Hath Jove's fierce lightening, or the stormy hait

Burst on your heads? Such terrible eventsi

Oft happen, when the god his thunder 'rolls. 1

Oedipus

Thou to my wish, O king, art come: some god,
1505

To crown thy happy fortune, led thy steps.

Theseus

What, son of Laius, hath arisen now?

Oedipus

My life draws tow'rds its end; let me perform,

In nothing false, to thee and to thy state

What I affirm'd; then willingly I die

Theseus

What proof assures thee that thy death is nigh?
1510

Oedipus

The gods, the gods themselves, whose voice is truth,

Proclaim it to me now by signs foretold.

Theseus

What signs, old man, have this event declared?>

Oedipus

These unremitting thunders, and these flames!

Thick flashing, hurl'd by Jove's resistless hand.
1515

Theseus

I in thy words have faith; for I have mark'd

In many things thy fate-predicting mind,s

In nothing false: say then what must be done..

Oedipus

Now, son of Ægeus, I will show thee thing's

Glorious to thee and to thy state, which time, I

Shall never darken. To the fated place

Where I'must die I now will leads the way I
1520

Not led, nor guided: but to mortal maneit

Never disclose the secret spot, non where ros

It lies, it shall be then thy strong defenced

For ever, more than close-compacted shields(0)

And spears of neighbouring states to thee allied.

But things mysterious, not as yet by words
1525

Unfolded, thou shalt learn when thither come

Alone: to none of all thy citizens, das mode

Nor to my daughters to my soul though dear,

Would I reveal them: lock them in thy breast:

But when thy life approaches to its end,

Declare them only to the Chief that stands
1530

In highest honour; to his successor
1530

Let him disclose them. Thus thy royal seat

Shall in this city stand impregnable

To all the inroads of the dragon-race.:

For oft we see that states, though founded well!

On righteous laws, are prone t' abuse their force

To insolent oppression: but the gods
1535

Exact, though late, observe when one disdains

Their holy mandates, and to madness turns.

That, son of Ægeus, that be far from thee.

But I instruct a mind in all the parts

Of virtue skill'd. Now go we to the place

(For the strong impulse of the god I feel
1540

Urging me on) nor fear lest we profane

The sanctity we reverence. Follow me

This way, my daughters; I am now become

A guide to you, as to your father long,

You have been guides. Go then, but touch me not;

Let me unguided find the sacred tomb,
1545

Where these old limbs are destined to repose

Beneath the earth. Go this way, this way go;

For this way Hermes, who conducts the dead,

Leads me, and she o'er the dark realms who reigns.

O light, thy beams though I no more behold,

(Once I beheld them) now these aged limbs
1550

Feel thy last touch; with feeble steps I go

To close my last of life in death's dark shades.

But be thou blest, my noble, honour'd friend,

Thou, and thy country, and thy faithful train:

Yet 'midst success, 'midst glories always yours,

Think on the dead, remember Edipus.;!
1555

Chorus
STRO. ANTIS.

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-1031-1 μή τις ¹

mvp-comment-1031-2 ὀμβρία χάλαζα ²

mvp-comment-1031-3 ἐπιρράξασα ³

mvp-comment-1032-1 τοιαῦτα ⁴

mvp-comment-1033-1 ποθοῦντι προὐφάνης ⁵

mvp-comment-1033-2 καί σοι θεῶν ⁶ τύχην … ὁδοῦ ⁷

mvp-comment-1034-1 ῥοπὴ βίου μοι ⁸

mvp-comment-1034-2 καὶ θέλω θανεῖν μὴ ψεύσας σε πόλιν τε τήνδε ⁹

mvp-comment-1034-3 ἅπερ ξυνῄνεσα ¹⁰

mvp-comment-1035-1 ἐν τῷ δὲ κεῖσαι ¹¹

mvp-comment-1036-1 αὐτοὶ ¹² κήρυκες ¹³

mvp-comment-1036-2 ψεύδοντες οὐδὲν σημάτων προκ. ¹⁴

mvp-comment-1036-3 With the conjecture σῆμα τῶν , the sense is,

" falsifying no sign of those appointed,"

a less usu. sense of

ψεύδω

, for which see Ant. 389 n.

mvp-comment-1037-1 The usual order would be αἱ πολλὰ διατελεῖς βρονταί ,

"the long-continued thunderings."

But an adj. or partic. is sometimes thus placed after the subst., when the art. and an adv. (or adverbial phrase) stands before it: cp. O. T. 1245

τὸν ἤδη Λάϊον πάλαι νεκρόν

τὸν ἤδη πάλαι νεκρὸν Λ.

, the already long-dead L.: where see n.

mvp-comment-1037-2 πολλὰ ¹⁵

mvp-comment-1038-1 στράψαντα ¹⁶

mvp-comment-1038-2 σκήψαντα ¹⁷

mvp-comment-1038-3 χειρὸς τῆς ἀνικήτου ¹⁸

mvp-comment-1039-1 θεσπίζονθ’ ¹⁹

mvp-comment-1039-2 ψευδόφημα ²⁰

mvp-comment-1040-1 σοι ²¹ τῇδε πόλει ²²

mvp-comment-1040-2 γήρως ἄλυπα ²³

mvp-comment-1041-1 χῶρον … ἐξηγήσομαι ²⁴

mvp-comment-1041-2 ἄθικτος ²⁵

mvp-comment-1042-1 τοῦτον ²⁶

mvp-comment-1042-2 μήθ’ οὗ κέκευθε ²⁷

mvp-comment-1043-1 ὥς σοι … τιθῇ ²⁸

mvp-comment-1043-2 δορός τ’ ἐπακτοῦ ²⁹

mvp-comment-1043-3 Others join ἀλκὴν … γειτόνων ³⁰

mvp-comment-1044-1 ἃ δ’ ἐξάγιστα ³¹

mvp-comment-1044-2 μηδὲ κινεῖται λόγῳ ³²

mvp-comment-1044-3 μαθήσει ³³

mvp-comment-1045-1 σῷζε ³⁴

mvp-comment-1045-2 ἀφικνῇ ³⁵

mvp-comment-1045-3 τῷ προφερτάτῳ μόνῳ ³⁶

mvp-comment-1046-1 ἀδῇον ³⁷

mvp-comment-1046-2 σπαρτῶν ἀπ’ ἀνδρῶν ³⁸

mvp-comment-1046-3 αἱ δὲ μυρίαι πόλεις ³⁹

mvp-comment-1046-4 Those who suspect αἱ μυρίαι should observe that Greek writers often use this phrase when they wish to express the notion of many probabilities against one. Cp. Her. 8.119

ἐν μυρίῃσι γνώμῃσι μίαν οὐκ ἔχω ἀντίξοον

"among ten thousand opinions I have not one against me"

: i.e. not one man in 10,000 would dispute it. Xen. Anab. 2.1.19

ἐγώ, εἰ μὲν τῶν μυρίων ἐλπίδων μία τις ὑμῖν ἐστι σωθῆναι πολεμοῦντας βασιλεῖ, συμβουλεύω μὴ παραδιδόναι τὰ ὅπλα

"if among the ten thousand forebodings (which the situation might suggest) there is one chance of your escape,"

etc. So, of

"facing fearful odds,"

Eur. fr. 588

εἶς τοι δίκαιος μυρίων οὐκ ἐνδίκων

κρατεῖ

. And so here αἱ μυρίαι is something more than a mere synonym for

αἱ πολλαί

. It suggests this notion:—

"Be Athens never so just, there are countless chances to one that Thebes will some day attack it."

(In citing Aeschin. or. 2 § 157 Blaydes has not noticed that

τοὺς μυρίους Ἀρκάδων

means the Pan-Arcadian

μύριοι

, not

μυρίοι

: cp. Grote c. 78, x. 317.)

mvp-comment-1046-5 κἂν εὖ τις οἰκῇ ⁴⁰

mvp-comment-1046-6 Others explain:—(1)

"The majority of cities, even though one governs them well, are prone to outrage"

: i.e. if you divulge the secret to the Athenians , it may be abused to the hurt of the State. A modification of this view is that

καθύβρισαν

refers to overweening confidence inspired at Athens by the new

ἀλκή

. Theseus must still be watchful. (2)

"The cities, with their multitudes (

μυρίαι"

), are prone to outrage,

—still referring to the Athenians. But for this sense we should at least need Wecklein's οἱ δὲ μυρίοι πόλεως .—Blaydes thought of

αἱ δὲ μωρίας πλέαι

: better would be

οἱ δὲ μωρίας πλέῳ

( Ai. 1112 , 1150): but neither this, nor anything with

κύριος

, is either needful or probable.

mvp-comment-1047-1 γὰρ ⁴¹

mvp-comment-1047-2 εὖ μὲν ὀψὲ δ’ ⁴²

mvp-comment-1048-1 τὰ θεἶ ἀφείς ⁴³

mvp-comment-1048-2 μαίνεσθαι ⁴⁴

mvp-comment-1049-1 ὃ μὴ σὺ...βούλου παθεῖν ⁴⁵

mvp-comment-1050-1 χῶρον ⁴⁶

mvp-comment-1050-2 τοὐκ θεοῦ παρόν ⁴⁷

mvp-comment-1050-3 μηδ’ ἔτ’ ἐντρεπώμεθα ⁴⁸

mvp-comment-1051-1 — 1555 A more splendid dramatic effect than Sophocles has created here could hardly be conceived. Hitherto, throughout the play, Oedipus has been strongly characterised by that timidity in movement, and that sense of physical dependence, which are normal accompaniments of blindness. (Cp. 21, 173 ff., 495 ff., 1206, etc.) Now, suddenly inspired by the Unseen Power which calls him, he becomes the guide of his guides. Now it is they who shrink. Eager and unfaltering, the blind man beckons them on. And so he finally passes from the eyes of the spectators.

mvp-comment-1051-2 ὧδ’ ⁴⁹

mvp-comment-1051-3 καινός ⁵⁰

mvp-comment-1052-1 τῇδ’, ὧδε, τῇδε ⁵¹

mvp-comment-1053-1 ὁ πομπὸς ⁵²

mvp-comment-1053-2 ἥ τε ν. θεός ⁵³

mvp-comment-1054-1 φῶς ἀφεγγές ⁵⁴

mvp-comment-1054-2 πρόσθε ⁵⁵

mvp-comment-1055-1 τὸν τελευταῖον βίον ⁵⁶

mvp-comment-1056-1 αὐτός τε ⁵⁷

mvp-comment-1056-2 πρόσπολοι ⁵⁸

mvp-comment-1057-1 κἀπ’ εὐπραξίᾳ ⁵⁹

mvp-comment-1057-2 ἐπί ⁶⁰

mvp-comment-1057-3 μέμνησθε ⁶¹

mvp-comment-1057-4 εὐτυχεῖς ἀεί ⁶²

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

1500. mvp-comment-796-1 κοινός ὑμῶν τὲ καὶ Οἰδίποδος, Schol. Cp. the reading of L. supr. 843. The phrase in 1499 might be with more probability assigned to Oedipus, or he may be supposed to join in it. But his voice in 1457 and the other senarii VOL. I. Ee might well be heard as far as the top of Colonus.

1501. mvp-comment-797-1 αὐτῶν Theseus does not confuse the chorus and Oedipus in one address. He turns first to the chorus, and in proceeding to speak of Oedipus he uses a modification of the common idiom αὐτός τε καί: cp. supra 559.

1501. mvp-comment-797-2 ἐμφανής is used analytically= ἐν δὲ φαινομένη, Distinguishable amongst the other voices.

1502. mvp-comment-798-1 μή τις Διὸς κεραυνός Is it that a bolt from Zeus is fallen, or that some hail-shower has come dashing down? For one may imagine anything to have happened in such a storm as this. The construction is πρὸς τὸ σημαινόμενον, τίς ἠχεῖται κτύπος; being equivalent to τίς αἰτία ἐστὶ τοῦ ἠχεῖσθαι τοιοῦτον κτύπον; Cp. El. 122, τίν᾿ ἀεὶ .. οἰμωγάν; Essay on Language § 42. p. 81. For the nominative, cp. Od. 5. 476-477, θάμνους | ἐξ ὁμύθεν πεφυῶτας· ὁ μὲν φυλίης, ὁ δ᾽ ἐλαίης. θεός is here used in the vague sense in which the Athenians referred the changes of the weather to a divine agency. Cp. Xen. Cyn. 8. 1, ὅταν νίφῃ ὁ θεός.

1506. mvp-comment-799-1 τῆσδε τῆς ὁδοῦ Lit. In re- gard of thy coming hither;' i. e. Has brought thee hither for a happy end. Cp. Τr. 26, τέλος δ᾽ ἔθηκε Ζεὺς ἀγώνιος καλῶς. The unaugmented form in the middle of the verse is doubtful. Some have read τῆσδ᾽ ἔθηκε, others ἧκε τῆσδε, for which cp. II. 1. 479, τοῖσιν δ᾽ ἴκμενον οὗρον ἴει ἑκάεργος Ἀπόλλων. For the habit of the MSS. in frequently omitting the augment, cp. supr. 438.

1507. mvp-comment-800-1 τί δ᾽ ἐστίν νέορτον αὐ; And what is the new emergency? Theseus anticipates some fresh incident, like the arrival of Creon or of Polynices.

1508. mvp-comment-801-1 ῥοπὴ βίου μοι i. e. τὸ τὸν βίον μοι ῥέπειν. The dative depends on the verbal notion in ῥοπή. It is my life that is verging to the grave. In O. T. 961, which has been compared with this line, ῥοπή has an active meaning.

1509. mvp-comment-802-1 μὴ ψεύσας θανεῖν i. e. τελέσαι πρὶν θανεῖν. For this inversion, see Essay on Language § 42. p. 80, and cp. Thuc. 1.20, δράσαντές τι καὶ κινδυνεῖσαι.

1510. mvp-comment-803-1 ἐν .. κεῖσαι On what sign of thine approaching end dost thou rely?

1510. mvp-comment-803-2 κείμαι, from meaning to lie, obtains the more general notion of resting, which is here used metaphorically with the preposition ev. Cp. the use of ἔγκειμαι in Dem. 294. 23. πολὺς τοῖς συμβεβηκόσιν ἔγκειται. He lays great stress on what has happened.

1511. mvp-comment-804-1 αὐτοὶ . . κήρυκες • The Gods announce it to me, and they are their own heralds.' 1512. ψεύδοντες προκειμένων] Failing me in none of the appointed signs. Cp. supra 94, 5, σημεῖα δ᾽ ἤξειν τῶνδέ μοι παρηγγύα, | ἢ σεισμόν, ἢ βροντὴν τιν', ἢ Διὸς σέλας. The omission of the article is poetical. Essay on Language § 21. p. 32. 1. 12.

1514. mvp-comment-805-1 αἱ πολλὰ βρονταί Sc. δηλοῦσιν τάδε. Here, as in 1502, the nominative is brought in without any exact connection with what precedes, as though the words What signs of this appear? had preceded. There is no reasonable doubt that πολλά is the true reading. The frequent thunderings. For other instances of adverbs attached to substantives, see Essay on Language § 24. p. 41. βρονταὶ διατελεῖς are to be joined in one expression, Prolonged thunderings.

1515. mvp-comment-806-1 * στράψαντα ἀνικήτου] Flashing from the invincible hand. The form στράπτω occurs in Apollon. Rhod. For a similar corruption, cp. O. T. 375, and v. rr.

1516. mvp-comment-807-1 Theseus has perceived the impression which the prophecies of Oedipus have made, and that none of his words are allowed to fall to the ground.

1519. mvp-comment-808-1 κείσεται Shall remain in store.

1524-1525. mvp-comment-809-1 That this may afford thee a continual defence that is preferable to a host of armed men and the alliance of neighbouring powers.' 1525. Of the two explanations of γειτόνων given by the Scholiast, εἰ μὲν βαρυτόνως, (1) γειτόνων, τῶν Θηβαίων· εἰ δὲ περισπωμένως, (2) ἀντὶ τοῦ γειτνιῶν, ὁ τάφος, the latter is preferable, and agrees with the point of view maintained throughout the play, in which Colonus is regarded, not as a part of Athens, but as a neighbouring dependency. γειτόνων ας obj. gen. is too far from ἀλκήν. But (3) with δορός it gives a proper sense, suggesting the natural feeling of the insecurity of an alliance with neighbours. And although the hero Oedipus might be said γειτνιᾶν τοῖς 'Αθηναίοις, the word is not used with equal propriety of his grave.

1526. mvp-comment-810-1 ἐξάγιστα Sacred; i.e. set apart from men.

1526. mvp-comment-810-2 μηδὲ .. λόγῳ And may not be profaned by speech. μή is partly generic or hypothetical, and partly prohibitive. Essay on Language p. 48. Ι. Ε. μ. κ. λ. = And is of a nature not to be spoken of. Cp. infra 1641, μηδ' ἃ μὴ θέμις | λεύσσειν δικαιοῦν. For κινεῖν, cp. supra 624, τἀκίνητ᾽ ἔπη: Ο. Τ. 354.

1526. mvp-comment-810-3 ἀφικνῇ ARV3.

1527. mvp-comment-811-1 μόνος is probably to be construed with μαθήσει as well as with μόλῃς.

1528. mvp-comment-812-1 ὡς.. ἄν Since I would not declare them. See Essay on Language § 27. p. 43.

1530. mvp-comment-813-1 σώζε Keep safe; i. e. At once remember and avoid divulging. Cp. Aesch. Prom. 522-525, ἄλλου λόγου μέμνησθε· τόνδε δ᾽ οὐδαμῶς | καιρὸς γεγωνεῖν, ἀλλὰ συγκαλυπτέος | ὅσον μάλιστα· τόνδε γὰρ σώζων ἐγὼ | δεσμοὺς ἀεικεῖς καὶ δύας ἐκφυγγάνω. The

1531. mvp-comment-814-1 ἀφικνῇ Elmsley observes that the imperf. makes better sense than the aor., besides being essential to the metre. When you are on the point of coming. When you are coming to the end of life. The words probably refer to some custom unknown to us. ceremonies at the grave of Oedipus may have been performed by the Archon Basileus, to whom, as Plato says, certain solemn traditional rites were entrusted: Polit. 290 E, τῷ γὰρ λαχόντι βασιλεῖ φασὶ τῖδε τὰ σεμνύτατα καὶ μάλιστα πάτρια τῶν ἀρχαίαν θυσιῶν ἀποδεδόσθαι. Cp Lys. adv. Andoc. p. 103. Plutarch, Mor. p. 578 B, says that the tomb of Dirce was only known to the chief magistrate for the time being at Thebes.

1532. mvp-comment-815-1 ὁ δ᾽ ἀεί The distributive ἀεί generalizes the subject of the verb so as to make the expression applicable to the whole line of succession. For a similar transition, cp. Thuc. 2. 36, ἄρξομαι· ἀπὸ τῶν προγόνων .. τὴν γὰρ χώραν ἀεὶ οἱ αὐτοὶ οἰκοῦντες ἐλευθέραν δι᾽ ἀρετὴν παρέδοσαν.

1534. mvp-comment-816-1 ἀπ᾿ ἀνδρῶν instead of ὑπ᾿ ἀνδρῶν, because of the privative notion in ἀδῇον, as if it were τηρήσεις ἀπό. This city of thine shall be free from the ravages of the children of the dragon's teeth.' Cp. Pind. Fr. H. 1, ἡ Κάδμον ἢ Σπαρτῶν ἱερὸν γένος ἀνδρῶν : Isthm. 6 (7). 10.

1534. mvp-comment-816-2 αἱ δὲ μυρίαι πόλεις i. e. But any one of the numberless states that are.' There is here a trace of that conception of the number and variety of civil communities which played such an important part in Greek political speculation. Cp. Plat. Polit. 302 A: Eur. Hec. 306, ἐν τῷδε γὰρ κάμνουσιν αἱ πολλαὶ πόλεις.

1535. mvp-comment-817-1 τις is a vague subject, with allusion to Theseus and Athens. Cp. Thuc. 2.2, εἰ μή τις προκαταλήψεται: ἱ. ε. εἰ μὴ οἱ Ἀθηναῖοι καταλήψονται. The allusion to Athens accounts for εὐ οἰκῇ, which is properly applicable to a city. an A καθύβρισαν] καθυβρίζω is generally found in construction with accusative or genitive. Hence it has probably here an implied object which is most easily supplied from τις. city, no matter where, may lightly insult even one who dwells circumspectly.' Oedipus again touches lightly on the apparent improbability of Thebes becoming 1535 1540 1540. hostile (supr. 606, foll.), while Athens was governed prudently. ῥᾳδίως = ἐκ σμικροῦ λόγου: i.e. Be as politic as you will, you cannot avoid wars with your neighbours. Scholiast, κἂν δικαίως τις πολιτεύηται, πολλαὶ πόλεις ἀδίκως ἐπέρχονται. In the more recent explanations (e.g. Hermann's 'pleraeque civitates, etiam si quis eas bene regat, proclives sunt ad temeritatem') καθύβρισαν is made equivalent to ἐξύβρισαν. For ὕβριs of a city, cp. Thuc. 3. 39, εἴωθε δὲ τῶν πόλεων αἷς ἂν μάλιστα καὶ δι᾽ ἐλαχίστου ἀπροσδόκητος εὐπραξία ἔλθῃ, ἐς ὕβριν τρέπειν.

1536-1537. mvp-comment-818-1 θεοὶ γὰρ .. τραπῇ For the Gods mark well, although they visit late, when men abandon reverence and become infatuated. This also has reference to Thebes. The impious quarrel of the brothers will bring a late retribution when Thebes shall invade Attica to her own defeat. For τὰ θεῖα, cp. Ο. Τ. 910, ἔρρει δὲ τὰ θεῖα.

1538-1539. mvp-comment-819-1 Oedipus, after thus alluding to the impiety of his sons, delicately hints to Theseus, in a single line, that such a warning is an additional reason for keeping his sacred promise inviolate. He then in the following line apologises for having said even so much as this.

1540. mvp-comment-820-1 χώρον Essay on Language p. 22.

1540. mvp-comment-820-2 τοὐκ θεοῦ παρόν ‘What God now sends; i. e. The disturbance of the elements and the inward intimation or δαιμόνιον σημεῖον, as Socrates would have said, under the influence of which Oedipus is speaking. See note on l. 97.

1541. mvp-comment-821-1 μηδ' *ἐπιστρεφώμεθα And not turn backward. Reisig's conjecture, μηδ' ἔτ᾽ ἐντρεπώμεθα, and let us no longer delay, rests on the explanation of the Scholiast (comparing έντροπαλιζόμενος), which is not satisfactory. The ordinary meaning οἱ ἐντρέπεσθαι, To regard with respect or awe, is also inadmissible. For Oedipus is demanding attention to the sacred goal, which he himself is thinking of with reverence, though not with fear. If ἐντρέπεσθαι can mean to turn aside from a greater object out of regard for lesser ones (the thunder, etc.), the reading may be defended, (1) in this sense, or again, (2) with a reciprocal meaning, Let us not be paying regard to one another, but follow the leading of the god. Cp. Polybius, 31. 12. 6 (quoted by L. and S.), ἐνετράποντο ἐν ἑαυτοῖς. If not, it will be better to read μηδ' ἐπιστρεφώμεθα, and let us not look back, for which, cp. Hdt. 3. 156, ἐπιστρεφόμενος, ὡς δὴ ἀληθέως αὐτόμολος. This is adopted in the text. For another conj. μηδ' ἔτ' ἐκτρεπώμεθα, cp. Ar. Plut. 837, οἱ δ᾽ ἐξετρέποντο κοὐκ ἐδόκουν ὁρᾶν μ᾽ ἔτι.

1542-1543. mvp-comment-822-1 For a new thing is coming to pass, and I am now your guide, who have been mine.'

1544. mvp-comment-823-1 καὶ μὴ ψαύετ' Nay, touch me not. καί adversative. The daughters cling to their father. Cp. supr. 1437.

1548. mvp-comment-824-1 ἥ τε νερτέρα θεός Persephone, whose name is omitted here and infra 1.1556. See Introd. pp. 281-282.

1549. mvp-comment-825-1 ὦ φῶς ἀφεγγές Ο light unseen, once I saw thee, and now for the last time my body feels thee.' The Greek love of sunlight is touchingly manifested in this valediction of the blind Oedipus to the light of day. In his first passionate despair he had prayed never more to see the light, on which, in his softened mood, he now casts one lingering look behind. O. T. 1183, ὦ φῶς, τελευταῖόν σε προσβλέψαιμι vûv. The edd. before Brunck read ποῦ, which is interpreted as expressing a feeling of exultation, that he who was blind now had the true sight. Formerly where wast thou?' (i.e. I had thee not): but now at the last I feel thee. πρόσθε πού ποτ᾽ ἦσθ᾽ ἐμόν] Erewhile methinks thou wast indeed mine.' In saying this he throws a momentary glance on the splendour of his former fortunes. Cp. О. Т. 1282-1283.

1551. mvp-comment-826-1 τὸν τελευταῖον βίον To end my life, and hide it in the dwelling of the unseen.' Musgrave's conjecture, ἤδη γὰρ ἕρπω τὴν τελευταίαν, βίον | κρύψων παρ' Ἅιδην, is ingenious, but unnecessary. For, as Elmsley says, Recte se habet haud dubie vulgata, licet loquendi genus novum videatur. Death is frequently spoken of in Sophocles rather as the entrance to a new state of existence than as an abrupt termination of the present one. Cp. Eur. Ion 1067, εἰς ἄλλας βιότου μορφὰς κάτεισι: Bacch. 1337, μακάρων δ᾽ ἐς αἷαν σὸν καθιδρύσει βίον. The words express rather the passing of Oedipus, than his death. Cp. βίου καταστροφή, 103.. ῥοπή, 1508. The last scene of his life (supra 583, τὰ λοίσθι᾽. . τοῦ βίου) may be described as hidden with the God of death. The verbal contradiction is analogous to that in another expression which has given trouble to interpreters, Phil. 1443, 4, ἡ γὰρ εὐσέβεια συνθνήσκει βροτοῖς | κἂν ζῶσι κἂν θάνωσιν οὐκ ἀπόλλυται: i.e. Follows them into the grave.

1553. mvp-comment-827-1 πρόσπολοί τε σοί And thy followers..:' the same who are called Θησείδαι, supra 1066 (cp. 1103), and some of whom are surrounding Theseus at this moment. The Ἄγγελος in the next scene is one of them.

1554. mvp-comment-828-1 κἀπ᾿ εὐπραξίᾳ i. e. And take occasion from your good fortune to remember me. Elmsley's conjecture, μεμνῇσθε (optative), though not necessary, has the merit of harmonizing with γένοισθε and εὐτυχεῖς. Cp. Od. 13.44-6, ὑμεῖς δ᾽ αὖθι μένοντες .. μή τι κακὸν μεταδήμιον εἴη. The apparent anti climax, Beloved of heaven, Fortunate, may be defended by comparing Hdt. 1. 32, where Solon prefers εὐτυχία to all else. 1556, foll. In a single strophe and antistrophe, the chorus address a solemn invocation to the powers of the lower world, Hades, Persephone, the Erinyes, the dog Cerberus, and Death, that Oedipus may have quiet consummation,' and pass without molestation to the Stygian home.

1554. mvp-comment-828-2 ἐπὶ βαρυαχεῖ ἐπιβαμήποτ᾽ ἐπίπονα μήτ᾽ ἐπὶ βαρυάχει Α. Reminiscences of the dochmiac movements of the last commation are mingled with iambic, trochaic, and glyconic measures. On this combination, see Christ, Metrik, § 477- The antistrophe is distinguished by the frequency of spondaic endings. This apparent irregularity may be removed by conjectural emendation, but it may possibly have been due to a purposed, retardation of the rhythm. For ср. supr. 412. For dochmiacs mixed with cretics and iambics in a similar place, cp. El. 1385 ff. and, for a recurrence of the paeonic rhythm, infr. 1682, 1709. トいいいい |---|トー CICLトートー

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Theseus What din is this that once more rings forth from you all, from my people as clearly as from the stranger? Can a thunderbolt from Zeus be the cause, or rushing hail in its fierce onset? When the god sends such a storm, forebodings of every sort may find a place. 1500

Oedipus Lord, you have appeared at my desire, and to you some god granted noble fortune at this coming. 1505

Theseus And what new thing has now occurred, son of Laius?

Oedipus My life hangs in the balance; and I wish to die without cheating you and this city of the promises I made.

Theseus And what is the proof of your fate that you depend on? 1510

Oedipus The gods themselves herald the news to me, nor do they cheat me of any of the appointed signs.

Theseus What makes these things clear? Tell me, old man.

Oedipus The thunder, crash after crash; the lightning, flash after flash, hurled from the unconquered hand. 1515

Theseus I am persuaded, for in much I find you a prophet whose voice is not false. Then say what must be done.

Current edition Experimental

Οἰδίπους ἄναξ, ποθοῦντι προὐφάνης, καί σοι θεῶν 1505 τύχην τις ἐσθλὴν †θῆκε τῆσδε τῆς ὁδοῦ.

Θησεύς τί δʼ ἐστίν, ὦ παῖ Λαΐου, νέορτον αὖ;

Οἰδίπους ῥοπὴ βίου μοι. καί σʼ ἅπερ ξυνῄνεσα θέλω πόλιν τε τήνδε μὴ ψεύσας θανεῖν.

Θησεύς ἐν τῷ δὲ κεῖσαι τοῦ μόρου τεκμηρίῳ; 1510

Οἰδίπους αὐτοὶ θεοὶ κήρυκες ἀγγέλλουσί μοι, ψεύδοντες οὐδὲν σημάτων προκειμένων.

Θησεύς πῶς εἶπας, ὦ γεραιέ, δηλοῦσθαι τάδε ;

Οἰδίπους αἱ πολλὰ βρονταὶ διατελεῖς τὰ πολλά τε *στράψαντα χειρὸς τῆς ἀνικήτου βέλη. 1515

Θησεύς πείθεις με· πολλὰ γάρ σε θεσπίζονθʼ ὁρῶ κοὐ ψευδόφημα· χὤ τι χρὴ ποιεῖν λέγε.

Χορός

Οἰδίπους ἄναξ, ποθοῦντι προυφάνης, καί σοι θεῶν 1505 τύχην τις ἐσθλὴν τῆσδʼ ἔθηκε τῆς ὁδοῦ.

Θησεύς τί δʼ ἐστίν, ὦ παῖ Λαΐου, νέορτον αὖ;

Οἰδίπους ῥοπὴ βίου μοι· καί σʼ ἅπερ ξυνῄνεσα θέλω πόλιν τε τήνδε μὴ ψεύσας θανεῖν.

Θησεύς τῷ δʼ ἐκπέπεισαι τοῦ μόρου τεκμηρίῳ; 1510

Οἰδίπους αὐτοὶ θεοὶ κήρυκες ἀγγέλλουσί μοι, ψεύδοντες οὐδὲν σῆμα τῶν προκειμένων.

Θησεύς πῶς εἶπας, ὦ γεραιέ, δηλοῦσθαι τάδε;

Οἰδίπους αἱ πολλὰ βρονταὶ διατελεῖς τὰ πολλά τε στράψαντα χειρὸς τῆς ἀνικήτου βέλη. 1515

Θησεύς πείθεις με· πολλὰ γάρ σε θεσπίζονθʼ ὁρῶ κοὐ ψευδόφημα· χὤ τι χρὴ ποιεῖν λέγε.

Why sounds again from hence your joint appeal, 1500 Wherein the stranger’s voice is loudly heard? Is it some lightning-bolt new-fallen from Zeus, Or cloud-born hail that is come rattling down? From Heavens so black with storm nought can surprise.

OED Prince, thou art come to my desire. Some God 1505 Hath happily directed this thy way.

THE What is befallen? Son of Laius, tell!

OED My path slopes downward, and before my death I would confirm to Athens and to thee My promised boon.

THE What sign dost thou perceive 1510 That proves thine end so near? 1510

OED The Gods themselves With herald voices are proclaiming it, Nought failing of the fore-appointed signs.

THE What are these tokens, aged monarch, say?

OED The loud continual thunder, and the darts That flash in volleys from the unconquered hand. 1515

THE I may not doubt thee; for thy speech, I feel, Hath ample witness of prophetic power. What must I do?

CHORUS CHORUS .

Was tönt vereinigt euer Ruf mir abermals, Von euch vernehmlich, deutlich aus des Fremdlings Mund? War's, weil ein Bliz Kronions, weil ein Hagelsturm 1485 Mit Regen losgebrochen? Denn zu fürchten ja Ist Alles, wenn in Wettern also stürmt der Gott.

Oedipus. Ersehnt, o König, kommst du mir, und edles Glück Hat eine Gottheit dir bestimmt für diesen Gang.

Theseus. Und was begab sich Neues, Sohn des Laïos? 1490

Oedipus. Mein Leben neigt zum Ende; sterbend will ich nun Erfüllen, was ich dir gelobt und dieser Stadt.

Theseus. Und welches Zeichen wurde dir vom nahen Tod?

Oedipus. Die Götter selbst sind Boten, sind Herolde mir, In keinem Zeichen trügend, das sie mir gesandt. 1495

Theseus. Was, meinst du, that dir ihren Willen kund, o Greis?

Oedipus. Die Donner, rastlos, ohne Zahl, die Blize, die Kastlos herniederzucken aus Krommons Hand.

Theseus. Ich will es glauben; seh' ich doch so Vieles dich, Und keinen Trug, weissagen. Sprich: was soll gescheh'n? 1500

Der Chor.

E'en n.s I promised him.

Chorus

Oedipus, Antigone, Ismene, Chorus.

Theseus Again this noise, this wild astonishment, Amongst you all ! Was QEdipus the cause ? Or did the bolt of Jove and rushing hail Affright you 1 When the god in raging storms Descends thus dreadful, we have cause to fear. Propitious led thee hither.

Theseus (Edi. 0 king ! thou com'st in happy hour ; some god Son of Laius, 1510 What new event hath happened ? 1510

Oedipus Know, my life At length is verging to its latest hour ; I wish to die, but first my vows to thee, And to this city, faithful must perform.

Theseus But who hath told thee thou so soon shalt die ?

Oedipus The gods themselves, who never utter falsehood. By signs infallible have warned me of it. 1515

Theseus How spake they to thee? QSdi. In repeated thunder And lightning from th' all- powerful hand of Jove.

Theseus

Again these cries! What mean they? for distinet 1500 I hear your voices, I the stranger's hear. Hath Jove's fierce lightening, or the stormy hait Burst on your heads? Such terrible eventsi Oft happen, when the god his thunder 'rolls. 1

Oedipus Thou to my wish, O king, art come: some god, 1505 To crown thy happy fortune, led thy steps.

Theseus What, son of Laius, hath arisen now?

Oedipus My life draws tow'rds its end; let me perform, In nothing false, to thee and to thy state What I affirm'd; then willingly I die

Theseus What proof assures thee that thy death is nigh? 1510

Oedipus The gods, the gods themselves, whose voice is truth, Proclaim it to me now by signs foretold.

Theseus What signs, old man, have this event declared?>

Oedipus These unremitting thunders, and these flames! Thick flashing, hurl'd by Jove's resistless hand. 1515

Theseus I in thy words have faith; for I have mark'd In many things thy fate-predicting mind,s In nothing false: say then what must be done..

Chorus STRO. ANTIS.

Commentary

Stable identifiers

Theseus

What din is this that once more rings forth from you all, from my people as clearly as from the stranger? Can a thunderbolt from Zeus be the cause, or rushing hail in its fierce onset? When the god sends such a storm, forebodings of every sort may find a place.
1500

Oedipus

Lord, you have appeared at my desire, and to you some god granted noble fortune at this coming.
1505

Theseus

And what new thing has now occurred, son of Laius?

Oedipus

My life hangs in the balance; and I wish to die without cheating you and this city of the promises I made.

Theseus

And what is the proof of your fate that you depend on?
1510

Oedipus

The gods themselves herald the news to me, nor do they cheat me of any of the appointed signs.

Theseus

What makes these things clear? Tell me, old man.

Oedipus

The thunder, crash after crash; the lightning, flash after flash,

hurled from the unconquered hand.
1515

Theseus

I am persuaded, for in much I find you a prophet whose voice is not false. Then say what must be done.

Οἰδίπους

ἄναξ, ποθοῦντι προὐφάνης, καί σοι θεῶν
1505

τύχην τις ἐσθλὴν †θῆκε τῆσδε τῆς ὁδοῦ.

Θησεύς

τί δʼ ἐστίν, ὦ παῖ Λαΐου, νέορτον αὖ;

Οἰδίπους

ῥοπὴ βίου μοι. καί σʼ ἅπερ ξυνῄνεσα

θέλω πόλιν τε τήνδε μὴ ψεύσας θανεῖν.

Θησεύς

ἐν τῷ δὲ κεῖσαι τοῦ μόρου τεκμηρίῳ;
1510

Οἰδίπους

αὐτοὶ θεοὶ κήρυκες ἀγγέλλουσί μοι,

ψεύδοντες οὐδὲν σημάτων προκειμένων.

Θησεύς

πῶς εἶπας, ὦ γεραιέ, δηλοῦσθαι τάδε ;

Οἰδίπους

αἱ πολλὰ βρονταὶ διατελεῖς τὰ πολλά τε

*στράψαντα χειρὸς τῆς ἀνικήτου βέλη.
1515

Θησεύς

πείθεις με· πολλὰ γάρ σε θεσπίζονθʼ ὁρῶ

κοὐ ψευδόφημα· χὤ τι χρὴ ποιεῖν λέγε.

Οἰδίπους

ἄναξ, ποθοῦντι προυφάνης, καί σοι θεῶν
1505

τύχην τις ἐσθλὴν τῆσδʼ ἔθηκε τῆς ὁδοῦ.

Θησεύς

τί δʼ ἐστίν, ὦ παῖ Λαΐου, νέορτον αὖ;

Οἰδίπους

ῥοπὴ βίου μοι· καί σʼ ἅπερ ξυνῄνεσα

θέλω πόλιν τε τήνδε μὴ ψεύσας θανεῖν.

Θησεύς

τῷ δʼ ἐκπέπεισαι τοῦ μόρου τεκμηρίῳ;
1510

Οἰδίπους

αὐτοὶ θεοὶ κήρυκες ἀγγέλλουσί μοι,

ψεύδοντες οὐδὲν σῆμα τῶν προκειμένων.

Θησεύς

πῶς εἶπας, ὦ γεραιέ, δηλοῦσθαι τάδε;

Οἰδίπους

αἱ πολλὰ βρονταὶ διατελεῖς τὰ πολλά τε

στράψαντα χειρὸς τῆς ἀνικήτου βέλη.
1515

Θησεύς

πείθεις με· πολλὰ γάρ σε θεσπίζονθʼ ὁρῶ

κοὐ ψευδόφημα· χὤ τι χρὴ ποιεῖν λέγε.

Why sounds again from hence your joint appeal,
1500

Wherein the stranger’s voice is loudly heard?

Is it some lightning-bolt new-fallen from Zeus,

Or cloud-born hail that is come rattling down?

From Heavens so black with storm nought can surprise.

OED

Prince, thou art come to my desire. Some God
1505

Hath happily directed this thy way.

THE

What is befallen? Son of Laius, tell!

OED

My path slopes downward, and before my death

I would confirm to Athens and to thee

My promised boon.

THE

What sign dost thou perceive
1510

That proves thine end so near?
1510

OED

The Gods themselves

With herald voices are proclaiming it,

Nought failing of the fore-appointed signs.

THE

What are these tokens, aged monarch, say?

OED

The loud continual thunder, and the darts

That flash in volleys from the unconquered hand.
1515

THE

I may not doubt thee; for thy speech, I feel,

Hath ample witness of prophetic power.

What must I do?

CHORUS
CHORUS .

Was tönt vereinigt euer Ruf mir abermals,

Von euch vernehmlich, deutlich aus des Fremdlings Mund?

War's, weil ein Bliz Kronions, weil ein Hagelsturm
1485

Mit Regen losgebrochen? Denn zu fürchten ja

Ist Alles, wenn in Wettern also stürmt der Gott.

Oedipus.

Ersehnt, o König, kommst du mir, und edles Glück

Hat eine Gottheit dir bestimmt für diesen Gang.

Theseus.

Und was begab sich Neues, Sohn des Laïos?
1490

Oedipus.

Mein Leben neigt zum Ende; sterbend will ich nun

Erfüllen, was ich dir gelobt und dieser Stadt.

Theseus.

Und welches Zeichen wurde dir vom nahen Tod?

Oedipus.

Die Götter selbst sind Boten, sind Herolde mir,

In keinem Zeichen trügend, das sie mir gesandt.
1495

Theseus.

Was, meinst du, that dir ihren Willen kund, o Greis?

Oedipus.

Die Donner, rastlos, ohne Zahl, die Blize, die

Kastlos herniederzucken aus Krommons Hand.

Theseus.

Ich will es glauben; seh' ich doch so Vieles dich,

Und keinen Trug, weissagen. Sprich: was soll gescheh'n?
1500

Theseus

Again this noise, this wild astonishment,

Amongst you all ! Was QEdipus the cause ?

Or did the bolt of Jove and rushing hail

Affright you 1 When the god in raging storms

Descends thus dreadful, we have cause to fear.

Propitious led thee hither.

Theseus
(Edi. 0 king ! thou com'st in happy hour ; some god

Son of Laius,
1510

What new event hath happened ?
1510

Oedipus

Know, my life

At length is verging to its latest hour ;

I wish to die, but first my vows to thee,

And to this city, faithful must perform.

Theseus

But who hath told thee thou so soon shalt die ?

Oedipus

The gods themselves, who never utter falsehood.

By signs infallible have warned me of it.
1515

Theseus

How spake they to thee?

QSdi. In repeated thunder

And lightning from th' all- powerful hand of Jove.

Again these cries! What mean they? for distinet
1500

I hear your voices, I the stranger's hear.

Hath Jove's fierce lightening, or the stormy hait

Burst on your heads? Such terrible eventsi

Oft happen, when the god his thunder 'rolls. 1

Oedipus

Thou to my wish, O king, art come: some god,
1505

To crown thy happy fortune, led thy steps.

Theseus

What, son of Laius, hath arisen now?

Oedipus

My life draws tow'rds its end; let me perform,

In nothing false, to thee and to thy state

What I affirm'd; then willingly I die

Theseus

What proof assures thee that thy death is nigh?
1510

Oedipus

The gods, the gods themselves, whose voice is truth,

Proclaim it to me now by signs foretold.

Theseus

What signs, old man, have this event declared?>

Oedipus

These unremitting thunders, and these flames!

Thick flashing, hurl'd by Jove's resistless hand.
1515

Theseus

I in thy words have faith; for I have mark'd

In many things thy fate-predicting mind,s

In nothing false: say then what must be done..

Chorus
STRO. ANTIS.