Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus, Robert Potter (Translator), 38

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Oedipus

Ye awful goddesses, of aspect stern,

Since in this country on your seats I first
85

Rested my limbs, to Phœbus and to me

Be not ungentle; for when all those ills

To me his voice oracular declared,

This rest he in the length of time announced,

When to the destin'd country I should come,
90

And place me in the hospitable seat

Of these tremendous pow'rs, there to lay down

My weary life; success and fame to those,

Whose grace receiv'd me, doom'd to bring; to those,

Who cast me out, discomfiture and shame.
95

Signs, these events confirming, he foretold,

The rocking of the earth, the thunder's roar,

Or Jove's red lightening; therefore well I know

None other but your faithful auspice led

My footsteps to this grove: 1 had not else
100

First as I journey'd, chanc'd to light on you

From wine abhorrent, pure myself from wine,

And place me in your awful unhewn seat.

Then, goddesses, since thus Apollo's voice

Hath destin'd, grant me now to end my life;
105

Unless too light you deem the woes I bear,

More than all mortals though to ills enslaved.

Come then, sweet daughters of primeval Night,

And thou, who from the mighty Pallas draw'st

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)) — 38 focus

τίς δʼ ἔσθʼ ὁ χῶρος; τοῦ θεῶν νομίζεται;

Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 1-116 focus

Οἰδίπους

τέκνον τυφλοῦ γέροντος Ἀντιγόνη, τίνας
1

χώρους ἀφίγμεθʼ ἢ τίνων ἀνδρῶν πόλιν;

τίς τὸν πλανήτην Οἰδίπουν καθʼ ἡμέραν

τὴν νῦν σπανιστοῖς δέξεται δωρήμασιν;

σμικρὸν μὲν ἐξαιτοῦντα, τοῦ σμικροῦ δʼ ἔτι
5

μεῖον φέροντα, καὶ τόδʼ ἐξαρκοῦν ἐμοί·

στέργειν γὰρ αἱ πάθαι με χὠ χρόνος ξυνὼν

μακρὸς διδάσκει καὶ τὸ γενναῖον τρίτον.

ἀλλʼ, ὦ τέκνον, θάκησιν εἴ τινα βλέπεις

ἢ πρὸς βεβήλοις ἢ πρὸς ἄλσεσιν θεῶν,
10

στῆσόν με κἀξίδρυσον, ὡς πυθώμεθα

ὅπου ποτʼ ἐσμέν· μανθάνειν γὰρ ἥκομεν

ξένοι πρὸς ἀστῶν, ἃν δʼ ἀκούσωμεν τελεῖν.

Ἀντιγόνη

πάτερ ταλαίπωρʼ Οἰδίπους, πύργοι μέν, οἳ

πόλιν στέγουσιν, ὡς ἀπʼ ὀμμάτων, πρόσω·
15

χῶρος δʼ ὅδʼ ἱερός, ὡς ἀπεικάσαι, βρύων

δάφνης, ἐλαίας, ἀμπέλου· πυκνόπτεροι δʼ

εἴσω κατʼ αὐτὸν εὐστομοῦσʼ ἀηδόνες·

οὗ κῶλα κάμψον τοῦδʼ ἐπʼ ἀξέστου πέτρου·

μακρὰν γὰρ ὡς γέροντι προὐστάλης ὁδόν.
20

Οἰδίπους

κάθιζέ νύν με καὶ φύλασσε τὸν τυφλόν.

Ἀντιγόνη

χρόνου μὲν οὕνεκʼ οὐ μαθεῖν με δεῖ τόδε.

Οἰδίπους

ἔχεις διδάξαι δή μʼ ὅποι καθέσταμεν;

Ἀντιγόνη

τὰς γοῦν Ἀθήνας οἶδα, τὸν δὲ χῶρον οὔ.

Οἰδίπους

πᾶς γάρ τις ηὔδα τοῦτό γʼ ἡμὶν ἐμπόρων.
25

Ἀντιγόνη

ἀλλʼ ὅστις ὁ τόπος ἦ μάθω μολοῦσά ποι;

Οἰδίπους

ναί, τέκνον, εἴπερ ἐστί γʼ ἐξοικήσιμος.

Ἀντιγόνη

ἀλλʼ ἐστὶ μὴν οἰκητός· οἴομαι δὲ δεῖν

οὐδέν· πέλας γὰρ ἄνδρα τόνδε νῷν ὁρῶ.

Οἰδίπους

ἦ δεῦρο προσστείχοντα κἀξορμώμενον;
30

Ἀντιγόνη

καὶ δὴ μὲν οὖν παρόντα· χὤ τί σοι λέγειν

εὔκαιρόν ἐστιν, ἔννεφʼ, ὡς ἀνὴρ ὅδε.

Οἰδίπους

ὦ ξεῖνʼ, ἀκούων τῆσδε τῆς ὑπέρ τʼ ἐμοῦ

αὑτῆς θʼ ὁρώσης, οὕνεχʼ ἡμὶν αἴσιος

σκοπὸς προσήκεις ὧν ἀδηλοῦμεν φράσαι—
35

Ξένος

πρὶν νῦν τὰ πλείονʼ ἱστορεῖν, ἐκ τῆσδʼ ἕδρας

ἔξελθʼ· ἔχεις γὰρ χῶρον οὐχ ἁγνὸν πατεῖν.

Οἰδίπους

τίς δʼ ἔσθʼ ὁ χῶρος; τοῦ θεῶν νομίζεται;

Ξένος

ἄθικτος οὐδʼ οἰκητός· αἱ γὰρ ἔμφοβοι

θεαί σφʼ ἔχουσι, Γῆς τε καὶ Σκότου κόραι.
40

Οἰδίπους

τίνων τὸ σεμνὸν ὄνομʼ ἂν εὐξαίμην κλύων;

Ξένος

τὰς πάνθʼ ὁρώσας Εὐμενίδας ὅ γʼ ἐνθάδʼ ἂν

εἴποι λεώς νιν· ἄλλα δʼ ἀλλαχοῦ καλά.

Οἰδίπους

ἀλλʼ ἵλεῳ μὲν τὸν ἱκέτην δεξαίατο·

ὡς οὐχ ἕδρας γῆς τῆσδʼ ἂν ἐξέλθοιμʼ ἔτι.
45

Ξένος

τί δʼ ἐστὶ τοῦτο;

Οἰδίπους

ξυμφορᾶς ξύνθημʼ ἐμῆς.

Ξένος

ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ ἐμοί τοι τοὐξανιστάναι πόλεως

δίχʼ ἐστὶ θάρσος, πρίν γʼ ἂν ἐνδείξω τί δρῶ.

Οἰδίπους

πρός νυν θεῶν, ὦ ξεῖνε, μή μʼ ἀτιμάσῃς,

τοιόνδʼ ἀλήτην, ὧν σε προστρέπω φράσαι.
50

Ξένος

σήμαινε, κοὐκʼ ἄτιμος ἔκ γʼ ἐμοῦ φανεῖ.

Οἰδίπους

τίς ἔσθʼ ὁ χῶρος δῆτʼ, ἐν ᾧ βεβήκαμεν;

Ξένος

ὅσʼ οἶδα κἀγὼ πάντʼ ἐπιστήσει κλύων·

χῶρος μὲν ἱερὸς πᾶς ὅδʼ ἔστʼ· ἔχει δέ νιν

σεμνὸς Ποσειδῶν· ἐν δʼ ὁ πυρφόρος θεὸς
55

Τιτὰν Προμηθεύς· ὃν δʼ ἐπιστείβεις τόπον,

χθονὸς καλεῖται τῆσδε χαλκόπους ὀδός,

ἔρεισμʼ Ἀθηνῶν· οἱ δὲ πλησίοι γύαι

τόνδʼ ἱππότην Κολωνὸν εὔχονται σφίσιν

ἀρχηγὸν εἶναι καὶ φέρουσι τοὔνομα
60

τὸ τοῦδε κοινὸν πάντες ὠνομασμένοι.

τοιαῦτά σοι ταῦτʼ ἐστίν, ὦ ξένʼ, οὐ λόγοις

τιμώμενʼ, ἀλλὰ τῇ ξυνουσίᾳ πλέον.

Οἰδίπους

ἦ γάρ τινες ναίουσι τούσδε τοὺς τόπους;

Ξένος

καὶ κάρτα, τοῦδε τοῦ θεοῦ γʼ ἐπώνυμοι.
65

Οἰδίπους

ἄρχει τις αὐτῶν ἢ ʼπὶ τῷ πλήθει λόγος;

Ξένος

ἐκ τοῦ κατʼ ἄστυ βασιλέως τάδʼ ἄρχεται.

Οἰδίπους

οὗτος δὲ τίς λόγῳ τε καὶ σθένει κρατεῖ;

Ξένος

Θησεὺς καλεῖται, τοῦ πρὶν Αἰγέως τόκος.

Οἰδίπους

ἆρʼ ἄν τις αὐτῷ πομπὸς ἐξ ὑμῶν μόλοι;
70

Ξένος

ὡς πρὸς τί λέξων ἢ καταρτύσων μολεῖν;

Οἰδίπους

ὡς ἂν προσαρκῶν σμικρὰ κερδάνῃ μέγα.

Ξένος

καὶ τίς πρὸς ἀνδρὸς μὴ βλέποντος ἄρκεσις;

Οἰδίπους

ὅσʼ ἂν λέγωμεν πάνθʼ ὁρῶντα λέξομεν.

Ξένος

οἶσθʼ, ὦ ξένʼ, ὡς νῦν μὴ σφαλῇς; ἐπείπερ εἰ
75

γενναῖος, ὡς ἰδόντι, πλὴν τοῦ δαίμονος,

αὐτοῦ μένʼ οὗπερ κἀφάνης, ἕως ἐγὼ

τοῖς ἐνθάδʼ αὐτοῦ μὴ κατʼ ἄστυ δημόταις

λέξω τάδʼ ἐλθών· οἵδε γὰρ κρινοῦσί σοι

εἰ χρή σε μίμνειν ἢ πορεύεσθαι πάλιν.
80

Οἰδίπους

ὦ τέκνον, ἦ βέβηκεν ἡμὶν ὁ ξένος;

Ἀντιγόνη

βέβηκεν, ὥστε πᾶν ἐν ἡσύχῳ, πάτερ,

ἔξεστι φωνεῖν, ὡς ἐμοῦ μόνης πέλας.

Οἰδίπους

ὦ πότνιαι δεινῶπες, εὖτε νῦν ἕδρας

πρώτων ἐφʼ ὑμῶν τῆσδε γῆς ἔκαμψʼ ἐγώ,
85

Φοίβῳ τε κἀμοὶ μὴ γένησθʼ ἀγνώμονες,

ὅς μοι, τὰ πόλλʼ ἐκεῖνʼ ὅτʼ ἐξέχρη κακά,

ταύτην ἔλεξε παῦλαν ἐν χρόνῳ μακρῷ,

ἐλθόντι χώραν τερμίαν, ὅπου θεῶν

σεμνῶν ἕδραν λάβοιμι καὶ ξενόστασιν,
90

ἐνταῦθα κάμψειν τὸν ταλαίπωρον βίον,

κέρδη μὲν οἰκήσαντα τοῖς δεδεγμένοις,

ἄτην δὲ τοῖς πέμψασιν, οἵ μʼ ἀπήλασαν·

σημεῖα δʼ ἥξειν τῶνδέ μοι παρηγγύα,

ἢ σεισμὸν ἢ βροντήν τινʼ ἢ Διὸς σέλας,
95

ἔγνωκα μέν νυν ὥς με τήνδε τὴν ὁδὸν

οὐκ ἔσθʼ ὅπως οὐ πιστὸν ἐξ ὑμῶν πτερὸν

ἐξήγαγʼ εἰς τόδʼ ἄλσος· οὐ γὰρ ἄν ποτε

πρώταισιν ὑμῖν ἀντέκυρσʼ ὁδοιπορῶν,

νήφων ἀοίνοις, κἀπὶ σεμνὸν ἑζόμην
100

βάθρον τόδʼ ἀσκέπαρνον. ἀλλά μοι, θεαί,

βίου κατʼ ὀμφὰς τὰς Ἀπόλλωνος δότε

πέρασιν ἤδη καὶ καταστροφήν τινα,

εἰ μὴ δοκῶ τι μειόνως ἔχειν, ἀεὶ

μόχθοις λατρεύων τοῖς ὑπερτάτοις βροτῶν.
105

ἴτʼ, ὦ γλυκεῖαι παῖδες ἀρχαίου Σκότου,

ἴτʼ, ὦ μεγίστης Παλλάδος καλούμεναι

πασῶν Ἀθῆναι τιμιωτάτη πόλις,

οἰκτίρατʼ ἀνδρὸς Οἰδίπου τόδʼ ἄθλιον

εἴδωλον· οὐ γὰρ δὴ τόδʼ ἀρχαῖον δέμας.
110

Ἀντιγόνη

σίγα· πορεύονται γὰρ οἵδε δή τινες

χρόνῳ παλαιοί, σῆς ἕδρας ἐπίσκοποι.

Οἰδίπους

σιγήσομαί τε καὶ σύ μʼ ἐξ ὁδοῦ πόδα

κρύψον κατʼ ἄλσος, τῶνδʼ ἕως ἂν ἐκμάθω

τίνας λόγους ἐροῦσιν· ἐν γὰρ τῷ μαθεῖν
115

ἔνεστιν ηὑλάβεια τῶν ποιουμένων.

Translations (4)

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 38 focus

ANT

He is gone, father. I alone am near.

Speak what thou wilt in peace and quietness.

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 33 focus

Ich höre, Freund, von dieser, die für mich zugleich

Und sich umherschaut, daß du ganz gelegen kommst,

Bericht von dem zu geben, was uns dunkel blieb
35

Der Koloner.

Bevor du weiter forſchest, heb' aus diesem Siz

Dich weg; betreten darfst du nicht ein heilig Land.

Oedipus.

Und welch eiu Ort ist's? Welchem Gott geheiliget?

Der Koloner.

Unnahbar ist er, unbewohnt; den furchtbaren

Jungfrau'n gehört er, die dem Skotos Ge gebar.¹
40

Oedipus.

Mit welchem Namen rus' ich an die Göttlichen?

Der Koloner.

Die Eumeniden nennt sie hier des Landes Volk,²

Die Allesseh'nden; anderswo gilt andrer Brauch.

Oedipus.

Empfangen sie denn gnadenreich den Flehenden!

Denn, traun, von dieser Stätte scheid' ich nimmermehr.
45

Der Koloner.

Was hör' ich, Fremdling?

Oedipus.

Mein Geschick erfüllt sich hier.

Der Koloner.

So hab' auch ich, dich auszuweisen, nicht den Muth,

Eh' uns die Stadt bedeutet, was uns hier geziemt.³

Oedipus.

Bei'm Himmel, Fremdling, weigre nicht mir kundzuthun,

Dem blinden Flüchtling, was zu wissen mich verlangt.
50

Der Koloner.

Sprich nur; von mir befürchte keine Weigerung.

Oedipus.

Nun, welche Gegend ist es, wo wir weilen hier?

Der Koloner.

Was mir bekannt ist, alles das vernimm sofort.

Die Gegend rings ist heilig; denn in ihr gebeut

Der Fürst Poseidon, thront der feuerspendende⁴
55

Titan Prometheus. Dieser Ort, auf den du trittst,

Heißt unsres Landes erzbewehrte Schwell', Athens⁵

Geweihte Schuzwehr; und die nahen Gau'n umher,

Als ihren Urahn rühmen sie den reisigen

Halbgott Kolonos; seinen Namen tragen sie,
60

Und sind Koloner allzumal nach ihm genannt.

So ist es, Fremdling; nicht in eitler Sage wird

Der Ort gefeiert, mehr in altgewohntem Brauch.

Oedipus.

So wohnen also Menschen hier in diesen Gau'n?

Der Koloner.

Ja; gleichen Namen führen sie mit jenem Gott.
65

Oedipus.

Beherrscht sie Iemand, oder ruht im Volk die Macht?

Der Koloner.

Vom König jener Veste wird dies Land beherrscht.

Oedipus.

Wer aber ist es, der mit Macht und Wort gebeut?

Der Koloner.

Theseus, des Aegeus Sprosse, der vordem gebot.

Oedipus.

Möcht' euer Einer wohl zu dem als Bote geh'n?
70

Der Koloner.

Ihm was zu melden, oder her zu bitten ihn?

Oedipus.

Auf daß er erute großen Lohn für kleine Gunst.

Der Koloner.

Und welchen Lohn denn böte. wohl ein blinder Mann?

Oedipus.

Was ich verkünden werde, wird hellsehend sein.

Der Koloner.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 38 focus

Oedipus

One on whom fortune little hath bestowed
170

To call for reverence from you ; that, alas !
170

Is but too plain ; thus by another's eyes
170

Conducted here, and on her aid depending.
170

Old as I am.
170

English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 1-115 focus

Oedipus

Child of a blind old man, Antigone, to what region have we come, or to what city of men? Who will entertain the wandering Oedipus today with scanty gifts?
1

Little do I crave, and obtain still less than that little, and with that I am content. For patience is the lesson of suffering, and of the long years upon me, and lastly of a noble mind. My child, if you see any resting-place,
5

either on profane ground or by groves of the gods, stop me and set me down, so that we may inquire where we are. We have come to learn as foreigners from the townsmen, and to bring to completion whatever we hear.
10

Antigone

Father, toil-worn Oedipus, the towers that

ring the city, to judge by sight, are far off; and this place is sacred, to judge from its appearance: laurel, olive, and vine grow thick-set; and a feathered crowd of nightingales makes music within. So sit here on this unshaped stone;
15

you have travelled a long way for an old man.
20

Oedipus

Seat me, then, and watch over the blind.

Antigone

If time can teach, I need not learn that.

Oedipus

Can you tell me, now, where we have arrived?

Antigone

Athens I know, but not this place.

Oedipus

Yes, so much every traveller told us.
25

Antigone

Well, shall I go and learn what the spot is called?

Oedipus

Yes, child, if indeed it is inhabited.

Antigone

It surely is inhabited. But I think there is no need—I see a man nearby.

Oedipus

Setting off and coming toward us?
30

Antigone

He is at our side already. Speak whatever seems timely to you, for the man is here.

Oedipus

Stranger, hearing from this maiden, who has sight both for herself and for me,

that you have arrived as a scout of good fortune for the solving of our doubts—
35

Enter a stranger, a man of Colonus .

Stranger

Now, before you question me at length, leave this seat. You occupy ground which is unholy to tread upon.

Oedipus

And what is this ground? To which of the gods is it sacred?

Stranger

Ground inviolable, on which no one may dwell. The dread

goddesses hold it, the daughters of Earth and Darkness.
40

Oedipus

Who are they? Whose awful name might I hear and invoke in prayer?

Stranger

The all-seeing Eumenides the people here would call them: but other names please elsewhere.

Oedipus

Then graciously may they receive their suppliant!

Nevermore will I depart from my seat in this land.
45

Stranger

What does this mean?

Oedipus

The watchword of my fate.

Stranger

I dare not remove you without warrant from the city, until I report what I am doing.

Oedipus

Now by the gods, stranger, do not deny me, hapless wanderer as you see,

the honor of the knowledge for which I beg you.
50

Stranger

Tell me, and you will not be without honor from me.

Oedipus

What, then, is the place that we have entered?

Stranger

All that I myself know, you will hear and learn. This whole place is sacred;

august Poseidon holds it, and in it lives the fire-bearing god, the Titan Prometheus. But as for the spot on which you tread, it is called the bronze threshold of this land, the support of Athens . And the neighboring fields claim Colonus , the horse-rider, for their ancient ruler;
55

and all the people bear his name in common as their own. Such, you see, stranger, are these haunts. They receive their honor not through story, but rather through our living with them.
60

Oedipus

Are there indeed dwellers in this region?

Stranger

Yes indeed, the namesakes of that god there Colonus .
65

Oedipus

Have they a king? Or does speaking in assembly rest with the masses?

Stranger

These parts are ruled by the king in the city.

Oedipus

And who is he that is sovereign in counsel and in might?

Stranger

Theseus he is called, son of Aegeus who was before him.

Oedipus

Could a messenger go to him from among you?
70

Stranger

With what aim? To speak, or to prepare his coming?

Oedipus

So that by a small service he may find a great gain.

Stranger

And what help can come from one who cannot see?

Oedipus

In all that I speak there will be vision.

Stranger

Take care now, stranger, that you come to no harm; for you are noble, if I may judge by your looks, leaving your ill-fortune aside. Stay here, where I found you, until I go and tell these things to the people of this district—not in the city.
75

They will decide for you whether you should stay or go back. Stranger exits.
80

Oedipus

My child, has the stranger left us?

Antigone

He is gone, and so you can speak what you wish, father, fully at ease, knowing that I alone am near.

Oedipus

Ladies of dread aspect, since your seat is

the first in this land at which I have bent my knee, show yourselves not ungracious to Phoebus or to myself; who, when he proclaimed that doom of many woes, spoke to me of this rest after long years: on reaching my goal in a land where I should find a seat of the Awful Goddesses
85

and a shelter for foreigners, there I should close my weary life, with profit, through my having fixed my abode there, for those who received me, but ruin for those who sent me forth, who drove me away. And he went on to warn me that signs of these things would come,
90

in earthquake, or in thunder, or in the lightning of Zeus.
Now I perceive that in this journey some trusty omen from you has surely led me home to this grove; never otherwise could I have met with you, first of all, in my wanderings—I, in my sobriety, with you who touch no wine,
95

—or taken this august seat not shaped by men.
Then, goddesses, according to the word of Apollo, give me at last some way to accomplish and close my course—unless, perhaps, I seem too lowly,
100

enslaved as I am evermore to woes the sorest on the earth. Hear, sweet daughters of primeval Darkness! Hear, you that are called the city of great Pallas, Athens , given most honor of all cities! Pity this poor ghost of the man Oedipus!
105

For in truth it is the former living body no more.
110

Antigone

Hush! Here come some aged men to spy out your resting-place.

Oedipus

I will be mute. But hide me in the grove, apart from the road, till I learn

how these men will speak. For in learning is the safeguard of our course. They exit.
115

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-74-1 πότνιαι ¹

mvp-comment-74-2 δεινῶπες ²

mvp-comment-74-3 εὖτε ³

mvp-comment-74-4 ἔκαμψα ⁴

mvp-comment-75-1 ἀγνώμονες ⁵

mvp-comment-76-1 ἐξέχρη ⁶

mvp-comment-77-1 ταύτην ἔλεξε παῦλαν ⁷

mvp-comment-77-2 ἐν χρόνῳ μακρῷ ⁸

mvp-comment-78-1 ἐλθόντι … βίον ⁹

mvp-comment-79-1 σεμνῶν ¹⁰

mvp-comment-79-2 ξενόστασιν ¹¹

mvp-comment-80-1 κέρδη μέν κ.τ.λ. ¹³

mvp-comment-81-1 τοῖς πέμψασιν ¹⁴

mvp-comment-82-1 παρηγγύα ¹⁵

mvp-comment-83-1 ἢ σεισμόν, ἢ βροντήν τιν’ ¹⁶

mvp-comment-84-1 ἔγνωκα μὲν ¹⁷

mvp-comment-84-2 τήνδε τὴν ὁδὸν ¹⁸

mvp-comment-85-1 οὐκ ἔσθ’ ὅπως οὐ ¹⁹

mvp-comment-85-2 πτερὸν ²⁰

mvp-comment-86-1 ἐξήγαγ’ ²²

mvp-comment-86-2 οὐ γὰρ ἄν ²³

mvp-comment-87-1 νήφων ἀοίνοις ²⁴

mvp-comment-88-1 ἀσκέπαρνον ²⁵

mvp-comment-89-1 βίου … πέρασιν … καὶ καταστροφήν τινα ²⁶

mvp-comment-89-2 ὀμφὰς ²⁷

mvp-comment-90-1 μειόνως ἔχειν ²⁸

mvp-comment-91-1 μόχθοις λατρεύων ²⁹

mvp-comment-92-1 ἴτ’ ³⁰

mvp-comment-92-2 γλυκεῖαι ³¹

mvp-comment-92-3 Σκότου ³²

mvp-comment-93-1 Παλλάδος ³³

mvp-comment-94-1 εἴδωλον ³⁴

mvp-comment-94-2 οὐ γὰρ δὴ τό γ’ ³⁵

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

1-116. mvp-comment-1-1 The scene of the πρόλογος, ll. 1-116, is probably on the north side of Colonus, with Athens in the distance. See Introduction, p. 282. The spot so familiar to the audience (οὐ λόγοις τιμώμεν' ἀλλὰ τῇ συνουσίᾳ, infr. 63-64) would probably be recalled by the representation on the stage of some striking objects, especially those which marked the religio loci. Oedipus enters (right?), led by Antigone, and sits down in the middle of the proscenium, where he remains until Antigone descries the approach of the chorus.

84. mvp-comment-60-1 O revered forms of dread.' Cp. Aesch. Cho. 1048 ff. For the reduplication of adjectives without a connecting particle, see Essay on Language § 23. P. 37.

84. mvp-comment-60-2 5. εὔτε . . ἐγώ Since it is on a seat of yours that I have rested first in this land. ἐπί is probably to be joined with ἕδρας, (cp. supr. 19, κώλα κάμψον τοῦδ᾽ ἐπ᾿ ἀξέστου πέτρου), and ἔκαμψα is used absolutely for ἔκαμψα μέλη. Supr. 19. Essay on Language p. 98. Eur. Hec. 1079, πὰ βῶ; πᾶ στῶ; πᾶ κάμψω; For the position of ἐπί before the subordinate genitive, 127, ἄλσος ἐς τᾶνδε.. κορᾶν : Essay on Language § 41. p. 77. For the sense, cp. Od. 13. 228, ἐπεί σε πρῶτα κιχάνω.

84. mvp-comment-60-3 γῆς Partitive genitive with πρώτων. Cp. supra, l. 45 , ἔδρας γῆς τῆσδ'.

86. mvp-comment-61-1 Φοίβῳ τε κάμοὶ.. ὅς The order of actual sequence is inverted, and the first of the two words, being the more emphatic, is the antecedent to ὅs. Essay on Language § 41. p. 78.

86. mvp-comment-61-2 ἀγνώμονες Ungracious. Cp. Tr. 1266-1267, μεγάλην δὲ θεῶν ἀγνωμοσύνην εἰδότες.

87. mvp-comment-62-1 τὰ πόλλ᾽ ἐκεῖν᾽ ὅτ᾽ ἐξέχρη κακά Referring to O. T. 789, foll. Cp. Eur. Phoen. 1703 ff.

88. mvp-comment-63-1 ταύτην has the emphasis, and is the real predicate. Told me of a resting-place which could be no other than this.' 89. When I came to a land at the end of my wanderings, where I should find a seat belonging to the dread goddesses and auspicious shelter afforded by them, there I should end my ill fated life.' ἐλθόντι] In construction with μοι, as if the sentence were παῦλαν γίνεσθαί μοι.

88. mvp-comment-63-2 τερμίαν is predicative, a land which should be the end of my wandering.

88. mvp-comment-63-3 ὅπου .. λάβοιμι] Oratio obliqua from οὗ ἂν λάβῃς.

88. mvp-comment-63-4 θεῶν with ἕδραν is possessive, with ξενόστασιν subjective, genitive. Essay on Language pp. 12, 62.

91. mvp-comment-64-1 The metaphor in κάμψειν βίον is taken from a race. Cp. Eur. El. 755, πρὶν ἂν τέλος | γραμμῆς ἴκηται καὶ πέρας κάμψῃ βίου : Hipp. 87, τέλος δὲ κάμψαιμ᾽ ὥσπερ ἠρξάμην βίου: Hel. 1666, ὅταν δὲ κάμψῃς καὶ τελευτήσῃς βίον. The turning-point is regarded in the figure as the end of the race. The construction as in κάμπτειν δρόμον. The infinitive follows ἔλεξε, and is coordinate with παῦλαν.

92. mvp-comment-65-1 κέρδη μὲν οἰκήσαντα Sc. ἐνταῦθα. Having fixed my habitation there,- a benefit to those who had received me, but a calamity to those who sent me forth, who banished me. κέρδη and ἄτην are accusatives in apposition to the action of the verb, expressing the result of the action. If it is objected that the tense is momentary, and the result is only to be realised afterwards, this applies equally to Eur. Οr. 1103, Ἑλένην κτάνωμεν, Μενελέω λύπην πικράν : although some such consideration has probably occasioned the v. r. οἰκήσοντα. Cp. 626, κοὔποτ' Οἱ- δίπουν ἐρεῖς | ἀχρεῖον οἰκητῆρα δέξασθαι τόπων | τῶν ἐνθάδ'. οἰκίσαντα has been conjectured, but οἰκίζω is not used in the sense required.

94. mvp-comment-66-1 παρηγγύα (1) He promised withal. παρά = besides.' Or (2), like παρεγγυᾶν σύνθημα, He told me as a sign.' Cp. supr. 46.

96-98. mvp-comment-67-1 ἔγνωκα.. άλσος And I am sure that some true intimation from you has led me to my destination in this grove. Cp. Pind. Ol. 6. 663, Il. 24. 53,4. an

97. mvp-comment-68-1 πιστὸν.. πτερόν Some true intimation from you. The meaning of omen or sign is generalized so as to apply to a presentiment or inward intimation. Schol. πτερόν: οἰωνός. τὴν πτέρωσιν τῆς διανοίας. For a similar mental influence, cp. El. 459, οἶμαι μὲν οὖν, οἷμαί τι κἀκείνῳ μέλον | πέμψαι τάδ' αὐτῇ δυσπρόσοπτ᾽ ὀνείρατα: also Phil. 1039, εἰ μὴ τι κέντρον θεῖον ἦγ᾽ ὑμᾶς ἐμοῦ.

99. mvp-comment-69-1 The correction ὑμῖν is taken from the note of the Scholiast.

100. mvp-comment-70-1 σεμνὸν .. βάθρον Cp. 57, 8: Aesch. Eum. 107, χοάς τ' ἀοίνους, νηφάλια μειλίγματα. The Schol. on this line mentions, on the authority of Polemo and Philochorus, various other deities to whom libations of pure water were offered in Attica.

102. mvp-comment-71-1 βίου.. πέρασιν Not a passing out of life, but a passing away of life. The person is not thought of distinct from the life. So the Schol. Cp. infr. 1551 and note, and see Essay on Language § 42 B, p. 80. The genitive βίου, however, is to be taken more closely with καταστροφήν than with πέρασιν.

102. mvp-comment-71-2 βίου.. καταστροφήν Ending of life, a metaphor from turning down the end of a thread in weaving. Cp. Hdt. 4. 205, τὴν ζύην κατέπλεξε.

104-105. mvp-comment-72-1 εἰ μή τι.. βροτῶν Unless haply (εἰ μή τι) my afflictions seem too light, who am always suffering the greatest calamities which can afflict mortals. Schol. εἰ μὴ δοκῶ ὑμῖν ἐλαττόνως ἔχειν τὰ κακὰ καὶ δεῖσθαι προσθήκης κακῶν. Cp. Morris' Story of Sigurd, p. 374, And if all be little enough and the Gods begrudge me rest. μειόνως ἔχειν is naturally opposed to ἀρκούντως ἔχειν, and is to be taken in close connection with what follows: i. e. μειόνως ἔχειν..

104-105. mvp-comment-72-2 λατρεύων – μειόνως ἔχειν λατρευμάτων. Herm. takes μειόνως ἔχειν as equivalent το μείονος λόγου εἶναι. But this is hardly legitimate, and gives a poor meaning.

106. mvp-comment-73-1 γλυκεῖαι Welcome daughters. This epithet is not here merely propitiatory (like Εὐμενίδες, etc.), but expresses the real feeling of Oedipus. He has no fear of the 'Ερινύες, who have done their worst,' and are now to give him the rest for which he longs; cp. Aj. 394, where, in a different mood, Ajax more passionately invokes Erebus as to him most bright.

107. mvp-comment-74-1 μεγίστης Παλλάδος καλούμεναι Called the possession of mightiest Pallas.

109. mvp-comment-75-1 ἀνδρὸς Οἰδίπου Pity this miserable shadow of the man that Oedipus once was. For this emphatic sense of ἀνήρ, cp. 393, τηνικαῦτ᾽ ἄρ᾽ εἰμ' ἀνήρ : Αj. 77, πρόσθεν οὐκ ἀνὴρ ὅδ᾽ ἦν. The degree of emphasis in these passages varies. It is less in Aj. 77, than in O. C. 393. And in the present passage it is still more slight, suggesting rather than expressing the contrast of conditions.

110. mvp-comment-76-1 The reading of Aldus, which various editors have approved without adopting it, is found in Ven. 467, from which he no doubt derived it. See Introd. p. 284.

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Οἰδίπους κάθιζέ νύν με καὶ φύλασσε τὸν τυφλόν.

Ἀντιγόνη χρόνου μὲν οὕνεκʼ οὐ μαθεῖν με δεῖ τόδε.

Οἰδίπους ἔχεις διδάξαι δή μʼ ὅποι καθέσταμεν;

Ἀντιγόνη τὰς γοῦν Ἀθήνας οἶδα, τὸν δὲ χῶρον οὔ.

Οἰδίπους πᾶς γάρ τις ηὔδα τοῦτό γʼ ἡμὶν ἐμπόρων. 25

Ἀντιγόνη ἀλλʼ ὅστις ὁ τόπος ἦ μάθω μολοῦσά ποι;

Οἰδίπους ναί, τέκνον, εἴπερ ἐστί γʼ ἐξοικήσιμος.

Ἀντιγόνη ἀλλʼ ἐστὶ μὴν οἰκητός· οἴομαι δὲ δεῖν οὐδέν· πέλας γὰρ ἄνδρα τόνδε νῷν ὁρῶ.

Οἰδίπους ἦ δεῦρο προσστείχοντα κἀξορμώμενον; 30

Ἀντιγόνη καὶ δὴ μὲν οὖν παρόντα· χὤ τί σοι λέγειν εὔκαιρόν ἐστιν, ἔννεφʼ, ὡς ἀνὴρ ὅδε.

Οἰδίπους ὦ ξεῖνʼ, ἀκούων τῆσδε τῆς ὑπέρ τʼ ἐμοῦ αὑτῆς θʼ ὁρώσης, οὕνεχʼ ἡμὶν αἴσιος σκοπὸς προσήκεις ὧν ἀδηλοῦμεν φράσαι— 35

Ξένος πρὶν νῦν τὰ πλείονʼ ἱστορεῖν, ἐκ τῆσδʼ ἕδρας ἔξελθʼ· ἔχεις γὰρ χῶρον οὐχ ἁγνὸν πατεῖν.

Οἰδίπους τίς δʼ ἔσθʼ ὁ χῶρος; τοῦ θεῶν νομίζεται;

Ξένος ἄθικτος οὐδʼ οἰκητός· αἱ γὰρ ἔμφοβοι θεαί σφʼ ἔχουσι, Γῆς τε καὶ Σκότου κόραι. 40

Οἰδίπους τίνων τὸ σεμνὸν ὄνομʼ ἂν εὐξαίμην κλύων;

Ξένος τὰς πάνθʼ ὁρώσας Εὐμενίδας ὅ γʼ ἐνθάδʼ ἂν εἴποι λεώς νιν· ἄλλα δʼ ἀλλαχοῦ καλά.

Οἰδίπους ἀλλʼ ἵλεῳ μὲν τὸν ἱκέτην δεξαίατο· ὡς οὐχ ἕδρας γῆς τῆσδʼ ἂν ἐξέλθοιμʼ ἔτι. 45

Ξένος τί δʼ ἐστὶ τοῦτο;

Οἰδίπους ξυμφορᾶς ξύνθημʼ ἐμῆς.

Ξένος ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ ἐμοί τοι τοὐξανιστάναι πόλεως δίχʼ ἐστὶ θάρσος, πρίν γʼ ἂν ἐνδείξω τί δρῶ.

Οἰδίπους πρός νυν θεῶν, ὦ ξεῖνε, μή μʼ ἀτιμάσῃς, τοιόνδʼ ἀλήτην, ὧν σε προστρέπω φράσαι. 50

Ξένος σήμαινε, κοὐκʼ ἄτιμος ἔκ γʼ ἐμοῦ φανεῖ.

Οἰδίπους τίς ἔσθʼ ὁ χῶρος δῆτʼ, ἐν ᾧ βεβήκαμεν;

Οἰδίπους ἦ γάρ τινες ναίουσι τούσδε τοὺς τόπους;

Ξένος καὶ κάρτα, τοῦδε τοῦ θεοῦ γʼ ἐπώνυμοι. 65

Οἰδίπους ἄρχει τις αὐτῶν ἢ ʼπὶ τῷ πλήθει λόγος;

Ξένος ἐκ τοῦ κατʼ ἄστυ βασιλέως τάδʼ ἄρχεται.

Οἰδίπους οὗτος δὲ τίς λόγῳ τε καὶ σθένει κρατεῖ;

Ξένος Θησεὺς καλεῖται, τοῦ πρὶν Αἰγέως τόκος.

Οἰδίπους ἆρʼ ἄν τις αὐτῷ πομπὸς ἐξ ὑμῶν μόλοι; 70

Ξένος ὡς πρὸς τί λέξων ἢ καταρτύσων μολεῖν;

Οἰδίπους ὡς ἂν προσαρκῶν σμικρὰ κερδάνῃ μέγα.

Ξένος καὶ τίς πρὸς ἀνδρὸς μὴ βλέποντος ἄρκεσις;

Οἰδίπους ὅσʼ ἂν λέγωμεν πάνθʼ ὁρῶντα λέξομεν.

Οἰδίπους ὦ τέκνον, ἦ βέβηκεν ἡμὶν ὁ ξένος;

Ἀντιγόνη βέβηκεν, ὥστε πᾶν ἐν ἡσύχῳ, πάτερ, ἔξεστι φωνεῖν, ὡς ἐμοῦ μόνης πέλας.

Ἀντιγόνη σίγα· πορεύονται γὰρ οἵδε δή τινες χρόνῳ παλαιοί, σῆς ἕδρας ἐπίσκοποι.

ANT He is gone, father. I alone am near. Speak what thou wilt in peace and quietness.

Ich höre, Freund, von dieser, die für mich zugleich Und sich umherschaut, daß du ganz gelegen kommst, Bericht von dem zu geben, was uns dunkel blieb 35

Der Koloner. Bevor du weiter forſchest, heb' aus diesem Siz Dich weg; betreten darfst du nicht ein heilig Land.

Oedipus. Und welch eiu Ort ist's? Welchem Gott geheiliget?

Der Koloner. Unnahbar ist er, unbewohnt; den furchtbaren Jungfrau'n gehört er, die dem Skotos Ge gebar. 1 40

Oedipus. Mit welchem Namen rus' ich an die Göttlichen?

Der Koloner. Die Eumeniden nennt sie hier des Landes Volk, 2 Die Allesseh'nden; anderswo gilt andrer Brauch.

Oedipus. Empfangen sie denn gnadenreich den Flehenden! Denn, traun, von dieser Stätte scheid' ich nimmermehr. 45

Der Koloner. Was hör' ich, Fremdling?

Oedipus. Mein Geschick erfüllt sich hier.

Der Koloner. So hab' auch ich, dich auszuweisen, nicht den Muth, Eh' uns die Stadt bedeutet, was uns hier geziemt. 3

Oedipus. Bei'm Himmel, Fremdling, weigre nicht mir kundzuthun, Dem blinden Flüchtling, was zu wissen mich verlangt. 50

Der Koloner. Sprich nur; von mir befürchte keine Weigerung.

Oedipus. Nun, welche Gegend ist es, wo wir weilen hier?

Oedipus. So wohnen also Menschen hier in diesen Gau'n?

Der Koloner. Ja; gleichen Namen führen sie mit jenem Gott. 65

Oedipus. Beherrscht sie Iemand, oder ruht im Volk die Macht?

Der Koloner. Vom König jener Veste wird dies Land beherrscht.

Oedipus. Wer aber ist es, der mit Macht und Wort gebeut?

Der Koloner. Theseus, des Aegeus Sprosse, der vordem gebot.

Oedipus. Möcht' euer Einer wohl zu dem als Bote geh'n? 70

Der Koloner. Ihm was zu melden, oder her zu bitten ihn?

Oedipus. Auf daß er erute großen Lohn für kleine Gunst.

Der Koloner. Und welchen Lohn denn böte. wohl ein blinder Mann?

Oedipus. Was ich verkünden werde, wird hellsehend sein.

Der Koloner.

Oedipus One on whom fortune little hath bestowed 170 To call for reverence from you ; that, alas ! 170 Is but too plain ; thus by another's eyes 170 Conducted here, and on her aid depending. 170 Old as I am. 170

Oedipus Seat me, then, and watch over the blind.

Antigone If time can teach, I need not learn that.

Oedipus Can you tell me, now, where we have arrived?

Antigone Athens I know, but not this place.

Oedipus Yes, so much every traveller told us. 25

Antigone Well, shall I go and learn what the spot is called?

Oedipus Yes, child, if indeed it is inhabited.

Antigone It surely is inhabited. But I think there is no need—I see a man nearby.

Oedipus Setting off and coming toward us? 30

Antigone He is at our side already. Speak whatever seems timely to you, for the man is here.

Oedipus Stranger, hearing from this maiden, who has sight both for herself and for me, that you have arrived as a scout of good fortune for the solving of our doubts— 35

Stranger Now, before you question me at length, leave this seat. You occupy ground which is unholy to tread upon.

Oedipus And what is this ground? To which of the gods is it sacred?

Οἰδίπους

κάθιζέ νύν με καὶ φύλασσε τὸν τυφλόν.

Ἀντιγόνη

χρόνου μὲν οὕνεκʼ οὐ μαθεῖν με δεῖ τόδε.

Οἰδίπους

ἔχεις διδάξαι δή μʼ ὅποι καθέσταμεν;

Ἀντιγόνη

τὰς γοῦν Ἀθήνας οἶδα, τὸν δὲ χῶρον οὔ.

Οἰδίπους

πᾶς γάρ τις ηὔδα τοῦτό γʼ ἡμὶν ἐμπόρων.
25

Ἀντιγόνη

ἀλλʼ ὅστις ὁ τόπος ἦ μάθω μολοῦσά ποι;

Οἰδίπους

ναί, τέκνον, εἴπερ ἐστί γʼ ἐξοικήσιμος.

Ἀντιγόνη

ἀλλʼ ἐστὶ μὴν οἰκητός· οἴομαι δὲ δεῖν

οὐδέν· πέλας γὰρ ἄνδρα τόνδε νῷν ὁρῶ.

Οἰδίπους

ἦ δεῦρο προσστείχοντα κἀξορμώμενον;
30

Ἀντιγόνη

καὶ δὴ μὲν οὖν παρόντα· χὤ τί σοι λέγειν

εὔκαιρόν ἐστιν, ἔννεφʼ, ὡς ἀνὴρ ὅδε.

Οἰδίπους

ὦ ξεῖνʼ, ἀκούων τῆσδε τῆς ὑπέρ τʼ ἐμοῦ

αὑτῆς θʼ ὁρώσης, οὕνεχʼ ἡμὶν αἴσιος

σκοπὸς προσήκεις ὧν ἀδηλοῦμεν φράσαι—
35

Ξένος

πρὶν νῦν τὰ πλείονʼ ἱστορεῖν, ἐκ τῆσδʼ ἕδρας

ἔξελθʼ· ἔχεις γὰρ χῶρον οὐχ ἁγνὸν πατεῖν.

Οἰδίπους

τίς δʼ ἔσθʼ ὁ χῶρος; τοῦ θεῶν νομίζεται;

Ξένος

ἄθικτος οὐδʼ οἰκητός· αἱ γὰρ ἔμφοβοι

θεαί σφʼ ἔχουσι, Γῆς τε καὶ Σκότου κόραι.
40

Οἰδίπους

τίνων τὸ σεμνὸν ὄνομʼ ἂν εὐξαίμην κλύων;

Ξένος

τὰς πάνθʼ ὁρώσας Εὐμενίδας ὅ γʼ ἐνθάδʼ ἂν

εἴποι λεώς νιν· ἄλλα δʼ ἀλλαχοῦ καλά.

Οἰδίπους

ἀλλʼ ἵλεῳ μὲν τὸν ἱκέτην δεξαίατο·

ὡς οὐχ ἕδρας γῆς τῆσδʼ ἂν ἐξέλθοιμʼ ἔτι.
45

Ξένος

τί δʼ ἐστὶ τοῦτο;

Οἰδίπους

ξυμφορᾶς ξύνθημʼ ἐμῆς.

Ξένος

ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ ἐμοί τοι τοὐξανιστάναι πόλεως

δίχʼ ἐστὶ θάρσος, πρίν γʼ ἂν ἐνδείξω τί δρῶ.

Οἰδίπους

πρός νυν θεῶν, ὦ ξεῖνε, μή μʼ ἀτιμάσῃς,

τοιόνδʼ ἀλήτην, ὧν σε προστρέπω φράσαι.
50

Ξένος

σήμαινε, κοὐκʼ ἄτιμος ἔκ γʼ ἐμοῦ φανεῖ.

Οἰδίπους

τίς ἔσθʼ ὁ χῶρος δῆτʼ, ἐν ᾧ βεβήκαμεν;

Οἰδίπους

ἦ γάρ τινες ναίουσι τούσδε τοὺς τόπους;

Ξένος

καὶ κάρτα, τοῦδε τοῦ θεοῦ γʼ ἐπώνυμοι.
65

Οἰδίπους

ἄρχει τις αὐτῶν ἢ ʼπὶ τῷ πλήθει λόγος;

Ξένος

ἐκ τοῦ κατʼ ἄστυ βασιλέως τάδʼ ἄρχεται.

Οἰδίπους

οὗτος δὲ τίς λόγῳ τε καὶ σθένει κρατεῖ;

Ξένος

Θησεὺς καλεῖται, τοῦ πρὶν Αἰγέως τόκος.

Οἰδίπους

ἆρʼ ἄν τις αὐτῷ πομπὸς ἐξ ὑμῶν μόλοι;
70

Ξένος

ὡς πρὸς τί λέξων ἢ καταρτύσων μολεῖν;

Οἰδίπους

ὡς ἂν προσαρκῶν σμικρὰ κερδάνῃ μέγα.

Ξένος

καὶ τίς πρὸς ἀνδρὸς μὴ βλέποντος ἄρκεσις;

Οἰδίπους

ὅσʼ ἂν λέγωμεν πάνθʼ ὁρῶντα λέξομεν.

Οἰδίπους

ὦ τέκνον, ἦ βέβηκεν ἡμὶν ὁ ξένος;

Ἀντιγόνη

βέβηκεν, ὥστε πᾶν ἐν ἡσύχῳ, πάτερ,

ἔξεστι φωνεῖν, ὡς ἐμοῦ μόνης πέλας.

Ἀντιγόνη

σίγα· πορεύονται γὰρ οἵδε δή τινες

χρόνῳ παλαιοί, σῆς ἕδρας ἐπίσκοποι.

ANT

He is gone, father. I alone am near.

Speak what thou wilt in peace and quietness.

Ich höre, Freund, von dieser, die für mich zugleich

Und sich umherschaut, daß du ganz gelegen kommst,

Bericht von dem zu geben, was uns dunkel blieb
35

Der Koloner.

Bevor du weiter forſchest, heb' aus diesem Siz

Dich weg; betreten darfst du nicht ein heilig Land.

Oedipus.

Und welch eiu Ort ist's? Welchem Gott geheiliget?

Der Koloner.

Unnahbar ist er, unbewohnt; den furchtbaren

Jungfrau'n gehört er, die dem Skotos Ge gebar.¹
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Oedipus.

Mit welchem Namen rus' ich an die Göttlichen?

Der Koloner.

Die Eumeniden nennt sie hier des Landes Volk,²

Die Allesseh'nden; anderswo gilt andrer Brauch.

Oedipus.

Empfangen sie denn gnadenreich den Flehenden!

Denn, traun, von dieser Stätte scheid' ich nimmermehr.
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Der Koloner.

Was hör' ich, Fremdling?

Oedipus.

Mein Geschick erfüllt sich hier.

Der Koloner.

So hab' auch ich, dich auszuweisen, nicht den Muth,

Eh' uns die Stadt bedeutet, was uns hier geziemt.³

Oedipus.

Bei'm Himmel, Fremdling, weigre nicht mir kundzuthun,

Dem blinden Flüchtling, was zu wissen mich verlangt.
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Der Koloner.

Sprich nur; von mir befürchte keine Weigerung.

Oedipus.

Nun, welche Gegend ist es, wo wir weilen hier?

Oedipus.

So wohnen also Menschen hier in diesen Gau'n?

Der Koloner.

Ja; gleichen Namen führen sie mit jenem Gott.
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Oedipus.

Beherrscht sie Iemand, oder ruht im Volk die Macht?

Der Koloner.

Vom König jener Veste wird dies Land beherrscht.

Oedipus.

Wer aber ist es, der mit Macht und Wort gebeut?

Der Koloner.

Theseus, des Aegeus Sprosse, der vordem gebot.

Oedipus.

Möcht' euer Einer wohl zu dem als Bote geh'n?
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Der Koloner.

Ihm was zu melden, oder her zu bitten ihn?

Oedipus.

Auf daß er erute großen Lohn für kleine Gunst.

Der Koloner.

Und welchen Lohn denn böte. wohl ein blinder Mann?

Oedipus.

Was ich verkünden werde, wird hellsehend sein.

Oedipus

One on whom fortune little hath bestowed
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To call for reverence from you ; that, alas !
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Is but too plain ; thus by another's eyes
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Conducted here, and on her aid depending.
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Old as I am.
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Oedipus

Seat me, then, and watch over the blind.

Antigone

If time can teach, I need not learn that.

Oedipus

Can you tell me, now, where we have arrived?

Antigone

Athens I know, but not this place.

Oedipus

Yes, so much every traveller told us.
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Antigone

Well, shall I go and learn what the spot is called?

Oedipus

Yes, child, if indeed it is inhabited.

Antigone

It surely is inhabited. But I think there is no need—I see a man nearby.

Oedipus

Setting off and coming toward us?
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Antigone

He is at our side already. Speak whatever seems timely to you, for the man is here.

Oedipus

Stranger, hearing from this maiden, who has sight both for herself and for me,

that you have arrived as a scout of good fortune for the solving of our doubts—
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Stranger

Now, before you question me at length, leave this seat. You occupy ground which is unholy to tread upon.

Oedipus

And what is this ground? To which of the gods is it sacred?

Stranger

Ground inviolable, on which no one may dwell. The dread

goddesses hold it, the daughters of Earth and Darkness.
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Oedipus

Who are they? Whose awful name might I hear and invoke in prayer?

Stranger

The all-seeing Eumenides the people here would call them: but other names please elsewhere.

Oedipus

Then graciously may they receive their suppliant!

Nevermore will I depart from my seat in this land.
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