Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus, Robert Potter (Translator), 75

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

View: By Turn

← Previous Next →

Shall all be found to have the pow'r of sight.
75

Stranger, I would not thou shou'dst err: but since
75

Noble is thy appearance, save the wrongs

Of fortune, where I saw thee first, remain,

Till I seek those who have their dwelling here,

Not in the city, and relate these things.

For they will judge if here thou may'st remain,

Or from this place behoves thee to depart.
80

Oedipus
CEDIPUS, ANTIGONE.

My daughter, hath the stranger left this place?

Antigone

He hath; and unmolested thou may'st speak

Whate'er thou wilt, for I am here alone.

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

Antigone

Thy name, illustrious Athens, pity me,

Pity the shade of wretched Edipus,

For what was once the man is now no more.

Forbear: some men, in years they seem, advance :

Their purpose haply to observe thy seat.

Oedipus

I will be silent; and lead thou my steps

Aside. into the grove; that I may learn

What their discourse; this caution prompts; for hence
115

How to direct our conduct we may know.

Chorus

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)) — 75 focus

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

γενναῖος, ὡς ἰδόντι, πλὴν τοῦ δαίμονος·

αὐτοῦ μένʼ, οὗπερ κἀφάνης, ἕως ἐγὼ

τοῖσδʼ ἐνθάδʼ αὐτοῦ μὴ κατʼ ἄστυ δημόταις

λέξω τάδʼ ἐλθών. οἵδε γὰρ κρινοῦσί *τοι

ἢ 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 σεισμόν, 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

μοχθοῖς λατρεύων τοῖς ὑπερτάτοις βροτῶν.
105

ἴτʼ, ὦ γλυκεῖαι παῖδες ἀρχαίου Σκότου,

ἴτʼ, ὦ μεγίστης Παλλάδος καλούμεναι

πασῶν Ἀθῆναι τιμιωτάτη πόλις,

οἰκτείρατʼ ἀνδρὸς Οἰδίπου τόδʼ ἄθλιον

εἴδωλον· οὐ γὰρ δὴ τό γʼ 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.

Χορός
117-137

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)) — 75 focus

Well, thou look’st nobly, but for thy hard fate.
75

This course is safe. Thus do. Stay where I found thee,

Till I go tell the neighbour townsmen here

Not of the city, but Colonos. They

Shall judge for thee to abide or to depart.

OED

Tell me, my daughter, is the man away?

ANT

He is gone, father. I alone am near.

Speak what thou wilt in peace and quietness.

OED

Dread Forms of holy Fear, since in this land

Your sanctuary first gave my limbs repose,

Be not obdurate to my prayer, nor spurn
85

The voice of Phoebus, who that fateful day,

When he proclaimed my host of ills to come,

Told me of rest after a weary time,

Where else but here? ‘When I should reach my bourne,

And find repose and refuge with the Powers
90

Of reverend name, my troubled life should end

With blessing to the men who sheltered me,

And curses on their race who banished me

and sent me wandering forth.’ Whereof he vouched me

Sure token, or by earthquake, or by fire
95

From heaven, or thundrous voices. And I know

Some aëry message from your shrine hath drawn me

With wingèd whisper to this grove. Not else

Had ye first met me coming, nor had I

Sate on your dread unchiselled seat of stone,
100

With dry cold lips greeting your sober shrine.

Then give Apollo’s word due course, and give

Completion to my life, if in your sight

These toils and sorrows past the human bound

Seem not too little. Kindly, gentle powers,
105

Offspring of primal darkness, hear my prayer!

Hear it, Athenai, of all cities queen,

Great Pallas’ foster-city! Look with ruth

On this poor shadow of great Oedipus,

This fading semblance of his kingly form.
110

ANT

Be silent now. There comes an aged band

With jealous looks to know thine errand here.

OED

I will be silent, and thine arm shall guide

My footstep under covert of the grove

Out of the path, till I make sure what words

These men will utter. Warily to observe
115

Is the prime secret of the prudent mind.

CHORUS
CHORUS (entering).

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 75 focus

Um nicht zu irren, höre noch: (denn edel scheinst
75

Du mir von Anseh'n, außer daß dies Loos dich traf;)

Bleib' hier, o Fremdling, wo du mir zuerst erschienst,

Bis ich Kolonos' Bürgern, nicht dem Volk der Stadt,¹

Den Fall zu melden gehe; die entscheiden dann,

Ob hier du bleiben, ob du wieder ziehen sollst.
80
Oedipus. Antigone.

Oedipus.

Tochter, ging der Fremde schon hinweg von uns?

Antigone.

Schon ging er; Alles kannst du denn in Ruhe nun,

Mein Vater, sagen; ich allein bin nahe dir.

Oedipus (betend).

Ihr hehren, furchtbar'n Wesen! Nun ich mich zuerst

Auf eurem Grund in diesem Lande niederließ,
85

Ogrollet mir nicht, hegt dem Phöbos keinen Groll,

Der, als er dieses viele Leid verkündigte,

Das Ziel des Jammers mir verhieß nach langer Frist,

Käm' ich zum lezten Lande, wo ich gastliche

Zuflucht, o strenge Mächte, fänd' in eurem Siz;
90

Hier ende meines Lebens gramgebeugter Lauf,

Und bringe denen, die mich aufgenommen, Heil,

Fluch denen, die mich in die Fern' hinausgebannt.

Als Zeichen dessen komme mir, verhieß der Gott,

Erdbeben oder Donner oder Bliz von Zeus.
95

Wahrhaft erkenn' ich heute, daß auf diesem Pfad

Nur ihr's gewesen, welche mich mit sichrer Hand

In diesen Hain geleitet; denn ich träfe sonst

Nicht euch zuerst auf meinem Weg, ich Nüchterner

(ab.)

Euch, die den Wein verschmähen, säß' an heiliger,²
100

An dieser rauhen Stätte nicht. Ihr Göttinnen,

So gönnt, Apollons Ruf gemäß, nun endlich mir

Der Stunden lezte, die das Band des Lebens löst,

Dünkt euch noch nicht zu wenig, was ich duldete,

Allzeit in Drangsal ringend, wie kein Sterblicher!
105

Auf, holde Töchter aus des Skotos altem Blut!³

Auf, die du dich der stolzen Pallas eigen nennst,

Vor allen andern hochverehrte Stadt Athen!

Mitleidig schaut hier Dedipus' unſeliges

Gebilde; nicht mehr ist ja dies mein alter Leib!
110

Antigone.

Halt' ein, o Vater; denn es, nah'n dort Einige,

Schon alt an Jahren, die nach deinem Size späh'n.

Oedipus.

Ich werde schweigen; führe du vom Weg mich ab,

Und birg mich hier im Haine, bis ich ihren Sinn

Erforscht aus ihren Reden; denn durch Forschen nur
115

Gewinnt man Vorsicht und Bedacht in allem Thun.

(Sie ziehen sich in den Hain zurück. Der Chor tritt auf.)

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 75 focus

Then mark me,, that thou err not ; for to me
75

Thy fortunes seem ill-suited to thy nature,

Which is most noble ; therefore stay thou here

Till I return ; I will not go to Athens,

But ask these villagers, who sojourn here,

J f thou mayst stay. \^Exit Athenian.
80

Antigone
Scene III. (Edi. My daughter, is he gone ?

He is, and thou mayst safely speak, for I

Alone am with thee.

Since in your seats my wearied steps have found

Their first I'epose, not inauspicious smile

On Phoebus and on me ! For know, the god

Who 'gainst unhappy (Edipus denounced

Unnumbered woes, foretold that here at last

I should liave rest, within this hallowed grove

These hospitable shades, and finish here

A life of misery : happy those, he said.

Who should receive me, glorious their reward,

And woe to them who strove to drive me hence

Inhuman. This he promised to confirm

By signs undoubted ; thunder, or the sound

Of dreadful earthquake, or the lightning's blast

Launched from the arm of Jove. I doubt it not,

From you some happy omen hither led

My prosperous steps, that first to you I came

Pure to the pure ] and here on this rude seat

Reposed me, could not be the work of chance ;

Wherefore, ye powers ! as Phoebus hath decreed,

Here let me find a period of my woes,

Here end my wi^etched life ! unless the man,

Who long hath groaned beneath the bitterest ills

That mortals feel, still seem to merit more.

Daughters of Ancient Night ! oh, hear me now !

And thou, from great Minerva called, the best

And noblest city, Athens ! pity me,

Pity the shadow of poor CEdipus ;

For, oh ! I am not what I was.

Antigone
(Edi. Goddesses revered !

No more :

Behold a venerable band approach

Of ancient natives, come perchance to seek thee.

Oedipus

I've done ; Antigone, remove me hence.

And hide me in tlie grove till by their words,

Listening. 1 learn their purpose ; such foreknowledge
115

Will best direct us how to act hereafter. [Exeunt.

Chorus
Scene IV.

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-64-1 ὡς πρὸς τί ¹

mvp-comment-64-2 The reading and explanation of the verse hinge on the question whether ὡς (1) belongs to πρὸς τί , = "with what view?" or (2) is final, = "in order that." Now (1) is strongly supported by two other places of Soph., in each of which this formula stands, as here, at the beginning of a question: O. T. 1174

ΟΙ. ὡς πρὸς τί χρείας;

Tr.1182

ΥΑ. ὡς πρὸς τί πίστιν τήνδ’ ἄγαν ἐπιστρέφεις;

The simple πρὸς τί ; (also freq. in Soph.) = merely "with reference to what?" while ὡς πρὸς τί = "with reference to what, in your conception or intention ( ὡς )?": hence the latter is appropriate when the questioner cannot imagine the agent's motive.

mvp-comment-64-3 καταρτύσων μολεῖν ²

mvp-comment-64-4 With L's μόλοι ( ὡς being then final), we must render: "That Theseus might come with what view ( πρὸς τί ), —to say or to arrange (what)?" The opt. can stand (in spite of

κερδάνῃ

72 ), since

ἆρ’ ἂν μόλοι;

(70) puts the case hypothetically: see on . But: ( a ) the double μόλοι , at the end of two successive verses, is intolerable. Dindorf, therefore, conjecturally reads παρῇ , which Wecklein and others adopt. ( b ) The antithesis between λέξων and καταρτύσων is hardly clear. Wecklein explains, πρὸς ποῖον λόγον ἢ ἔργον; Certainly τί λέξων ἢ δράσων could mean, "for what conceivable purpose?" (cp. O.T. 71

ὅ τι δρῶν ἢ τί φωνῶν

): but καταρτύσων would be a very strange substitute for δράσων .

mvp-comment-65-1 μὴ ³

mvp-comment-66-1 ὁρῶντα ⁴

mvp-comment-67-1 οἶσθ’ … ὡς … μὴ σφαλῇς; ⁵

mvp-comment-68-1 ὡς ἰδόντι ⁶

mvp-comment-68-2 δαίμονος ⁷

mvp-comment-69-1 μὴ κατ’ ἄστυ ⁸

mvp-comment-69-2 ἐνθάδ’ αὐτοῦ ⁹

mvp-comment-70-1 εἰ χρή ¹⁰

mvp-comment-71-1 ἡμὶν ¹¹

mvp-comment-72-1 ἐν ἡσύχῳ ¹²

mvp-comment-73-1 μόνης πέλας ¹³

mvp-comment-74-1 πότνιαι ¹⁴

mvp-comment-74-2 δεινῶπες ¹⁵

mvp-comment-74-3 εὖτε ¹⁶

mvp-comment-74-4 ἔκαμψα ¹⁷

mvp-comment-75-1 ἀγνώμονες ¹⁸

mvp-comment-76-1 ἐξέχρη ¹⁹

mvp-comment-77-1 ταύτην ἔλεξε παῦλαν ²⁰

mvp-comment-77-2 ἐν χρόνῳ μακρῷ ²¹

mvp-comment-78-1 ἐλθόντι … βίον ²²

mvp-comment-79-1 σεμνῶν ²³

mvp-comment-79-2 ξενόστασιν ²⁴

mvp-comment-80-1 κέρδη μέν κ.τ.λ. ²⁶

mvp-comment-81-1 τοῖς πέμψασιν ²⁷

mvp-comment-82-1 παρηγγύα ²⁸

mvp-comment-83-1 ἢ σεισμόν, ἢ βροντήν τιν’ ²⁹

mvp-comment-84-1 ἔγνωκα μὲν ³⁰

mvp-comment-84-2 τήνδε τὴν ὁδὸν ³¹

mvp-comment-85-1 οὐκ ἔσθ’ ὅπως οὐ ³²

mvp-comment-85-2 πτερὸν ³³

mvp-comment-86-1 ἐξήγαγ’ ³⁵

mvp-comment-86-2 οὐ γὰρ ἄν ³⁶

mvp-comment-87-1 νήφων ἀοίνοις ³⁷

mvp-comment-88-1 ἀσκέπαρνον ³⁸

mvp-comment-89-1 βίου … πέρασιν … καὶ καταστροφήν τινα ³⁹

mvp-comment-89-2 ὀμφὰς ⁴⁰

mvp-comment-90-1 μειόνως ἔχειν ⁴¹

mvp-comment-91-1 μόχθοις λατρεύων ⁴²

mvp-comment-92-1 ἴτ’ ⁴³

mvp-comment-92-2 γλυκεῖαι ⁴⁴

mvp-comment-92-3 Σκότου ⁴⁵

mvp-comment-93-1 Παλλάδος ⁴⁶

mvp-comment-94-1 εἴδωλον ⁴⁷

mvp-comment-94-2 οὐ γὰρ δὴ τό γ’ ⁴⁸

mvp-comment-95-1 The grove being close to the village, the man of the place has done his errand quickly, and the elders of Colonus are already heard approaching (cp. 78 ).

mvp-comment-96-1 χρόνῳ ⁴⁹

mvp-comment-96-2 ἐπίσκοποι ⁵⁰

mvp-comment-97-1 καὶ σύ μ’ ἐξ ὁδοῦ πόδα κρύψον ⁵¹

mvp-comment-98-1 τῶνδ’ … ἐκμάθω τίνας λόγους ἐροῦσιν ⁵²

mvp-comment-99-1 ἐν γὰρ τῷ μαθεῖν ⁵³

mvp-comment-100-1 τῶν ποιουμένων ⁵⁴

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.

71. mvp-comment-50-1 That Theseus might come for what purpose of speech or decision?' Cp. 1. 68, λόγῳ τε καὶ σθένει. The reading μολεῖν avoids the awkwardness of repeating μόλοι with a different subject, but whether the line is then taken to mean, (1) To what purpose is he to speak to him? Or is he to arrange for him to come?' or (2) To speak to him, or arrange for him to come, for what purpose?' the Stranger is thus made to ignore the obvious meaning of πομπός in the question of Oedipus. The optative (ὡς μόλοι for ὡς ἂν μόλῃ) is occasioned by the optative preceding.

72. mvp-comment-51-1 ὡς ἂν.. κερδάνῃ Oedipus, in expressing his own purpose, returns to the more direct form of expression.

73. mvp-comment-52-1 μή Essay on Language p. 48. 2, b.

74. mvp-comment-53-1 All that I utter shall be full of light. Cp. Aesch. Choeph. 844, πῶς ταῦτ᾽ ἀληθῆ καὶ βλέποντα δοξάσω; and the passive uses of caecus in Latin. The inversion of active and passive expressions is especially frequent in connection with perception by sight. See Essay on Language pp. 98, 99. The Stranger, on seeing the noble bearing of Oedipus, thinks it will be enough if he reports the matter not to the city, cp. 1. 47, but to the elders of the deme.

75. mvp-comment-54-1 Do you know how you must avoid disaster? Cp. the common idiom οἶσθ᾽ ὁ δρᾶσον (Ar. Av. 54, etc.), and see O. T. 543 and note.

75. mvp-comment-54-2 ἐπείπερ εἰ I tell you this because I see you noble. Sc. ταῦτά σοι λέγω.

76. mvp-comment-55-1 ὡς ἰδόντι ὡς emphasises the dative as in supr. 20, ὡς γέροντι.

76. mvp-comment-55-2 πλὴν τοῦ δαίμονος But for your fortune. The nobility of Oedipus appears through his rags and blindness. Cp. Shak. Cor. 4. 5. Though thy tackle's torn | Thou show'st a noble vessel. Od. 14. 214, ἀλλ᾽ ἔμπης καλάμην γέ σ᾽ ὀΐομαι εἰσορόωντα | γιγνώσκειν, ib. 20. 194, δύσμορος, ἢ τε ἔοικε δέμας βασιλῆῖ ἄνακτι.

78. mvp-comment-56-1 τοῖσδ᾽ ἐνθάδ᾽ αὐτοῦ These here on the spot. For the pleonasm, in which the words ἐνθάδ αὐτοῦ are epexegetic of τοῖσδε, see Essay on Language p. 75. And, for the use of τοῖσδε which requires the epexegesis, ibid. § 22. p. 34. Ср. supra, l. 59 , τόνδε.. Κολωνόν.

79. mvp-comment-57-1 οἵδε γὰρ κρινοῦσί *τοι The variety of reading, in which both γε and σοι are somewhat harsh, many have σ arisen out of τοι.

80. mvp-comment-58-1 ἢ..ἤ An Epic form, which ap. pears also in Aesch. Prom. 780, Choeph. 890, putting an alternative more pointedly than cἰ.. ἤ.

81. mvp-comment-59-1 ἡμίν Is the Stranger gone, and are we alone? Dative of remote reference. Essay on Language § 13. p. 19.

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.

112. mvp-comment-77-1 χρόνῳ παλαιοί Very old men. The pleonasm is intensive, as in γονῇ γενναῖε, Ο. Τ. 1469.

112. mvp-comment-77-2 σῆς ἕδρας ἐπίσκοποι Το see why you are sitting here.' 113. σιγήσομαί τε καὶ σύ μ᾽ ἐξ ὁδοῦ πόδα κρύψον] I will say nothing. But take and hide me out of the way.' με is governed, πρὸς τὸ σημαινόμενον, by the phrase πόδα κρύψον, which is substituted for ὑπέξαγε or the like. Cp. Essay on Language § 16. p. 23.

114. mvp-comment-78-1 τῶνδε.. ἐκμάθω Until I learn of these men.' Gen. of perception and also of respect.' Essay on Language pp. 16, 13. For ἐκμανθάνειν, to learn perfectly, cp. Ο. Τ. 575, ἐκμάνθαν᾽. 115-116. For in being fully informed lies the secret of cautious proceeding.' Oedipus has the timidity of age. For the spondee in ἐν γὰρ τῷ μαθεῖν, cp. Εl. 376, εἰ γὰρ τῶνδε μοι. The four words are very closely bound together. 117 ff. Exit Oedipus and Antigone leading him. The scene is changed (?) to the entrance of the sacred grove. The chorus enter from the spectators' right. See Introduction, p. 282.

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Oedipus CEDIPUS, ANTIGONE. My daughter, hath the stranger left this place?

Antigone He hath; and unmolested thou may'st speak Whate'er thou wilt, for I am here alone.

Antigone Thy name, illustrious Athens, pity me, Pity the shade of wretched Edipus, For what was once the man is now no more. Forbear: some men, in years they seem, advance : Their purpose haply to observe thy seat.

Oedipus I will be silent; and lead thou my steps Aside. into the grove; that I may learn What their discourse; this caution prompts; for hence 115 How to direct our conduct we may know.

Chorus

Current edition Experimental

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.

Χορός 117-137

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,

Well, thou look’st nobly, but for thy hard fate. 75 This course is safe. Thus do. Stay where I found thee, Till I go tell the neighbour townsmen here Not of the city, but Colonos. They Shall judge for thee to abide or to depart.

OED Tell me, my daughter, is the man away?

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

ANT Be silent now. There comes an aged band With jealous looks to know thine errand here.

OED I will be silent, and thine arm shall guide My footstep under covert of the grove Out of the path, till I make sure what words These men will utter. Warily to observe 115 Is the prime secret of the prudent mind.

CHORUS CHORUS (entering).

Oedipus. Tochter, ging der Fremde schon hinweg von uns?

Antigone. Schon ging er; Alles kannst du denn in Ruhe nun, Mein Vater, sagen; ich allein bin nahe dir.

Antigone. Halt' ein, o Vater; denn es, nah'n dort Einige, Schon alt an Jahren, die nach deinem Size späh'n.

Oedipus. Ich werde schweigen; führe du vom Weg mich ab, Und birg mich hier im Haine, bis ich ihren Sinn Erforscht aus ihren Reden; denn durch Forschen nur 115 Gewinnt man Vorsicht und Bedacht in allem Thun. (Sie ziehen sich in den Hain zurück. Der Chor tritt auf.)

Then mark me,, that thou err not ; for to me 75 Thy fortunes seem ill-suited to thy nature, Which is most noble ; therefore stay thou here Till I return ; I will not go to Athens, But ask these villagers, who sojourn here, J f thou mayst stay. \^Exit Athenian. 80

Antigone (Edi. Goddesses revered ! No more : Behold a venerable band approach Of ancient natives, come perchance to seek thee.

Oedipus
CEDIPUS, ANTIGONE.

My daughter, hath the stranger left this place?

Antigone

He hath; and unmolested thou may'st speak

Whate'er thou wilt, for I am here alone.

Antigone

Thy name, illustrious Athens, pity me,

Pity the shade of wretched Edipus,

For what was once the man is now no more.

Forbear: some men, in years they seem, advance :

Their purpose haply to observe thy seat.

Oedipus

I will be silent; and lead thou my steps

Aside. into the grove; that I may learn

What their discourse; this caution prompts; for hence
115

How to direct our conduct we may know.

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.

Χορός
117-137

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,

Well, thou look’st nobly, but for thy hard fate.
75

This course is safe. Thus do. Stay where I found thee,

Till I go tell the neighbour townsmen here

Not of the city, but Colonos. They

Shall judge for thee to abide or to depart.

OED

Tell me, my daughter, is the man away?

ANT

He is gone, father. I alone am near.

Speak what thou wilt in peace and quietness.

ANT

Be silent now. There comes an aged band

With jealous looks to know thine errand here.

OED

I will be silent, and thine arm shall guide

My footstep under covert of the grove

Out of the path, till I make sure what words

These men will utter. Warily to observe
115

Is the prime secret of the prudent mind.

CHORUS
CHORUS (entering).

Oedipus.

Tochter, ging der Fremde schon hinweg von uns?

Antigone.

Schon ging er; Alles kannst du denn in Ruhe nun,

Mein Vater, sagen; ich allein bin nahe dir.

Antigone.

Halt' ein, o Vater; denn es, nah'n dort Einige,

Schon alt an Jahren, die nach deinem Size späh'n.

Oedipus.

Ich werde schweigen; führe du vom Weg mich ab,

Und birg mich hier im Haine, bis ich ihren Sinn

Erforscht aus ihren Reden; denn durch Forschen nur
115

Gewinnt man Vorsicht und Bedacht in allem Thun.

(Sie ziehen sich in den Hain zurück. Der Chor tritt auf.)

Then mark me,, that thou err not ; for to me
75

Thy fortunes seem ill-suited to thy nature,

Which is most noble ; therefore stay thou here

Till I return ; I will not go to Athens,

But ask these villagers, who sojourn here,

J f thou mayst stay. \^Exit Athenian.
80

Antigone
(Edi. Goddesses revered !

No more :

Behold a venerable band approach

Of ancient natives, come perchance to seek thee.

Oedipus

I've done ; Antigone, remove me hence.

And hide me in tlie grove till by their words,

Listening. 1 learn their purpose ; such foreknowledge
115

Will best direct us how to act hereafter. [Exeunt.

Chorus
Scene IV.

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