Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus, Robert Potter (Translator), 103

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Ismene

Not without toil.

Oedipus at Colonus. Sophocles. Robert Potter (Translator). London. 1820.

Current edition Experimental

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) (English) (English (Robert Potter, 1788))

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (2)

Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 103 focus

πέρασιν ἤδη καὶ καταστροφήν τινα,

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

Χορός

ὅρα. τίς ἄρʼ ἦν; ποῦ ναίει;

ποῦ κυρεῖ ἐκτόπιος συθεὶς ὁ πάντων

ὁ πάντων ἀκορέστατος;
120

προσδέρκου λεῦσσέ νιν,

προσπεύθου πανταχῇ.

πλανάτας πλανάτας τις ὁ πρέσβυς οὐδʼ

ἔγχωρος· προσέβα γὰρ οὐκ
125

ἄν ποτʼ ἀστιβὲς ἄλσος ἐς

τᾶνδʼ ἀμαιμακετᾶν κορᾶν,

ἃς τρέμομεν λέγειν

καὶ παραμειβόμεσθʼ ἀδέρκτως,
130

ἀφώνως, ἀλόγως τὸ τᾶς.

εὐφάμου στόμα φροντίδος

ἱέντες, τὰ δὲ νῦν τινʼ ἥκειν

λόγος οὐδὲν ἅζονθʼ,

ὃν ἐγὼ λεύσσων περὶ πᾶν οὔπω
135

δύναμαι τέμενος

γνῶναι ποῦ μοί ποτε ναίει.

Οἰδίπους

ὅδʼ ἐκεῖνος ἐγώ· φωνῇ γὰρ ὁρῶ,

τὸ φατιζόμενον.

Χορός

ἰὼ ἰώ,
140

δεινὸς μὲν ὁρᾶν, δεινὸς δὲ κλύειν.

Οἰδίπους

μή μʼ, ἱκετεύω, προσίδητʼ ἄνομον.

Χορός

Ζεῦ ἀλεξῆτορ, τίς ποθʼ ὁ πρέσβυς;

Οἰδίπους

οὐ πάνυ μοίρας εὐδαιμονίσαι

πρώτης, ὦ τῆσδʼ ἔφοροι χώρας.
145

δηλῶ δʼ· οὐ γὰρ ἂν ὧδʼ ἀλλοτρίοις

ὄμμασιν εἷρπον

κἀπὶ σμικροῖς μέγας ὥρμουν.

149

Χορός

ἐή, ἀλαῶν ὀμμάτων

ἆρα καὶ ἦσθα φυτάλμιος; δυσαίων
150

μακραίων γʼ, ὅσʼ ἐπεικάσαι.

ἀλλʼ οὐ μὰν ἔν γʼ ἐμοὶ

προσθήσει τάσδʼ ἀράς.

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

φθέγκτῳ μὴ προπέσῃς νάπει

ποιάεντι, κάθυδρος οὗ

κρατὴρ μειλιχίων ποτῶν

ῥεύματι συντρέχει,
160

τόν, ξένε πάμμορʼ, εὖ φύλαξαι;

μετάσταθʼ ἀπόβαθι. πολ-

λὰ κέλευθος ἐρατύει·

κλύεις, ὦ πολύμοχθʼ ἀλᾶτα;
165

λόγον εἴ τινʼ οἴσεις

πρὸς ἐμὰν λέσχαν, ἀβάτων ἀποβάς,

ἵνα πᾶσι νόμος,

φώνει· πρόσθεν δʼ ἀπερύκου.

Οἰδίπους

θύγατερ, ποῖ τις φροντίδος ἔλθῃ;
170

Ἀντιγόνη

ὦ πάτερ, ἀστοῖς ἴσα χρὴ μελετᾶν,

εἴκοντας ἃ δεῖ κἀκούοντας.

Οἰδίπους

πρόσθιγέ νύν μου.

Ἀντιγόνη

ψαύω καὶ δή.

Οἰδίπους

ὦ ξένε, μὴ δῆτʼ ἀδικηθῶ σοὶ

πιστεύσας καὶ μεταναστάς.
175

176

Χορός

οὔ τοι μήποτέ σʼ ἐκ τῶνδʼ ἑδράνων,

ὦ γέρον, ἄκοντά τις ἄξει.

Οἰδίπους

ἔτʼ οὖν;

Χορός

ἔτι βαῖνε πόρσω.

Οἰδίπους

ἔτι;

Χορός

προβίβαζε, κούρα,
180

πόρσω· σὺ γὰρ ἀΐεις.

Ἀντιγόνη

Οἰδίπους

Ἀντιγόνη

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

Οἰδίπους

Χορός

τόλμα ξεῖνος ἐπὶ ξένης,

ὦ τλάμων, ὅ τι καὶ πόλις
185

τέτροφεν ἄφιλον ἀποστυγεῖν

καὶ τὸ φίλον σέβεσθαι.

Οἰδίπους

ἄγε νυν σύ με, παῖ,

ἵνʼ ἂν εὐσεβίας ἐπιβαίνοντες

τὸ μὲν εἴποιμεν, τὸ δʼ ἀκούσαιμεν,
190

καὶ μὴ χρείᾳ πολεμῶμεν.

192

Χορός

αὐτοῦ· μηκέτι τοῦδʼ αὐτοπέτρου βήματος ἔξω πόδα κλίνῃς.

Οἰδίπους

οὕτως;

Χορός

ἅλις, ὡς ἀκούεις.

Οἰδίπους

ἦ ἑσθῶ;
195

Χορός

λέχριός γʼ ἐπʼ ἄκρου

λᾶος βραχὺς ὀκλάσας.

Ἀντιγόνη

πάτερ, ἐμὸν τόδʼ· ἐν ἁσυχαίᾳ

Οἰδίπους

ἰώ μοί μοι.

Ἀντιγόνη

βάσει βάσιν ἅρμοσαι,

γεραὸν ἐς χέρα σῶμα σὸν
200

προκλίνας φιλίαν ἐμάν.

Οἰδίπους

ὤμοι δύσφρονος ἄτας.

Χορός

ὦ τλάμων, ὅτε νῦν χαλᾷς,

αὔδασον, τίς ἔφυς βροτῶν;

τίς ὁ πολύπονος ἄγει; τίνʼ ἂν
205

σοῦ πατρίδʼ ἐκπυθοίμαν;

207

Οἰδίπους

ὦ ξένοι,

ἀπόπτολις· ἀλλὰ μὴ

Χορός

τί τόδʼ ἀπεννέπεις, γέρον;

Οἰδίπους

μὴ μὴ μή μʼ ἀνέρῃ τίς εἰμι,
210

μηδʼ ἐξετάσῃς πέρα ματεύων.

Χορός

τί τόδʼ;

Οἰδίπους

αἰνὰ φύσις.

Χορός

αὔδα.

Οἰδίπους

τέκνον, ὤμοι, τί γεγώνω;

Χορός

τίνος εἶ σπέρματος, ὦ ξένε, φώνει, πατρόθεν.

Οἰδίπους

ὤμοι ἐγώ, τί πάθω, τέκνον ἐμόν;
215

Ἀντιγόνη

λέγʼ, ἐπείπερ ἐπʼ ἔσχατα βαίνεις.

Οἰδίπους

ἀλλʼ ἐρῶ· οὐ γὰρ ἔχω κατακρυφάν.

Χορός

μακρὰ μέλλετον, ἀλλὰ τάχυνε.

Οἰδίπους

Λαΐου ἴστε τινʼ;
220

Χορός

ὢ ἰοὺ ἰού.

Οἰδίπους

τό τε Λαβδακιδᾶν γένος;

Χορός

ὦ Ζεῦ.

Οἰδίπους

ἄθλιον Οἰδιπόδαν;

Χορός

σὺ γὰρ ὅδʼ εἶ;

Οἰδίπους

δέος ἴσχετε μηδὲν ὅσʼ αὐδῶ.

Χορός

ἰὼ ὢ ὤ.

Οἰδίπους

δύσμορος.

Χορός

ὢ ὤ.

Οἰδίπους

θύγατερ, τί ποτʼ αὐτίκα κύρσει;
225

Χορός

ἔξω πόρσω βαίνετε χώρας.

Οἰδίπους

ἃ δʼ ὑπέσχεο ποῖ καταθήσεις,

Χορός

οὐδενὶ μοιριδία τίσις ἔρχεται

ἃν προπάθῃ τὸ τίνειν· ἀπάτα δʼ ἀπά-
230

ταις ἑτέραις ἑτέρα παραβαλλομέ-

να πόνον, οὐ χάριν, ἀντιδίδωσιν ἔ-

χειν. σὺ δὲ τῶνδʼ ἑδράνων πάλιν ἔκτοπος

αὖθις ἄφορμος ἐμᾶς χθονὸς ἔκθορε,

μή τι πέρα χρέος
235

ἐμᾷ πόλει προσάψῃς.

Ἀντιγόνη

ὦ ξένοι

αἰδόφρονες, ἀλλʼ ἐπεὶ

γεραὸν πατέρα τόνδʼ ἐμὸν

οὐκ ἀνέτλατʼ, ἔργων
240

ἀκόντων ἀΐοντες αὐδάν,

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

πατρὸς ὑπὲρ τοὐμοῦ μόνου

ἄντομαι οὐκ ἀλαοῖς προσορωμένα

ὄμμα σὸν ὄμμασιν, ὥς τις ἀφʼ αἵματος
245

ὑμετέρου προφανεῖσα, τὸν ἄθλιον

αἰδοῦς κῦρσαι· ἐν ὔμμι γὰρ ὡς θεῷ

κείμεθα τλάμονες. ἀλλʼ ἴτε, νεύσατε τὰν ἀδόκητον χάριν·

πρός σʼ ὅ τι σοι φίλον ἐκ σέθεν ἄντομαι,
250

ἢ τέκνον ἢ λέχος ἢ χρέος ἢ θεός·

οὐ γὰρ ἴδοις ἂν ἀθρῶν βροτὸν ὅστις ἄν,

εἰ θεὸς ἄγοι,

ἐκφυγεῖν δύναιτο.

Translations (4)

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 103 focus

CH

He keeps his father’s citadel. But one

Is gone to fetch him, he who brought us hither.

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 117 focus

schaut! Er entfloh!¹

Der Chor.

Wer war's? Wo

Weilt er, entschwunden, gescheucht von dieser Stätte,

Der schamlose, der freche Mann?

Forsch' ihm nach, schau nach ihm,
120

Send' allhin deinen Ruf!

Als Flüchtling

Umher schweift er, der Alte, schweift,

Fremd hier; denn er beträte sonst

Nie der schreckengerüsteten
125

Jungfrau'n nimmer betret'nen Hain,

Die wir zu nennen scheu'n,

Denen wir ohne Blick vorbeizieh'n,

Ohne Laut, und verstummend kaum

Worte stillen Gebeten leih'n.
130

Und nun, sagt man, vermaß ein Frevler

Sich daher zu kommen:

Ich spähe nach ihm in dem ganzen Bezirk,

Und vermag noch nicht

Zu erseh'n ihn, wo er verweile.
135
(zeigt sich mit Antigone im Hintergrunde)

Oedipus.

Seht hier, ich bin's! Aus der Stimme vernahm

Ich euer Begehr.

Der Chor.

O Grau'n, o Grau'n!

Mir graut vor dem Anblick, graut vor dem Wort.

Oedipus.

Schont mein, seht nicht als Frevler mich an!

Der Chor.

Zeus, helfender Gott! Wer, ach, ist der Greis?
140

Oedipus.

Ein Mann, nicht selig zu preisen, fürwahr,

Ihr Hüter des Land's, ob seines Geschicks!

Sonst schlich' ich ja nicht an der leitenden Hand

Blind wankend einher,

Stark einst, auf die Schwache mich stüzend.
145

Der Chor.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 103 focus

Ismene

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

Can it proceed 1

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

The Chorus of elders of Colonus enters the orchestra.

Chorus

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

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

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

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

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

Oedipus

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

Chorus

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

Oedipus

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

Chorus

Zeus defend us! Who may this old man be?

Oedipus

Not so wholly of the best fate

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

148

Chorus

Alas! Were you sightless even from birth?

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

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

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

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

Oedipus

Daughter, to what counsel shall we incline?
170

Antigone

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

Oedipus

Then give me your hand.

Antigone

I lay it in yours.

Oedipus

Strangers, let me not suffer wrong

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

176

Chorus

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

Oedipus begins to move forward.

Oedipus

Further, then?

Chorus

Come still further.

Oedipus

Further?
180

Chorus

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

Antigone

Oedipus

Antigone

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

Oedipus

Chorus

Stranger in a foreign land,

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

Oedipus

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

and let us not wage war with necessity.
190

192

Chorus

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

Oedipus

This far?

Chorus

Enough, I say

Oedipus

Shall I sit down?
195

Chorus

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

Antigone

Father, this is my task: calmly to—

Oedipus

Ah me! ah me!

Antigone

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

Oedipus

Alas for my sad destruction!

Antigone seats him on the rock.

Chorus

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

What fatherland can you tell us of?
205

207

Oedipus

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

Chorus

What is this that you forbid, old man?

Oedipus

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

Chorus

What does this mean?

Oedipus

Horrid the birth—

Chorus

Speak!

Oedipus

My child—ah, me!—what shall I say?

Chorus

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

Oedipus

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

Antigone

Speak, for you are driven to the verge.

Oedipus

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

Chorus

You two make a long delay. Come, hasten!

Oedipus

Do you know of a son of Laius?
220

Chorus

Oh!

Oedipus

—And the race of the Labdacidae?

Chorus

O Zeus!

Oedipus

—and the pitiful Oedipus?

Chorus

You are he?

Oedipus

Have no fear of any words that I speak—

Chorus

Ah, no, no!

Oedipus

Unhappy that I am!

Chorus

Oh, oh!

Oedipus

Daughter, what is about to happen?
225

Chorus

Out with you! Go forth from the land!

Oedipus

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

Chorus

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

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

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

Antigone

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

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

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

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

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-245-1 ὦ δυσάθλιαι τροφαί ¹

mvp-comment-245-2 ὅμαιμον ²

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

328-331. mvp-comment-185-1 Editors since Musgrave, who followed the Scholiast's hint, μὴ ἄρα πρὸς τὸ δυσαθλία; have transposed these lines, placing 328 between 330 and 331, on the ground that Ismene cannot be supposed to touch herself. Not much is gained by this: for Ismene is rather struck by the contrast of her father's and her sister's mode of life to her own at Thebes than by the misery she shares with them. And the construction of a reply, in this sort of dialogue, is not to be pressed too closely. Cp. amongst other passages, El. 1036, ἀλλ᾽ οὖν ἐπίστω γ' οἱ μ᾿ ἀτιμίας ἄγεις. | ΧΡ. ἀτιμίας μὲν οὔ.

328-331. mvp-comment-185-2 προμηθίας δὲ σοῦ, where προμηθίας has really no construction. Perhaps all that is meant is, I too am linked in this unhappy circle. For δυσάθλιαι, which has been questioned, cp. δυστάλαινα, δυσπόνητος, δυσθρήνητος.

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Ismene Not without toil.

Current edition Experimental

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

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

Οἰδίπους μή μʼ, ἱκετεύω, προσίδητʼ ἄνομον.

Χορός Ζεῦ ἀλεξῆτορ, τίς ποθʼ ὁ πρέσβυς;

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

Οἰδίπους θύγατερ, ποῖ τις φροντίδος ἔλθῃ; 170

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

Οἰδίπους πρόσθιγέ νύν μου.

Ἀντιγόνη ψαύω καὶ δή.

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

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

Οἰδίπους ἔτʼ οὖν;

Χορός ἔτι βαῖνε πόρσω.

Οἰδίπους ἔτι;

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

Ἀντιγόνη

Οἰδίπους

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

Οἰδίπους

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

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

Χορός αὐτοῦ· μηκέτι τοῦδʼ αὐτοπέτρου βήματος ἔξω πόδα κλίνῃς.

Οἰδίπους οὕτως;

Χορός ἅλις, ὡς ἀκούεις.

Οἰδίπους ἦ ἑσθῶ; 195

Χορός λέχριός γʼ ἐπʼ ἄκρου λᾶος βραχὺς ὀκλάσας.

Ἀντιγόνη πάτερ, ἐμὸν τόδʼ· ἐν ἁσυχαίᾳ

Οἰδίπους ἰώ μοί μοι.

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

Οἰδίπους ὤμοι δύσφρονος ἄτας.

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

Οἰδίπους ὦ ξένοι, ἀπόπτολις· ἀλλὰ μὴ

Χορός τί τόδʼ ἀπεννέπεις, γέρον;

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

Χορός τί τόδʼ;

Οἰδίπους αἰνὰ φύσις.

Χορός αὔδα.

Οἰδίπους τέκνον, ὤμοι, τί γεγώνω;

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

Οἰδίπους ὤμοι ἐγώ, τί πάθω, τέκνον ἐμόν; 215

Ἀντιγόνη λέγʼ, ἐπείπερ ἐπʼ ἔσχατα βαίνεις.

Οἰδίπους ἀλλʼ ἐρῶ· οὐ γὰρ ἔχω κατακρυφάν.

Χορός μακρὰ μέλλετον, ἀλλὰ τάχυνε.

Οἰδίπους Λαΐου ἴστε τινʼ; 220

Χορός ὢ ἰοὺ ἰού.

Οἰδίπους τό τε Λαβδακιδᾶν γένος;

Χορός ὦ Ζεῦ.

Οἰδίπους ἄθλιον Οἰδιπόδαν;

Χορός σὺ γὰρ ὅδʼ εἶ;

Οἰδίπους δέος ἴσχετε μηδὲν ὅσʼ αὐδῶ.

Χορός ἰὼ ὢ ὤ.

Οἰδίπους δύσμορος.

Χορός ὢ ὤ.

Οἰδίπους θύγατερ, τί ποτʼ αὐτίκα κύρσει; 225

Χορός ἔξω πόρσω βαίνετε χώρας.

Οἰδίπους ἃ δʼ ὑπέσχεο ποῖ καταθήσεις,

CH He keeps his father’s citadel. But one Is gone to fetch him, he who brought us hither.

schaut! Er entfloh! 1

Oedipus. Seht hier, ich bin's! Aus der Stimme vernahm Ich euer Begehr.

Der Chor. O Grau'n, o Grau'n! Mir graut vor dem Anblick, graut vor dem Wort.

Oedipus. Schont mein, seht nicht als Frevler mich an!

Der Chor. Zeus, helfender Gott! Wer, ach, ist der Greis? 140

Oedipus. Ein Mann, nicht selig zu preisen, fürwahr, Ihr Hüter des Land's, ob seines Geschicks! Sonst schlich' ich ja nicht an der leitenden Hand Blind wankend einher, Stark einst, auf die Schwache mich stüzend. 145

Der Chor.

Ismene Their only hope, they say, is placed in thee. Can it proceed 1

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

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

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

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

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

Oedipus Daughter, to what counsel shall we incline? 170

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

Oedipus Then give me your hand.

Antigone I lay it in yours.

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

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

Ismene

Not without toil.

Οἰδίπους

ὅδʼ ἐκεῖνος ἐγώ· φωνῇ γὰρ ὁρῶ,

τὸ φατιζόμενον.

Χορός

ἰὼ ἰώ,
140

δεινὸς μὲν ὁρᾶν, δεινὸς δὲ κλύειν.

Οἰδίπους

μή μʼ, ἱκετεύω, προσίδητʼ ἄνομον.

Χορός

Ζεῦ ἀλεξῆτορ, τίς ποθʼ ὁ πρέσβυς;

Οἰδίπους

οὐ πάνυ μοίρας εὐδαιμονίσαι

πρώτης, ὦ τῆσδʼ ἔφοροι χώρας.
145

δηλῶ δʼ· οὐ γὰρ ἂν ὧδʼ ἀλλοτρίοις

ὄμμασιν εἷρπον

κἀπὶ σμικροῖς μέγας ὥρμουν.

Οἰδίπους

θύγατερ, ποῖ τις φροντίδος ἔλθῃ;
170

Ἀντιγόνη

ὦ πάτερ, ἀστοῖς ἴσα χρὴ μελετᾶν,

εἴκοντας ἃ δεῖ κἀκούοντας.

Οἰδίπους

πρόσθιγέ νύν μου.

Ἀντιγόνη

ψαύω καὶ δή.

Οἰδίπους

ὦ ξένε, μὴ δῆτʼ ἀδικηθῶ σοὶ

πιστεύσας καὶ μεταναστάς.
175

Χορός

οὔ τοι μήποτέ σʼ ἐκ τῶνδʼ ἑδράνων,

ὦ γέρον, ἄκοντά τις ἄξει.

Οἰδίπους

ἔτʼ οὖν;

Χορός

ἔτι βαῖνε πόρσω.

Οἰδίπους

ἔτι;

Χορός

προβίβαζε, κούρα,
180

πόρσω· σὺ γὰρ ἀΐεις.

Ἀντιγόνη

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

Χορός

τόλμα ξεῖνος ἐπὶ ξένης,

ὦ τλάμων, ὅ τι καὶ πόλις
185

τέτροφεν ἄφιλον ἀποστυγεῖν

καὶ τὸ φίλον σέβεσθαι.

Οἰδίπους

ἄγε νυν σύ με, παῖ,

ἵνʼ ἂν εὐσεβίας ἐπιβαίνοντες

τὸ μὲν εἴποιμεν, τὸ δʼ ἀκούσαιμεν,
190

καὶ μὴ χρείᾳ πολεμῶμεν.

Χορός

αὐτοῦ· μηκέτι τοῦδʼ αὐτοπέτρου βήματος ἔξω πόδα κλίνῃς.

Οἰδίπους

οὕτως;

Χορός

ἅλις, ὡς ἀκούεις.

Οἰδίπους

ἦ ἑσθῶ;
195

Χορός

λέχριός γʼ ἐπʼ ἄκρου

λᾶος βραχὺς ὀκλάσας.

Ἀντιγόνη

πάτερ, ἐμὸν τόδʼ· ἐν ἁσυχαίᾳ

Οἰδίπους

ἰώ μοί μοι.

Ἀντιγόνη

βάσει βάσιν ἅρμοσαι,

γεραὸν ἐς χέρα σῶμα σὸν
200

προκλίνας φιλίαν ἐμάν.

Οἰδίπους

ὤμοι δύσφρονος ἄτας.

Χορός

ὦ τλάμων, ὅτε νῦν χαλᾷς,

αὔδασον, τίς ἔφυς βροτῶν;

τίς ὁ πολύπονος ἄγει; τίνʼ ἂν
205

σοῦ πατρίδʼ ἐκπυθοίμαν;

Οἰδίπους

ὦ ξένοι,

ἀπόπτολις· ἀλλὰ μὴ

Χορός

τί τόδʼ ἀπεννέπεις, γέρον;

Οἰδίπους

μὴ μὴ μή μʼ ἀνέρῃ τίς εἰμι,
210

μηδʼ ἐξετάσῃς πέρα ματεύων.

Χορός

τί τόδʼ;

Οἰδίπους

αἰνὰ φύσις.

Χορός

αὔδα.

Οἰδίπους

τέκνον, ὤμοι, τί γεγώνω;

Χορός

τίνος εἶ σπέρματος, ὦ ξένε, φώνει, πατρόθεν.

Οἰδίπους

ὤμοι ἐγώ, τί πάθω, τέκνον ἐμόν;
215

Ἀντιγόνη

λέγʼ, ἐπείπερ ἐπʼ ἔσχατα βαίνεις.

Οἰδίπους

ἀλλʼ ἐρῶ· οὐ γὰρ ἔχω κατακρυφάν.

Χορός

μακρὰ μέλλετον, ἀλλὰ τάχυνε.

Οἰδίπους

Λαΐου ἴστε τινʼ;
220

Χορός

ὢ ἰοὺ ἰού.

Οἰδίπους

τό τε Λαβδακιδᾶν γένος;

Χορός

ὦ Ζεῦ.

Οἰδίπους

ἄθλιον Οἰδιπόδαν;

Χορός

σὺ γὰρ ὅδʼ εἶ;

Οἰδίπους

δέος ἴσχετε μηδὲν ὅσʼ αὐδῶ.

Χορός

ἰὼ ὢ ὤ.

Οἰδίπους

δύσμορος.

Χορός

ὢ ὤ.

Οἰδίπους

θύγατερ, τί ποτʼ αὐτίκα κύρσει;
225

Χορός

ἔξω πόρσω βαίνετε χώρας.

Οἰδίπους

ἃ δʼ ὑπέσχεο ποῖ καταθήσεις,

CH

He keeps his father’s citadel. But one

Is gone to fetch him, he who brought us hither.

schaut! Er entfloh!¹

Oedipus.

Seht hier, ich bin's! Aus der Stimme vernahm

Ich euer Begehr.

Der Chor.

O Grau'n, o Grau'n!

Mir graut vor dem Anblick, graut vor dem Wort.

Oedipus.

Schont mein, seht nicht als Frevler mich an!

Der Chor.

Zeus, helfender Gott! Wer, ach, ist der Greis?
140

Oedipus.

Ein Mann, nicht selig zu preisen, fürwahr,

Ihr Hüter des Land's, ob seines Geschicks!

Sonst schlich' ich ja nicht an der leitenden Hand

Blind wankend einher,

Stark einst, auf die Schwache mich stüzend.
145

Ismene

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

Can it proceed 1

Oedipus

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

Chorus

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

Oedipus

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

Chorus

Zeus defend us! Who may this old man be?

Oedipus

Not so wholly of the best fate

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

Oedipus

Daughter, to what counsel shall we incline?
170

Antigone

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

Oedipus

Then give me your hand.

Antigone

I lay it in yours.

Oedipus

Strangers, let me not suffer wrong

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

Chorus

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

Oedipus begins to move forward.

Oedipus

Further, then?

Chorus

Come still further.

Oedipus

Further?
180

Chorus

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

Antigone

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

Chorus

Stranger in a foreign land,

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

Oedipus

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

and let us not wage war with necessity.
190