---
title: "Oedipus at Colonus · Οἰδίπους ἐπὶ Κολωνῷ"
author: "Sophocles"
translator: "Richard Jebb"
languages: [grc, en]
shelf: "Classical Greek"
section: 1 of 3
url: https://scriptura.si/works/sophocles-oedipus-at-colonus/1/
cite: "Sophocles, tr. Richard Jebb, Oedipus at Colonus · Οἰδίπους ἐπὶ Κολωνῷ, section 1. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/sophocles-oedipus-at-colonus/1/"
---

# Oedipus at Colonus · Οἰδίπους ἐπὶ Κολωνῷ

*Sophocles, tr. Richard Jebb*

Blind and exiled, Oedipus comes to Athens to die.

> Greek: ed. Francis Storr, from the Perseus Digital Library (canonical-greekLit, tlg0011.tlg007, CC BY-SA 4.0).

> English: Richard Jebb, from the Perseus Digital Library (tlg0011.tlg007.perseus-eng2). Notes are not included.

> Rows follow the references the two texts share (line numbers), cut where both reach the end of a sentence.

## 1. Lines 1–584

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/sophocles-oedipus-at-colonus/1/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/sophocles-oedipus-at-colonus/1/#p-N

[¶0] 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?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
τέκνον τυφλοῦ γέροντος Ἀντιγόνη, τίνας
χώρους ἀφίγμεθʼ ἢ τίνων ἀνδρῶν πόλιν;
τίς τὸν πλανήτην Οἰδίπουν καθʼ ἡμέραν
τὴν νῦν σπανιστοῖς δέξεται δωρήμασιν;

[¶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,
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.

> Greek: σμικρὸν μὲν ἐξαιτοῦντα, τοῦ σμικροῦ δʼ ἔτι
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,
στῆσόν με κἀξίδρυσον, ὡς πυθώμεθα
ὅπου ποτʼ ἐσμέν· μανθάνειν γὰρ ἥκομεν
ξένοι πρὸς ἀστῶν, ἃν δʼ ἀκούσωμεν τελεῖν.

[¶2] 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;

> Greek: Ἀντιγόνη:
πάτερ ταλαίπωρʼ Οἰδίπους, πύργοι μέν, οἳ
πόλιν στέγουσιν, ὡς ἀπʼ ὀμμάτων, πρόσω·
χῶρος δʼ ὅδʼ ἱερός, ὡς ἀπεικάσαι, βρύων
δάφνης, ἐλαίας, ἀμπέλου· πυκνόπτεροι δʼ
εἴσω κατʼ αὐτὸν εὐστομοῦσʼ ἀηδόνες·
οὗ κῶλα κάμψον τοῦδʼ ἐπʼ ἀξέστου πέτρου·

[¶3] you have travelled a long way for an old man.

> Greek: μακρὰν γὰρ ὡς γέροντι προὐστάλης ὁδόν.

[¶4] Oedipus:
Seat me, then, and watch over the blind.

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
κάθιζέ νύν με καὶ φύλασσε τὸν τυφλόν.

[¶5] Antigone:
If time can teach, I need not learn that.

> Greek: Ἀντιγόνη:
χρόνου μὲν οὕνεκʼ οὐ μαθεῖν με δεῖ τόδε.

[¶6] Oedipus:
Can you tell me, now, where we have arrived?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ἔχεις διδάξαι δή μʼ ὅποι καθέσταμεν;

[¶7] Antigone:
Athens I know, but not this place.

> Greek: Ἀντιγόνη:
τὰς γοῦν Ἀθήνας οἶδα, τὸν δὲ χῶρον οὔ.

[¶8] Oedipus:
Yes, so much every traveller told us.

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
πᾶς γάρ τις ηὔδα τοῦτό γʼ ἡμὶν ἐμπόρων.

[¶9] Antigone:
Well, shall I go and learn what the spot is called?

> Greek: Ἀντιγόνη:
ἀλλʼ ὅστις ὁ τόπος ἦ μάθω μολοῦσά ποι;

[¶10] Oedipus:
Yes, child, if indeed it is inhabited.

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ναί, τέκνον, εἴπερ ἐστί γʼ ἐξοικήσιμος.

[¶11] Antigone:
It surely is inhabited. But I think there is no need—I see a man nearby.

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

[¶12] Oedipus:
Setting off and coming toward us?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ἦ δεῦρο προσστείχοντα κἀξορμώμενον;

[¶13] Antigone:
He is at our side already. Speak whatever seems timely to you, for the man is here.

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

[¶14] 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—
Enter a stranger, a man of Colonus.

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

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

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

[¶16] Oedipus:
And what is this ground? To which of the gods is it sacred?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
τίς δʼ ἔσθʼ ὁ χῶρος; τοῦ θεῶν νομίζεται;

[¶17] Stranger:
Ground inviolable, on which no one may dwell. The dread
goddesses hold it, the daughters of Earth and Darkness.

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

[¶18] Oedipus:
Who are they? Whose awful name might I hear and invoke in prayer?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
τίνων τὸ σεμνὸν ὄνομʼ ἂν εὐξαίμην κλύων;

[¶19] Stranger:
The all-seeing Eumenides the people here would call them: but other names please elsewhere.

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

[¶20] Oedipus:
Then graciously may they receive their suppliant!

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ἀλλʼ ἵλεῳ μὲν τὸν ἱκέτην δεξαίατο·

[¶21] Nevermore will I depart from my seat in this land.

> Greek: ὡς οὐχ ἕδρας γῆς τῆσδʼ ἂν ἐξέλθοιμʼ ἔτι.

[¶22] Stranger:
What does this mean?

> Greek: Ξένος:
τί δʼ ἐστὶ τοῦτο;

[¶23] Oedipus:
The watchword of my fate.

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ξυμφορᾶς ξύνθημʼ ἐμῆς.

[¶24] Stranger:
I dare not remove you without warrant from the city, until I report what I am doing.

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

[¶25] 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.

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

[¶26] Stranger:
Tell me, and you will not be without honor from me.

> Greek: Ξένος:
σήμαινε, κοὐκʼ ἄτιμος ἔκ γʼ ἐμοῦ φανεῖ.

[¶27] Oedipus:
What, then, is the place that we have entered?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
τίς ἔσθʼ ὁ χῶρος δῆτʼ, ἐν ᾧ βεβήκαμεν;

[¶28] 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;
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.

> Greek: Ξένος:
ὅσʼ οἶδα κἀγὼ πάντʼ ἐπιστήσει κλύων·
χῶρος μὲν ἱερὸς πᾶς ὅδʼ ἔστʼ· ἔχει δέ νιν
σεμνὸς Ποσειδῶν· ἐν δʼ ὁ πυρφόρος θεὸς
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
τὸ τοῦδε κοινὸν πάντες ὠνομασμένοι.
τοιαῦτά σοι ταῦτʼ ἐστίν, ὦ ξένʼ, οὐ λόγοις
τιμώμενʼ, ἀλλὰ τῇ ξυνουσίᾳ πλέον.

[¶29] Oedipus:
Are there indeed dwellers in this region?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ἦ γάρ τινες ναίουσι τούσδε τοὺς τόπους;

[¶30] Stranger:
Yes indeed, the namesakes of that god there [Colonus].

> Greek: Ξένος:
καὶ κάρτα, τοῦδε τοῦ θεοῦ γʼ ἐπώνυμοι.

[¶31] Oedipus:
Have they a king? Or does speaking [in assembly] rest with the masses?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ἄρχει τις αὐτῶν ἢ ʼπὶ τῷ πλήθει λόγος;

[¶32] Stranger:
These parts are ruled by the king in the city.

> Greek: Ξένος:
ἐκ τοῦ κατʼ ἄστυ βασιλέως τάδʼ ἄρχεται.

[¶33] Oedipus:
And who is he that is sovereign in counsel and in might?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
οὗτος δὲ τίς λόγῳ τε καὶ σθένει κρατεῖ;

[¶34] Stranger:
Theseus he is called, son of Aegeus who was before him.

> Greek: Ξένος:
Θησεὺς καλεῖται, τοῦ πρὶν Αἰγέως τόκος.

[¶35] Oedipus:
Could a messenger go to him from among you?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ἆρʼ ἄν τις αὐτῷ πομπὸς ἐξ ὑμῶν μόλοι;

[¶36] Stranger:
With what aim? To speak, or to prepare his coming?

> Greek: Ξένος:
ὡς πρὸς τί λέξων ἢ καταρτύσων μολεῖν;

[¶37] Oedipus:
So that by a small service he may find a great gain.

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ὡς ἂν προσαρκῶν σμικρὰ κερδάνῃ μέγα.

[¶38] Stranger:
And what help can come from one who cannot see?

> Greek: Ξένος:
καὶ τίς πρὸς ἀνδρὸς μὴ βλέποντος ἄρκεσις;

[¶39] Oedipus:
In all that I speak there will be vision.

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ὅσʼ ἂν λέγωμεν πάνθʼ ὁρῶντα λέξομεν.

[¶40] 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.
They will decide for you whether you should stay or go back. Stranger exits.

> Greek: Ξένος:
οἶσθʼ, ὦ ξένʼ, ὡς νῦν μὴ σφαλῇς; ἐπείπερ εἰ
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.

[¶41] Oedipus:
My child, has the stranger left us?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ὦ τέκνον, ἦ βέβηκεν ἡμὶν ὁ ξένος;

[¶42] Antigone:
He is gone, and so you can speak what you wish, father, fully at ease, knowing that I alone am near.

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

[¶43] 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
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,
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,
—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,
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!
For in truth it is the former living body no more.

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ὦ πότνιαι δεινῶπες, εὖτε νῦν ἕδρας
πρώτων ἐφʼ ὑμῶν τῆσδε γῆς ἔκαμψʼ ἐγώ,
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,
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,
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
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.
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.

[¶44] Antigone:
Hush! Here come some aged men to spy out your resting-place.

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

[¶45] 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.
The Chorus of elders of Colonus enters the orchestra.

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
σιγήσομαί τε καὶ σύ μʼ ἐξ ὁδοῦ πόδα
κρύψον κατʼ ἄλσος, τῶνδʼ ἕως ἂν ἐκμάθω
τίνας λόγους ἐροῦσιν· ἐν γὰρ τῷ μαθεῖν
ἔνεστιν ηὑλάβεια τῶν ποιουμένων.
Χορός:
ὅρα. τίς ἄρʼ ἦν; ποῦ ναίει;

[¶46] 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,
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.
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;
and him I cannot yet discern, though I look round all the holy place, nor do I know where to find his lodging.
Oedipus steps forward with Antigone.

> Greek: ποῦ κυρεῖ ἐκτόπιος συθεὶς ὁ πάντων
ὁ πάντων ἀκορέστατος;
προσδέρκου λεῦσσέ νιν,
προσπεύθου πανταχῇ.
πλανάτας πλανάτας τις ὁ πρέσβυς οὐδʼ
ἔγχωρος· προσέβα γὰρ οὐκ
ἄν ποτʼ ἀστιβὲς ἄλσος ἐς
τᾶνδʼ ἀμαιμακετᾶν κορᾶν,
ἃς τρέμομεν λέγειν
καὶ παραμειβόμεσθʼ ἀδέρκτως,
ἀφώνως, ἀλόγως τὸ τᾶς.
εὐφάμου στόμα φροντίδος
ἱέντες, τὰ δὲ νῦν τινʼ ἥκειν
λόγος οὐδὲν ἅζονθʼ,
ὃν ἐγὼ λεύσσων περὶ πᾶν οὔπω
δύναμαι τέμενος
γνῶναι ποῦ μοί ποτε ναίει.

[¶47] Oedipus:
Behold the man you seek! In sound is my sight, as the saying goes.

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

[¶48] Chorus:
Oh! Oh! Fearful he is to see, and fearful to hear!

> Greek: Χορός:
ἰὼ ἰώ,
δεινὸς μὲν ὁρᾶν, δεινὸς δὲ κλύειν.

[¶49] Oedipus:
Do not regard me, I beg you, as a lawless man.

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
μή μʼ, ἱκετεύω, προσίδητʼ ἄνομον.

[¶50] Chorus:
Zeus defend us! Who may this old man be?

> Greek: Χορός:
Ζεῦ ἀλεξῆτορ, τίς ποθʼ ὁ πρέσβυς;

[¶51] 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.

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

[¶52] 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!

> Greek: Χορός:
ἐή, ἀλαῶν ὀμμάτων
ἆρα καὶ ἦσθα φυτάλμιος; δυσαίων
μακραίων γʼ, ὅσʼ ἐπεικάσαι.
ἀλλʼ οὐ μὰν ἔν γʼ ἐμοὶ
προσθήσει τάσδʼ ἀράς.

[¶53] 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.
Retire! Withdraw! Let a wide space part us. Do you hear, toil-worn wanderer? If you have anything to say in converse with us,
leave forbidden ground, and speak where it is lawful for all; but, till then, refrain.

> Greek: περᾷς γάρ, περᾷς· ἀλλʼ ἵνα τῷδʼ ἐν ἀ-
φθέγκτῳ μὴ προπέσῃς νάπει
ποιάεντι, κάθυδρος οὗ
κρατὴρ μειλιχίων ποτῶν
ῥεύματι συντρέχει,
τόν, ξένε πάμμορʼ, εὖ φύλαξαι;
μετάσταθʼ ἀπόβαθι. πολ-
λὰ κέλευθος ἐρατύει·
κλύεις, ὦ πολύμοχθʼ ἀλᾶτα;
λόγον εἴ τινʼ οἴσεις
πρὸς ἐμὰν λέσχαν, ἀβάτων ἀποβάς,
ἵνα πᾶσι νόμος,
φώνει· πρόσθεν δʼ ἀπερύκου.

[¶54] Oedipus:
Daughter, to what counsel shall we incline?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
θύγατερ, ποῖ τις φροντίδος ἔλθῃ;

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

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

[¶56] Oedipus:
Then give me your hand.

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
πρόσθιγέ νύν μου.

[¶57] Antigone:
I lay it in yours.

> Greek: Ἀντιγόνη:
ψαύω καὶ δή.

[¶58] Oedipus:
Strangers, let me not suffer wrong
when I have trusted in you, and have passed from my refuge!

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ὦ ξένε, μὴ δῆτʼ ἀδικηθῶ σοὶ
πιστεύσας καὶ μεταναστάς.

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

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

[¶60] Oedipus:
Further, then?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ἔτʼ οὖν;

[¶61] Chorus:
Come still further.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἔτι βαῖνε πόρσω.
Οἰδίπους:
ἔτι;

[¶62] Oedipus:
Further?
Chorus:
Lead him onward, maiden, for you hear us and obey.

> Greek: Χορός:
προβίβαζε, κούρα,
πόρσω· σὺ γὰρ ἀΐεις.

[¶63] Antigone:
…

> Greek: Ἀντιγόνη:
⟨… ⟩

[¶64] Oedipus:
…

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
⟨… ⟩

[¶65] Antigone:
Come, follow this way with your dark steps, father, as I lead you.

> Greek: Ἀντιγόνη:
⟨… ⟩
ἕπεο μάν, ἕπεʼ ὧδʼ ἀμαυρῷ κώλῳ, πάτερ, ᾇ σʼ ἄγω.

[¶66] Oedipus:
…

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
⟨… ⟩

[¶67] 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!

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

[¶68] 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.

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

[¶69] Chorus:
There! Do not incline your steps beyond that ledge of bedrock.

> Greek: Χορός:
αὐτοῦ· μηκέτι τοῦδʼ αὐτοπέτρου βήματος ἔξω πόδα κλίνῃς.

[¶70] Oedipus:
This far?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
οὕτως;

[¶71] Chorus:
Enough, I say

> Greek: Χορός:
ἅλις, ὡς ἀκούεις.

[¶72] Oedipus:
Shall I sit down?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ἦ ἑσθῶ;

[¶73] Chorus:
Yes, move sideways, and crouch low on the edge of the rock.

> Greek: Χορός:
λέχριός γʼ ἐπʼ ἄκρου
λᾶος βραχὺς ὀκλάσας.

[¶74] Antigone:
Father, this is my task: calmly to—

> Greek: Ἀντιγόνη:
πάτερ, ἐμὸν τόδʼ· ἐν ἁσυχαίᾳ

[¶75] Oedipus:
Ah me! ah me!

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ἰώ μοί μοι.

[¶76] Antigone:
—fit step to step, and lean your aged frame upon my dear arm.

> Greek: Ἀντιγόνη:
βάσει βάσιν ἅρμοσαι,
γεραὸν ἐς χέρα σῶμα σὸν
προκλίνας φιλίαν ἐμάν.

[¶77] Oedipus:
Alas for my sad destruction!
Antigone seats him on the rock.

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ὤμοι δύσφρονος ἄτας.

[¶78] 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?

> Greek: Χορός:
ὦ τλάμων, ὅτε νῦν χαλᾷς,
αὔδασον, τίς ἔφυς βροτῶν;

[¶79] What fatherland can you tell us of?

> Greek: τίς ὁ πολύπονος ἄγει; τίνʼ ἂν
σοῦ πατρίδʼ ἐκπυθοίμαν;

[¶80] Oedipus:
Strangers, I am without a city, but do not—

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ὦ ξένοι,
ἀπόπτολις· ἀλλὰ μὴ

[¶81] Chorus:
What is this that you forbid, old man?

> Greek: Χορός:
τί τόδʼ ἀπεννέπεις, γέρον;

[¶82] Oedipus:
do not, do not ask me who I am! Do not seek or probe further!
Chorus:
What does this mean?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
μὴ μὴ μή μʼ ἀνέρῃ τίς εἰμι,
μηδʼ ἐξετάσῃς πέρα ματεύων.

[¶83] Oedipus:
Horrid the birth—

> Greek: Χορός:
τί τόδʼ;
Οἰδίπους:
αἰνὰ φύσις.

[¶84] Chorus:
Speak!

> Greek: Χορός:
αὔδα.

[¶85] Oedipus:
My child—ah, me!—what shall I say?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
τέκνον, ὤμοι, τί γεγώνω;
Χορός:
τίνος εἶ σπέρματος, ὦ ξένε, φώνει, πατρόθεν.

[¶86] Chorus:
What is your lineage, stranger? Speak! And who is your father?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ὤμοι ἐγώ, τί πάθω, τέκνον ἐμόν;

[¶87] Oedipus:
Woe is me! What will become of me, my child?

> Greek: Ἀντιγόνη:
λέγʼ, ἐπείπερ ἐπʼ ἔσχατα βαίνεις.

[¶88] Antigone:
Speak, for you are driven to the verge.

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ἀλλʼ ἐρῶ· οὐ γὰρ ἔχω κατακρυφάν.

[¶89] Oedipus:
Then speak I will. I have no way to hide it.
Chorus:
You two make a long delay. Come, hasten!

> Greek: Χορός:
μακρὰ μέλλετον, ἀλλὰ τάχυνε.

[¶90] Oedipus:
Do you know of a son of Laius?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
Λαΐου ἴστε τινʼ;

[¶91] Chorus:
Oh!

> Greek: Χορός:
ὢ ἰοὺ ἰού.

[¶92] Oedipus:
—And the race of the Labdacidae?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
τό τε Λαβδακιδᾶν γένος;

[¶93] Chorus:
O Zeus!

> Greek: Χορός:
ὦ Ζεῦ.

[¶94] Oedipus:
—and the pitiful Oedipus?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ἄθλιον Οἰδιπόδαν;

[¶95] Chorus:
You are he?

> Greek: Χορός:
σὺ γὰρ ὅδʼ εἶ;

[¶96] Oedipus:
Have no fear of any words that I speak—

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
δέος ἴσχετε μηδὲν ὅσʼ αὐδῶ.

[¶97] Chorus:
Ah, no, no!

> Greek: Χορός:
ἰὼ ὢ ὤ.

[¶98] Oedipus:
Unhappy that I am!

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
δύσμορος.

[¶99] Chorus:
Oh, oh!

> Greek: Χορός:
ὢ ὤ.

[¶100] Oedipus:
Daughter, what is about to happen?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
θύγατερ, τί ποτʼ αὐτίκα κύρσει;

[¶101] Chorus:
Out with you! Go forth from the land!

> Greek: Χορός:
ἔξω πόρσω βαίνετε χώρας.

[¶102] Oedipus:
And your promise—to what fulfillment will you bring it?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ἃ δʼ ὑπέσχεο ποῖ καταθήσεις,

[¶103] 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!
Away from my land with all speed, that you may not fasten some heavier burden on my city!

> Greek: Χορός:
οὐδενὶ μοιριδία τίσις ἔρχεται
ἃν προπάθῃ τὸ τίνειν· ἀπάτα δʼ ἀπά-
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
ἐμᾷ πόλει προσάψῃς.

[¶104] 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
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!

> Greek: Ἀντιγόνη:
ὦ ξένοι
αἰδόφρονες, ἀλλʼ ἐπεὶ
γεραὸν πατέρα τόνδʼ ἐμὸν
οὐκ ἀνέτλατʼ, ἔργων
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
ὑμετέρου προφανεῖσα, τὸν ἄθλιον
αἰδοῦς κῦρσαι· ἐν ὔμμι γὰρ ὡς θεῷ
κείμεθα τλάμονες. ἀλλʼ ἴτε, νεύσατε τὰν ἀδόκητον χάριν·

[¶105] 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.

> Greek: πρός σʼ ὅ τι σοι φίλον ἐκ σέθεν ἄντομαι,
ἢ τέκνον ἢ λέχος ἢ χρέος ἢ θεός·
οὐ γὰρ ἴδοις ἂν ἀθρῶν βροτὸν ὅστις ἄν,
εἰ θεὸς ἄγοι,
ἐκφυγεῖν δύναιτο.

[¶106] Chorus:
Feel sure, daughter of Oedipus, that we pity you and him alike
for your misfortune; but dreading the punishment of the gods, we could not say anything beyond what we have now said to you.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἀλλʼ ἴσθι, τέκνον Οἰδίπου, σέ τʼ ἐξ ἴσου
οἰκτίρομεν καὶ τόνδε συμφορᾶς χάριν·
τὰ δʼ ἐκ θεῶν τρέμοντες οὐ σθένοιμεν ἂν
φωνεῖν πέρα τῶν πρὸς σὲ νῦν εἰρημένων.

[¶107] Oedipus:
What help comes, then, of repute or fair fame, if it ends in idle breath;
seeing that Athens, as men say, is god-fearing beyond all, and alone has the power to shelter the outraged stranger, and alone the power to help him? And where are these things for me, when, after making me rise up from this rocky seat, you then drive me from the land, afraid of my name alone?
Not, surely, afraid of my person or of my acts; since my acts, at least, have been in suffering rather than doing—if I must mention the tale of my mother and my father, because of which you fear me. That know I full well.
And yet how was I innately evil? I, who was merely requiting a wrong, so that, had I been acting with knowledge, even then I could not be accounted evil. But, as it was, all unknowing I went where I went—while they who wronged me knowingly sought my ruin.

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
τί δῆτα δόξης ἢ τί κληδόνος καλῆς
μάτην ῥεούσης ὠφέλημα γίγνεται,
εἰ τάς γʼ Ἀθήνας φασὶ θεοσεβεστάτας
εἶναι, μόνας δὲ τὸν κακούμενον ξένον
σῴζειν οἵας τε καὶ μόνας ἀρκεῖν ἔχειν;
κἄμοιγε ποῦ τοῦτʼ ἐστίν, οἵτινες βάθρων
ἐκ τῶνδέ μʼ ἐξάραντες εἶτʼ ἐλαύνετε,
ὄνομα μόνον δείσαντες; οὐ γὰρ δὴ τό γε
σῶμʼ οὐδὲ τἄργα τἄμʼ· ἐπεὶ τά γʼ ἔργα μου
πεπονθότʼ ἐστὶ μᾶλλον ἢ δεδρακότα,
εἴ σοι τὰ μητρὸς καὶ πατρὸς χρείη λέγειν,
ὧν οὕνεκʼ ἐκφοβεῖ με· τοῦτʼ ἐγὼ καλῶς
ἔξοιδα. καίτοι πῶς ἐγὼ κακὸς φύσιν,
ὅστις παθὼν μὲν ἀντέδρων, ὥστʼ εἰ φρονῶν
ἔπρασσον, οὐδʼ ἂν ὧδʼ ἐγιγνόμην κακός;
νῦν δʼ οὐδὲν εἰδὼς ἱκόμην ἵνʼ ἱκόμην,
ὑφʼ ὧν δʼ ἔπασχον, εἰδότων ἀπωλλύμην.

[¶108] Therefore, strangers, I beseech you by the gods: just as you made me leave my seat, so protect me, and do not, while you render honor to the gods, consider those gods to be fools. But rather consider that they look on the god-fearing man
and on the godless, and that never yet has an impious man found escape. With the help of those gods, do not becloud the prosperity of Athens by paying service to unholy deeds. As you have received the suppliant under your pledge,
rescue me and guard me to the end; nor dishonor me when you look on this face unlovely to behold, for I have come to you as one sacred and pious, bearing comfort for this people. But when the master has come,
whoever is your leader, then you will hear and know all; meanwhile show yourselves in no way evil.

> Greek: ἀνθʼ ὧν ἱκνοῦμαι πρὸς θεῶν ὑμᾶς, ξένοι,
ὥσπερ με κἀνεστήσαθʼ, ὧδε σώσατε,
καὶ μὴ θεοὺς τιμῶντες εἶτα τοὺς θεοὺς
μοίρας ποιεῖσθε μηδαμῶς· ἡγεῖσθε δὲ
βλέπειν μὲν αὐτοὺς πρὸς τὸν εὐσεβῆ βροτῶν,
βλέπειν δὲ πρὸς τοὺς δυσσεβεῖς, φυγὴν δέ του
μήπω γενέσθαι φωτὸς ἀνοσίου βροτῶν.
ξὺν οἷς σὺ μὴ κάλυπτε τὰς εὐδαίμονας
ἔργοις Ἀθήνας ἀνοσίοις ὑπηρετῶν,
ἀλλʼ ὥσπερ ἔλαβες τὸν ἱκέτην ἐχέγγυον,
ῥύου με κἀκφύλασσε· μηδέ μου κάρα
τὸ δυσπρόσοπτον εἰσορῶν ἀτιμάσῃς,
ἥκω γὰρ ἱερὸς εὐσεβής τε καὶ φέρων
ὄνησιν ἀστοῖς τοῖσδʼ· ὅταν δʼ ὁ κύριος
παρῇ τις, ὑμῶν ὅστις ἐστὶν ἡγεμών,
τότʼ εἰσακούων πάντʼ ἐπιστήσει· τὰ δὲ
μεταξὺ τούτου μηδαμῶς γίγνου κακός.

[¶109] Chorus:
The thoughts you urge, old man, must move awe; they have been set forth in grave words.
But I am content that the rulers of our country should judge in this case.

> Greek: Χορός:
ταρβεῖν μέν, ὦ γεραιέ, τἀνθυμήματα
πολλή ʼστʼ ἀνάγκη τἀπὸ σοῦ· λόγοισι γὰρ
οὐκ ὠνόμασται βραχέσι· τοὺς δὲ τῆσδε γῆς
ἄνακτας ἀρκεῖ ταῦτά μοι διειδέναι.

[¶110] Oedipus:
And where, strangers, is the lord of this realm?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
καὶ ποῦ ʼσθʼ ὁ κραίνων τῆσδε τῆς χώρας, ξένοι;

[¶111] Chorus:
He is at the city of his fathers in our land. The messenger who sent us here has gone to fetch him.

> Greek: Χορός:
πατρῷον ἄστυ γῆς ἔχει· σκοπὸς δέ νιν,
ὃς κἀμὲ δεῦρʼ ἔπεμψεν, οἴχεται στελῶν.

[¶112] Oedipus:
Do you think that he will have any regard or care for the blind man,
so as to come here himself?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ἦ καὶ δοκεῖτε τοῦ τυφλοῦ τινʼ ἐντροπὴν
ἢ φροντίδʼ, ἕξειν, αὐτὸν ὥστʼ ἐλθεῖν πέλας;

[¶113] Chorus:
Yes, surely, as soon as he learns of your name.

> Greek: Χορός:
καὶ κάρθʼ, ὅταν περ τοὔνομʼ αἴσθηται τὸ σόν.

[¶114] Oedipus:
Who is there to bring him that word?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
τίς δʼ ἔσθʼ ὁ κείνῳ τοῦτο τοὔπος ἀγγελῶν;

[¶115] Chorus:
The way is long, and many words from travellers often wander about. When he hears them, he will soon be with us, never fear.
For your name, old man, has been loudly trumpeted through all lands, so that even if he is taking his ease, and slow to move, when he hears of you he will swiftly arrive.

> Greek: Χορός:
μακρὰ κέλευθος· πολλὰ δʼ ἐμπόρων ἔπη
φιλεῖ πλανᾶσθαι, τῶν ἐκεῖνος ἀΐων,
θάρσει, παρέσται. πολὺ γάρ, ὦ γέρον, τὸ σὸν
ὄνομα διήκει πάντας, ὥστε κεἰ βραδὺς
εὕδει, κλύων σοῦ δεῦρʼ ἀφίξεται ταχύς.

[¶116] Oedipus:
Well, may he come with good fortune both for his own city and for me! What noble man is not his own friend?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ἀλλʼ εὐτυχὴς ἵκοιτο τῇ θʼ αὑτοῦ πόλει
ἐμοί τε· τίς γὰρ ἐσθλὸς οὐχ αὑτῷ φίλος;

[¶117] Antigone:
O Zeus! What shall I say? What shall I think, my father?

> Greek: Ἀντιγόνη:
ὦ Ζεῦ, τί λέξω; ποῖ φρενῶν ἔλθω, πάτερ;

[¶118] Oedipus:
What is it, Antigone, my child?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
τί δʼ ἔστι, τέκνον Ἀντιγόνη;

[¶119] Antigone:
I see a woman coming towards us, mounted on a colt of Etna; she wears a Thessalian bonnet to screen her face from the sun.

> Greek: Ἀντιγόνη:
γυναῖχʼ ὁρῶ
στείχουσαν ἡμῶν ἆσσον, Αἰτναίας ἐπὶ
πώλου βεβῶσαν· κρατὶ δʼ ἡλιοστεγὴς
κυνῆ πρόσωπα Θεσσαλίς νιν ἀμπέχει.

[¶120] What shall I say? Is it she, or is it not? Does my judgment err? Yes—no—I cannot tell—ah, me! It is no other, yes! She greets me with bright glances
as she draws near, and makes a signal. Here is Ismene, clearly, and no other before me.

> Greek: τί φῶ;
ἆρʼ ἔστιν; ἆρʼ οὐκ ἔστιν; ἢ γνώμη πλανᾷ;
καὶ φημὶ κἀπόφημι κοὐκ ἔχω τί φῶ.
τάλαινα.
οὐκ ἔστιν ἄλλη· φαιδρὰ γοῦν ἀπʼ ὀμμάτων
σαίνει με προσστείχουσα· σημαίνει δʼ ὅτι
μόνης τόδʼ ἐστὶ δῆλον Ἰσμήνης κάρα.

[¶121] Oedipus:
What is that you say, my child?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
πῶς εἶπας, ὦ παῖ;

[¶122] Antigone:
That I see your daughter, my sister. By her voice right away you can know her.

> Greek: Ἀντιγόνη:
παῖδα σήν, ἐμὴν δʼ ὁρᾶν
ὅμαιμον· αὐδῇ δʼ αὐτίκʼ ἔξεστιν μαθεῖν.

[¶123] Ismene:
Father and sister, names most sweet to me! How hard it was to find you!
And how hard now to look upon you for my tears!

> Greek: Ἰσμήνη:
ὦ δισσὰ πατρὸς καὶ κασιγνήτης ἐμοὶ
ἥδιστα προσφωνήμαθʼ, ὡς ὑμᾶς μόλις
εὑροῦσα λύπῃ δεύτερον μόλις βλέπω.

[¶124] Oedipus:
My child, have you come?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ὦ τέκνον, ἥκεις;

[¶125] Ismene:
Father, your fate is sad to see!

> Greek: Ἰσμήνη:
ὦ πάτερ δύσμοιρʼ ὁρᾶν.

[¶126] Oedipus:
Are you with us, my child?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
τέκνον, πέφηνας;

[¶127] Ismene:
Not without toil, indeed, for myself.

> Greek: Ἰσμήνη:
οὐκ ἄνευ μόχθου γέ μοι.

[¶128] Oedipus:
Touch me, my daughter!

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
πρόσψαυσον, ὦ παῖ.

[¶129] Ismene:
I give a hand to each at once.

> Greek: Ἰσμήνη:
θιγγάνω δυοῖν ὁμοῦ.

[¶130] Oedipus:
Ah my children, my sisters!

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ὦ σπέρμʼ ὅμαιμον.

[¶131] Ismene:
Alas, twice-wretched life!

> Greek: Ἰσμήνη:
ὦ δυσάθλιαι τροφαί.

[¶132] Oedipus:
Her life and mine?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ἦ τῆσδε κἀμοῦ;

[¶133] Ismene:
And mine, wretched me, makes a third.

> Greek: Ἰσμήνη:
δυσμόρου τʼ ἐμοῦ τρίτης.

[¶134] Oedipus:
Child, why have you come?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
τέκνον, τί δʼ ἦλθες;

[¶135] Ismene:
Through concern for you, father.

> Greek: Ἰσμήνη:
σῇ, πάτερ, προμηθίᾳ.

[¶136] Oedipus:
Through longing to see me?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
πότερα πόθοισι;

[¶137] Ismene:
Yes, and to bring you news by my own mouth, with the only faithful servant that I had.

> Greek: Ἰσμήνη:
καὶ λόγων γʼ αὐτάγγελος,
ξὺν ᾧπερ εἶχον οἰκετῶν πιστῷ μόνῳ.

[¶138] Oedipus:
And where are the young men, your brothers, in our need?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
οἱ δʼ αὐθόμαιμοι ποῦ νεανίαι πονεῖν;

[¶139] Ismene:
They are where they are; their circumstances now are terrible.

> Greek: Ἰσμήνη:
εἴσʼ οὗπέρ εἰσι· δεινὰ τἀν κείνοις τανῦν.

[¶140] Oedipus:
True image of the ways of Egypt that they show in their spirit and their life! For there the men sit weaving in the house,
but the wives go forth to win the daily bread. And in your case, my daughters, those to whom these toils belonged keep the house at home like maidens, while you two, in their place, bear your poor father’s woes.
The one, from the time when her youth was past and she came into her strength, has always been this old man’s guide in weary wanderings, often roaming, hungry and barefoot, through the wild woods, often battered by rains and scorching sun.
And the comforts of home, poor girl, she holds in the second place, so long as her father should have her care. And you, my child, in former days came forth, bringing your father, unknown to the Cadmeans, all the oracles that had been given concerning Oedipus.
You became a faithful guardian on my behalf, when I was being driven from the land. Now, in turn, what new tidings have you brought your father, Ismene? On what mission have you set forth from home? For you do not come empty-handed, I know well,
or without some cause of fear for me.

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ὦ πάντʼ ἐκείνω τοῖς ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ νόμοις
φύσιν κατεικασθέντε καὶ βίου τροφάς·
ἐκεῖ γὰρ οἱ μὲν ἄρσενες κατὰ στέγας
θακοῦσιν ἱστουργοῦντες, αἱ δὲ σύννομοι
τἄξω βίου τροφεῖα πορσύνουσʼ ἀεί.
σφῷν δʼ, ὦ τέκνʼ, οὓς μὲν εἰκὸς ἦν πονεῖν τάδε,
κατʼ οἶκον οἰκουροῦσιν ὥστε παρθένοι,
σφὼ δʼ ἀντʼ ἐκείνων τἀμὰ δυστήνου κακὰ
ὑπερπονεῖτον. ἡ μὲν ἐξ ὅτου νέας
τροφῆς ἔληξε καὶ κατίσχυσεν δέμας,
ἀεὶ μεθʼ ἡμῶν δύσμορος πλανωμένη
γερονταγωγεῖ, πολλὰ μὲν κατʼ ἀγρίαν
ὕλην ἄσιτος νηλίπους τʼ ἀλωμένη,
πολλοῖσι δʼ ὄμβροις ἡλίου τε καύμασιν
μοχθοῦσα τλήμων δεύτερʼ ἡγεῖται τὰ τῆς
οἴκοι διαίτης, εἰ πατὴρ τροφὴν ἔχοι.
σὺ δʼ, ὦ τέκνον, πρόσθεν μὲν ἐξίκου πατρὶ
μαντεῖʼ ἄγουσα πάντα, Καδμείων λάθρᾳ,
ἃ τοῦδʼ ἐχρήσθη σώματος, φύλαξ τέ μου
πιστὴ κατέστης, γῆς ὅτʼ ἐξηλαυνόμην·
νῦν δʼ αὖ τίνʼ ἥκεις μῦθον, Ἰσμήνη, πατρὶ
φέρουσα; τίς σʼ ἐξῆρεν οἴκοθεν στόλος;
ἥκεις γὰρ οὐ κενή γε, τοῦτʼ ἐγὼ σαφῶς
ἔξοιδα, μὴ οὐχὶ δεῖμʼ ἐμοὶ φέρουσά τι.

[¶141] Ismene:
The sufferings that I bore, father, in seeking where you dwelt, I will pass by; I would not renew the pain in the recital.

> Greek: Ἰσμήνη:
ἐγὼ τὰ μὲν παθήμαθʼ ἅπαθον, πάτερ,
ζητοῦσα τὴν σὴν ποῦ κατοικοίης τροφήν,
παρεῖσʼ ἐάσω· δὶς γὰρ οὐχὶ βούλομαι
πονοῦσά τʼ ἀλγεῖν καὶ λέγουσʼ αὖθις πάλιν.

[¶142] But the evils that now beset your ill-fated sons—it is of these that I have come to tell. At first it was their decision that the throne should be left to Creon, and the city spared pollution, when they thought calmly about the ancient blight on our race,
and how it has clung to your unfortunate house. But now, moved by some god and by sinful heart, an evil strife has seized them—thrice-deluded!—to grasp at rule and the power of a tyrant. And the younger son has stripped the elder, Polyneices, of the throne,
and has driven him from his fatherland. But he, as the widespread rumor says among us, has gone to the valley of Argos as an exile, and is taking to himself a new marriage connection, and warriors for his friends, intending that Argos soon get hold of the Cadmean land,
or send its praises to the sky. These are not empty words, my father, but terrible deeds; and where the gods will have pity on your grief, I cannot tell.

> Greek: ἃ δʼ ἀμφὶ τοῖν σοῖν δυσμόροιν παίδοιν κακὰ
νῦν ἐστι, ταῦτα σημανοῦσʼ ἐλήλυθα.
πρὶν μὲν γὰρ αὐτοῖς ἦν ἔρως Κρέοντί τε
θρόνους ἐᾶσθαι μηδὲ χραίνεσθαι πόλιν,
λόγῳ σκοποῦσι τὴν πάλαι γένους φθοράν,
οἵα κατέσχε τὸν σὸν ἄθλιον δόμον·
νῦν δʼ ἐκ θεῶν του κἀλιτηρίου φρενὸς
εἰσῆλθε τοῖν τρὶς ἀθλίοιν ἔρις κακή,
ἀρχῆς λαβέσθαι καὶ κράτους τυραννικοῦ.
χὠ μὲν νεάζων καὶ χρόνῳ μείων γεγὼς
τὸν πρόσθε γεννηθέντα Πολυνείκη θρόνων
ἀποστερίσκει, κἀξελήλακεν πάτρας.
ὁ δʼ, ὡς καθʼ ἡμᾶς ἔσθʼ ὁ πληθύων λόγος,
τὸ κοῖλον Ἄργος βὰς φυγὰς προσλαμβάνει
κῆδός τε καινὸν καὶ ξυνασπιστὰς φίλους
ὡς αὐτίκʼ Ἄργος ἢ τὸ Καδμείων πέδον
τιμῇ καθέξον ἢ πρὸς οὐρανὸν βιβῶν.
ταῦτʼ οὐκ ἀριθμός ἐστιν, ὦ πάτερ, λόγων,
ἀλλʼ ἔργα δεινά· τοὺς δὲ σοὺς ὅπου θεοὶ
πόνους κατοικτιοῦσιν οὐκ ἔχω μαθεῖν.

[¶143] Oedipus:
What, had you come to hope that the gods would ever have concern enough for me to give me rescue?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ἤδη γὰρ ἔσχες ἐλπίδʼ ὡς ἐμοῦ θεοὺς
ὤραν τινʼ ἕξειν, ὥστε σωθῆναί ποτε;

[¶144] Ismene:
Yes, that is my hope, father, from the present oracles.

> Greek: Ἰσμήνη:
ἔγωγε τοῖς νὺν γʼ, ὦ πάτερ, μαντεύμασιν.

[¶145] Oedipus:
What are they? What has been prophesied, my child?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ποίοισι τούτοις; τί δὲ τεθέσπισται, τέκνον;

[¶146] Ismene:
That you will be desired some day, in life and death, by the men of that land,
for their safety’s sake.

> Greek: Ἰσμήνη:
σὲ τοῖς ἐκεῖ ζητητὸν ἀνθρώποις ποτὲ
θανόντʼ ἔσεσθαι ζῶντά τʼ εὐσοίας χάριν.

[¶147] Oedipus:
And who could profit from such a one as I?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
τίς δʼ ἂν τοιοῦδʼ ὑπʼ ἀνδρὸς εὖ πράξειεν ἄν;

[¶148] Ismene:
Their power, it is said, proves to be in your hands.

> Greek: Ἰσμήνη:
ἐν σοὶ τὰ κείνων φασὶ γίγνεσθαι κράτη.

[¶149] Oedipus:
When I no longer exist, then I am a man?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ὅτʼ οὐκέτʼ εἰμί, τηνικαῦτʼ ἄρʼ εἴμʼ ἀνήρ;

[¶150] Ismene:
Yes, for the gods now raise you up; but before they worked your ruin.

> Greek: Ἰσμήνη:
νῦν γὰρ θεοί σʼ ὀρθοῦσι, πρόσθε δʼ ὤλλυσαν.

[¶151] Oedipus:
It is a paltry thing to raise up age, when youth was ruined.

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
γέροντα δʼ ὀρθοῦν φλαῦρον ὃς νέος πέσῃ.

[¶152] Ismene:
Well, know at least that Creon will come to you on this account—and soon, not late.

> Greek: Ἰσμήνη:
καὶ μὴν Κρέοντά γʼ ἴσθι σοι τούτων χάριν
ἥξοντα βαιοῦ κοὐχὶ μυρίου χρόνου.

[¶153] Oedipus:
With what purpose, daughter? Interpret that to me.

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ὅπως τί δράσῃ, θύγατερ; ἑρμήνευέ μοι.

[¶154] Ismene:
To plant you near the Cadmean land, so that they may have you in their power,
while you may not set foot within their borders.

> Greek: Ἰσμήνη:
ὥς σʼ ἄγχι γῆς στήσωσι Καδμείας, ὅπως
κρατῶσι μὲν σοῦ, γῆς δὲ μὴ ʼμβαίνῃς ὅρων.

[¶155] Oedipus:
And how can I profit them while I rest beyond their gates?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ἡ δʼ ὠφέλησις τίς θύρασι κειμένου;

[¶156] Ismene:
Your tomb contains a curse for them, if it should suffer misfortune.

> Greek: Ἰσμήνη:
κείνοις ὁ τύμβος δυστυχῶν ὁ σὸς βαρύς.

[¶157] Oedipus:
I need no god to help my wits so far.

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
κἄνευ θεοῦ τις τοῦτό γʼ ἂν γνώμῃ μάθοι.

[¶158] Ismene:
For this reason, therefore, they wish to get you as their neighbor;
but in a place where they will have you at their mercy.

> Greek: Ἰσμήνη:
τούτου χάριν τοίνυν σε προσθέσθαι πέλας
χώρας θέλουσι, μηδʼ ἵνʼ ἂν σαυτοῦ κρατοῖς.

[¶159] Oedipus:
Will they really cover me in Theban dust?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ἦ καὶ κατασκιῶσι Θηβαίᾳ κόνει;

[¶160] Ismene:
No, the guilt of related blood forbids you, father.

> Greek: Ἰσμήνη:
ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἐᾷ τοὔμφυλον αἷμά σʼ, ὦ πάτερ.

[¶161] Oedipus:
Then never will they become my masters.

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
οὐκ ἆρʼ ἐμοῦ γε μὴ κρατήσωσίν ποτε.

[¶162] Ismene:
Someday then this will be a grief for the Cadmeans.

> Greek: Ἰσμήνη:
ἔσται ποτʼ ἆρα τοῦτο Καδμείοις βάρος.

[¶163] Oedipus:
In what conjunction of events, my child?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ποίας φανείσης, ὦ τέκνον, συναλλαγῆς;

[¶164] Ismene:
Under the power of your anger, when they stand at your tomb.

> Greek: Ἰσμήνη:
τῆς σῆς ὑπʼ ὀργῆς, σοῖς ὅταν στῶσιν τάφοις.

[¶165] Oedipus:
And who has told you this, my child?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ἃ δʼ ἐννέπεις, κλύουσα τοῦ λέγεις, τέκνον;

[¶166] Ismene:
Sacred envoys, from the Delphian hearth.

> Greek: Ἰσμήνη:
ἀνδρῶν θεωρῶν Δελφικῆς ἀφʼ ἑστίας.

[¶167] Oedipus:
And has Phoebus indeed spoken this concerning me?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
καὶ ταῦτʼ ἐφʼ ἡμῖν Φοῖβος εἰρηκὼς κυρεῖ;

[¶168] Ismene:
So say the men who have come back to Thebes.

> Greek: Ἰσμήνη:
ὥς φασιν οἱ μολόντες εἰς Θήβης πέδον.

[¶169] Oedipus:
Has either of my sons heard this?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
παίδων τις οὖν ἤκουσε τῶν ἐμῶν τάδε;

[¶170] Ismene:
Yes, both have heard it, and know it well.

> Greek: Ἰσμήνη:
ἄμφω γʼ ὁμοίως, κἀξεπίστασθον καλῶς.

[¶171] Oedipus:
And then those most evil of sons, aware of this, preferred the kingship to the wish of recalling me?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
κᾆθʼ οἱ κάκιστοι τῶνδʼ ἀκούσαντες, πάρος
τοὐμοῦ πόθου προύθεντο τὴν τυραννίδα;

[¶172] Ismene:
It grieves me to hear this, but I must bear it.

> Greek: Ἰσμήνη:
ἀλγῶ κλύουσα ταῦτʼ ἐγώ, φέρω δʼ ὅμως.

[¶173] Oedipus:
Then may the gods not quench their fated strife, and may it fall to me to decide this war on which they are now setting their hands, raising spear against spear!

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ἀλλʼ οἱ θεοί σφιν μήτε τὴν πεπρωμένην
ἔριν κατασβέσειαν, ἔν τʼ ἐμοὶ τέλος
αὐτοῖν γένοιτο τῆσδε τῆς μάχης πέρι,
ἧς νῦν ἔχονται κἀπαναίρονται δόρυ·

[¶174] For then neither would he who now holds the scepter and the throne survive, nor would the exile ever return; seeing that when I, their father, was being thrust without honor from my country, they did not stop or defend me. No, they saw me sent forth homeless,
and heard the crier proclaim my sentence of exile. Perhaps you will say that that was my own wish then, and that the city fittingly granted me that gift. Not so! For on that first day, when my heart seethed,
and my sweetest wish was for death—indeed, death by stoning—no one was found to help me in that desire. But after a time, when all my anguish was now softened, and when I began to feel that my heart had been excessive in punishing those past errors,
then it was that the city set about to drive me by force from the land, after all that time. And my sons, when they had the strength to bring help—sons to their own father—they would not do it. For lack of one little word from them, I was left to wander, an outcast and a beggar forever.

> Greek: ὡς οὔτʼ ἂν ὃς νῦν σκῆπτρα καὶ θρόνους ἔχει
μείνειεν οὔτʼ ἂν οὑξεληλυθὼς πάλιν
ἔλθοι ποτʼ αὖθις· οἵ γε τὸν φύσαντʼ ἐμὲ
οὕτως ἀτίμως πατρίδος ἐξωθούμενον
οὐκ ἔσχον οὐδʼ ἤμυναν, ἀλλʼ ἀνάστατος
αὐτοῖς ἐπέμφθην κἀξεκηρύχθην φυγάς.
εἴποις ἂν ὡς θέλοντι τοῦτʼ ἐμοὶ τότε
πόλις τὸ δῶρον εἰκότως κατῄνεσεν.
οὐ δῆτʼ, ἐπεί τοι τὴν μὲν αὐτίχʼ ἡμέραν,
ὁπηνίκʼ ἔζει θυμός, ἥδιστον δέ μοι
τὸ κατθανεῖν ἦν καὶ τὸ λευσθῆναι πέτροις,
οὐδεὶς ἔρωτʼ ἐς τόνδʼ ἐφαίνετʼ ὠφελῶν·
χρόνῳ δʼ, ὅτʼ ἤδη πᾶς ὁ μόχθος ἦν πέπων,
κἀμάνθανον τὸν θυμὸν ἐκδραμόντα μοι
μείζω κολαστὴν τῶν πρὶν ἡμαρτημένων,
τὸ τηνίκʼ ἤδη τοῦτο μὲν πόλις βίᾳ
ἤλαυνέ μʼ ἐκ γῆς χρόνιον, οἱ δʼ ἐπωφελεῖν,
οἱ τοῦ πατρός, τῷ πατρὶ δυνάμενοι, τὸ δρᾶν
οὐκ ἠθέλησαν, ἀλλʼ ἔπους σμικροῦ χάριν
φυγάς σφιν ἔξω πτωχὸς ἠλώμην ἀεί.

[¶175] Instead, it is from these, maidens as they are, insofar as nature enables them, that I obtain my daily food, and a shelter in the land, and the aid of family. Their brothers have bartered their father for the throne, the scepter of power, and the rule of the realm.

> Greek: ἐκ ταῖνδε δʼ, οὔσαιν παρθένοιν, ὅσον φύσις
δίδωσιν αὐταῖν, καὶ τροφὰς ἔχω βίου
καὶ γῆς ἄδειαν καὶ γένους ἐπάρκεσιν·
τὼ δʼ ἀντὶ τοῦ φύσαντος εἱλέσθην θρόνους
καὶ σκῆπτρα κραίνειν καὶ τυραννεύειν χθονός.

[¶176] No, never will they win Oedipus for an ally, nor will good ever come to them from this reign at Thebes; that I know, when I hear this maiden’s oracles and reflect on the old prophecies stored in my own mind, which Phoebus has fulfilled for me at last.

> Greek: ἀλλʼ οὔ τι μὴ λάχωσι τοῦδε συμμάχου,
οὐδέ σφιν ἀρχῆς τῆσδε Καδμείας ποτὲ
ὄνησις ἥξει· τοῦτʼ ἐγῷδα, τῆσδέ τε
μαντεῖʼ ἀκούων συννοῶν τε τἀξ ἐμοῦ
παλαίφαθʼ ἁμοὶ Φοῖβος ἤνυσέν ποτε.

[¶177] Therefore let them send Creon to seek me—or whoever else is mighty in Thebes. For if you, strangers, with the help of the dread goddesses who reign among your district, are willing to defend me, you will obtain a great savior for this city,
and troubles for my enemies.

> Greek: πρὸς ταῦτα καὶ Κρέοντα πεμπόντων ἐμοῦ
μαστῆρα, κεἴ τις ἄλλος ἐν πόλει σθένει.
ἐὰν γὰρ ὑμεῖς, ὦ ξένοι, θέληθʼ ὁμοῦ
προστάτισι ταῖς σεμναῖσι δημούχοις θεαῖς
ἀλκὴν ποεῖσθαι, τῇδε τῇ πόλει μέγαν
σωτῆρʼ ἀρεῖσθε, τοῖς δʼ ἐμοῖς ἐχθροῖς πόνους.

[¶178] Chorus:
You are worthy of compassion, Oedipus, both you and these maidens. And since to this plea you append your power to save our land, I wish to advise you for your advantage.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἐπάξιος μέν, Οἰδίπους, κατοικτίσαι,
αὐτός τε παῖδές θʼ αἵδʼ· ἐπεὶ δὲ τῆσδε γῆς
σωτῆρα σαυτὸν τῷδʼ ἐπεμβάλλεις λόγῳ,
παραινέσαι σοι βούλομαι τὰ σύμφορα.

[¶179] Oedipus:
Dearest friends, be my patrons, and I will bring everything to completion.

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ὦ φίλταθʼ, ὡς νῦν πᾶν τελοῦντι προξένει.

[¶180] Chorus:
Then make atonement to these divinities, to whom you have come first, and on whose ground you have trespassed.

> Greek: Χορός:
θοῦ νῦν καθαρμὸν τῶνδε δαιμόνων, ἐφʼ ἃς
τὸ πρῶτον ἵκου καὶ κατέστειψας πέδον.

[¶181] Oedipus:
With what rites? Instruct me, strangers.

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
τρόποισι ποίοις; ὦ ξένοι, διδάσκετε.

[¶182] Chorus:
First, from an ever-flowing
spring bring sacred drink-offerings, borne in ritually pure hands.

> Greek: Χορός:
πρῶτον μὲν ἱερὰς ἐξ ἀειρύτου χοὰς
κρήνης ἐνεγκοῦ, διʼ ὁσίων χειρῶν θιγών.

[¶183] Oedipus:
And when I have gotten this unmixed draught?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ὅταν δὲ τοῦτο χεῦμʼ ἀκήρατον λάβω;

[¶184] Chorus:
There are bowls, the work of a skilled craftsman; crown their edges and the handles at either side.

> Greek: Χορός:
κρατῆρές εἰσιν, ἀνδρὸς εὔχειρος τέχνη,
ὧν κρᾶτʼ ἔρεψον καὶ λαβὰς ἀμφιστόμους.

[¶185] Oedipus:
With olive branches, or woollen cloths, or in what way?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
θαλλοῖσιν ἢ κρόκαισιν, ἢ ποίῳ τρόπῳ;

[¶186] Chorus:
Take the freshly-shorn wool of a ewe-lamb.

> Greek: Χορός:
οἰός γε νεαρᾶς νεοπόκῳ μαλλῷ λαβών.

[¶187] Oedipus:
Good; and then to what last rite shall I proceed?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
εἶεν· τὸ δʼ ἔνθεν ποῖ τελευτῆσαί με χρή;

[¶188] Chorus:
Pour the drink-offerings, with your face to the dawn.

> Greek: Χορός:
χοὰς χέασθαι στάντα πρὸς πρώτην ἕω.

[¶189] Oedipus:
Shall I pour them with these vessels of which you speak?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ἦ τοῖσδε κρωσσοῖς οἷς λέγεις χέω τάδε;

[¶190] Chorus:
Yes, in three streams; but the last vessel—

> Greek: Χορός:
τρισσάς γε πηγάς· τὸν τελευταῖον δʼ ὅλον.

[¶191] Oedipus:
With what shall I fill this, before I set it down? Teach me this also.

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
τοῦ τόνδε πλήσας θῶ; δίδασκε καὶ τόδε.

[¶192] Chorus:
With water and honey; but add no wine.

> Greek: Χορός:
ὕδατος, μελίσσης· μηδὲ προσφέρειν μέθυ.

[¶193] Oedipus:
And when the ground under the dark shade has drunk these?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ὅταν δὲ τούτων γῆ μελάμφυλλος τύχῃ;

[¶194] Chorus:
Three times lay on it nine branches of olive with both your hands, and meanwhile make this prayer.

> Greek: Χορός:
τρὶς ἐννέʼ αὐτῇ κλῶνας ἐξ ἀμφοῖν χεροῖν
τιθεὶς ἐλαίας τάσδʼ ἐπεύχεσθαι λιτάς.

[¶195] Oedipus:
I wish to hear this prayer; it is the most important part.

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
τούτων ἀκοῦσαι βούλομαι· μέγιστα γάρ.

[¶196] Chorus:
We call them Eumenides, so that with well-wishing power they may receive the suppliant as his saviors. Let this be your prayer, or of whoever prays for you. Speak inaudibly, and do not lift up your voice; then depart, without looking behind.

> Greek: Χορός:
ὥς σφας καλοῦμεν Εὐμενίδας, ἐξ εὐμενῶν
στέρνων δέχεσθαι τὸν ἱκέτην σωτήριον,
αἰτοῦ σύ τʼ αὐτὸς κεἴ τις ἄλλος ἀντὶ σοῦ,
ἄπυστα φωνῶν μηδὲ μηκύνων βοήν·

[¶197] If you should do this, I would be bold enough to come to your aid; but otherwise, stranger, I would fear for you.

> Greek: ἔπειτʼ ἀφέρπειν ἄστροφος. καὶ ταῦτά σοι
δράσαντι θαρσῶν ἂν παρασταίην ἐγώ·
ἄλλως δὲ δειμαίνοιμʼ ἄν, ὦ ξένʼ, ἀμφὶ σοι.

[¶198] Oedipus:
Daughters, do you hear these strangers who dwell nearby?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ὦ παῖδε, κλύετον τῶνδε προσχώρων ξένων;

[¶199] Antigone:
We have listened. Tell us what to do.

> Greek: Ἀντιγόνη:
ἠκούσαμέν τε χὤ τι δεῖ πρόστασσε δρᾶν.

[¶200] Oedipus:
I cannot make the trip; for I am disabled by lack of strength and lack of sight, twin evils. But let one of you two go and do these things. For I think that one soul suffices to pay this debt for ten thousand, if it comes with good will.

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ἐμοὶ μὲν οὐχ ὁδωτά· λείπομαι γὰρ ἐν
τῷ μὴ δύνασθαι μήδʼ ὁρᾶν, δυοῖν κακοῖν·
σφῷν δʼ ἁτέρα μολοῦσα πραξάτω τάδε.
ἀρκεῖν γὰρ οἶμαι κἀντὶ μυρίων μίαν
ψυχὴν τάδʼ ἐκτίνουσαν, ἢν εὔνους παρῇ.

[¶201] Act, then, with speed. But do not abandon me, for my body would not have the strength to move, without help or a guiding hand.

> Greek: ἀλλʼ ἐν τάχει τι πράσσετον· μόνον δέ με
μὴ λείπετʼ· οὐ γὰρ ἂν σθένοι τοὐμὸν δέμας
ἔρημον ἕρπειν οὐδʼ ὑφηγητοῦ δίχα.

[¶202] Ismene:
Then I will go to perform the rite; but where I am to find the place—this I wish to learn.

> Greek: Ἰσμήνη:
ἀλλʼ εἶμʼ ἐγὼ τελοῦσα· τὸν τόπον δʼ ἵνα
χρῆσταί μʼ ἐφευρεῖν, τοῦτο βούλομαι μαθεῖν.

[¶203] Chorus:
On the further side of this grove, stranger. And if you have need of anything, there is a guardian of the place. He will direct you.

> Greek: Χορός:
τοὐκεῖθεν ἄλσους, ὦ ξένη, τοῦδʼ· ἢν δέ του
σπάνιν τινʼ ἴσχῃς, ἔστʼ ἔποικος ὃς φράσει.

[¶204] Ismene:
Off to my task. But you, Antigone, watch our father here. In the case of parents, if we toil, we must not keep a memory of it. Ismene exits.

> Greek: Ἰσμήνη:
χωροῖμʼ ἂν ἐς τόδʼ· Ἀντιγόνη, σὺ δʼ ἐνθάδε
φύλασσε πατέρα τόνδε· τοῖς τεκοῦσι γὰρ
οὐδʼ εἰ πονεῖ τις, δεῖ πόνου μνήμην ἔχειν.

[¶205] Chorus:
Terrible it is, stranger, to arouse the old woe that has for so long been laid to rest: and yet I yearn to hear—

> Greek: Χορός:
δεινὸν μὲν τὸ πάλαι κείμενον ἤδη κακόν, ὦ ξεῖνʼ, ἐπεγείρειν·
ὅμως δʼ ἔραμαι πυθέσθαι

[¶206] Oedipus:
What now?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
τί τοῦτο;

[¶207] Chorus:
—Of that grief-filled anguish, cureless, with which you have wrestled.

> Greek: Χορός:
τᾶς δειλαίας ἀπόρου φανείσας
ἀλγηδόνος, ᾇ ξυνέστας.

[¶208] Oedipus:
By your hospitality, do not uncover the shame that I have suffered!

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
μὴ πρὸς ξενίας ἀνοίξῃς
τᾶς σᾶς ἃ πέπονθʼ ἀναιδῆ.

[¶209] Chorus:
Seeing that the tale is wide-spread and in no way weakens, I wish, friend, to hear it straight.

> Greek: Χορός:
τό τοι πολὺ καὶ μηδαμὰ λῆγον
χρῄζω, ξεῖνʼ, ὀρθὸν ἄκουσμʼ ἀκοῦσαι.

[¶210] Oedipus:
Ah me!

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ὤμοι.

[¶211] Chorus:
Grant the favor, I beg!

> Greek: Χορός:
στέρξον, ἱκετεύω.

[¶212] Oedipus:
Alas, alas!

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
φεῦ φεῦ.

[¶213] Chorus:
Grant my wish, as I have granted yours to the full.

> Greek: Χορός:
πείθου· κἀγὼ γὰρ ὅσον σὺ προσχρῄζεις.

[¶214] Oedipus:
I have suffered the greatest misery, strangers—suffered it through unintended deeds—may the god know it! No part was of my own choice.

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ἤνεγκʼ οὖν κακότατʼ, ὦ ξένοι, ἤνεγκʼ ἀέκων μέν,
θεὸς ἴστω,
τούτων δʼ αὐθαίρετον οὐδέν.

[¶215] Chorus:
But in what way?

> Greek: Χορός:
ἀλλʼ ἐς τί;

[¶216] Oedipus:
In an evil marriage, the city bound me, unknowing, to ruin.

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
κακᾷ μʼ εὐνᾷ πόλις οὐδὲν ἴδριν
γάμων ἐνέδησεν ἄτᾳ.

[¶217] Chorus:
Is it true, as I hear, that you made your mother the partner of your bed, to its infamy?

> Greek: Χορός:
ἦ ματρόθεν, ὡς ἀκούω,
δυσώνυμα λέκτρʼ ἐπλήσω;

[¶218] Oedipus:
Ah, me! These words, strangers, are like death to my ears. And those two maidens of mine—

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ὤμοι θάνατος μὲν τάδʼ ἀκούειν,
ὦ ξεῖνʼ· αὗται δὲ δύʼ ἐξ ἐμοῦ μὲν

[¶219] Chorus:
What will you say?
Oedipus:
—Two daughters—two curses—
Chorus:
O Zeus!

> Greek: Χορός:
πῶς φῄς;

[¶220] Oedipus:
—of mine, sprung from the travail of the womb that bore me too.

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
παῖδε, δύο δʼ ἄτα
Χορός:
ὦ Ζεῦ.

[¶221] Chorus:
These, then, are at once your daughters, and—
Oedipus:
—Sisters, indeed, of their father.

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ματρὸς κοινᾶς ἀπέβλαστον ὠδῖνος.

[¶222] Chorus:
Oh!

> Greek: Χορός:
σαί τʼ εἴσʼ ἄρʼ ἀπόγονοί τε καὶ

[¶223] Oedipus:
Indeed, woes untold sweep back upon my soul!

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
κοιναί γε πατρὸς ἀδελφεαί.

[¶224] Chorus:
You have suffered—

> Greek: Χορός:
ἰώ.

[¶225] Oedipus:
I have suffered woes grievous to bear.

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ἰὼ δῆτα μυρίων γʼ ἐπιστροφαὶ κακῶν.

[¶226] Chorus:
You have performed—

> Greek: Χορός:
ἔπαθες

[¶227] Oedipus:
I have not performed!

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ἔπαθον ἄλαστʼ ἔχειν.

[¶228] Chorus:
How?

> Greek: Χορός:
ἔρεξας

[¶229] Oedipus:
A gift was given to me—O, wretched that I am, if only I had never won from the city that gift for my services!

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
οὐκ ἔρεξα.
Χορός:
τί γάρ;
Οἰδίπους:
ἐδεξάμην
δῶρον, ὃ μήποτʼ ἐγὼ ταλακάρδιος
ἐπωφέλησας πόλεος ἐξελέσθαι.

[¶230] Chorus:
Cursed man! What of this? Did you commit the murder—

> Greek: Χορός:
δύστανε, τί γάρ; ἔθου φόνον

[¶231] Oedipus:
What now? What would you learn?

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
τί τοῦτο; τί δʼ ἐθέλεις μαθεῖν;

[¶232] Chorus:
—Of your father?

> Greek: Χορός:
πατρός;

[¶233] Oedipus:
Oh! oh! a second stab—wound on wound!

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
παπαῖ. δευτέραν ἔπαισας, ἐπὶ νόσῳ νόσον,

[¶234] Chorus:
You killed—

> Greek: Χορός:
ἔκανες

[¶235] Oedipus:
I killed—yet I have a plea—

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ἔκανον. ἔχει δέ μοι

[¶236] Chorus:
What can you plead?

> Greek: Χορός:
τί τοῦτο;

[¶237] Oedipus:
—A plea of justice.

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
πρὸς δίκας τι.

[¶238] Chorus:
What?

> Greek: Χορός:
τί γάρ;

[¶239] Oedipus:
I will tell you: I killed in ignorance and perished utterly. Pure before the law, without knowledge of my act, I have come to this!

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ἐγὼ φράσω.
καὶ γὰρ ἄν, οὓς ἐφόνευσʼ, ἔμʼ ἀπώλεσαν·
νόμῳ δὲ καθαρός, ἄϊδρις εἰς τόδʼ ἦλθον.

[¶240] Chorus:
Look, there comes our lord, Theseus son of Aegeus,
at the sound of your voice, to do that for which he was summoned.
Enter Theseus.

> Greek: Χορός:
καὶ μὴν ἄναξ ὅδʼ ἡμὶν Αἰγέως γόνος
Θησεὺς κατʼ ὀμφὴν σὴν ἐφʼ ἁστάλη πάρα.

[¶241] Theseus:
Through hearing from many in the past about the bloody marring of your sight, I recognized it was you, son of Laius; and now on coming here, through sight I am more fully certain.

> Greek: Θησεύς:
πολλῶν ἀκούων ἔν τε τῷ πάρος χρόνῳ
τὰς αἱματηρὰς ὀμμάτων διαφθορὰς
ἔγνωκά σʼ, ὦ παῖ Λαΐου, τανῦν θʼ ὁδοῖς
ἐν ταῖσδʼ ἀκούων μᾶλλον ἐξεπίσταμαι.

[¶242] For your clothing and that heart-rending face alike assure me that it is you. And in all compassion I ask you, ill-fated Oedipus, with what petition to the city and to me have you taken your place here, you and the poor maiden at your side. Declare it. Dire indeed must be the fortune which you tell,
for me to stand aloof from it; since I know that I myself also was reared in exile, just as you, and that in foreign lands I wrestled with perils to my life, like no other man.

> Greek: σκευή τε γάρ σε καὶ τὸ δύστηνον κάρα
δηλοῦτον ἡμῖν ὄνθʼ ὃς εἶ, καί σʼ οἰκτίσας
θέλω ʼπερέσθαι, δύσμορʼ Οἰδίπους, τίνα
πόλεως ἐπέστης προστροπὴν ἐμοῦ τʼ ἔχων,
αὐτός τε χἠ σὴ δύσμορος παραστάτις.
δίδασκε· δεινὴν γάρ τινʼ ἂν πρᾶξιν τύχοις
λέξας ὁποίας ἐξαφισταίμην ἐγώ,
ὃς οἶδα καὐτὸς ὡς ἐπαιδεύθην ξένος,
ὥσπερ σύ, χὢς εἷς πλεῖστʼ ἀνὴρ ἐπὶ ξένης
ἤθλησα κινδυνεύματʼ ἐν τὠμῷ κάρᾳ·

[¶243] Never, then, would I turn aside from a stranger, such as you are now, or refuse to help in his deliverance. For I know well that I am a man, and that my portion of tomorrow is no greater than yours.

> Greek: ὥστε ξένον γʼ ἂν οὐδένʼ ὄνθʼ, ὥσπερ σὺ νῦν,
ὑπεκτραποίμην μὴ οὐ συνεκσῴζειν· ἐπεὶ
ἔξοιδʼ ἀνὴρ ὢν χὤτι τῆς εἰς αὔριον
οὐδὲν πλέον μοι σοῦ μέτεστιν ἡμέρας.

[¶244] Oedipus:
Theseus, in a few words your nobleness has come to such a point
that I need make only a brief reply. You have said who I am, from what father I am sprung, and from what land I have come; and so nothing else remains for me but to speak my wish, and the tale is told.

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
Θησεῦ, τὸ σὸν γενναῖον ἐν σμικρῷ λόγῳ
παρῆκεν, ὥστε βραχέα μοι δεῖσθαι φράσαι.
σὺ γάρ μʼ ὅς εἰμι κἀφʼ ὅτου πατρὸς γεγὼς
καὶ γῆς ὁποίας ἦλθον, εἰρηκὼς κυρεῖς·
ὥστʼ ἐστί μοι τὸ λοιπὸν οὐδὲν ἄλλο πλὴν
εἰπεῖν ἃ χρῄζω, χὠ λόγος διοίχεται.

[¶245] Theseus:
Then inform me of this very thing, so that I may learn it.

> Greek: Θησεύς:
τοῦτʼ αὐτὸ νῦν δίδασχʼ, ὅπως ἂν ἐκμάθω.

[¶246] Oedipus:
I come to offer you my care-worn body as a gift—not one fine to look on, but the gains from it are better than beauty.

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
δώσων ἱκάνω τοὐμὸν ἄθλιον δέμας
σοὶ δῶρον, οὐ σπουδαῖον εἰς ὄψιν· τὰ δὲ
κέρδη παρʼ αὐτοῦ κρείσσονʼ ἢ μορφὴ καλή.

[¶247] Theseus:
And what gain do you claim to have brought?

> Greek: Θησεύς:
ποῖον δὲ κέρδος ἀξιοῖς ἥκειν φέρων;

[¶248] Oedipus:
Later you may learn it—but not yet.

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
χρόνῳ μάθοις ἄν, οὐχὶ τῷ παρόντι που.

[¶249] Theseus:
At what time, then, will the benefit become clear?

> Greek: Θησεύς:
ποίῳ γὰρ ἡ σὴ προσφορὰ δηλώσεται;

[¶250] Oedipus:
When I am dead, and you have given me burial.

> Greek: Οἰδίπους:
ὅταν θάνω ʼγὼ καὶ σύ μου ταφεὺς γένῃ