Sophocles Oedipus at Colonus 101

Chorus

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

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

120

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

125

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

130

and him I cannot yet discern, though I look round all the holy place, nor do I know where to find his lodging.

135

Oedipus steps forward with Antigone.

Oedipus

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

Chorus

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

140

Oedipus

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

Chorus

Zeus defend us! Who may this old man be?

Oedipus

Not so wholly of the best fate

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

145

Chorus

Alas! Were you sightless even from birth?

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

150

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

155

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

160

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

165

Oedipus

Daughter, to what counsel shall we incline?

170

Antigone

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

Oedipus

Then give me your hand.

Antigone

I lay it in yours.

Oedipus

Strangers, let me not suffer wrong

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

175

Chorus

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

Oedipus begins to move forward.

Oedipus

Further, then?

Chorus

Come still further.

Oedipus

Further?

180

Chorus

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

Antigone

Oedipus

Antigone

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

Oedipus

Chorus

Stranger in a foreign land,

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

185

Oedipus

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

and let us not wage war with necessity.

190

Chorus

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

Oedipus

This far?

Chorus

Enough, I say

Oedipus

Shall I sit down?

195

Chorus

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

Antigone

Father, this is my task: calmly to—

Oedipus

Ah me! ah me!

Antigone

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

200

Oedipus

Alas for my sad destruction!

Antigone seats him on the rock.

Chorus

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

What fatherland can you tell us of?

205

Oedipus

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

Chorus

What is this that you forbid, old man?

Oedipus

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

210

Chorus

What does this mean?

Oedipus

Horrid the birth—

Chorus

Speak!

Oedipus

My child—ah, me!—what shall I say?

Chorus

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

215

Oedipus

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

Antigone

Speak, for you are driven to the verge.

Oedipus

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

Chorus

You two make a long delay. Come, hasten!

Oedipus

Do you know of a son of Laius?

220

Chorus

Oh!

Oedipus

—And the race of the Labdacidae?

Chorus

O Zeus!

Oedipus

—and the pitiful Oedipus?

Chorus

You are he?

Oedipus

Have no fear of any words that I speak—

Chorus

Ah, no, no!

Oedipus

Unhappy that I am!

Chorus

Oh, oh!

Oedipus

Daughter, what is about to happen?

225

Chorus

Out with you! Go forth from the land!

Oedipus

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

Chorus

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

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

230

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

235

Antigone

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

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

240

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

245

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

250