^ g- ^ ■^a*- 
 
 CORNELL 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 THIS BOOK IS ONE OF A 
 COLLECTION MADE BY 
 
 BENNO LOEWY 
 1854-1919 
 
 AND BEQUEATHED TO 
 CORNELL UNIVERSITY 
 
Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of tiiis book is in 
 tine Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924026676845 
 
THE 
 
 OEDIPUS tyran:n'us 
 
 OP 
 
 SX)PHOOLES. 
 
 Harvard University, 
 
 Sanders Theatre, 
 
 May //, //, AND 20, /cfcf/. 
 
 THE GEEEK DEPAETMENT. 
 
p^ll^-b-JJ 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 Tee translation is that of Professor Lewis Caufbell, 
 of the University of St. Andrews. It has been found to 
 be necessary to introduce changes in yerses 444, 624 and 
 625, and 1169 and 1170. 
 
 We are indebted for the use of the plates of the 
 Greek Text to the courtesy of Mr. Edwih Gink and 
 Mr. D. C. Heath of Boston. 
 
THE AEGUMENT. 
 
 Oedipus was the son of Laius and Jocasta, who were King and 
 Queen of Thebes. His.Jjiitfe.iad. been, forbidden, an4 big parenta^ent 
 him to be exposed on Mount flij^ieron. Bnt the. messenger .t^ok, .pity 
 on the child, and gave him to a, servant of Polybus the King of .(2rantii, 
 wb^L adopted him. 
 
 Years afterwards, Laius went on a mission to Delphi, and was met 
 by Oedipus, who had just received a dreadful oracle there, and was 
 afraid to return to Corinth. The strangers quarrelled, and Oedipus 
 slew his father. One of the attendants of Laius escaped. It was the 
 same man who had spared him when a child. Oedipus passed on and 
 came to Thebes, where the news of the death of Laius found the city 
 already in distress. The Sphinx was killing all who failed to solve 
 her riddle. But Oedipus solved it, and delivered Thebes. He was re- 
 warded with the vacant throne and with the hand of the queen, — 
 his mother Jocasta. 
 
 After another interval of several years, a pestilence falls upon the 
 city, and the oracle declares that it is for the blood of Laius. Oedipus 
 undertakes to find the murderer, and with the help of the old servant, 
 who is brought from his retreat, unveils the horror of his birth. 
 
THE 
 
 OEDIPUS TYR ANNUS. 
 
 TEXT AND TEANSLATION. 
 
OIAinOTS TTPANNOS. 
 
 TA TOY APAMATOS IIPOSniIA. 
 
 0IAII70YS. 
 
 lEPETS. 
 
 KPEQN. 
 
 XOPOS -yepdvTov O^Paiov. 
 
 TEIPBSIAS. 
 
 I0KA2TH. 
 ArrBAOS. 
 GBPAIiaN Aaiov. 
 EHArrEAOS. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 
 'O riKva, K.dSfwv rov iraXai, via rpo^ij, [Introit. 
 
 TiVa9 TToO' eSpa<; rdaSe fioi dod^ere 
 
 'iKTripioi^ KkdhoKTiv e^eaTe/ifievoi ; 
 
 TToXi'; K 6/iov /iev Ovfiia/jbdrtov yifiei,, 
 
 ofiov Be "rraidvav re koX o'Tevwyp.dTCov ■ B 
 
 aya) hiKaiwv firj irap dyyiXuv, rsKva, 
 
 aXKwv aKOveiv auro? &S' iKrfKvOa, 
 
 o iraai K\eivo<; OtSiTrof? KcCKovp.evo'i. 
 
 aW', S) jepaie, (j}pd^', iirel TrpeTrcov etf>v<; 
 
 trpo Twz/Se ^(oveiv, rivi Tpoirt^ Kadea-rarej^ lo 
 
 Beicravret fj crrep^avre^ ; ta? OekovTot av 
 
KHiTG OEDIPUS. 
 
 FESSONS BEPBESENTED. 
 
 Seevakt of Laiui. 
 
 Oedipus, Emg of Thebes. 
 JocASTA, Ais wife. 
 Cbeon, her brother. 
 Teieesias, a blind seer. - 
 Peiest of Zeus. 
 Chobus of Theban old men. 
 Messengee from Oorinth. 
 Messengee /rom within the Palace, 
 
 MHTB PEESONS. 
 
 AiTTiaoisrE, ) Youthful Daugh'tars of 
 
 IsMENE, J Oedipus. 
 
 Suppliants ; Bot, attendant onTei- 
 
 reaias ; Atteitdants on Oedipus, 
 
 Jocasta, and Creon, two to each. 
 
 SoENB. — Before the Royal Palace in Boeotian Thebes. . 
 
 Oedipus. — Peiest of Zeus. — Suppliants, 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Children, young care of Cadmus' ancient fold, 
 Why press ye so to kneel beside the gate, 
 With wool-tufts on each suppliant olive-bough. 
 Whilst o'er your city clouds of incense rise. 
 And mingled voice of paean and of wail ? 
 Not choosing, my sons, to know of this 
 By the ear from others, I myself am come, 
 Great Oedipus, of universal fame. 
 Thou, aged sir, whose look proclaims thee meet 
 To speak for these, say, what hath brought you here, 
 What terror, what desire ? Fear not but I 
 
S0*0KAE0Y2 
 
 ifiov irpoaapKelv trav • Sv(ra\yi]TO<! yap av 
 ei7}v ToiavSe fir) ov Karoucreipav eSpav. 
 
 lEPETS. 
 
 aW , (o KpwTvvtov OiZbirovi Xwpa? eptrfi, 
 
 opat fiep r]p,a<i rjXiKOi, •irpo<n)fieda 15 
 
 ficofioiai Toif aot<i, oi fiev ovSevco p.aicpav 
 
 "jTTecrOai aOevovre^, oi Be aw yripa ^apeli, 
 
 te/9?;?, eyo) /tef Zt/i/os, oi t etr tjOecau 
 
 \eKTOi ' TO S aWo (f>v\ov e^earep./ievov 
 
 ayopaiai datcei, irpo<s re UaWaSov Snr\oi9 80 
 
 vaoi<!, eir lafir/vov re fiavreia avoSat. 
 
 ttoXk yap, toairep Kavro? €i,iTopa<i, ayav 
 
 rfiri (rakevei KavaKOvtjyiaat, Kapa 
 
 ^vdmv €T ov^ oca re ^oiviov cra\ov, 
 
 ^dlvovaa fikv kcCKv^vv eyxapvoi^ j^^oj/o?, 25 
 
 <f)divovaa B' ayekaK ^ovvofioit, roKoiai re 
 
 ayovoK ywaiKwv • ev B o irvp^opo'i ffeo^ 
 
 tTKr^OM eXavvei, \oifioi e^diaro^, rroXtv, 
 
 v^ ov Kevovrai B&fia KaB/ietov jueXa? B 
 
 AiBrj^ (Trevayp,oc<i icai yooK "TrKovTi^erai,. 30 
 
 6eol<n fiev vvv ovk laovfievov <r eya) 
 
 ovB oiBe TratSe? e^otieaO €<f)e<rrioi, 
 
 avBpS)v Be irpmrov ev re av/ji^opaiv 0iov 
 
 Kpivovref ev re Baifidvmv avvaWayaK ■ 
 
 OS T e^eXvaai, aarv KaBfielov fioXiov, 35 
 
 o'KXripa'i aoiSov Baapov ov irapeiyopev * 
 
 Kai, ravff v(p r)pM>v ovoev efetoajs irXeov 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Will use all power to succour you. My heart 
 Were hard to move, were it not stirred by you. 
 
 Priest. 
 Great ruler of my country, thou behold'st 
 What diverse ages hem thine altar round ; 
 Some not yet able to fly far, and some 
 Burdened with many years, Heaven's ministers, 
 I, priest of Jove, — and these, a chosen band 
 From our fresh youth. Another troop, arrayed, 
 Like us, with fillets, crowd the market-place. 
 Others are kneeling at the twofold shrines 
 Of Pallas, and Ismenus' prophet-fire : — 
 Because our land, as thou perceiv'st, is tossed 
 Exceedingly, and cannot lift, her head 
 From fierce engulfing by a murderous sea. 
 Earth's_buds_are wasted, and the grazingJierds. 
 Pine, and our wome n havfi... nflt-st3;eag& to bear, 
 While fiery Pestilence, detested power, 
 Is fallen upoii our city in his might. 
 Emptying the house of Cadmus, and dark^Death, 
 Hath full fruition of laments .and-groane. 
 We therefore and these children at thy hearth, 
 Not likening thee unto the gods, are set. 
 But holding_thee of men pre-eminent 
 I In human fortunes, and affairs divine; ' 
 Who, in thy coming to this Theban town. 
 Didst free us from the tribute we had paid 
 To that harsh songstress, nought advantag&d 
 By aught we had to teU thee, or could teach, 
 
OIAinOYS TYPANNOS. 
 
 ovh eKSiBay(0£i<i, aWa irpoadr)Kr) 6eov 
 Xeyei vojju^ei 6 t]/j,i,v opOuiaai ^iov • 
 
 VVV T , W KpuTlCTTOV TTaatV OlZlTTOV KUpO, 40 
 
 iKeTevofiev ae TrovTe? oiSe irpoa-Tpotroi 
 
 aXKrfl) riv evpelv rifiiv, ene rov deav 
 
 ^Tjfi7]v aKOvaa<s etr air avhpot olcT0d irov • 
 
 ft)? Tolaiv €/j.Treipoiai Kai ra? ^vp.<^opa<s 
 
 ^(oaa<i 6pS> fiaXiara t&v ^ovXevfidrcov. 45 
 
 10 , (o 0poTa>v apiar , avopBmaov iroKiv • 
 
 i6 , evXa^rjOrjd ■ w? ae vvv p,\v ijBe y!] 
 
 acoTTjpa KXtj^ei t^? Trapo^ ■7rpo6vfiia<; • 
 
 apXV^ Se T^? ffrj? fvqZap.Si'i pLefivafieQa 
 
 aravrev t e? opdov Kai •ne(T0VTe<i vtrrepov, BO 
 
 aXK aa<j>a\eia ttji/S avopdcoaov •noKiv. 
 
 opviOl yap Kai Tiji/ TOT aicna tv^t^v 
 
 irapi<T')(e<i rj/MV, Kai tavvv luo^ jevov. 
 
 0)9 enrep ap^ei<; T^trSe yrjt;, wa-irep KpuTei^, 
 
 ^vv uvhpaaiv KaWiov rj Kevfj'i tcparelv • 55 
 
 <B? ovBev eaTiv ovre Trvpyot ovt€ t/ovs 
 
 ep7)fw<i avhpS)v firj ^vvoiKOvvrcov earn. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 
 «u Tratoe? oiKTpoi, yvcora kovk ayvasra fioi 
 
 irpoarfKoeu ip,eipovTet;. ev yap oio on 
 
 vocrene iravTet, xai voirovvTe'i, mi eym a) 
 
 ovK ecTTiv vfiwv otTTt? €^ icTov voaei. 
 
 TO fiev yap vp,S>v aXyoi et? ei* ep^erai 
 
 fiovov Kau aurov, Kovoev aXXov, r) o ep,7j 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 But by the aid of some supernal mind 
 
 'Tis thought and said thou didst restore our life. 
 
 Now, then, Oedipus of mighty fame, 
 
 We turn our suppliant faces unto thee. 
 
 Together praying thee to find for us 
 
 Some succour, if thou knowest, "whether from man. 
 
 Or whispered to thee by some voice from Heaven. 
 
 Experienced counsel, we have seen and found. 
 
 Hath ever prosperous issue. Thou, then, come, 
 
 Noblest of mortals, give our city rest 
 
 From trouble ; come, take thought, for_to this hour 
 
 All here proclaim _thee_for,jiby.fo.E,ffi,§r zeal 
 
 Their saviour. Let us not remember thee •' 
 
 As having risen underneath thy sway 
 
 To fair prosperity, and after fallen : 
 
 But be thy restoration without fail. 
 
 Be now, as then, auspicious in thine aid. 
 
 'Tis better for the sovereign of a land 
 
 To rule a people than a wilderness. 
 
 For what availeth ship, or fenced wall, 
 
 Untenanted of living men within ? 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Alas, my children ! Not unknoiA^n to me 
 Is the sad quest on which ye come. I know 
 Ye all are suffering. Yet not one of you 
 Can equal his calamity to mine. 
 Yours is the simple grief that visiteth 
 One single bosom. But mv burdened soul 
 
20*0KAE0YS 
 
 V'l'X^ ttoXh/ t€ Kajie kui a ofiov arevei. 
 
 ftWT ovx virvtd <y evhovra fi e^eyeipere, 65 
 
 aW icrre TroWa /tev /te BaKpvaavra Stj, 
 
 "TToWa? S oSovt eXOovTU <f>povTiBo<i irXavoK, 
 
 rjv B^ ev aKoiraiv evpiiTKOv lacriv fiovrjv, 
 
 TavTTjv eirpa^a • iralSa yap MevoiKeco<! 
 
 KpeovT , efiavTov yafi^pov, 6? ra JJvdiKa 70 
 
 €7r€fi-\jra ^oi^ov StofiaO , o)9 irvSoid o Tt 
 
 Bpap r] Ti <f>ci)va)v TrjvSe pvaai/j.r]v iroKiv. 
 
 Kai fi ^fiap r/ST) ^vfifierpov/xevov ■)(pov^ 
 
 \vTTei Tt Trpaaaei • rov yap eiKOTO<; irepa 
 
 aireari vXela rov Ka6r]KOvro<; y^povov. 75 
 
 orav S iKTfTai, TTjviKavT eyta icaKoi 
 
 fiT] hpwv av ei7)v iravO oa av hrfKoi, Oeoi. 
 
 lEPETS. 
 aW €t? Ka\ov av r fnra<! oioe t apTiu^ 
 Kpeovra TrpoaaTef^ovTa ar)fiaivovai fioi, 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 (ova^ AttoWov, et yap ev Tuy^r) ye ra 80 
 
 carrjpi ^atr) \afnrpo<s axjirep ofi/iaTt. 
 
 lEPETS. 
 aW eiKaaat fj,ev, rjBvv ' ov yap av xapa 
 iro\v(TTe<f)r](i wS' eipire irayKapvov Ba^vrj';, 
 
 oiAinors. 
 Ttij^' elaofieada • ^vfi/ieTpo<s yap ms K\veiv. 
 ava^, efiov KrtZevfia, Trot Mei/otKem?, 85 
 
 riv rj/itv {jxeK Tov 6eov <prifj,r]v (peptov ; 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Mourns for myself, my citizens, and thee. 
 
 And now ye rouse me not from the soft bed 
 
 Of slumber, but full many have been my tears, 
 
 Many the paths my voyaging thought hath tried. 
 
 Yetj^ searching every way, one_only cure 
 
 I_have found, and put to proof, by sending Oreon, 
 
 Menoeceus' son, th e brother-o f-my j^ueen, 
 
 To learn within Apollo's Pythian hall 
 
 What word or deed of mine may save this city. 
 
 And now as I compute the time, I am pained 
 
 To know his speed. The day for his return 
 
 Is more than come. He should be here ere now. 
 
 But when he shall arrive, base then were I 
 
 To fajLin aught of all the god .may show. 
 
 Peiest. 
 Even now these young ones tell me he draws near, 
 In happy time to erown thy gracious word; 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Apollo ! may his coming be as blest 
 With saving fortune as his looks are bright ! 
 
 Peiest. 
 Sure he comes joyfuUy, else had he ne'er 
 Worn that fuU garland of thick-berried bay. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 We have not long to doubt. He can hear now. — 
 Son of Menoeceus, brother of my queen, 
 What answer from ApoUo dost thou bring ? 
 
OIAinOYS TYPANNOS. 
 
 KPEiJN. 
 eadXrfv • Xeya) yap koi ra Sua<f>op , ei rv^ot llntroit. 
 KUT opdof e^e\6ovTa, iravr av evTv^elv, 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 eartv Be iroiov tovitoi: ; ovts f^ap dpacv^ 
 OVT ovv •irpoBeiaa<; et/itt tm "ye vvv Xoyqi, 90 
 
 KPEON. 
 ei Tu>vSe 'Xpxi^eK irKTiaia^ovrav kKvhv, 
 eroi/iov enrelv, etre km erT€i'x,eii> etrco. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 e? TTai/TO? avSa, rwvBe yap irXeov (ftepca 
 TO 7revOo<s 1) Kat rrji efir]^ '^"X'^' vepi. 
 
 KPEOX. 
 Xeyoi/i av 06 rjKova-a lov deov irdpa. 95 
 
 aveoyev Tjfia^ ^ol^ov e^^araiv ava^ 
 fiiaofia ■)(u)pa<!, ru? redpafifieiiov jdBovi 
 ev rrjB , eXavveiv, firjB avT^xea-Tov rpit^eiv. 
 
 oiAinorz. 
 TTOto) Kadapfim ; tk 6 TjOotto? t^? ^vfjL<f>opa.<! ; 
 
 KPEON. 
 afop?;XaToi5i'Ta?, jj i^ovtp ^ovov •jraXiv lot 
 
 Xuoi/Ta?, «B? ToS ot/iffl j(eiixd^ov ttoXiv. 
 
 oiAinor2. 
 
 irolov yap avBpo<! rrjvBe fj,7jvvei ri')(i}v ; 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Oeeon. 
 
 [Enters at the spectator^ left, coming from Delphi.] 
 Good : for my message is, t]\at even..our woes, 
 Borne right unto their issnej shall be well. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 What saith the oracle ? Thy words so far 
 Hearten me not, nor hasten me to fear. 
 
 Ceepn. 
 Say, must I speak where these are standing by, 
 Or go within ? I am ready either way. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Let it be heard by all. My heart is sore, 
 Not for myself, but for the souls I see. 
 
 Oreoit. 
 My lips shall utter what the god hath said. 
 Sovereign Apollo clear]j_bidsji8_driye 
 Forth of our country an accursed thing 
 (For such is fostered in this land, and stains 
 Our clime), and not to cherish it past cure, 
 
 Oedipus. 
 !By, whaJi-piu:ga±iQnj3ljdiat dire mishap ? 
 
 Oreon. 
 Bj;_exile, or atoning jalood- wit h -b lood. 
 ThigLjaHj:d§r is the storm that shak55„our_state. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Of what man doth he intimate the fall ? 
 
S0*OKAE0YS 
 
 KPEQJT. 
 rjV Tjfiiv, (ova^, Aaioi irou r]ye/JiO)v 
 <y^s rrjaSe, irpiv <re ttjvS avevQvveiv iroKiv, 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 efoto aKovav ov yap eiaetoov ye irco. 105 
 
 KPEQN. 
 TOWTOU 6avovTo<; vvv eirLiTTeWei aa^w^ 
 Tons avToevTai X,^ipt Tifitopelv rtva^. 
 
 oiAinorz. 
 
 ol 8' eto-l TToC y^? ; irov to'S evpeOriaeTai 
 tp^i/o? TraXota? SvareK/iapTov airiat ; 
 
 KPEOJiT. 
 €1/ T^S e<paaKe yrj, ro Be ^rjTovfievov no 
 
 oXwTo'v, ixtfievyei, Se rdfJsKovfievov. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 voTepa B ev oi/coi<;, 77 v aypoi<s Aaioi, 
 rj yqi; eV a\\r]<! TmSe crvfiiriTTTei ipovat ; 
 
 KPEON. 
 6e<opo<;, w? e^acTKev, eKBtjfiwv, nraKiv 
 •jrpots ouKOV ovKed iiced , tus aTreffToXij. 115 
 
 OTAinOTS. 
 ovB ayye\o<s tk ovBe ffVfjLTrpaKTtop oBov 
 KuretBev, ov tk eKiiaOtov eT^jOrjo-ar av ; 
 
king oedipus. 
 
 Ceeon. 
 My gracious lord, before tliy fortunate reign, 
 King LaTus was the leader of our land. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 I know him by report. I never saw him. 
 
 Ceeon. 
 The god cpBomandetii us to punish home 
 Thejmdeigcifid. authors ^hig._death. 
 
 Oedipus.. 
 But they, where are they ? where shall now be seen 
 The faded impress of this ancient guilt ? 
 
 Oeeon. 
 Hejaith,JasJjaE^»;^d:. And what is sought 
 Is found, while things uncared for glide away. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 But where did Lalus meet this violence ? 
 At home, abroad, or in some foreign land ? 
 
 Oeeoit. 
 He left us, as he said, to visit Delphi ; 
 But nevermore returned since he set forth. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 And was there none, no feUow-traveller, 
 To see, and tell the tale, and help our search ? 
 
OIAinOYS TYPANNOS. 
 
 KPEON. 
 6vr]<TK0vai yap, v\t]V et? t(s, o? <f>o0q> (jivycov 
 cov etoe ttmiv ev ovoev 6tp^ eioco^ (ppaaai, 
 
 oiAinors. 
 TO TTolov ; ev yap iroW' av e^evpoi fiaOelv, 120 
 
 dpxw ^pw^eiav et Xafioifiev e\TriBo<s, 
 
 KPEfiN. 
 XijffTa? e<f)a(rKe avinvyovTai; ov fiia 
 pd/jLTj KTavelv viv, aWa aw nXrjOei ^epmv, 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 TTw? ovv 6 \j;oT7j9, e? ri fir) ^vv apyvpm 
 eirpdaaer evdevS', I? to'S" av toX/jlt]'; e^ij ; vt& 
 
 KPEON. 
 SoKovvTa ravT ^v • Aatov S' o\q)Xoto? 
 ovhei<i apcayo<; ev KaKoi<; eytyvero. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 KUKOv Se TTOtoi' efiiroScov rvpavviSo^ 
 ovTco TreaovaTjv eipye tovt e^eiBevai; 
 
 KPEON. 
 t] iroiKt\a>So<s Il<j)ly^ to Trpo? Troo-t cr/eoTreti/ lao 
 
 fiedevTa^ T]fiav ra^avrj irpoa-rffero, 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 aXK e^ mrapj^rji! av6t^ avT eya (jtavoo. 
 eTToftft)? yap $ot/So?, a^t'to; Se cru 
 7r/jo9 ToO 6avovTO<; tijcS edeaff eiTKnpo^riv • 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Cbeon. 
 No, they were slain : save one. wbd-fladinJear, 
 And only had one certain thing to tell, 
 
 Oedipus. 
 What was that thing ? A little door of hope 
 Once opened, may discover much to view. 
 
 Creon. 
 A random troop of robbers, so 'twas told. 
 Destroyed him, not with one, but many a hand. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 How could the robber to such, boldness rise. 
 Were not his crime suborned with Theban a;old?K>V-a"' 
 
 Ceeon. 
 We thought of that. But LaYus being dead, 
 No helper found us in our miseries. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 What misery, when majesty was fallen, 
 Could hold you back from searching to the end? 
 
 Ceeon. 
 A present trouble had engrossed our care. 
 The riddling Sphinx compelled us to attend 
 Her song, and not to think of things unseen. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 But I wiU track this evil to the spring 
 And force it out to light. Full worthily 
 Doth great Apollo, worthily dost thou 
 Direct this sudden effort for the dead. 
 
SO*OKAEOYS 
 
 mar evSiKtov oyjreade Kafie avfifia'^ov, 135 
 
 yy TTJSe TifKopovvra rm 6em & a/ia. 
 
 wep yap oii^i r&v avcoTepa) ^iXcov, 
 
 aW avTOi avTov, tout uTroaKeSoi fivaov, 
 
 oarK yap rjv eKeivov o KravcDV ra'^ av 
 
 Kafi av TOiavTT) X^t/st rificopelv 6e\oi, 140 
 
 Keivm irpoaapicmv ovv efiavrov axpeXai. 
 
 aW (»? ra^iara, iralSe<!, vfieK p-ev ^adpcav 
 
 KTraade, Tovah apavTe<i iicrrjpa^ KXahov;, 
 
 aWoi! Be KaSp,ov Xaov aB adpoi^era, 
 
 <B? vav efiov Bpaaovroi. 7] yap evrvy^ei^ 145 
 
 <rvv Tot dea> ^avovfied , r) ireTrTcoKOTei. 
 
 [Exeunt (Edifus et Creon. 
 IBPETS. 
 ft) TratSe?, larcop^aOa. TmvBe yap 'XP^piv 
 Kai Sevp e^7]fi€v av oB e^ayyeWerat, 
 ^oi^ov 8 o Tre/xi/ra? rdaBe fiavreiai} afia 
 
 ffMTTjp ff IkOLTO Koi v6<T0V TTaVaTTipiO'S. 150 
 
 [Exeunt supplices. 
 XOPOS. 
 «rTp. d. 
 
 (I) ^(0? dBveTre<i ^art, XK itots ras iroXv^pxxrov [Introit. 
 TIv6mvo<i dy\aa<; e^a<s 
 
 @rj^a<i ; eKTerafiai, <f>o^egav <ppeva BeifiaTi "jraXKav, 
 (7}(.e ^aXce Uaiav, 
 
 afiipi' aot d^o/ievov, ti fioi rj veov tf irepiTeXXofievai'; 
 
 mpaK vaXiv 155 
 e^avvffSK xpeos* eiire p,oi, w p^uffea? tskvov 'EXtt/So?, a/i- 
 
 ^pore ^dfjia. 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 And ye shall see me justly your ally, 
 Aiding the cause of Phoebus and the land : 
 For I, in scattering this, ofiencey will serve 
 !No far-off friend, but mine own self no less : 
 Jhe man who murdered Latus may^^liaQse 
 To^make me tooJhe_v|stim,of iis-3;age : 
 So then, in shielding his affairs from wrong, 
 I vindicate myself. Now, children, rise 
 From yonder steps, and lift your suppliant boughs. 
 And let some other summon hitherwards 
 All Oadmus' people, and assure them, I 
 WiU answer every need. This day shall see us 
 Blest with glad fortune through God's help, or fallen. 
 
 [Oedipus and Ckeon go within. 
 
 Priest. 
 Eise then, my children. Even for this we came 
 Which of his own accord he promiseth : 
 Only may Phoebus, who hath sent this word, 
 Both saving health and sure relief afford. 
 
 [Peiesi and Scppliaitis retire to the Oity. 
 
 Chorus^ 
 
 [Untirs at the spectators' right, from the (My.'\ 
 1.1. 
 Kind voice of heaven, soft-breathing from the height 
 Of Pytho rich in gold to Theb& bright. 
 
 What wilt thou bring to-day? 
 
 Ah, Delian Paean, say ! 
 My heart hangs on thy word with trembling awe : 
 What new-given law. 
 
 Or what returning in Time's circling round 
 Wilt thou unfold ? Tell us, immortal sound, 
 Daughter of golden Hope, we pray, we pray I 
 
OIAinOYS TYPANNOS. 
 &VT. d. 
 
 irpSaTo. <re KexXd/jLevois, Ovyajep Aiof, afi^por AOava, 
 yaiao'^ov t aSeXtfieav 160 
 
 Aprefiiv, a kvkKobvt ayogaf dpovov evxXea 6aa<rei, 
 Kol ^ol^ov eKa^oikov, to), 
 
 rpiaaoi aXe^ifiopoi 7rpo(f)av7]Te /moi, Sif ttots Kat frpo- 
 
 repa<i arai inrep 
 opvvfieva^ TroXei r]vvaar eKTOiriav <l)\oya irij/iaros, ekOere 
 
 Koi VVV. 165 
 OTp. p'. 
 
 w TTOTToi, avapifffia yap ^epm 
 inifiaTa • voaei Be fwt Ttpovai 
 <TTo\o?, ovh evi (^povriZo<; eyxp<} 170 
 
 ft) Tt? aXe^erai' ovre yap eKyova 
 kXittos ■)(6ovo<i av^erat, ome tokoioiv 
 ir)i(ov Kafjidraiv avej^ovai yvvaiKei • 
 
 aXXov 8 av aXKtp irpoa-lSoii;, airep emrrepov opvai 175 
 
 Kpeiaaov a/iaifiaKerov wpo'i op/ievov 
 aKTav irpo<; eavepov Oeov • 
 
 AvT. P'. 
 
 tav TToXt? avapid/io^ oXXurai • 
 vrjXea Se yevedXa wpov ireBm 180 
 
 davara^opa xelrai avoucrw^ • 
 
 ev S' aXoj^oi iroXiai t ewt fiarepei 
 aKTav irapa ^co/jbiov aXXo6ev aXXai 185 
 
 Xvypav vovwv i/rrijpe? eiti<neva')(pv<nv. 
 Traiav Be XdfiTret <TTOVo£<rcrd re yrjpvi ofiavXo^ ' 
 cov virep, w 'xpvaea Ovyarep Ai,oi, 
 evuyira irefi'^ov aXicap • 
 
KINO OEDIPUS 
 
 1.2. 
 
 First, ctild of Jove, Pallas, to thee appealing, 
 
 Then to sweet Artemis, thy sister, kneeling. 
 Who guardeth our fair land 
 With blessing from her hand. 
 
 Throned o'er the circling mart that hears her praise, 
 
 And thou, whose rays 
 
 Pierce evils from afar, ho ! come and save, 
 
 Ye mighty three ! if e'er before ye drave 
 The threatening fires of woe from ThebS, come to-day 1 
 
 ILL 
 
 For ah ! the griefs I bear 
 
 Are endless ; all I have is out of gear. 
 
 And not a weapon near 
 
 To fray this hated pest from hearth or hall. 
 
 Earth's blossoms blasted fall : 
 
 Nor can our women rise 
 
 From childbed after pangs and cries ; 
 
 But flocking more and more 
 
 Unto the western shore, 
 
 Soul after soul is seen to wing her flight, 
 Swifter than quenchless flame, to the far realm of Night. 
 
 IL2. 
 
 So countless deaths abound. 
 
 My city's sons unpitied lie around 
 
 O'er this plague-cumbered ground. 
 
 And wives, and matrons old, on every hand, 
 
 Along the altar-strand. 
 
 Groaning in saddest grief. 
 
 Pour supplication for relief. 
 
 Loud hymns are sounding clear ; 
 
 And loud lament, as near. 
 
 Then, golden daughter of the heavenly sire, 
 
 Send fair-eyed succour to subdue this fire. 
 
20*0KAE0Y2 
 trrp, •{• 
 
 Apea re rov /laXepov, o? vvv a')(a\KO<; aairiZmv 190 
 
 <f>Kfy€t. fie Trepi^oaro'! avria^oav,- 
 TraXiaavTov Bpa/J,r]fj,a vcoriaai irarpa^ 
 airovpov, etr e<s fieyav doKafiov Afi.i^irpnwi, 195 
 
 eiiT 6? rov airo^evov opfiov QpyKiov KXvBoopa * 
 TeXet yap et Tt vv^ aiprj, tout err i]fiap ep^erai * 
 Tov, 0} rav irvp^opcov aa-rpairav Kparr] ve/icov, 200 
 
 CO Ziev iraTep, inro era cpaiaov Kepavvco. 
 
 dvT. ■/. 
 
 AvKei ava^, ra re aa 'x^pvOoarpo^mv air ^ayKvXav 
 jSeXea deKoip. av aBa/iar evSareiadai 205 
 
 apmya TTpoaraxOevTa, rav re irvp^opovs 
 ApTefuSo<i a(,y\a<i, ^vv at? ylvKi oprj Siacro'ei ■ [Intrnit (Ed. 
 
 rov y^pvaofiirpav re ki,k\7]<tk(o toctS eTrwvvp.ov ya<;, 210 
 oivaira BdK')(pv eviov, MaivaZayv ofioaroXov 
 irekaaOrjvai ^Xeyovr a/y\aa)7rt avp.p.aj^pv 
 irevKa m rov aTrorifiov ev Oeolv 6eov. 216 
 
 oiAinoTS. 
 
 aireL<! • a o atrew, rap, eav oeMj's eirij 
 
 kKvcov Se'x^eaOai ry voaa 6 virripeTelv, 
 
 a\Kr)v Xa^oi's av KavaKOv^Lcriv KaKwv • 
 
 dyeo ^evo^ p,ev rov \oyov rovB e^epS), 
 
 ^evo<i Se rov Trpay(6£vro';. ov yap av fiUKpav 220 
 
 tj(yevov avrov, ovk ej(a>v ri avfi^oXov. 
 
 vvv 8 , vtrrepo'i yap aaro<i et? aarov^ rekS), 
 
 v/ilv rrpo^wvSi rracri KaBp-eioii raSe' 
 
 SaTK rro& v/iiov Aa'Cov toj/ Aa^BaKov 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 III. 1. 
 And swiftly speed afar, 
 Windborne on backward car, 
 This shieldless War-god witb. loud onset sweeping. 
 To oarless Thracian tide, 
 Or ocean chambers wide. 
 Where AmphitritS lone her couch is keepiug. 
 Day ruins what night spares ; thou whose hand 
 Wields lightning, blast him with thy thundering brand. 
 
 III. 2. 
 Shower from the golden string 
 Thine arrows, Lycian King ! 
 Phoebe, let thy fiery lances fly 
 
 Resistless, as they rove [Oedipds enten. 
 
 Through Xanthus' mountain grove ! 
 Theban Bacchus of the lustrous eye, 
 With crown and torch and wavering Maenad throng 
 Blaze on the god disowned the gods among. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Yea, ye shall find, according to your prayer, 
 Help and relief, if ye will heed my voice, 
 And answer the requirement of the plague. 
 Receive the word I give you, though a stranger 
 Both to the story and the deed. Not far 
 Could I have traced it, having naught by me 
 Rrtaining to the matter. But to-day, 
 A citizen, though last upon the roll, 
 To all of you Cadmeians I speak this : 
 Whoe'er among you knows the murdere:^ 
 
OIAinOYS TYPANNOS. 
 
 KaroiBev ai/Spo? e/c Twoi BiaXero, sss 
 
 TovTov KeXeva iravra afj/j.aivetv efiot • 
 
 K*t /ttei; ^o^elTai, TovTrtKXTj/j, vwe^eXcov 
 
 avTOt itaff axiTox) . Treia-eTai yap a,Wo fiev 
 
 d(7Tep<ye<; oiiSe'v, <yrj<s S" aireiaiv da(^aXrj<i • 
 
 et S av Tt9 aWov oiSev e^ a\\7)<! y(6opo<i 230 
 
 Tov auTO)^€tpa, /jlt) <riMiraT(o • to yap 
 
 KepBoi TeXu) yco j(ri y(^api<i TrpocrKeiaeTat, 
 
 ei 8 av auoirrjo'eade, icai tk rj ^i\ov 
 
 Beiaw; aTTojaei touttos tj j(avTov roSe, 
 
 OK Ta>vSe Bpaaco, ravra ■^p^ Kkveiv e/wv. 235 
 
 TOV avBp aTravBS) tovtov, outk ecrTi, yrji 
 
 rrjtrS, ^9 eyto xpaTTj re Kal 6p6vov<s ve/io), 
 
 firjT eaBej(ecr6at firjTe Trpoatjjoaveiv Tiva, 
 
 fiTjT ev 6ea)V evyaiai fJ-riTe 6vp.aaw 
 
 Koivov 7roiela6ai, /ATjre j^epw/So? vefieiv • 240 
 
 uOeiv S* OTT oiKo)v iravraf;, w? fiiaa iw.ro<i 
 
 TOvS rjfliv OJ'TO?, 0)9 TO UvdlKOV OsOV 
 
 liavTsiov e^etfyrfvev apTiw<; efioi. 
 
 eya fiev ovv ToioerBe Ta> re Baifiovi 
 
 TO) T avBpi Tw QavovTi avfi/ia')(p^ ireXm ' S45 
 
 «OTej;;)^o/tiat Be top BeBpaxoT , etre Tt9 
 
 et9 (OP XeXijQev eire irXeiopcDV fisTa, 
 
 KUKOV KaKox; viv afwpop eierp'v<^ai ^tov. 
 
 €Tr6V')(0fiat B , oiiKounv ei f wwetrTto? 
 
 ev T049 e/iocv yevoiT efiov (TweiBoTOf, 250 
 
 iradelv a/irep Tolcro apTiwi ^paaafirjv. 
 
 vfuv Be TauTa travT eTriaKiprro) TeXelv, 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Of LaYus tlie son of Labdacua, 
 
 I bid him sbow the thing in full to me. 
 
 Himself, if he have any fear, withdrawing 
 
 The guilt on his own head ; — he shall be vexed 
 
 No further, but go safely from the land. 
 
 Or if another from a foreign soil 
 
 Be known by any to have done this wrong,, 
 
 Let him break silence. He shall have from me 
 
 Eeward and lasting gratitude beside. 
 
 But if ye keep it close, and one refuse 
 
 To utter this, as fearing for a friend 
 
 Or for himself, then hear my final word. 
 
 I now forbid that man, whoe'er he be, 
 
 Throughout this land where I hold power and sway, 
 
 To be received or spoken with, or share 
 
 In vow or sacrifice or lustral rite : 
 
 But all shall drive him from their doors, for he 
 
 Is our pollution, as the Pythian shrine 
 
 Oracular hath late to me revealed. 
 
 So firm is mine alliance to the God 
 
 And your dead sovereign in this holy war. 
 
 Now on the murderer, whether he lurk 
 
 In lonely guilt, or have accomplices, 
 
 I syllable this/cursei li.eyiig.£j:»shed life 
 
 Wither-forlorn miapalesa-Baie^pyr 
 
 And, I pray heaven, should he or they he-hauaed 
 
 "WitCmlne own knOTdedge^in myLhome, ihatl 
 
 May suffer wha t I imprecate on jhgm. 
 
 On all_^of you fla y this charge , to give 
 
SO*OKAEOYS 
 
 mrep t e/iavrov, tov deov re, rrjaSe re' 
 
 yrji wS" aKapTTcoi} Kadem^ e(f)dapfji,evi]i. 
 
 ovo ft yap rjv to "Trpay/jta /jltj OeriKarov, 255 
 
 aicaOapTov vfiat eiKO? r]v outoj? eav, 
 
 avSpov y apiarov ^aaiXeco^ r oXeokdro?, 
 
 aW e^epevvav • vvv o eirei Kvpio y eyat 
 
 ej^mv /iei/ ap')(a<s, a<s e/eetvos elj^e Tr^a/i', 
 
 ej((ov he Xeierpa km yvva2j(^ ofMoairopov, 260 
 
 Koivcov T6 iraihcov kolv av, ei Keivm yevo^ 
 
 fir\ hvcnvxTfaev, rjv av eKirecftVKOTa, 
 
 vvv S e? TO Keivov Kpar hn)\aff rj rv^r]' 
 
 dv6 (av eya> raB , affirepei Tovfiov irarpo^, 
 
 tnrepfiwxpvfiai, kutti iravr acjit^ofiai, 265 
 
 ^rjTcov TOV avToy(eipa tov (povov \a^eiv 
 
 rm Aa^SaKeia iraiZi, HoXvhmpov re Koi 
 
 TOV irpoaOe KaBfiov tov iraXai t AyT\vopo^' 
 
 Kat Tavra rot? /I'q Bpaxriv ev)(p/jLai, 6eovi 
 
 firjT^ apoTov avTol<; yrj^ avievai Tiva 270 
 
 fiTyr ovv yvvaiKwv TralZa<s, aXKa too TroTfiat 
 
 TO) vvv ^Oepeurdai kuti touS" ey(6iovi, • 
 
 vfilv Be Toi? aXXoicrt, KaSfieiOK, 6<rot9 
 
 Tab ear apeiTKovo , i} ts avfiiiaj(p<i ^iktj 
 
 j(pi TravTe<} ev ^vvelev eiaael Qeol. 278 
 
 XOPOS. 
 mairep p. apaiov eXape<i, wo , ava^, epoa. 
 OVT eKTavov yap ovre tov ktuvovt eym 
 Bel^ai, TO Be ^rjTTjfui tov nrepr^avTo'i ^u 
 ^oii^ov ToB etirelv, o<tti<} eipyaaTul TroTe. 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Free course unto my words, for my behoof 
 
 And for the god, and for our land, that lies 
 
 A fruitless wilderness unblest of Heaven. 
 
 Sure, had this business not been thus enjoined 
 
 By oracle divine, it were not meet 
 
 Ye left pollution thus uncleansed, when one, 
 
 Your noblest and your sovereign, had been slain. 
 
 Even then you should have tracked it out. And now, 
 
 Since I am vested with his power, and share 
 
 His rights in the embraces of the queen, 
 
 And we had owned beside the further tie 
 
 Of common issue, had his seed been blest — 
 
 But Heaven was envious to him and his — 
 
 I, as contending for my own, true sire, 
 
 Will do mine utmost, leaving nought untried, 
 
 To bring to light the author of the death 
 
 Of Laitus the son of Labdacus, 
 
 Of Polydorus, and of Oadmus old. 
 
 And wise Agenor of the eldest time. 
 
 Lastly, to aU who disobey in this. 
 
 May Heaven refuse the produce of the ground 
 
 And offspring from their wives, and may they pine 
 
 In such a plague as this, or yet more hateful. 
 
 But for the rest of you Cadmeian men. 
 
 Who love mine ordinance, may righteousness, 
 
 Strong to defend, and all the gods for aye 
 
 Watch over you for blessing in your land. 
 
 Chorus. 
 
 Under the shadow of thy curse, my lord, 
 I will speak. I slew him not, nor can I show 
 The slayer. Phoebus, who hath given the word, 
 Should name the guilty. 
 
OIAinOYS TYPANNOS. 
 
 oiAinors. 
 
 Sitcai eXe^as • aXfC dvajKaa-ai 6eov<i 280 
 
 av fii) aeKaxnv ovb av et? bvvan avrjp. 
 
 XOPOS. 
 Ta Sevrep eic tS>vS av Xeyocfj, dfwt SoKet, 
 
 oiAinors. 
 
 el KOI rpiT €<TTi, fiT] 7raprj<{ to p.r) ov (f)pa(rM. 
 
 XOPOS. 
 aPOKT avaKTi ravO opwvr eTricrrafiai 
 fiaXia-Ta ^ol^at Teipeciav, trap ov tk av 285 
 
 VKO-trwv TaS , oiva^, exfiaOoi aa<f>ecrTaTa. 
 
 oiAinors. 
 
 aW ovK ev apyoii ovBe tout eirpa^dp/tjv. 
 eTre/tii^a yap KpeovTo<! enrovTO^ Snr\ov<! 
 TTO/LtTTovs • irdXat Be fir) irapwv Oavfia^erai. 
 
 XOPOS. 
 Kat firjv Ta y dkXa Kw^a Kai iraXai emj. 290 
 
 OiAinors. 
 Ta TToia TavTa ; iravTa yap (tkottS) \oyov. 
 
 XOPOS. 
 6avelv eXi'x^dr) irpo<s Tivmv oSoivopav. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 T/Kovaa Kayw tov o ioovt ovosk opa. 
 
king oedipus. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 
 Thy demand is. just, 
 But man may not compel the sons of Heaven. 
 
 Chorus. 
 I see a second course, and would suggest it. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Were it a third, stint not to speak it forth. 
 
 Choeus. 
 I know of one alone, who, being a king, 
 Sees with King Phoebus eye to eye, Teiresias. 
 From him, my lord, we might have certain rede. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 ^ That doth not count amongst my deeds undone. 
 By Creon's counsel I have sent twice o'er 
 To fetch him, and I muse at his delay. 
 
 Choeus. 
 The rumour that remains is old and dim. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 What rumour ? Let no tale be left unheard. 
 
 Choeus. 
 'Twas said he perished by some wandering band. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 But the one witness is removed from ken. 
 
20*0KAE0YS 
 XOPOS. 
 
 ra<! cat aKovmv ov fievei roiaaS apa<i. 295 
 
 oiAinors. 
 
 m fXT\ 'aTi SpcivTi Tcip^o^, oiiS eiro<s <j>o^e2. 
 
 XOPOS. 
 aW ov^eKe<y^(ov avrov eartv • oiSe yap 
 rov ueiov rjorj /xavTiv ao ayovaiv, a> 
 ToXrjde^ €fj/ire(f)vicev avOpaircov fiovco. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 (0 iravTa vcofiav Tetpecria, StSaara re 300 
 
 apprjTa t , ovpavia Te Kai yBovotnt^ij, [Introit Tikesias. 
 troXiv fiev, ei xai firi /SXeiret?, <fipovei<; S o/xo)? 
 oia vofftp avveffTiv • 179 ae irpoo'TaTqv 
 aaoTTJpa r , oava^, /iovvov e^evpttTKOfiev. 
 ^ol^o<; yap, el koI /j,tj K\vei<; rwv dyyiKtav, 305 
 
 irefiyjraa-iv rjfiLV avreTre/j.'^ev, eKkvcnv 
 fiovrjv av eXBelv TovSe rov voar]fxaTo<i, 
 et T0V9 KTavovTa<i Aa'Cov fj.adovTe<s ev 
 KTeivaifiev, ri yrj<; <f)vyaSa'i eKve/jLylrai/jteOa. 
 av S ovv ^6ov7]<Ta<i fnyr air oimvaiv <f>aTiv 310 
 
 /X7]T et Ttv aXXriv fj.avriKrj<; 6;^6t? ohov, 
 pvaai aeavTov KOi, ttoXiv, pvaai B €fie, 
 pverai Be trav fuaafia rov redvijKoroq. 
 ev aoi, yap eafiev • avbpa uxpeXetv a(p wv 
 e'xpi re km Svvairo KuXXiaro^ iroveov. 315 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Chorus. 
 
 Well, if the guilty have a taste of fear, 
 
 He will not stay when he hath heard thy curse. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Words will not frighten..one.jffihadares-,to do. 
 
 Chorus. 
 
 Yet lives there, who hath power to convict him: 
 For hither, lo ! they lead the holy seer. 
 Whose bosom is of truth the only home. 
 
 [Teibesias enters at the right, from the Oity,] 
 
 Oedipus. 
 
 thou whose universal thought controls 
 
 All knowledge and all mystery, in heaven 
 
 And on the earth beneath, thy mind perceives, 
 
 Teiresias, though thine outward eye be dark. 
 
 The plague that holds our city, whose one guide 
 
 And saviour we can find in thee, king. 
 
 Phoebus (although the messengers perchance 
 
 HftrVe told thee this), upon our sending, sent 
 
 This answer back, that no release should come 
 
 From this disaster, till we sought and found 
 
 And slew the murderers of King Laltus, 
 
 Or drove them exiles from our land. Thou, then, 
 
 Withhold not any word of augury 
 
 Or other divination which thou knowest. 
 
 But rescue ThebS, and thyself, and me. 
 
 And purge this dire pollution of the dead. 
 
 We cast ourselves on thee : and beautiful 
 
 It is to use the power one hath for good. 
 
OIAinOYS TYPANNOS. 
 
 TEIPESIAS. 
 ^ev <j)ev, <^povelv m? Zuvbv evBa fir) reKi] 
 \v7) (fypovovvTi, ravra yap koKo)^ eyo) 
 eiBatf SttuXeo- • ov yap av Bevp' iKop/rjv. 
 
 oiAinors. 
 Tt 8 e<TTiv ; 6)? a6vp.o<i ei<TeKri\v6a^. 
 
 TEIPB2IAS. 
 
 aa)6? fjb e? otKOf? • paara yap ro <tov re av 32o 
 
 Kayco Bioiato TOVfwv, rjv ep-ol iridrj. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 OUT ei/fOju. eiTTO? owre irpocr^iKri troXei 
 rr/o , r) a etfpeYe, rrivo airocrTeptov (parcv. 
 
 TEIPESIAS. 
 opm yap ovBe aoi to aov i^wvqp. lov 
 Trpov Kaipov ' 0)9 ovv firjB eya ravrov iraOu) — 325 
 
 oiAinors. 
 
 fiT] trpoi; aeeov (ppovcov y a'!roarpaq>ri^, eiret ^ 
 TTai/Te? ae irpoaKWOvjiev otB iKTrjptoi. 
 
 TEIPESIAS. 
 iravrev yap ov (ppovecT . eyco o ov p/rj irore 
 rap, to? av enrco prj ra <r €K<f}r]veo KOKa, 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 
 Ti ^17? ; ^vvetBai<s ov ^pdaeii, aX\ evvoeiM 330 
 
 r)p,a<; irpoBovvai Koi Kara^deipai iraiKiv ; 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Teieesias. 
 All ! terrible is knowledge to the man 
 Whom, kacfflllfidge -.profits, not. T^ia well I k new, 
 But had forgotten. Else had I ne'er comejiither. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Why dost thou come so gloomily 'to-day ? 
 
 Teieesias. 
 Let me go home. Thy part and mine will best 
 Be carried, if thou wilt obey this word. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Eebellious and ungrateful ! to deprive 
 The State that reared thee of thine utterance now. 
 
 Teieesias. 
 ! Thy speech, I see, is crossing thine intent ; 
 ; And I would screen me from the like mishap. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Nay, if thou knowest, turn thee not away : 
 Lo, all these suppliants are entreating thee. 
 
 Teieesias. 
 Yea, far ye_all are bHnd. Never wiU. I 
 Utter the soundJJiat^w-iH-reveai-tbine-Bvil, 
 
 Oedipus. 
 What, art thou privy to the business then, 
 And wilt not tell, but hast a mind to be 
 Our traitor, and destroyer of the State ? 
 
20*0KAE0Y2 
 
 TEIPESIAS. 
 eyo) ovT efiavTov ovre a dKyvvSi. ri ravr 
 aWwi eXeyxeif ; ov yap av irvOoio fiov. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 ovK, w KaKUiv KUKiare, xai, yap av irerpov 
 <f)vaiv av y opyaveiav, e^epel<; iroTe, 335 
 
 aW' wS' aTeyKro<i «aTe\et/TijTOS tj>avel ; 
 
 TEIPESIAS. 
 opyrjv ep,efi'}frco Trjv etirjv, rr)v ar]v B op.ov 
 vaiovcrav ov /faretSes, aXK efie yJreyeK. 
 
 oiAinors. 
 Til yap TotavT av ovk av opyiynr eTrrj 
 kKvccv, a vvv av rrjvS artyita^et? iToXiv ; 340 
 
 TEIPESIAS. 
 rj^ei yap avra, icav eyw aiyy areyto. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 ovKovv a y rj^ei xai ae ^pjj Xeyeiv epoL 
 
 TEIPESIAS. 
 OVK av irepa <j>paaai,pi. wpo? tuB , ei de\eK, 
 6vpov Bi opyfjt; ^rt? aypicoTarri. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 Kai prjv irapTjaco y ovoev, to? opyr]<; ej^w, 345 
 
 aTrep ^vvirjfjb . laOu yap Bokcov epol 
 KUL ^vp<pvTevaai Tovpyov, eipyaaOai a, oaov 
 pi) X^po'i- Kaivwv ' €1 S' eTvyxavet fixk-jrav, 
 KaiTovpyov av crov tovt e<pr]v elvai povov. 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Teiresias. 
 YQiuja;fisa.iiie-taiio-p3iEpose. mLnat-pain 
 Myself or thee. XQaJ£ffl.j;§LflOtlliQg~.fcflHi..me. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 miscreant ! what ? Why, you would rouse, I ween, 
 The passion of anger in a stone ; wilt ne'er 
 Give utterance, but in thy temper prove 
 Still thus unsoftened and impracticable ? 
 
 Teieesias. 
 My temper is your theme. Tour own milst dwell 
 Unnoticed in your bosom. Me you blame ? 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Who could keep temper at such words as thou 
 Hast used to scorn this city ? 
 
 Teieesias. 
 
 It wiU. come : 
 ^lthoug;h I bury it in silence here. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Must not the king be told of what wiU come ? 
 
 Teieesias. 
 No more from me. At this, and if thou wilt, 
 Eage to the height of passionate vehemence. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 [Aj, and my passion shall not spare to say 
 All that I npw-percelv-e. I see in thee 
 The abettor of the plot, and of the deed. 
 All but the handiwork. If thou hadst eyes, 
 Sole murderer had I declared thee too. 
 
OIAinOYS TYPANN02. 
 
 TEIPESIA2, 
 a\i}0e9 ; evveira) Se tw Krjpvyfiari seo 
 
 oyirep vpoelira^ efi/jLevcLV, Ka<f> rjfiepav 
 7rj<i vvv irpoaavhav /iTjre Tovahe firjT efie, 
 w? ovTi yrji TrjaS avoatip /iiaaropi. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 ovToxs avaiB&v e^6Kiin)aas ToSe 
 TO prjfjLa ; Kai irov tovto ^ev^eaOai SoKCi? ; 365 
 
 TBIPESIAS. 
 Tre^evya • raXiy^es yap la-^vov Tpecfxo. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 TTpo? rov SiBajfOeK ; ov yap e« ye t^s rej^w;?. 
 
 TEIPESIAS. 
 Trpo? aov ' crv yap ft, aKoina trpovrpe^a \eyeiv. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 TTolov Xoyov ; \ey avdi<!, o)? fiaXXop fiado. 
 
 TEIPESIAS. 
 o\r)(L ^vpfJKa<! Trpoadev ; rj Kireipa, \oy^ ; 369 
 
 oiAinoxs. 
 ovj^ aJcTTe y enreti' yvcaarov '. dKK avdif (ppdaov, 
 
 TEIPESIAS. 
 
 <f)OPea ae t^fiL TavBpo<i ov ^7)rei<s Kvpeiv, 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 aX\' ov ri ')(aip(ov St? ye irr]/iova<s epev;. 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Tbieesias. 
 Is't possible ? I charge thee to abide 
 By tHat thou hast proclainied ; and from this hour 
 Speak not to any Theban or to me. 
 Thou art the foul polluter of the land. -^ 
 
 Oedipus. 
 
 shameless front ! How canst thou move thy tongua 
 To such a tone, and think to 'scape for this ? 
 
 Teieesias. 
 The might of truth is acathless. I am free. 
 
 Oedipus, 
 Whence came the truth thou spak'st ? Not from thine art. 
 
 Teieesias. 
 From thee. Thou urged'st mine unwilling ton gue. 
 
 Oedipus, 
 Say it again, that I may know the drift. 
 
 Teieesias. 
 Was it so dark ? Or dost thou tempt my voice ? 
 
 Oedipus. 
 
 1 cannot say 'twas clear. Speak it again. ; 
 
 Teieesias. 1 
 
 I~say-thou art the regicide thou seekest. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Again the word of pain ! But thou shalt rue. 
 
20*0KAE0YS 
 
 TEIPESIAS. 
 eiTTo) Ti ojjra kuaX , iv opyi,yr) vXeov ; 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 offov ye XPV^^'''^ ' ®5 iiaT^v eiprjaeTcu. 365 
 
 TEIPESIAS. 
 \eX7j6evai ae (pijfM aw rot? ^tXruTOj? 
 aiaj0,ao oixiXovvt , ouo opav iv ei icaKOV. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 T) Kai jeyrjBco'i TavT aei Xe^eiv BoKelt ; 
 
 TEIPESIAS. 
 etTrep t/ y ecrri t^? aX'Tjdeta; aOevo'i, 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 aW etTTt, ttXtji' aoi, • croi be tout ovk ear , eirei 370 
 Tv<f>\o<! ra T tBTa toi/ Te vow Ta t ofifiar ei. 
 
 TEIPESIAS. 
 ffu o aC7\to? ye tout ovetoiyBi;, a aot 
 OKoet? 09 oi/T^i Tcovo oveioiet Ta'^a, 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 /ita? Tpi<pei 7rpo<i vvKTot, mare /irir efie 
 fiTjT aWov, oo-Tt? <^(U9 opa, ^\a-\jrai ttot ai». 378 
 
 TEIPESIAS. 
 ov yap ae fiolpa vpo<; y efiov ireaeiv, eiret, 
 iKUVOi AttoWwv, 0) T«8 eKVpa^ai fj,e\ei. 
 
 oiAinors. 
 KpeovTO<!, 7] aov Tama Ta^evpr)p,aTa ; 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Teieesias. 
 Shall I speak sometliing more, to feed thy wrath ? 
 
 Oedipus. 
 All is but idleness. §ay what thou wilt, 
 
 Teieesias. 
 I tell thee thou art living unawares 
 In shameful commerce with thy nearest blood, 
 Not seeing the abyss wherein thou liest. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Thiak-^mu to, triumph-in. ofE'ending.stLll ? 
 
 Teieesias. 
 Yes, if the might of truth be anything. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 It is, for other men, but not for thee. 
 Blind as thou art in eye and ear and mjjid. 
 
 Teieesias. 
 miserable reproach, which aU who now 
 Behold thee, soon shall thunder forth on thee ! 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Nursed in unbroken night, thou canst not harm 
 Or me, or any man who seeth the day. 
 
 Teieesias. 
 No, not from me proceeds thy fall ; ihe_god,_ 
 "Who-earBaiiaE-this^ia- aible to perform it. , 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Came this device from- CreonN^r thyseK? - 
 
330 
 
 OIAinOYS TYPANN02. 
 
 TEIPBSIAS. 
 j\peo3v be aoi ir-qfj, ovoev, oKK avro<i av aoi. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 
 ft) irXovTe Kai Tvpavvt /cat rep^i/i; Te^K??? 
 
 VTrep^epova-a rm iroKv^-riXa) ^iq>, 
 
 odO'i trap vjMV o (pdovo'i <f>v\aa'<T£Tai,, 
 
 €1 TTJaSe y ap^rj's owej^ , rjv eiioi TroXt? 
 
 hmpriTov, ovk ai,T7jTov, eiaeyfeipiaev, 
 
 TavTiji; Kpetov 6 irtcrro?, ouf '^PXV'' ^'^o?, 385 
 
 XaOpa fju mreXOoav eK^oKelv i/ietpeTai, 
 
 v^eli iJLiiryov TOiovBe iJ,'qj(avoppa^ov, 
 
 BoXtov dyvpTTjv, oo"Tt9 ev tow KepBeaiv 
 
 fiovov SeSopxe, Tqv Tey^mjv S e^v Tv<}>Xoi. 
 
 67r64, ^ep ehre, vov av /jluptk ei aa(f>r)<! ; 390 
 
 TTQJ? of^, bd Tj pa'<^(pBo<i evdah rjv kvcov, 
 
 rjvBw! Ti toi(tB aaTOKTiv eKXvTT}piov ; 
 
 KaiToi TO y auviyp- ou^t TOUTTtovTo? fiv 
 
 avBpo<! Bieiireiv, aXXa fiavTeia^ eBei * 
 
 rjv ovT uTT oiwvwv av 'irpov(f)avrj<; e)(ti)V 393 
 
 OVT eK 6ea)v tov yveoTov • aXX eyut (loXav, 
 
 o firjoev 6100)7 Uionrov;, eiravaa vtv, 
 
 yvwiMT) Kvpr^aai ovB a-rr oiwvSiv fiaOiav 
 
 ov Br] av Treipai ex^aXelv, BokSjv Opovoiv 
 
 •jrapaaraTTjaeiv Tot? Kpeovreioa TreXai. 4oo 
 
 KXaltov BoKei<! p-oi koI av ■^o) avvdeli; raBe 
 
 dyrjXaTTjaeip • ei Be firj SoKeK yepwv 
 
 eluai, iradiav tyvw} av oia irep (f>povel<s. 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Teiresias. 
 Not Oreon, thou thyseKart thine own bane ' 
 
 Oedipus. 
 wealth and sovereign power and skill o'er skill 
 Proudly prevailing in an envied life, 
 What boundless jealousies environ you ! 
 If, for this rule, which to my hand the State 
 Committed unsolicited and free, 
 Oreon, my first of friends, trusted and sure, 
 I Would undermine and hurl me from my throne, 
 \ Insinuating such a mendicant 
 ; Patcher of wiles, this crafty wizard rogue, 
 _^__31ind in his art, and seeing but for gain. 
 Tell me, when was thy divination sure ? 
 How came it, when the minstrel hound was here, 
 This town had no deliverance through thy word ? 
 Her riddle was not for the passer by 
 To solve, but needed the diviner's skill; 
 No sign whereof was manifest in thee 
 By augury or inspiration given. 
 But it was left for a chance visitant, 
 The simple Oedipus, to end her lay : 
 Me, who had no intelligence from birds, 
 But hit u pon ^e, secret. through. my wit; 
 Whom now you study to supplant, and think 
 To^stand as a supporter of the.throne 
 Of lordly Oreon : — To your sorrow both 
 Thou and the hatcher of this scheme will drive 
 Pollution forth. Nought but the name of age 
 Protects thee now from tasting of thy fault. 
 
20*0KAE0Y2 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 rifuv /lev eiKa^ovai km tu tovB eirrj 
 
 opyfi XeXe-^Oat, koI la a , OtStTrov, So/teZ. <i«3 
 
 Set S ov ToiovTcov, aW ottcoi la roii 6eov 
 
 fiavTel apiara Xvcrofiev, ToBe aKoireiv. 
 
 TEIPEZIAS. 
 
 61 Kai rvpavvei^, e^iaareov to yoi/i/ 
 
 icr avriXe^ai • TovBe yap Kayco Kparto. 
 
 ov yap TL (701 fo) Bov\o<;, aWa Ao^iu • 410 
 
 Q}(TT OV KpeovTot vpoo'TaTov yeypaylrofiai. 
 
 Xeyco B , eireiBri Kai rv(J3Kov fi caveiBiaa's, 
 
 (TV Kul SeBopKa<! Kov /SXeTreis iv et kukov, 
 
 ovi) evtfa va(,ei<;, ovo otcov otxret? fiera, 
 
 — ap oiird a(}> <ov ei ; — Kai \i\T]6aii eyOpo'; cov 415 
 
 Toif aolcTiv avrov vipde Katri yrji avco, 
 
 Kai a ayt-^iTTM]^ fn)Tpo<! re Kat tov aov Trarpov 
 
 eXa iroT sk yrjt: rrjaBe BeivoTrovi apa, 
 
 /SXiiTovra vvv fiev opO , nreiTa Be aKorov. 
 
 0orj<: Be Tr]<! <ri]<; ttoiov ovk tcrTai Xi/jltjv, 420 
 
 TToto? Kidaipwv ov)(i, a-v(i(f)a)vo<! Taya, 
 
 orav KaTaiaOt) rev v/xevaiov, bv Bofioii; 
 
 avopfiov ei(Te'7rXevaa<;, evTrXoia^ rv^oiv ; 
 
 aXXtov Be TrXfjOo^ ovk eiraiaOavei kukSsv, 
 
 a a e^icrwaei cot, re Kat, rot? aol'; rexvoi'!. 423 
 
 Trpoi Tavra Kat Kpeovra Kai Tovfiov arofia 
 
 irpoirrjXaKi^e, aov yap ovk ecniv ^poTojv 
 
 KaKiov baTi.<s eKTpi^r]<76Tat, iroTe. 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Chorus. 
 As far as we may guess, thn prnp'hftti'i'a..w.arda 
 AndJMae, QjQedipus, are, spoken injKath. 
 That is not what we need, but to discern 
 HossLhest. to ,SQlse_the.heasJen]^. oracle. 
 
 Teieesias. 
 Though thou art sovereign here, the right of speech 
 Is my prerogative no less. Not thee 
 I serve, but JJoxias. He protects my life. 
 No need of Creon's arm to shelter me ! 
 Now, then : my blindness is. thy iheme : — JJiQuJ^t 
 Thine eyes, ajid. seest not, where thou, artiaill, 
 What halls thou dost inhabit , or with.whojn. 
 Knowest n ot from, whenca thou, art. Nay, to thy kin. 
 Buried in death and on the earth above, 
 Unwitting ly art a most grievous foe. 
 And when thy father's and thy mother's curse 
 With fearful tread shall drive thee from this land. 
 On both sides lashing thee, thine eye so clear 
 §§§i'i8L^^.1'- A^?-kB-Sss in jhait_da^, — oh, then, 
 What harbourage will not receive thy cry. 
 What echo of Oithaeron will be mute, 
 When thou perceiv'st, what bride-song in thy hall 
 Wafted thy gaUant bark with flattering gale 
 To anchor, — where ? And other stom ijf.jll 
 Thou seest not, that shall equal thine estate 
 Xo thy trueTortune and thy child ren's bloo d. 
 Then carp at noble Oreon, and revile 
 My sacred utterance. -No life on eart h 
 Moremiserably-shallr-be-effaieed7tb£m-thiTie; 
 
OIAinOYS TYPANN02. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 •q Tama hfjT aveKra irpo<; tovtov kXvbiv ; 
 ovK 6t? oXeOpov ; ov)(i, dacrcTov ; ov vaXtv 430 
 
 ayfroppoi; omcov rwvo airoaTpacpel^ airei ; 
 
 TEIPESIAS. 
 
 J5.J f / V > V > ^ » > /^ 
 
 ovo iKOfirjv eyioy av, ei av /if) KaXcK. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 ov yap Ti (T tjSt) /Mwpa (^tovrjaovr , eiret 
 ^^(pKy a av oi,icov<; tov? efiovt eareiXafiijv. 
 
 TEIPESIAS. 
 TjfieK TototS e^vfiev, eos fiev aoi SoKel, 435 
 
 /Mwpoi, yovevai, h , 01, a e^vaav, efi<j}povev, 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 "jToiotffi ; iieivov. tk Se fi eK<j>vei /Sporav ; 
 
 TEIPESIAS. 
 rjB rifiepa <j}va-€i ere Koi Bui(j>6epel. 
 
 oiAinors, 
 
 (01 iravT ayav atviKra Kaaa^rj Xeyew. 
 
 TEIPESIAS. 
 ovKOvv av ravT apiaTOi evplaxeiv e<pvi ; 440 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 ToiavT ovelBi^, ots €fi evpr\<Teii fieyav. 
 
 TEIPESIAS. 
 avTr] ye jMevrot a jj Tvj(rj Bia>\e<rev. 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Can I endure such words from him ? Begone 
 Off to thy ruin and with speed ! Away, 
 And take thy presence from our palace-halls. 
 
 Teieesias. 
 Had you not sent for me, I ne'er had come. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 I knew not you would utter foolishness, 
 Else had I never brought you to my door. 
 
 Teieesias. \ 
 
 \ 
 To thee I am foohsh, then ; but to thy p grgritfi^ '^ 
 
 That_g aYe thee-life., I was wise. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 
 Hold, go not ! who ? 
 Who gave me being ? 
 
 Teieesias. 
 Thou shalt find this day 
 Thine origin and end. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 
 Why wilt thou still 
 Speak all in riddles and dark sentences ? 
 
 Teieesias. 
 Methought thou wast the man to find them out. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Ay, taunt me with the gift that makes me great I 
 
 Teieesias. 
 A.Bd-yeUJna-Iuek hath-be&B-tbiae^v-epfeew-.i 
 
20*0KAE0YS 
 
 OIAinOTS, 
 aX\ £1, iroXiv rrivS e^eTioa , ov fioi fieKei. 
 
 , TEIPESIAS. 
 
 aireifii roivvv • Kat av, iral, KOfii^e fie. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 KOfM^eTO) B^ff • o>9 irapatv av y efiiroBiov 445 
 
 o^Xet?, av6ei<i t av ovk av aXyvvai^ irXeov. 
 
 TEIPESIAS. 
 eiveov a'Tnei/j, mv ovvex rjKoov, ov to gov 
 Seiaai wpoaioTTov • ov yap ead ottov fi oXsK. 
 Xeyco Be act, rov avBpa tovtov, ov waTMi 
 floret? aTreiXav KavaKTjpvcracov <f)Ovov 450 
 
 top Aaieiov, ovto<s ecniv evOaBe, 
 ^ei'o? Xoyw fxeTOiKO'i, etra S" eyiyewT)? 
 ^avr]aeTai, Qrj^aloi;, ouS' rjaOriareTai, 
 Ty ^vficJ3opa • TW^Xo? yap ex BeBopKOTOi 
 kclI tttwxp^ avTi ifKovaiov ^evrjv eirt 455 
 
 <ricr]Trrpq> irpoBeiKyv; yaiav efiTTopevaerai. 
 ^avrja-erat Be Traicri roll avTov ^vvcov 
 aoeA.(po<s avTo<! Kai •Trarrjp, Ka^ ^? eipv 
 yvvaiK0<i uto? kui 7ro<n<!, koi rov Trarpo? 
 o/ioaTropo'i re Kai (povev^. Kat ravr icav 460 
 
 etaeo Xoyi^ov • Kav Xa^rj^ e^^lrevafievov, 
 if)affK£iv 6/* rjSi) fiavriK^ fiTjBev (ppovelv. [Exeunt. 
 
 XOPOS. 
 o-rp. d. 
 
 Ti? ovriv a BeaTneireia ^eX(JH<s etve Trerpa 
 apprjT apprjTtov TeXeffavra cpoivbaia-i, j(^epacv ; 465 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 I care not, if I have preserved this city. 
 
 Teieesias. 
 Then I will go. Come, boy, and guide me forth. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Let him. For standing here you vex our eye, 
 But being gone, our trouble goes with you. 
 
 Teieesias. , 
 Ere I depart, I will declare the word 
 For which I came, not daunted by thy frown. 
 Thou hast no power to ruin me. 'Tis this. 
 The man you seek so earnestly, with threats 
 And proclamation loud of Lalus' blood, 
 Is here, a sojourner supposed from far. 
 But time, shall pr ove him to tha^lightof day 
 Jl jrue^bornJTheban : nor will such event 
 Bring him great joy ; for, blind from having sight, 
 And beggared from prosperity, with staff 
 \ In stranger lands he shall feel forth his way ; 
 Shown living with the children_ofhia.JLQins, 
 Their brother ,Bnd™their sire, and .to, the womb 
 That bare him, husband-son, and to his father 
 Mu rderer and j oint-begetter. Now go in, 
 Ponder my words ; and if thou find'st them false. 
 Then term my prophet-gift a senseless skill. 
 
 [Oedijus goes within; Teieesias retires to the City. 
 
 Ohoeus. 
 
 I. 1. 
 Whom hath the mystic stone 
 Declared to have done 
 Horrors imnameable with blood-stained hand ? 
 
OIAinOYS TYPANN02. 
 
 apa viv aeWaSoH' 
 iTTirasv ffdevapeorepov 
 ^vya TToSa vtofiav, 
 
 ej/OTrXo? yap eir avrov eirevOpmiTKei 
 wpl Kai (nepotralf 6 Awi yeverat • 470 
 
 Beivai B afi eirovrat Krjpev avairXaKijTOi. 
 
 avT. &. 
 
 eXafjL'yJre yap rov vi<f)oevTO<s aprico'i (paveiaa 
 <f)d/ji,a TIapvaaov tov aBrjXov CkvBpa iravr f^veveiv. 475 
 
 (f)OiTa, yap VTT aypiav 
 v\av ava t avrpa xai 
 TreTjOaios o ravpo<!, 
 
 fieXeov fieXe^ iroBl j^ijpeuMi', 
 Ta fie(Top.^a\a ya<; atrovoa^L^wv 480 
 
 fjLavTeia • to S aet ^wvra irepitrorarai. 
 
 o-rp. P'. 
 
 Beiva fiev ovv, Beiva rapaaaei <to^o<! oL(ovodeTa<: 
 ovre BoKOVVT out aTro<j>aaXovff • b ti Xe^to B airopo). 485 
 
 "Trero/Jbai b eXiriffiv out evaao oQccv ovt oTviaw. 
 ri yap 7} Aa^BaKiBaii 
 
 7j TO) UoXv^ov vetKot exen ovts iragoiOev ttot eymy ovrs 
 
 ravvv irto 490 
 efiadov, •jrpo'i otov j(prj(Tafievo<i Bt] ^aaavm 
 eVi rav eiriBafiov 
 (fxiTiv elp, OcBiiroBa Aa^BuKiBaK emxovpo'i aBrjXoDV 6ava- 
 
 TWV. 495 
 4VT. p'. 
 
 dXX fiev ovv Zev; o t AnroXXav ^vveroi icai ra ^porwv 
 
KING OEDIPUS.. 
 
 With speed of storm-swift car 
 'Tis time he fled afar 
 With mighty footsteps hurrying from the land. 
 For, armed with lightning brand, 
 There leaps upon his track the son of Jove, 
 And close behind the unerring Destinies move. 
 
 I. 2. 
 
 Late from the snow-tipped height 
 This utterance sprang to light. 
 To hunt on every track the man unknown. 
 Through woodland caverns deep 
 And o'er the rocky steep 
 Like bull he ranges in the wilds alone, 
 With none to share his moan, 
 Shunning that prophet voice's central sound, 
 Which ever lives, and haunts him, hovering round. 
 
 II. 1. 
 
 M y heart is _stirred 
 With strange misgiving through the augur's word. 
 
 Mj?:, jtnindjffiiU .say, 
 5utjflutters betwixt hope and fear, 
 Seeing nor the present nor the future clear. 
 
 What strife had grown 
 Betwixt the son of Polybus and these 
 The heirs of Labdacus, was never known 
 
 Or yet to me confessed 
 
 By any certain test, 
 That I cou ld bring to q uench the popular pra ise 
 Of Oedipus, or with conviction strong 
 To vindicate a dark mysteriousjvxong, 
 
 II. 2. 
 Zeus and his son 
 Know surely all that o'er the earth is done : 
 
2O*0KAEOYS 
 
 etSore?' avSpau S' oti fidvTK v\eov rj 'yus ^eperai, eoo 
 
 KpiaiM ovK eariv a\r}07]<! ■ <70(j)ia, S av ao(f)tav 
 "Trapafiei-^freiev dvrjp. 
 
 aW oKTTOT eytoy av, vrpti' (oo(//( opaov enov, fiefi<pofievoov 
 
 av Kara^airjv. sos 
 <j>av€pa yap eir avrm irTeposaa rpsMe Kopa 
 iroTe, Kai ao^o<i o)(f)0T} 
 ^aaavm 6 aZuiro\i<i • rat air e/tai ^pevo<i ovttot o^Xrjaei 
 
 Kaxiav. 510 
 
 KPEON. 
 
 avBpei TToXlrai, Beiv eirt] TreTTUff/iei/o? [Introit. 
 
 KaTtjyopelv fiov rov Tvpavvov OiBnrovv 
 
 "/rapei/i utXtitup. ft yap ev rat? ^v/KJjopaii 515 
 
 ralv vvv vofii^ei tt/so? y efiov ireTrovOevat 
 
 \oyoiaiv etT epyotaiv ets ^Xa^tjv (pepov, 
 
 ovToi ^oov fioi Tov fiaKpauovo^ irodoi, 
 
 ^epovTi TrjvSe^a^iv. ov yap et? aTrXovv 
 
 7) ^Tj/jiia fjMi rov \oyov toutov ^epei, 520 
 
 aW 6? fieyiVTOv, et /caxo? p-ev ev iroKet, 
 
 KaKO<i 8e nrpo'i crov xat ^tKtov KeKKrjaofiai, 
 
 X0P02. 
 aXX rjXde fiev Bri rovro TovveiBoi; Tdj(_ av 
 opyt) ^lac&kv /jloXKov t] yvafirj <ppeva)v. 
 
 KPEBN. 
 TOV •jrpo<; S e<j>av6i] rat? e/iaiv yvufiaK art 625 
 
 Tretffflew o /lavrn tows Xoyov^ tjrevBeti: Xeyoi ; 
 
 XOPOS. 
 vjvbaro fiev Tab , oioa o ov yvtofir) Tivi. 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 But that the seer 
 
 Hath wisdom clear, 
 Or more endowment than the crowd, 
 "Was never yet with evidence allowed. 
 
 A man by wit 
 May pass the bound another man hath won ; 
 But never, till I see fulfilment fit, 
 
 Will I confirm Jheblame 
 
 They cast u pon his n ame. 
 Wias_he_was found b eneath the searching sun, 
 Andkind to T^hebS, "w^h 'the~BpEmFcame~ forth 
 And-aang. My. hmrt ahaiH.afi£g£JaMMiiisj5grth. 
 
 Ceeon. 
 
 [Enlen at the right, from the City.] 
 
 Citizens, hearing that great Oedipus, 
 
 Our sovereign, hath been launching at my head 
 
 Dire accusation, I stand here resolved 
 
 Not to endure it. In the late events 
 
 If he imagine he hath ta'en from me 
 
 Aught to his detriment by word or deed, 
 
 I am not careful to prolong myUfe 
 
 Beneath such imputation. For the harm 
 
 Of such a "calumny injporteth not 
 
 Some single business, but of all the chief, 
 
 That I be ill-reported in the State, 
 
 And hardly thought of by my friends and you. 
 
 , Chorus. 
 
 1 Perchance 'twas but the sudden flash of wrath, 
 Not the deliberate judgment of the soul. 
 
 Ceeon. 
 
 Wljo^gaye in evidence that the prophet spake 
 F9.1se prophecies at my^ suggestion? "" " 
 
 Choeus. 
 Such was the 'word, I know not how advised. 
 
OIAinOYS TYPANNOS. 
 
 KPEON. 
 ef ofifiaTmv B opOSsv re Ka^ opdrjif ^pevo<; 
 KaTqyopelro roviriKK'Qpta tovto (jlov ; 
 
 XOPOS. 
 ovK olS' • a ffap hpS)a oi Kparovvre<i oi/^ QpS>. 530 
 
 avTOt h oh fjST) 8a)p.aTcov e^to irepa. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 ouTo? au, vSy; Zevp ^X^e? ; ^ ToaovZ' ex^i^ [IntroiL 
 ToXfiTj^ irpoamtrov aare Ta<! efia<! areyaii 
 iKov, <l)ovev<; av rovBe ravSpoi ep^^avwi 
 \7j(TTT]<; T evapyTjf t^? e/i^s rvpavviSo'i ; B35 
 
 ^ip etTre tt/oov Qeav, BeiKiav rj p,(opi,av 
 tSwv TCP ev ep,ot ravr e^ovXevam iroielv ; 
 ■q Tovpyov tt)<; ov yvcopKroi/Ml aov roBe 
 So\m TTpoaepTTOv kovk a\e^oi/jLT)V iiadmv ; 
 ap ov)(i, p,wpov eart Tov<yyeip7)p,a aov, 640 
 
 avev TS TrXrjdovv xai ^tXcoi/ TvpavviBa 
 6ripav, o TrXij^et '^(pTjp.aaiv dXiateerai ; 
 
 KPEON. 
 oI(t6 w9 iroitfaov ; avri rwv elprjfjieveov 
 ta avTUKOvaov, Kara Kplv avT0<i pudutv. 
 
 oiAinors. 
 
 Xeyetv cv Buvoi, puv&avetv B e'^co /voko? M5 
 
 aov • BvapkevT) yap Koi ^apvv <r' evpnjtc efiol. 
 
 KPEfiN-. 
 TovT avTO vvv p,ov trpwr aKovaov &>? epw. 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Ceeon, 
 
 And with a steady eye, and mind not frantic, 
 "Was this dark obloquy denounced on me ? 
 
 Chorus. 
 
 I cannot say. To what my betters do 
 
 I am blind. But see, the King comes forth again. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 
 [Enters.] 
 
 Insolent, art thou here ? Hadst thou the face 
 _ To bring thy boldness near my palace-roof, 
 ICionvicted'of contriving jgainst myiife 
 Andjayingxobber hands jipon my atate ? 
 I pr'ythee tell, did you perceive in me 
 A coward or a fool, when you planned this ? 
 Was't that I would not notice your attempt 
 Craftily creeping on, or, when perceived, 
 Not ward it off? Is't not a silly scheme. 
 To think to compass without troops of friends 
 Power, that is only won by wealth and men ? 
 
 Ceeon. 
 
 Wilt be advised ? Hear but as much in turn 
 As thou hast spoken, and then thysdf be judge. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 
 I know thy tongue, but I am slow to learn 
 From thee, whom I have found my grievous foe. 
 
 Ceeon. 
 First on this very point, hear, me declare — 
 
SO*OKAEOYS 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 TOUT avTO firj fiot, ^pa^ , ottcu? ovk cl KaKoi, 
 
 KPBON. 
 et, 701 vofii^eK KTrj/ia ttjv avdaZiav 
 elval 71 rov vov 'Xf^pi'S, ovk opdSi'i (fypoveii;. Bso 
 
 OIAinOXS. 
 64 Toi vofju^eiis avBpa avyyevt] KaKa'; 
 Spav ov'^ iKJie^eiv T'^v BiKr/v, ovk ev (j>poveU. 
 
 KPEfiN. 
 ^vfuprjfiL crot tout evoiK eipr/aoai, • to oe 
 irddTjfi oiroiov ^rj<i vadelv SlBaaxe fie. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 
 eireideii, rj ovk e/reiOa, m xpelrj fi etri ssi 
 
 rov (Te/ivdiiavTiv avBpa vi/ii^aaQai riva ; 
 
 KPEfiN. 
 Koi vvp eff ai/To? ei/tt Toa ^ovXevfiari. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 iroaov riv tjBt) Brjd 6 Amo<s j(povov — 
 
 KPEfiN. 
 BeBpaKe irolov epyov ; ov yap evvow. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 
 a^avTO<; eppei davaaifup ^(eipwiiaTi ; ego 
 
 KPEfiN. 
 IJMKpoi TToKatot T ap fieTp7]0elev "^povoi. 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 Oedipus. 
 
 I will not hear that t.Knii art, nr>f a. villain. 
 
 Creon. 
 
 Yours is a shallow judgment, if yon thinlr 
 Eride without kno wledge. p,anJae-a,By-ga;iTi. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 
 Yours is a shallow judgment, if you think 
 You can abuse your kinsman and be free. 
 
 Creon. 
 Eight. I assent to that. But I would learn 
 The nature of this wrong of which you speak. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Was it or was it not by your advice 
 I sent to bring the seeming-reverend seer ? 
 
 Oreon. 
 It was, and still I hold the counsel firm. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 How long is't now, I pray, since LaYus — 
 
 Oreon. 
 Performed what deed ? I do not catch your drifL 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Vanished in ruin by a dire defeat ? 
 
 Creon. 
 Were the time measured, it were long and old. 
 
OIAinOYS TYPANNOS. 
 
 oiAinors. 
 TOT ovv fiavTK ovro<i rjv . eu ry Tevyn ; 
 
 KPEfiN. 
 cofpot y ofiottov Ka^ laov Ti/iu/xei/o?. 
 
 oiAinors. 
 efivTjffaT ovv efiov ti to* tot ev "vpov^ ; 
 
 KPEON. 
 ovKovv e/iov y earSnof ovSafiov TreXos. 665 
 
 oiAinors. 
 
 aX\ ovK epevvav lov Oavovro'} eavere ; 
 
 KPEniir. 
 
 vapecT'^ofiev, ttuxi B ovj(i ; kovk i^KOvaa/iev, 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 ir&)9 ovv To9 ovTOV 6 ao<^o<i ovk ijvBa rdSe ; 
 
 KPEfflSr. 
 OVK 010 • €(p ot? yap /it] tppovoj aiyav qsiXco. 
 
 oiAinors. 
 
 TOffovSe y oiaOa kui \eyoi<s av ev <f>pov6iiv. STd 
 
 KPEfiN. 
 iroiov ToB ; et yap oiSa y , ovk apinja-o/JMi, 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 oQovveK , « p,r) aol ^vvrjKde, rai; e/tas 
 OVK av TTOT etTre AaVov Bia(j)6opd<s. 
 
king oedipus. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Well, did this prophet then profess his art ? 
 
 Okeon. 
 Wise then as now, nor less in reverence. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 And in that period did he mention me ? 
 
 Ceeon. 
 Not in my hearing. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 But, I may presume, 
 Ye held an inquisition o'er the dead ? 
 
 Creon. 
 Yes, we inquired, of course : and could not hear. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 How had this wise man then no word of this ? 
 
 Ceeon. 
 I speak but jshat-I know. I cannoLsay. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Clear knowledge may allow you in one speech. 
 
 Ceeon. 
 In what ? I will not gainsay, if I know. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 That, had you not^ been, at JbiS-ear, hfi., nfi!f,r 
 Had sought tofestenJLalus' j^gath-oame.. 
 
20*0KAE0YS 
 
 KPEfiN. 
 ei fieu A,eyei rub , avro^ oia-O ' e<ya) oe ffov 
 (laOeiv BtKuio) ravd cnrep KUfiov av vvv. B76 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 eKfiavQav ■ ov 'yap B-q (popevi aXwaofiai. 
 
 KPEfiN. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 apvrjai'} ovk evea-riv av aviirropei,^, 
 
 KPEJJN. 
 ap')(et,<i 8 eKEiVTj ravra yrj^ icrov veficov ; 
 
 OIAinOXS. 
 av fi deXovaa iravT efiov KOfit^erai. 680 
 
 KPEQN. 
 ovKOVv icrovfiai a^cov eyco Bvoiv TpiTO<s ; 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 evTav6a yap Bj] Kai KaKo<} ^aivei (j>i\o<:. 
 
 KPEfiST. 
 OVK, ei BiBoir]<! y coi eyai aavrm Xoyov, 
 crKe-\lrai Be tovto irpcoTov, ei tiv av Sowet? 
 ap-^eiv iXeaOai ^vv ^ojSotffi /j,aX\ov r/ 685 
 
 arpearov evoovT , ei, ra y avv e^ei Kparrj, 
 eyco jxev ovv ovt avTO<; Ifieipwv e<f>vv 
 
king oedipus. 
 
 Creom-. 
 You know if he said this. But I in turn 
 Would be the. questioner, and ask thee this. — 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Ask on. No questioning can prove me guilty. 
 
 Oeeon. 
 Tell me. Hast thou my sister for thy queen ? 
 
 Oedipus. 
 The fact is patent, and denial vain. 
 
 Oreon. 
 And shar'st with her dominion of this realm ? 
 
 Oedipus. 
 All she desires is given her by my will. 
 
 Oeeon. 
 Well, am not I third-partner with y ou twain ? 
 
 Oedipus. 
 There is your villainy in breaking fealty. 
 
 Creon. 
 Not so, if thou wouldst reason with thyself 
 As I now reason. First consider this : 
 "Wh o would choose pow fir-acaHiapapi£ 
 Be£i»e- safR slumberR w j ^h an equal sway? 
 'Tis not my nature, no, nor any man's 
 
OIAinOYS TYPANN02. 
 
 Tvpavvo<i eivat fiaWov r) rvpawa hpav, 
 
 ovr aWoi oari.<; aaxppoveLV eTTiaTaTM. 
 
 vvv fiev yap eic aov ttuvt avev <f>o^ov <j)epa), EDO 
 
 et o o^T0? rip-^ov, TroWa kov aiccov topajv. 
 
 TTtu? o-qT efioi Tvpavvit Tjoiav e)(eiv 
 
 "PX*?' aXuTTOu Kfli SuvaaTeiai £(j}v ; 
 
 V " > / - 
 
 OVTTQ) TOCOVrOV JJTTaTTjfieVOi KVpO) 
 
 wcTT aWa XPV^^''^ V ''"'* <'"'"' KepBei KaXa, £93 
 
 I'l'v •jratTi '^aipio, vvv fie irw; acnra^erai, 
 
 vvv 01 a-eOev '^py^ovTei eK/caXova-i fj,e' 
 
 TO yap TV^eiv avT0i,<ri, irav evravO' evi. 
 
 TTftj? oi]T eyoa KStv av Kapoifi acpeii raoe ; 
 
 ovK av yevoiTO vovt KaKo<; KaXa>? <j)pova)v. €00 
 
 aW ovr epaa-Trj<i TrjaSe t% yi/oj/ui;? ecfyvv 
 
 OVT av fier aWov BpaivTa av rXairjv Troie. 
 
 Kai Tmvo eKey^ov tovto p-ev Hvaayo lojv 
 
 irevBov Ta '^(^prjaOevT , et aa^ax: rjyyeiKa aot ' 
 
 TOVT aW, eav pe rm repaaKOTrm Xa/Si;? 605 
 
 Kovv^ Ti 0ov\evaavTa, pi) p am\y KTavrji 
 
 ijrri(f)a), Bm\fj Be, rf/ t eprj koI arj, Xa^utv. 
 
 yvcoprj B aBrfKtp prj pe J^CB/Ot? ahiS). 
 
 ov yap ocKaiov ovre rov; KUKOvf parrjv 
 
 'X^prjcnou's vopi^eiv ovre rov; ■y^prja-rov; xaKovi, ao 
 
 <l>i\ov yap effdXov eK0a\elv taov Xeyti) 
 
 Kai rov trap avra> ^lorov, ov rrXelffrov AiXel, 
 
 aXX €V XP""^ yvccaet raB a<T(j>aXa)i}, eirel 
 
 Xpovo<! BiKaiov avBpa BeiKvvaiv povo^, 
 
 KOKOV Be Kov ev rjpepa yvoir)<i pia. 615 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 "WTinm mnrlfiat, -w-iRrlnTn rnlfia, tQjbie-ilie-place. 
 Of flnTTninat,inTi raiVifir t.Tian t.TiPi pnwAv, 
 
 Now, ■without fear, I have my will from thee ; 
 But were I king, I should do much unwillingly, 
 
 HqW the r' fffliH T (iesi^" t-o-laa-^, binrr. 
 
 "^i^JhenJJbave rule and lordsh ip undisturbed ? 
 Delusion hath not gone so far with me 
 As to wish more than honour joined with gain. 
 Now all men count me happy, aE embrace me ; 
 Now he that needs thee calls me to his side, 
 For on this chance his fortune wholly turns. 
 HoF_ahs3iMJLleMgJMs,Mktoafifi,^.ilmLB ? 
 No man of sense can be a criminal. 
 Such wild ambition hath not my desires, 
 Nor could I bring myself to lend it aid. 
 If you would test me, go and ask again 
 If I brought Phoebus' answer truly back. 
 Nay, more, if you shall find me to have planned 
 Aught in collusion with the seer, destroy me, 
 Not with one vote, but two, _mine own with thine. 
 Bui, do jiot-Qn a^ merajiuapicionJblame 
 My cours^e_of tlnneown will. To call good evil. 
 Or evil good, without clear cause, is sin. 
 -And to cast off a worthy friend I call 
 No less a folly than to fling away 
 The life we love, that harbours in our breast. 
 The certainty of this will come with time ; 
 Ehttime alone can prove ihejdghteaoa-man. 
 jQne day suffices to proclaim the villain. 
 
20*0KAE0YS 
 XOPOS. 
 
 ava^' ^povelu yap ol ra^el? ovk aa^aXelv. 
 
 OIAinOTZ. 
 orav raj^vi tk ovTri^ovXevav \a6pa 
 Xfop^, rw^vv Sel Kafie fiovKeveiv iraXiv. 
 €t B rjo-ir^a^cov irpoafieva, ra rovSe /j.ev 620 
 
 veirpayftev ea-rai, rdfm S' tjfiaprrj/jLeva. 
 
 KPEON. 
 Tt BijTa %/3pf«9 ; t) fie yfji; e^w ^aXelv ; 
 
 oiAinoTs. 
 
 fjKicTTa • BvrjffKetv, ov (}>vyelv ae ^ovXofiai. 
 
 KPEfiN. 
 orav "rrpoSei^rjV oiov eart ro ^ffoveiv, 
 
 oiAinors. 
 
 M? ouj^ virei^av ovBe iriaTevawv Xeyet? ; 626 
 
 KPEfiN. 
 ov yap ^povovvra <r ev /SXeww. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 
 TO yaw efiov. 
 
 KPEfiN. 
 
 aXX e^ taov oet Kafiov. 
 
 oiAinors. 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Chorus. 
 Prudence bids hearken to such words, my lord, 
 For fear one fall. Swift is not sure in thought. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 When he who hath designs on me is swift 
 In his advance, I must bethink me swiftly. 
 Should I wait leisurely, his secret work 
 Is perfected, and mine hath missed success, 
 
 Ceeon. 
 "What would you then ? To thrust me from the land ? 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Nay, death, not exile, is my wish for thee. 
 
 Ceeon. 
 When thou shalt show what is the grudge I bear thee. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Meanest thou not to yield nor to obey me ? 
 
 Ceeon. 
 3.ecaus.e I see you blind., 
 
 Oedipus. 
 
 Not to my need. 
 
 Ceeon. 
 Mine must be thought of too. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 
 You are a villain. 
 
OIAinOYS TYPANNOS. 
 KPBON. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 
 apicreov y o/ia>i. 
 
 EFEQN. 
 ovTOi KaKO)'; y ap^ovTO^. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 
 Q) toKk ttoXw. 
 
 KPBJJN. 
 KUfioi TToXews fiereaTiv, ouj^t cot fiovm. 630 
 
 XOPOS. 
 iravaaaQ , avaxre? • Kaipiav B vfiiv opS> 
 Tiji/S' e/c SdfjLcov errei'xpvffav loKcuTTrfv, fieO 7]<i 
 TO i/w TrapecTo? i/ei/co? ew 6ea-0ai '}(pewv. 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 Tt TTji» aj3ovXov, ft) Ta\at7rft)poc, aratTiv [Introit. 
 
 yXwtra-r]^ eTnjpatyB ; ovS erraiajQJveaOe, y^? 635 
 
 ovTft) voaovar)<;, iSia KivoiivTe<; KaKci; 
 ovK et (TV T oIkov^ (TV TC, Kpiov, Kara areyai, 
 Kai (17] TO iiifiev aXyo'i et? fi4y oiaere ; 
 
 KPEfiN. 
 o/Mti/ie, Beiva p, OiBlvov^ 6 <to<s TroaK 
 Spatrai, BikmoI, Bvoiv avoKpcva^ KUKOtv, 640 
 
 rj y7J<! atrSHTai iraTpiBoi, rj KTeivai Xa^av — 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 ^vp^f)rip,i ' Bpavra yap viv, w yvvat,, KUKWi 
 ei.\7]<f)a rovp.ov aS)p,a aw rej^w; Kaicy. 
 
king oedipus. 
 
 Ceeon. 
 Suppose you are all ignorance ? 
 
 Oedipus. 
 
 My power 
 Must be maintained ev en th^n, 
 
 Ceeon. 
 
 Authority 
 Sorts not witli error. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 
 my citizens 1 
 
 Ceeon. 
 I have a part in them as well as you. 
 
 Choeus. 
 Cease, princes. Opportunely I behold 
 Jocasta coming toward you from the palace. 
 Her presence may attune your jarring minda. 
 
 Jocasta. 
 
 [Enters.] 
 
 Unhappy that ye are, why have ye reared 
 Your wordy rancour 'mid the city's harms ? 
 Have you no shame, to stir up private broils 
 In such a time as this ? Get thee within ! 
 And thou, too, Oreon ! nor enlarge your griefe 
 To make a mountain out of nothingness. 
 
 Ceeon. 
 Sister, thy husband Oedipus declares 
 One of two horrors he will work on me. 
 Banishment from my native soil, or death. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Yes, for I caught him practising, my queen, 
 Against our person with malignant guile. 
 
20$0KAE0Y2 
 
 KPEON. 
 
 fi'^ wv ovaifiTjv, aW' apalo^, ei ae rt 
 
 SeSpaK , oXoifirjv, wv eTratTia fie Spav, 64S 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 ft) TT/jos deav viarevaov, OiSiirov^, raSe, 
 fiaXiara fiev tovB opKov ai,Sea0ei9 Oeeop, 
 eireira Kufie TOvaBe 6 di Trdpeuri, aot. 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 OTp. 
 
 iridov 6eKT]aa<i ^pov^aa<i t , ava^, \iaaofjiac. eso 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 Ti aot 0e\ei^ SiJT elicdOos ; 
 
 XOPOS. 
 Tov ovre irplv vrpnov vvv t ev opx^ /neyav KaTaiheaai. 
 
 0IAin0T2. 
 
 oiaff ovv a xpjjf«s > 
 
 XOPOS. 
 oiBa, 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 
 ^pa^e Bt] • Ti <pTfi ; 655 
 
 XOPOS. 
 Tov evayt] (piKov firjUor ev airia 
 avv a(f>avei "Koytp a aT(,/j,ov ^a\e2v. 
 
 OlAinOTS. 
 ev wv eirtaro), ravd brav ^ijt^^, e/*ot 
 fijTwi/ oKedpov 7] ^vyrjv ex rrjaSe y^s. 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Ceeon. 
 May comforts fail me and a_witlieri-ng curse 
 Destroy me, if I e'er tried, augkt of this. 
 
 JOCASTA. 
 
 I pray thee, husband, U§tsB..tQ,.iua plea ; 
 Chiefly respecting his appeal to Heaven, 
 But also me, and these who stand by thee. 
 
 Choeus. 
 Incline to our request 
 Thy mind and will, king ! 
 
 Oedipus. 
 What would you I should yield unto your prayer ? 
 
 Chorus. 
 Eespect one ever wise. 
 Whose oath protects him now. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Know ye what thing ye ask ? 
 
 Chorus. 
 I know. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Then clearly tell. 
 
 Chorus. 
 Thy frien dj whose voice is hallowed by his oajth, 
 Eob not of honour through a dim surmise. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 ;^ asking that, you labour for my death' 
 Or banishment. Of this be well assured. 
 
OIAinOYS TYPANN02. 
 
 XOPOZ. 
 ov rov vavrav 0eS>v 6eov wpofiov eeo 
 
 A\iov ' errei a6eo<} a<f)i\o^ b Tt "Trvfjunov 
 oKoi/xav, ^poPTjaiv ei ravB ey^ca, 
 
 aWa fioi Svafiopp <ya ipdiva^ 665 
 
 Tpv^ei •^uj^ttv, raB ei, KaKoli Kuxa 
 vpoaaip-ei toZ; vaXat Ta Trpoi <r<pav. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 o 8 ovv tTw, «€t j^pTj fjie TrafTeXw? davelv, 
 7) ly^? arifiov rfjaS airaxfOrivai, jSia, 670 
 
 TO yap GOV, ov to tovB', eiroiKTeipo) arofia 
 eXeivov • ovTO<i 8 , ev6 av y, cTvyrjaerai. 
 
 KPEON. 
 (TTvyvoi fiev clkcov SfjXo<} et, ^apvi S , orav 
 Gvfiov vepd(n]<;. al Be roiavTai ^vaeK 
 avToli BiKaio)'! eiaiv aXyiarai ^epeiv.' 676 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 ovKovv y! eaaeK KUKTOi ei ; 
 
 KPEQN. 
 
 •iropevaofiai, 
 aov likv TV)(U)V ayvSno<s, ev Be rolaB tffo?. [Exit. 
 
 XOPOS. 
 dvT. 
 
 yvvai, Ti iieXKeiii KOfii^eiv Bofiav tovB earn ; 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 fiaOovffd y rjri^ jj tvj(i]. 680 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Chorus. 
 No, by tlie Sun I swear, 
 Vaunt-cotirier of the host of heaven. 
 For may I die the last of deaths, 
 Unblest of God or friend, 
 If e'er such thought were mine. 
 But oh ! this pining land 
 Afflicts my hapless soul. 
 T o think that to her jast and p resent wo e 
 She mustj,dd,-±his, jhaLsprings-to-her from jmu. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Then let him range, though I must die outright, 
 Or be thrust forth with violence from the land. 
 Not for his voice_but thine,.v^ich,wnnga my -heart: 
 He, wheresoe'er_he, live, -shall have my hate. 
 
 Ceeon. 
 You show yourself as sullen when you yield, 
 A-S-Unendurable in your fury's height. 
 Such natures justly give themselves most pain. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Let me alone, then, and begone ! 
 
 Ceeon. 
 
 I go, 
 Xlflchanged, to these, though I hav& found thee-blind. 
 
 [Retires to the City. 
 
 Choeus. 
 Lady, why tarriest thou 
 To lead thy husband in ? 
 
 JOCASTA. 
 
 I will, when ye have told me what hath passed. 
 
20*0KAE0YS 
 
 X0P02. 
 BoKTjcni; ayvws Xoyeov nkOe, Bdxvei Se km to fir] vBikov. 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 
 afi^olv air avrolv ; 
 
 XOPOS. 
 vatj(i,. 
 lOKASTH. 
 
 KcHi T4? ?iv \oyo^ ; 
 XOPOS. 
 o\t? efioiy , a\i<s, ya? jipoTrovovfievai, 685 
 
 (jyaiverai evd eXrj^ev avTOV fieveiv. 
 
 oiAinors. 
 
 oyjaj tv TjKeiv, ayatfoi cov <yvai/j,7]v avTjp, 
 Tovfiov irapieK icai Kaiafi^Xvvoiv Keap ; 
 
 XOPOS. 
 ava^, eiTTov /lev ov^ aira^ fiovov, 690 
 
 laOi Be irapatjfpovip.ov, airopov eiri (ppovifia 
 ire(j}av9ai p. av, et as voa^i^ofiai, 
 
 6? T epMV yav ^i\av ev irovoi,^ 698 
 
 ffdKsvovaav kut opdou ovpiaaf, 
 Tavvv T evTTOfvirois el yevoio. 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 TTpo? $eS)v BiBa^ov Kap!, ava^, otov irore 
 p,r]viv TOCTTji'Se irpaypaTO'; (7T7J(7os eyei<i. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 ep& • ae r^ap ra>vB e? irXeov, yvvai, ai^a • 700 
 
 KpeovTot, old p.01 ^e^ovKevKa^ exei. 
 
KING 0EDIPD3. 
 
 Chorus. 
 Words •without knowledge voiced a vague s urmise ; 
 And acc usations, thoug h unfounded, sting. 
 
 JOCASTA. 
 
 Came this from both of them ? 
 
 Chorus. 
 
 From bdth alike. 
 
 JOOASTA. 
 
 And what was the dispute ? 
 
 Chorus. 
 
 Enou gh fo r me, 
 4SEly_550Tlgkii- seemeth,_5KhfinJi£Jand 
 Is ^yexed a lready, not to wake what sleeps. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Observe where thou art landed, honest friend, 
 Slackening my wrath, and bating my desire ! 
 
 Chorus. 
 My prince, not once alone 
 I spake it, but again. 
 I should be clearly mad, 
 Unfurnished of all sense, 
 To loose my clasp from thee, 
 Who, when my land was sore distraught, 
 Didst speed her forth anew with favouring gale. 
 Now, too, if but thou may'st, be our good guide, 
 
 JoOASTA. 
 
 Let not thy queen be kept in ignorance 
 Why thou hast started such a power of wrath. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 I'll tell thee, lady, for I honour thee 
 More than these citizens. 'Twas Creon there, 
 And his inveterate treason against me. 
 
OIAinOVS TYPANNOS. 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 Xey , e( aai^Ss^ to veiKoi} ey/caXbJi' epevi, 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 
 <l)ovea fie (^rjai Amov KaQearavau 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 avTO<i f KvetSo)?, ij fiadav aWov nrapa ; 
 
 oiAinors. 
 
 fiavTiv fiev ovv KUKOvpyov etoTre/i-^a?, eTret 705 
 
 TO y ets eavTov irav eKevdepol arofia. 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 av vvv d^eK aeavrov <ov Xeyet? iripi, 
 e/iov nraKOvaov Kai fiad ovveic €<m ffot 
 PpoTetov ovSev fiavTiKrfi €y(pv rej^i/j??. 
 ^avm Be aot arifiela ravSe o'vpTO/ia, 7io 
 
 j^p97<7/i05 yap r)\6e Aaito iror , ovk epat 
 ^oi^ov y air avTov, rcov S' virriperSiv airo, 
 «B? avTOv fj^oi fioipa irpoi iraiSo'; davelv, 
 offTts yevoiT e/iov re kukslvov irapa. 
 KOI, Tov fiep, toairep y rj ^art?, ^evoi irore 715 
 
 Xr/ffrai ^ovevova- ev rpiirkaiv dfia^iTol<s • 
 iraiBov Be ^Xaara^ ov Sieaj(pv ij/xepat 
 rpeli, KM vtv apOpa Kelvov ev^ev^as iroBolv 
 eppi-^jreu aXKaiv j(ep(Ti,v et? a^arov opo9. 
 KavravO AiroWav ovt eKelvov rjvvaev 720 
 
 ^ovea yeveaOai iraTpoi; ovre Adtov, 
 TO Beivou oxx^o^elro, irpoi 7ra(So$ Oavelv. 
 

 KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 JOCASTA. 
 Accuse Hm : so you make the quarrel clear. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 He saith. I am the mur derer of the king. 
 
 JocASTA. 
 ^his own knowledge, orfrom others^ wordL? 
 
 Oedipus. 
 He keeps his own lips free : but hath suborned / 
 A knavish soothsayer to this wickedness. / 
 
 JoCASTA. 
 
 List, now, to me, and set your heart at rest 
 On that you speak of, wbilat T makp ynn see 
 Ho mortal thing is touched by prophecy. 
 The proofs I show of this are brief and stern. 
 Word came to Laltus once, I will not say 
 From Phoebus' self, but from his ministers, 
 That death should find him from his true-born son, 
 " Who should of both of us be.. gend fired. ,.,- 
 
 And him, so rumour saith, stranga. robbers slew 
 OaejaaffiCBy where two roads parted ; but the child 
 Qrew nqt.Jij:sg„ days,_ere by my i.usband!s .hand 
 Hjs feet werejoeked^ and he was cast and left 
 By messengers on the waste mountain wold. 
 So Loxias neither brought upon the boy 
 His father's murder, nor on Lalus 
 The thing he greatly feared, death by his son. 
 
SO*OKAEOYS 
 
 Toiavra ^rjfuii fiavTiKM SiwpKrav, 
 
 (ov evTpeirou o-v nrfiev • wi/ yap av Beat 
 
 ■}(peiav epevva pa5i,(o<i avTot ^avu. 725 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 OLOV /i aKovtravT apricot; e'^ei, yvvai, 
 •sfrvxfi^ TrXaviy/ita KavaKcvriffK ^pevwv. 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 iroiat fiepifivrf^ rovd viroarpa^eif Xeyet? ; 
 
 oiAinors. 
 
 ebo^ axova-ac aov too , m? o Aawi 
 
 Karaercfyayenj vpo<! rptTr\ai<i dfia^iTo2<i, V30 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 iji/OaTO yap raur ovoe ttw \7]faj'T e^ei. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 Kat irov crv o j^t>»po? outo? ov too t]V iraoo<; ; 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 $a)/ct? /lec »j y^ /cXj/ferat, cryi.aT'r] S 080? 
 e? ravTO Ask^Siv kutto AavKiat ayei. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 /cat Tt? 'x^povoi TolaS eariv ov^eX'rfKvBa^ ; 735 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 vj^eBov Ti vpoaOev -q av rfjaS e'^oav 'xOovot 
 ap'xrjv iipaivov rovT eK'qpv^ddtf voXu. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 
 S) Zev, 71 fiov Spaa-ai ^e^ovXevtrai irepi ; 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 ' Such issues came of prophesying words, 
 Therefore regard them not. God can himself 
 "With ease bring forth what for his ends he needs. 
 
 1 
 
 Oedipus. 
 
 How m^ soul's depthsjjre _sti^ed_on hearing thee, 
 My queen, w hat wildfixing ianeies- cloud my mind 1 
 
 JOCASTA. 
 
 What care hath given this turn to thy discourse ? 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Methought I heard thee say, King Laltus 
 "Was at a jSTQSsssffl^&lled with -S'1-aughtering stroke. 
 
 JoCASTA. 
 
 Such was the tale that still hath currency. 
 
 , Oedipus. 
 "Where was the scene of this unhappiness ? 
 
 JoCASTA. 
 Ph ocis the land i s named : the parted ways 
 Itead, from one point to Daulia and to Delphi. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 "What time hath passed since this affair was known ? 
 
 JoCASTA. 
 
 'Twas just ere you appeared with prospering speed 
 And took the kingdom, that these tidings came. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 What are your purposes, against me, gods ? 
 
OIAinOYS TYPANNOS. 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 Tt B e(TTl (TOt TOUT , OtBlTTOVS, evOv/UOV ,' 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 lirfirm fi epa>Ta' rov Se Adiov ^vaiv 740 
 
 Ttv e'j^e <f>pd^e, riva S aKfirjv rj^rji ep^w. 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 fte'ya?, ■xyod^av apri \evKav6e<; Kapa, 
 fiop^^ Be T^s (T^s ou/c aireffrarei, ttoKv, 
 
 oiAinors. 
 
 0(/uo( Ta\a? * eotK e/tavrov ei<; apa<; 
 
 BeivcLi irpo^dWoav apTuo^ ovk eiBevai. 745 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 7r«? <j)ri<! ; 0Kv5) 701 Trpos a oTroaKonrova , ava^. 
 
 oiAinors. 
 
 BeivS><! aOvfiS) fiTj pkentov 6 fiavTK y. 
 Sei^ei^ Be fiaXKov, rjv ev e^ennyi ert. 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 Kai fiTjv 0KV<o fiev, a o av epr) fiaffova epto. 
 
 OIAIHOTS. 
 iTorepov ej(wpei ^aiot, rj ttoWou? ej((ov 750 
 
 avBpa^ Xajfyrat, oi, avtjp dp^tjyeTT]^ ; 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 irei'T rja-av oi ^v/iiravrei!, ev S' avTolaiv r^v 
 Krjpv^' dtnivr) S' ^ye Adlov /iia. 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 JOCASTA. 
 Why broods thy mind on sucli a thought, king ? 
 
 Oedipus. 
 !Hay, ask.me-not. But tell me first, . whatJieight 
 Had Lalus, and what ,share of manly blppiA ? 
 
 JoCASTA. 
 
 Tall, with a head just silvered o'er with grey : 
 In shape and bearing much resembling thee. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 
 heavy fate ! ' Twould seem th at-esen. now 
 
 1 flung myself unknowing_on,ihe^curse. 
 
 JoCASTA. 
 
 How? 
 
 I shudder, as I gaze on thee, king. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 The dread appals me that the seer can see. 
 Teirone thing mor^ to make. it doubly «lear. 
 
 JoCASTA. 
 
 I shrink to speak, but, when you ask, I will. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 H ad he scant foll owing, orjJike.a-prince, 
 
 Tj^TlT^niiTTiV^PrgjTl^a'ripFny grmprl train? 
 JoCASTA. 
 
 There were but five in all : a herald one : 
 And LaXus Jravelled- in 4h.€-€ail3t.^ar. 
 
SO^OKAEOYZ 
 
 oiAinors. 
 Moi, TaS r)SijSui^avrl. Tt? rjp irore 
 TOvvSe Xe'f as tou? Xoyow? vfiiv, yvvai ; 755 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 olxevs TK, Smrep. ikst exvadeK fjuivoi. 
 
 oiAinors. 
 
 ^ Kav Sofuutri Tv<y')(avet ravw irapuv ; 
 
 I0KA2TH. 
 oil BrJT- d<f> ov yap KeWev rjKBe kcu Kpari) 
 <re T «S . ej^oi/To Aaiiov t oXcoXoTa, 
 e^iKeTevae tjjs e/i^s xfipov 6iya>v 7«o 
 
 aypovv a^e "jrefiy^ai kutti iroifiviwv vofia^, 
 <u? wXetuTov ewj towS aTroTrrov aorews. 
 KairenY eyat viv • af to? yap «u? ly avi)p 
 
 OIAinOTZ. 
 TTQif av fioiKoi, Sr)9 tjftw ev Taj(ei iraXiv ; 76S 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 •TrapeffTiv. aWa wpo? Tt toiJt exjiieaai ; 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 BeSoiK ep,avTov, m yvvai, p.7] iroXS^ ayav 
 eiprifiev r/ fioi, St a viv eicnSelv 6e\m. 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 aXX i^erai ftev a^ia Se irov fiaOeiv 
 Kayta ra y tV' <roi Sva^opai ej^ojT , ava^. 770 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 
 That brought yoatbiaJi,Qtelligence, my queen ? 
 JOOASTA. 
 
 A household slave, who living 'scaped alone. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 And may it be that he is now within ? 
 
 JOCASTA. 
 
 No, truly. When he came from yonder scene, 
 And saw thee on the throne with Lalfus dead, 
 He touched my hand, and made his instant prayer 
 That I would send him to o'er-look the flocks 
 And Jural pastures, so to live as far 
 As might be feom the very thought of Thebes. 
 And he obtaii^ed from me his suit., No slave 
 Could better merit richest boon tha;n he. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Would he might come again immediately ! 
 
 , • JoCASTA. 
 Doubtless. he may. But why desire it thus? 
 
 Oedipus. 
 I fear m e I have spoken far Joo..nmch. 
 In words that m ake me^i^ to see him come. 
 
 JocASTA. 
 Well, so he shall. But 'tis-my right to know 
 What in thy state goes heavily, my king. 
 
OIAinOYS TYPANN02. 
 
 oiAinorz. 
 
 Kov fir] areprjdyi y e? toctovtov eXTTiStov 
 
 efiov /Se/ScdTo?. to) yap av koi fiel^ovi 
 
 xe^atfi av rj aot oia rv)(r)<s Toiaao tmv ; 
 
 €fioi iraTqp fiev IIoXw/Sos ^v KopivBio^, 
 
 firjTTip Be MepoTTf) AtapK. riyoiiriv S avT\p 175 
 
 a<rjS)v fieyurro<i rS>v exel, irplv fioi rvyr) 
 
 TOtaB eveffTt), davfioffai fiev a^ia, 
 
 CTToi/S^S ye fievToi t^s efirj^ ovk a^la. 
 
 avrip yap ev Beiirvoii p. inrepir\7iade\f! fiedrf 
 
 KoKel Trap oivq) TrXotrTO? w? cmjj' irarpi. 780 
 
 Kayo) ^apvv6ei<i ttjv (lev ovaav ■^fiepav 
 
 /loKii KaTeaj(ov, Oarepa B lasv 7re\a<i 
 
 lir)Tpo<; irarpo^ t T/Xey^ov • ot Be Bva^opta 
 
 TovveiBo<i rjyov rm fiedevTi rov \dyov. 
 
 Kayco Ttt fiev xeivoiv erepirofnjv, ofio)<! B 786 
 
 €Kvi^e fi aet tov6 • v^elpve yap iroXv. 
 
 \adpa Be fir]rpo<; Kat Trarpov vopevofiai 
 
 HvOtaBe, Kai fi o ^oi/So; (ov fiev iKOfirjv 
 
 arifiov e^evefi-^ev, aWa S' ad\ia 
 
 Kai Beiva xai Bvcrrifva Trpov^avr) Xeytov, 790 
 
 <B? fi7)Tpi fiev XP^i-V f'^ M'X^^""**' y^**"? S 
 
 arXTfTov av6pa>iT0i<n BrfKfoaoifi opav, 
 
 <f>ovev^ B eo'oifiTjv Tov tfyvrevaavToi Tarpos. 
 
 Kayat iraKOvaat Tavra ti]v KopivOiav 
 
 aarpoi's to XoiTtov eKfierpovfievof yjdova 795 
 
 e^evyov, ev6a firfiror oyfrotfirfv KaK&v 
 
 •X^prfafiaiv oveiBrf rav efiwv TeXovfieva. 
 
£2 
 
 KINO OEDIPUS. 
 
 Oedipus. • 
 
 And thou skalt have it, when my, thoughts have risen 
 To sucti a flight of" wiM"expectaiLcv. 
 TajS5diQ3a.more worthy ban \ loose my heart \, 
 In travelling through suchji_gejil_pi^,gtrait ? 
 My father was Corinthian Polybus, ^^ 
 And Meropfe of Doris was my mother. """"^ 
 
 My life was held the noblest in esteem 
 Through all \4£k9i8:> ^iH ^ chance appeared, 
 Deserving admiration, but, though strange, 
 Not worthy of the earnest heed I gave it. 
 For at a feasting once, over the wine, 
 One who had drunk his fill, called put to me, 
 '' Hail, spurious foundling of thy foster-sire ! " 
 I that one day the passion at my heart 
 Hardly controlled, but, on the morrow morn, 
 Went near and .proved my parents, who were fierce 
 In wrath at him whose lips had broached this word, 
 For their part I was satisfied, but still 
 This vexed me, for the rumour would not die. 
 Unknown to both my parents t hen I we nt 
 To Pytho, where, as to uching my-jiesir.e, 
 Phoebus repulsed me ; but brake forth instead 
 With othCT^raclesof misery 
 And horrible misfortune, how thatX- 
 Must know my mother's shame, and .manifest 
 A birth intolerable to human vi ew. 
 And do to death the giver of my life. 
 I fled forth at the word, and, measuring now 
 Corinthia's region by the stars alone. 
 Went roaming, where I never might behold 
 Those shameful prophecies fulfilled on me. 
 
20*0KAE0Y2 
 
 <TTeiy(wv i iKvovfiai rovaSe row ytopov^ iv oit 
 
 (TV Tov rvpavvov tovtov oWtxr^ai \eyeit. 
 
 KOI a-oi, yvvac, ra\r]6e<; e^epm. TpiTrXrjv 800 
 
 or T) Ke\ev0ov rrjaS oSotiTop&v ireXai, 
 
 ePTavda ftoi, icijpv^ re icairt TrwXt/c^? 
 
 avrjp aTrr]vr)^ e/xjSe/So)?, owv av ^j7?, 
 
 ^vvT)VTi,agov • Ka^ ooov fi o tf rjye/itov 
 
 OWT09 0^ 6 irpeaffvi irpot fiiav ^XavveTijv. sos 
 
 Kayo) TOP €K7peiroi>Ta, rov TpojdtjXaTTjv, 
 
 iraico Si opyrji; * Kai ft, 6 irpetrfiw 09 opa, 
 
 o^ov TrapaiTTeiXovTa TT)pr\&a<! fieaov 
 
 Ktipa hiir\ol<i Kevrpourl fiov KaBltcero. 
 
 ov fi'qv ia-7}v y eriirev, dWa trvvrdfuoi 810 
 
 amyrrrp^ Ti/Tret? e« rfjaZ'e x^po? uTrrto? 
 
 fiearji airrjvijv ev6v<s eKKuXivSeraf 
 
 Kreivd) Se rovi ^vijunavra<{. et Ze t<3 ^ivm 
 
 Toi/Tw Trpoa-rjKei Aat^ rt avyyevev, 
 
 Tts TovBe y apSpo<! eariv dOXuareptn ; fOB 
 
 Tfs e)(6poBaifia)v /laXXov ap ye'poiT dpt^p ; 
 
 ea fiT) ^eptop e^eati /jltjS^ durr&p tiPa 
 
 Bofioii Sey(^e&dai, /ir)Se itpo&^mpeip riva, 
 
 oidelp h av' oiKtov. koI rdB' ovtk a,XXo<i ^i> 
 
 7) yto IT efiavrut raab apa<s o irpoa-rideii. 820 
 
 Xe'Xfi Be rov dapoprot ep j^epolp efiaip 
 
 ')(paipo), Bi oiPTrep wXer', ap etftvp kuko^ ; 
 
 ap ov)(i, 7ra? apaypo<}, ei fie y^pif ^vyeiv, 
 
 Kai, /j,oi (f>vyoPTi fitjari tou? ifioi)^ iBelp 
 
 fiTjB efi/Sareveiv vaTplSoi, ^ ydfioK /le Bet azs 
 
KING OEDIPUS.: 
 
 So faringoni I reachedthe spot, wliere thou . ' .. 
 
 Narratest th"e destruction, of this Jiing. , . .. > . 
 
 And, my wife, I will hide nothing from thee. 
 
 "When I drew near the cross-road .that you speak of, 
 
 A herald, and a man upon a car^ 
 
 Like your description, there encountered me. 
 
 And he that held the reins, and he hiniself, . 
 
 T?he greybeard, sought to force me from the path. 
 
 Thenjnjaineangry mood, I sharply struck 
 
 The_ddser=man- that- turned me from the way; 
 
 " WMch when the eld ecgaw. he watched for:me . 
 
 As I passed b y. and frpia the vehicle . 
 
 Smote fuU upon, my head with JJia fork'd goad ; 
 
 But-paidr-Bo-eqm]r|»iPieej4&E;--with-a-blQw 
 
 FpffnJihiajdlghLh£md,_SHELhyLni^La±^ he_fe.ll ' 
 
 Instantly rolled from out the car supine-.- ■ 
 
 I slew them every one. H-OW if there be 
 
 AughLi3££OBfi@S'i«a>-0£j:aLatJi3nship... 
 
 Betwixt yon stranger..and.King Lalus, 
 
 "What wr,etch oa earth was. e'er sa lost as L2 
 
 Whom have the Heavens so followed with their, hate ? 
 
 Ho house of Thebag. or of stranger here 
 
 l^ust any more receive, me, jaQne.ifiacefoxth 
 
 Must speaLto me,, but drive me frxaiuthe. door ! 
 
 I, I have laid this curse on inine own head ! j-**-^- 
 
 Ay, and this arm that slew him now enfolds 
 
 His queen. cruel stain ! Am I not_\d le^? 
 
 Eolluted utte rly f Yea. I must flee. 
 
 And, lost to Thebe, nevermore behold 
 
 My friends, nor tread my couhtry, lest I meet' 
 
 ./ :. 
 
OIAinOYS TYPANNOS. 
 
 livfTpoi} ^vyrjvai koI irarepa KwraKTavelv 
 
 UoXv^ov, 09 e^e(j)va-e Ka^edpei^e fie ; 
 
 ap ovK air (ofiov Taura Bal/iovo^ tk av 
 
 Kpivap eir avopt rtpb av opaoirj \oyov ; 
 
 ftrj ^ryra, fit] SrJT , w ^ewv dyvov ae^a<s, 830 
 
 iBoi/ii Tavrqv rj/jtepav, aW eic fiporau 
 
 ^attjv acjtavTOi irpocrdev rj roiavS' tSeti» 
 
 KijXl^ efiavTO) <rv/i(popa'! a<j)iyp,evi}p. 
 
 XOPOS. 
 rjfiiv fiev, uva^, ram oKvrjp • eax; o av ovv 
 irpoi rov irapovTOf! eKftdOi^, ej^' e\7riBa. 835 
 
 oiAinors. 
 Kal fi7]v ToaovTov y eoTt fioi t^s e\triB<K, 
 Tov avSpa Tov fioTtjpa -rrpoafieivai fidvov. 
 
 I0KA2TH. 
 ve^acfievov he rt? irod^ ^ "rrpodvfiia ; 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 eyo) BiSa^ct) a • rjv yap evpeOy Xeytov 
 aoi TOUT , eycay av eKiretjtevyoirjv irddo^. a/a 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 TTolov Se (wv irepicaov fiKovaa<s Xdyov ; 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 1 \ 
 
 \7)(TTa^ e^aa-/ce; avrov avBpWi evveireiv 
 ca$ viv Karaiereivaiev. ei /lev ovv en 
 \e^ei TOV avTOV apidfiov, ovk eym icravov • 
 
/ 
 
 KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Injaarriaigp, mine-awn Tnot.her, and bring 1q.w 
 The head that gave me life and reared me up, 
 My father. Polyb us. Ah 1 right were he 
 Who should declare some god of cruel mood 
 Hath sent this trouble on my soul. Ye powers. 
 Worshipped in holiness, ne'er may I see 
 That day, but perish from the sight of men. 
 Ere such a brand be printed on my name ! 
 
 Ohoeus. 
 We share thy fears, king : yet lose not hope. 
 Till thou hast heard the man who saw the deed. 
 
 Oediptts. 
 Y ea, that is all I still have left-o fhape, 
 Tp bide. th^e_comingjof the shepherd-man. 
 
 JOCASTA. 
 
 What eager thought attends his presence here ? 
 
 Oedipus. 
 I'll tell thee. Should his speech accord with thine, 
 My life stands clear from this calamity. 
 
 JoCASTA. 
 
 What word of mine agreed not with the scene ? 
 
 Oedipus. 
 You said he spake of robbers in a band 
 As having slain him. Now if he shall still 
 Persist in the same number, I am free. 
 
S040KAK0YS 
 
 ov yap yevoiT av eiy.ye rot? TToWot; ktos* 84S 
 
 6( d avop ev oiogcovov avoriffei, aaq>ia^ 
 TOUT eoTiv r)Br) rovpyov et? efie perrov, 
 
 10KA2TH. 
 aW (U9 <l>avev ye tovtto? cuS eTrto'Tao'o, 
 KovK e<TTiv ouTjJ TOWTo y eK^aXeiv iraXiv 
 woXk yap fjKOvir , ovk eya> fiovr}, TaSe. 850 
 
 el S' ovv rt KctKTpeiroiro rov trpoaOev \6yov, 
 ovroi WOT , tova^, top ye Aatov ^ovov 
 ^avet SiKuuai op66v, op ye Ao^ia^ 
 St«7re ^(p^pai iratSos ef efiov Bapeip, 
 KaiToi PIP ov Kelvof y 6 hv<TTi)v6<: troTe 855 
 
 KaTeKTap' , a\\ avTOt irapotdev toXero. 
 toa-T ov)(i ftapreuv: y ap otrre tjjo eya 
 pKeYaifi av ovvex ovTe-rt}o ap vvTepov, 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 «a\£f fo/it2|6if. oKK ofUi)<s top epyaTTjv 
 irepfl^ov Tipa aTeXovPTa p,T]Se tovt a^yi. 860 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 irepA^a Taj^ypaa * aXX iwfiep 6? Bofiovi, 
 ovOEV yap av irpa^ai/i av cue ov aoi <piKov. 
 
 {Exeunt Jocasta e< CEdifds. 
 
 XOPOS. 
 crrpa cu 
 
 el fioi ^vpeit] ^epoPTi fxoipa toi* evaevrrop dypeuip Xoyiov 
 epytop TE TtapTWP, <av vo(toi TrpoKeiPTai, 865 
 
 v^iTTohet, ovpavia 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 \One man and many cannot be the same. 
 But if he tell of one lone traveller, 
 Then, unavoidably, this guilt is mine. 
 
 JOCASTA. 
 
 So 'twas given out by-huii7_be-sure ofihat. 
 
 He_cannot_ta^e it back. Not only I 
 
 But all the people heard him speak it so. 
 
 And should he swerve in aught from his first, tale, 
 
 He ne'er will show the murder of the king 
 
 Eightly accordant with the oracle. 
 
 For Phoebus said expressly he should die 
 
 •By him whom I brought forth. But that poor babe 
 
 Ne'er slew his sire, but perished long brfore, 
 
 And for my part, for word .qI prophecy 
 
 I ne'er will look this way nor thai-again. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 
 Wisely resolved. But still send one to fetch 
 The labouring man, and be not slack in this. 
 
 JocASTA. 
 
 I will, and quickly too. Go we within, 
 
 I will do nought but .what may pleasure thee. 
 
 [JocASTA and Oedipus go vnthin. 
 
 Chokus. 
 
 I. 1. 
 
 Deep in my life, by fate impressed, 
 
 Let holiness of word and action rest 
 
 And sinless thought, by those Eternal Laws 
 
 ControU'd, whose being Heaven alone did cause, 
 
OIAinOYS TYPANNOS. 
 
 alOfpi T€Kv<odein€<i, wp'OXv/jlttoi 
 
 iraTfjp fiovo<s, ovBe viv dvara (fyvaii avepav 
 eriKTev, ovSe fi'^ iroje \ada KUTaKoifiaar)' 870 
 
 /Lteya? ev tovtok de6<;, ovSe yTjpaaKei, 
 
 i.VT. &. 
 
 v^pii ^VTevei Tvpavvov v^pt<i, « troXKwv xmepirKrjaBri 
 
 fiarav, 
 
 a /it] TTiKaipa firiSe <7Vfi<f>epovTa, 875 
 
 uKpoTarov eiaapa^aa 
 avoTO/iov capovaev ei? avayicav, 
 
 €V0 ov nroBi j^priaifua j^prjrai. to koXo^ 8 ej(OP 
 ToXei TraXaia-fia firproTe Xvaai deov Mrovfiai, 880 
 
 Oeov ov \r)^a} irore irpoaraTav la^cav. 
 
 <rrp. P'. 
 
 ei Se Tt? vnepoiTTa '^(epaiv 
 r) \oyip 7ropev€Tat, 
 
 AiKaii a<f)o^r]Toi ovSe 885 
 
 Baifiovmv eBr] ae^cav, 
 KUKa viv eXoiTO fiolpa, 
 BvairoTfiov X"/"'" X^iBai, 
 
 ei fi^ TO KepBoi KepSavel Biicaiai 
 KM rav acreiTTtov ep^erat, 890 
 
 T) rSjv adiKTcov e^erai fiard^wv, 
 
 TK €71 "rroT ev roiaB' dvrjp Bvficov ffeKrj 
 ev^erai •^u^^a? afivveiv; 
 
 ei, yap ai roiaiSe irpa^eK Ti/iiai, ^s 
 
 Tt Set fie ■xppeveiv; 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Nor have they drawn their birth 
 
 From mortal sires of Earth, - 
 
 But tread the loftiest Ether,, whence they came. 
 
 Ne'er shall oblivion tame 
 
 Their wakeful spirit ; mighty is the power 
 
 Of God in these, nor knows the enfeebling hour. 
 
 I. 2. 
 
 Zrom fuH -bkffloi-pride -the. tyranLspringg.. 
 
 !]^ide,_ when jtis^ feasted over-much on things 
 
 Timeless and all unmeet, to topmost height 
 
 Soars madly, and then sinks to sudden night, 
 
 MidstiQatfierplexing„Bho.cks 
 
 Of adamantine rocks,,- 
 
 I^pared for stumbling mortals. by _d.art fate. 
 
 But to uphold the State 
 
 "With help of God let men not cease to strive. 
 
 I'll own God my protector while I live. 
 
 11. 1. 
 
 Who walks disdainful ly .witklLajaJLor-iiangue. 
 
 Not fearing acts of ^vrong, 
 
 Nor revel-encing each temple's, holy -shrine? 
 
 A horrid fate be thine, 
 
 For thine abandoned greed, 
 
 Who seekest gain beyond thy rightful meed. 
 
 Nor sparest Jhings. divine, . 
 
 And in thy madness touchest things accurst. 
 
 Who, when such crimes have burst. 
 
 Can look for shelter from the wrathftil shower? 
 
 If such a spirit be in power. 
 
 And gilded with preferment still advance. 
 
 What means my service in the sacred dance ? 
 
2040KAE0Y2 
 
 AvT. P'. 
 
 ovKert TOP affiKTOv etfjti 
 ya,<! eir o/i<f>a\ov <ri^tav, 
 ovo e<! TOP Apaiai vaov, 
 
 ovhi Tov OXvfiviav, 900 
 
 el fit) TaSe ^(etpoSeiicra 
 iraxriv dpfioaei, ^poTaii^, 
 
 dW, (u Kparvvwv, etvfp opO uKOveK, 
 Zev, irdvT avaaatov, fit} \a6oi 
 ae rdv re trav addvarov aiev apjfdv, 905 
 
 ^dlvavra yap IIv06j(pT}<TTa Aaiov 
 dia^ar e^aipovatv tj&j, 
 KovBafiov rifiaii . A'/roKKav ep.^avTfi' 
 eppei Se ra 6e2a. 9ie 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 j^tapas avaKJei, Bo^a fioi irapeaTadrj [^Introit. 
 
 vaovi iKecrdai Saifiovav, raS ev xepolv 
 aTeifyi] Xa^ovar) KairidvfuafiaTa, 
 t/^oO yap aipei 0vfiov OtStTrou? ayav 
 \v7rai<Tt iravToumnv • ovZ oirol avrip 915 
 
 evvovi ra Kaiva rot? iraXfit reKnaiperai, 
 dX>C etrri tov Xeyovro?, el (jio^ovs \eyp, 
 or ovv irapatvovff ovhev cs nrXeov iroim, 
 Trpo? ff, o) AvKei "AiroXXov, ayxio^fOi yap el, 
 iKSTK a(f>iytiai Tola-Be <tvv Karevy/xaaiv, 920 
 
 OTTW Xvatv Tiv Tjfiiv evayrj iropr]<! • 
 <B? vvv oKVovfiev TToj/Tev emreirX'qytievov 
 Kelvov ^Xevovrei; «»? KV^epurfcriv veuxi. 
 
: . KING : OEDIPUS. 
 
 , II. 2. I 
 
 No njpre.I'U worship at earth's central seait, 
 Nor Abae's altar greet, 
 ^or, bow before Olympia's brilliant lord, 
 ^ Unlesa for every nund 
 This, word Mfilment find. 
 The event and prophecy in clear jiS^d., 
 
 If rightly we invoke 
 Thy name, immortal ruler, mightiest Jove, 
 Let not these courses prove 
 Unvisited by thine eternal stroke. 
 AU heavenly sanctities are broke : 
 The oracles to Laltus^ven.of.old 
 Vanish in scorn, a nd Phoebus'-fear, is cold. 
 
 JOCASTA. 
 [Enters.] 
 
 Princes of Thebes, it came into my mind 
 To stand before the holy altars here 
 With frankincense and garlands. For the king, 
 Betossed with fantasy, still runs his soul 
 Qa. wildest seas, nor, like a man whroe thoughts 
 Keep measure, tries things present by the past. 
 Each tongue possesses him that harps on fear. 
 Then, since my comforts do no good at all, 
 To thee, for thou art nearest, Lycian god, 
 I bring my supplication with full hand, 
 To bid thee find for us some pure release. 
 For' seeing him, our captain, in distress, 
 Like shipmen, we are all amazed with dread. 
 
OIAinOYS TVPANNOS. 
 
 ArrEAos. 
 ap av trap vfitov, to ^evoi, pjaffoi/i airov [introu. 
 
 ra Tov Tvpavvov SwfiaT eajlv OiSiirov ; 925 
 
 fia\i<TTa o avTov eiirar , ei Kariao oirov. 
 
 XOPOS. 
 areyai fiev aide, kuvto^ evoov, a ^eve * 
 yvvTJ Se pnqrrjp rjSe rcav Keivov reKvav. 
 
 ArrEAOz. 
 aW oX^ia re Kat ^vv oX^iok aei 
 yevoiT , exeipov y ovaa Trai/reX^? Ba/iap. sao 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 auTw? be koi, crv y , to ^ev • aftos yap el 
 T^s eucTretas oiiveK . aWa <f>pa^ otou 
 j(P]}^av atpl^ai j^eo rt arjfiTJvai 0e\tou. 
 
 ArrEAOS. 
 ayaOa Bofioii; re km iroaet r^ (rm, yvvai. 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 TO TTota TavTO ; irapa rivov S atfuyfievot ; 935 
 
 ArrEAOS. 
 eK T1J? Kopivuov. TO o e7ro<; ov^epto raxfi, 
 ^00(0 fiev, irto<; b ovk av, acr^^aWot; o lacoi, 
 
 I0KA2TH. 
 Tt o e<7Tt ; iToiav bvva/Miv too e)(ei otTTATji' ; 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 First Messenger. 
 
 [Miters at the left, coming from Corinth.] 
 Can you inform me, strangers, where to find 
 The mansions of the sovereign Oedipus ? 
 Or better, where he may himself be seen ? 
 
 Chorus. 
 These are the roofs you seek, and he, our lord, 
 Is there within : and, stranger, thou behold'st 
 The proud queen-mother of his princely race. 
 
 First Messenger. 
 Happy, and with the happy may she live, 
 High-blest copartner of his royal state. 
 
 JOCASTA. 
 
 Be thou, too, blest, kind sir ! Thy gracious tongue 
 Deserves no less. But tell me, what desire 
 You urge, or what inteUigenoe you bring ? 
 
 First Messenger. 
 Good tidings for thy house and husband, queen. 
 
 JocASTA, 
 What are they ? who hath sent you to our hall ? 
 
 . First Messenger. 
 From Corinth came I, and_will_quickly tell 
 What sur e wiU pleag e you, though perc hance 'twill grie ve. 
 
 JoCASTA. 
 
 What news can strike ua with this twofold power ? 
 
SOSOKAEOYS 
 
 ArrEAos. 
 
 Tvpavvov avrov oinri'^wptai, '^Oovov 
 
 Trj'i 'Icrdfiia<; ar'^aovaiv, ws TjvBar exel. mo 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 Tt S'; ov^ 6 TTpeo-jSv? IToXu/So? eyKpaTri<s en; 
 
 ArrEAos. 
 
 ov SrjT, hrei viv OavaTOt ev to^ok ej^et. 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 
 TTWS etTTa? ; ^ reOmfKe UoXv^ot, <o yepov ; 
 
 ATrEAOS. 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 « TrpoairoX , ov;^t Seairori) raB «»? raj^os 945 
 
 jUoXoOtra \e^et? ; w 5ea)i» fiavrev/Mara, 
 IV eare • tovtov OlSittovs iraKai rpefiav 
 TOP avBp e<f)evy€ fir) icravoi, Kai vvv oBe 
 trpoi T^s Ti/^T/s oKtoKev ovSe toOB' vtto. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 w <f)i\Tarov yvvaiKoi 'Iokcicttj}'; xapa, [Introit. 950 
 71 fi e^eirep/^a) Bevpo T&vBe Bafiarmv ; 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 UKove ravBpo<; rovBe, Kai a/coirei kXviov 
 TO, aefiv Iv Tjicei tov deov fiavrevfiara. 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 FiEST Messenger. 
 'Twas rumoured that the natives of the land 
 Of Corinth were about to make him king. 
 
 JOCASTA. 
 
 What ? Is old Polybus not still in power ? 
 
 PiHST Messenger. 
 The power of death confines him in the grave. 
 
 JOOASTA. 
 
 Hold there. How say you ? Polybus in his grave ? 
 
 First Messenger. 
 May I die for him if I speak not true. 
 
 JoCASTA. 
 Quick, Oloe, run and tell this to my lord. 
 Voices of prophecy ! where are ye now ? 
 Long time hath Oedipus with..tremblingjfear 
 Avoided^olybus, lest he should slay him, 
 "Who now lies slain by fortune, not by him. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 
 [Enters.] 
 Jocasta, my dear queen, why didst thou send 
 To bring me hither from our palace-halls ? 
 
 Jocasta. 
 Listjt o that man. .and,.45rhen you hear him, judge 
 The endmg of thB_dreadful prophecy. 
 
OIAinOYS TYPANN02. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 ovro<s Be rt? ttot effTi Kai rt fioi \eyei; 
 
 ioKAZTH. 
 e« T^s KopivOox), irarepa rov aov ayyeXav see 
 
 <B? ovKer ovra UoXv^op, aW oKoaKora. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 
 ATrEAOS. 
 eZ toOto irpwrov Set /i airayyeiKai aa^w, 
 ew t<r5' eKelvov davaaifiov ^e^rfKOTa. 
 
 oiAinors. 
 irorepa BoXoiiriv, r) vocrov ^vvaWayji; 960 
 
 ArrEAos. 
 (TfiiKpa iraKaia trosfiaT evi/ai^ec poirr]. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 voaovi 6 r\r\iJMV, m; eoiieev, e<f>6iT0. 
 
 ArrEAos. 
 
 Kot Tw fiaKptfi ye <TViMiJ.eTpovfievo<! "xpovtp. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 ^ew <^ei5, Tt Stjt oi*, w yvvat, CTKOiroiro tk 
 T7]v UvdofiavTiv eariav, r) tov<s avat 965 
 
 Kka^ovraf opviv, (ov vcfyqyrjrav eym 
 KTUvelv efieWov iraTepa top ep,ov; o he Oavoav 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Who is the man, and what his message here ? 
 
 JOCASTA. 
 He comes from Corinth, to announce to thee 
 That Polyhus, thy father, is no more. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 What, stranger ? Let me hear it from thy mouth. 
 
 FiEST Messenger. 
 If my first duty is to make this clear, 
 Be without doubt that he is dead and gone. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 By sickness coming o'er him, or by guile ? 
 
 FlEST MESSENaEE. 
 
 Light force subdues to rest the aged frame. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 It seems he died of sickness then, poor soul ! 
 
 FiEST Messengee. 
 By sickness and the number of his years. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Ah ! my Jocasta, who again will heed 
 T he Pythian hearth oracular , and birds 
 Screaming in air, blind guides ! that would have given 
 My father's murder to mine hand ; but he 
 
20*0KAE0VS 
 
 Kevaec Kareo oq yjjs " eym o oo evaaoe 
 
 a^avaroi ey')(pv<;, ei, rt firi rtofia irodq) 
 
 KaTe<l)9i9' • ovrco 8' au 6ava>v e'lrj '^ efwv, 970 
 
 ra 8 ovu irapovTa cvWa^av deairtafiaTa 
 
 Kelrai, irap AiSr) IToXf/Sos a^i ovSevoi, 
 
 IOKA.STH. 
 ovKovv eyw aoi ravra irpovXeyov vaXai; 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 ^vSa<i' eyca Se tw ^ojSo) •jraprjyoiJLTjv. 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 
 oiAinors. 
 Kflt TTw? TO fi7)Tpo<; XeKTpop ovK oKvelv fie Set; 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 Tt S ai* (fyo^oiT av6pa)iro<;, u> to t?}? tv;^?;? 
 Kparei, irpovoia S eariv ovB€vo<; aa(^T]'s; 
 eiicrj KpariffTov ^rjv, ottw? Sfj/atTO Tt?. 
 trv 8 619 TO /jL7}Tpo<! /MTj ^o^oii vv/M^evfiaTa ' 980 
 
 TToWot yap rfhrj Kav oveipacnv ^porSiv 
 fiTjTpt ^wevvaerOtjaav, aXKa ravd 0T<p 
 trap ovhev eoTi, paara rov jSiov <f)€pei. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 KaKmi airavra ram' av e^eipTjro trot, 
 ei fir] 'xvpei fair rj TSKOvaa • vvv 8' eirel 985 
 
 f^, TTOff' avayKT}, Kei Ka\m<! \eyei<s, oKvelv. 
 
--p 
 
 KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Hides underground in death, while I stand here 
 Harmless and weaponless : unless, perchance, 
 My absence killed him, so he may have died 
 Through me. But be that as it may , the grave, 
 That covers Polybus from sight, hath close d ^ 
 One voice of prophecy, WOTthjiothingnoj?. 
 
 JOCASTA. 
 
 Di d I not tell you so. lo ng since ? 
 
 Oedipus. 
 
 Youjdd. 
 But I was drawn to error by my fear. 
 
 JOOASTA. 
 
 Now cast it altogether out of mind. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Must I not fear my mother's marriage-bed ? ' 
 
 JoCASTA. 
 
 Why should man fear? seeing his course is ruled 
 By fortune, and he nothing canforeknow? 
 'Tis wise to live at wilTasTfet one may. 
 Then fear not thou thy mother's nuptial. 
 Many a man ere now in dreams hath lain 
 With her who bare him. He hath easiest life 
 Who with such omens troubleth not his mind. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 
 All this would be well spoken, were not she 
 Alive that gave me birth. But since she lives. 
 Though you speak well, yet have I cause for fear. 
 
OIAinOYS TYPANNOS. 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 Koi fiTfv fier/wt y 6(j>0akfU)<! ot irarpo^ ra<f)oi. 
 
 oiAinors. 
 
 ArrEA02. 
 nrouK Se koI yvvaiKo^ eK(j>o^ela6 inrep; 
 
 oiAinors. 
 MepoTTrji, yepaie, noKv^oi r]<! wxei fiera. sso 
 
 ArrBA02. 
 Tt S' ear eKelvr}<; v/ilv e? ^o0op ^epov; 
 
 oiAinors. 
 BetjKaTOV p,avTev(ia Beivov, to ^eve. 
 
 ArrBAOS. 
 ^ pTjTov ; 7] ov}(i defUTOv aXKov etSevai; 
 
 oiAinors, 
 fiuXtara y • eive yap fie Ao^i,a<s iroTe 
 ■^pTjvai fiiyfjvat firjTpi T'^fiavrov, to te 995 
 
 iraTpwov aifia p^epfft tow efiah e\elv. 
 <ov owej^ rj KopivOo<s e^ efj,ov iraXat 
 /lUKpav avmKelr • euTWj^a)? fiev, aX\' 6/U.&>9 
 TO TMi; reKOVTOV ofifiaO r]Bi.aTov ^Xeveiv. 
 
 ArrEAOs. 
 ^ yap ToB OKvSw KeiOev rjaO avoTTToKK ; looo 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 JOOASTA. 
 Your father's burial miglit enlighten you. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 It doth. But I am darkened by a life. 
 
 First Messengee. 
 What lady is the subject of your fears ? 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Merope, aged friend, who lived with Polybus. 
 
 First Messenger. 
 What touching her inclineth you to fear ? 
 
 Oedipus. 
 A heaven-sent oracle of dreadful note. 
 
 First Messenger. 
 May it be told, or must no stranger know ? 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Surely it may. Word came from Loxias once 
 That I must know my mother's shame, and shed 
 With these my hands mine own true father's blood. 
 Wherefore long since my home hath been removed 
 Far from Oorinthia : not unhappily ; 
 But still our parents' eyes are sweet to see. 
 
 First Messenger. 
 Did fear of this make you so long an exile ? 
 
20*0KAE0YS 
 OIAinOTS. 
 
 irarpof re ')(py^<ov fir] ^ovev^ eivai, <^e.pov, 
 
 ArrBAOs. 
 T4 OJjT eyo) oin^t TOKOe tow (popov a , ava^y 
 eiremep evvow} rjKOov, e^eXvad/iriv ; 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 Koi p.rjv 'xapiv y av a^tav Xa^oi^ efiov. 
 
 ArrEAOs. 
 
 /eot fji,T]V pLoKiara tovt o^tKOfirjv, OTrcot M05 
 
 <70u 7r/>b? Zofiovi e\.ddvTO<i ev irpa^aifii Tt. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 aW' ovTTOT elfii rot? ^xnexiaaaLV y ofiov. 
 
 ArrEAos. 
 
 ft) Trat, /ca\a)9 et, Sr]\o<s ovk eiSu? t( hpoM. 
 
 oiAinors. 
 
 ArrEAos. 
 et TcovBe <f)euyeK ovveK et? otKovi fioiKeiv, loio 
 
 oiAinors. 
 rap^m ye /i^ /i.ot ^ol^o^ e^eXdy aa(p-^. 
 
 ArrEAOs. 
 ^ /f^ filaafia tS)v ^vTevaavrmv Xa/Si;?; 
 
 OiAinors. 
 
 TOUT avro, irpea^v, tovto /i etcraet <j>o^ei. 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Horror of this and parricide, old friend. 
 
 First Messenger. 
 Since friendly was my coming, _I would fain 
 Free thee fro m this anxiety, my king. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Our gratitude would well reward thy love. 
 
 First Messenger. 
 Hope of reward from thee in thy retur n 
 W as the chief -m otive of my coming hither. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Eeturn ? Not to my parents' dwelling-place. 
 
 First Messenger. 
 Son, 'tis too clear, you know not what you do. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Why, aged sir ? For Heaven's sake teach me this. 
 
 First Messenger. 
 If for these reasons you avoid your home. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 The fear torments m e. Phoebus may prove ti^je. 
 
 First Messenger. 
 Lest from your parents you receive a stain? 
 
 Oedipus. 
 That is the life-long torture of my soul. 
 
OIAinOYS TYPANNOS. 
 
 ATrEAOS. 
 ap' otada Srjra Trpo? BIki}<s ovSev rpefuov; 
 
 oiAinors. 
 iTO)<s 8' ovj(l, TTats 7' el ravBe 'yewijTwi' e<})w; 1015 
 
 ArrBA02. 
 oBovvsK rjv aoi ITo'XvjSo; ovBev ev yevei. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 TTQ)? elffas; ou yap Il6\v^o<; e^e^vae fie; 
 
 ArrBAOS. 
 oi5 /^aWov ovBev rovBe ravSpoi;, aW taov, 
 
 0IAin0T2. 
 KOI 7Tci><i 6 ^va-a<s ef laov tw fiijSevi; 
 
 ArrBAOS. 
 
 aAA ou o" eyeivar ovt eKeivo^ ovt eym. 
 
 oiAinors. 
 aW avTi Tov or) vaioa fi avofui^ero ; 
 
 ArrEAOs. 
 i&pov TTor , ladi, T&v e/j,S)v j(eipcov Xa^av, 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 Kad' wS' aTT oXXt]^ X^*!"'" earep^ev (leya; 
 
 ArrBAOS. 
 97 ya/j Trpti/ avToi/ e^eireia atraiSia. 
 
 1020 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 First Messenger. 
 Will you be certified your fears are groundless ? 
 
 Oedipus. 
 How groundless, if I am my parents' child ? 
 
 First Messenger. 
 
 Because with Polyb uR t^P" Tigi3at-nQ-ki.n, 
 
 Oedipus. 
 "Why ? Was not he the author of my life ? 
 
 First Messenger. 
 As much as I am, and no more than I. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 How can my father be no more to me 
 Than who is nothing ? 
 
 First Messenger. 
 
 In begetting thee 
 Nor I nor he had any part at all, 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Why then did he declare me for his son ? 
 
 First Messenger, 
 Bgc ause he took .thee once a gift from me. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Was all that love unto a foundling shown? 
 
 First Messenger. 
 Heirless affection so inclined his heart. 
 
20*0KAE0Y2 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 av S efivoXTjaai, rj tskcov fi avTip hiZtoii ; 1025 
 
 ArrEAOs. 
 evpmv vairaiaK ev Ki6at,pa>vov TTTu^atv. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 coBotTTopeK Be trpo^ Tt TovaBe tou? tottov^; 
 
 ArrEAos. 
 
 evTavB' opeioK iroLfivioif eTrearaTOVv. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 •rroi/jLTiv yap ^a9a KaTrl OrjTeia wXavr]'! ; 
 
 ArrEAOs. 
 aov B , (I) TeKPov, a-eorrjp ye rm tot ev j(pov(p. 1030 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 
 Tf B aXyof itT'xovT ev KaKoii fie Xafi^aveK ; 
 
 ArrEAOs. 
 •jToBcov av apOpa napTVprjaeiev Ta <ra. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 oifioi, Ti TOVT ap^alov evvevei<; kukov ; 
 
 ArrEAos. 
 \vco a e-)(0VTa BiaTopov; iroBolv axfidi. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 Beivov y oveiBo^ airapyavoov aveiKofi/rjv. lOK 
 
king oedipus. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 You gave mp. t,n TiiTTi t.Tiftn ? your owD. or bought ? 
 
 First Messenger. 
 Found in Cithaeron's hollowy wildern ess. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 What led your travelling footstep to that ground ? 
 
 First Messenger. 
 The flocks I tended grazed the mountain there. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 A shepherd wast thou, and a wandering hind ? 
 
 First Messenger. 
 Whatever else, my son, thy saviour then. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 From what disaster that you saw me rue ? 
 
 First Messenger. 
 Thine instep bears memorial of that pain. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Oh ! what old evil wiU thy words disclose ? 
 
 First Messenger. 
 yQ]l3lfeeLwer.e.-pieKced- till I unfastened them, 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Sad outrapje in the bands of in^ncy ! 
 
OIAinOYS TYPANNOS. 
 
 ArrBAOs. 
 
 (0(TT avofiaaBr)!! e/c tut^tj? Tai/Tijs os et. 
 
 oiAinors. 
 a vpo<s 0eS>v, irpoi fi/rfTpm, r/ irarpot, ^paaov. 
 
 ArrEAos. 
 ovK OLO • o bov<s be rat/r e/iov Xwov tppovu. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 r] yap trap aWov fj. eXo^Se? ovB avro^ Tvj((iav ; 
 
 ArrEAOs. 
 OVK, aXKa iroi/iriv aWoi eKBtBeocri fioi. 1040 
 
 0IAin0T2. 
 Tt? owTO?; ^ KaTot<T0a SijXcaaai \6yep; 
 
 ArrEAos. 
 Toji; Aatov St^ov tk wvofia^ero. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 jj To{i Tvpavvov TTjffSe yfj<s iraXai ttotc; 
 
 ArrEAOs. 
 /taXtffTO- TouTou ravBpoi} oxrro'; r)V ^orrip. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 ^ KavT en ^mv owto?, wo-t ibeiv e/te; 1045 
 
 ArrEAos. 
 i//u.et9 7 apKTT eiBeiT av ovirt'^capioi. 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 PiEST Messenger. 
 FrnTn tiTiis atlYPTitnrft tTirm-TiniRt tn/pn ihy name. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Ah ! tell me, did my father do this thing, 
 Or was't my mother ? 
 
 TiEST Messenger. 
 
 That I dare not say. 
 He k noweth b est who gave thee to my hand. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Another gave me, then ? You did not find me ? 
 
 First Messenger. 
 Another herdsman passed thee on to me. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Can you describe him ? Tell us what you know. 
 
 First Messenger. 
 He was called one of LaYus' people, sure. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Of Lalus once the sovereign of this land ? 
 
 First Messenger. 
 Yea, surely, he was the shepherd of his flock. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 And is he stUl alive for me to see ? 
 
 First Messenger. 
 You Thebans are most likely to know that. 
 
20*0KAE0Y2 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 
 eariv tk vficov ra>v irapeaTcoTcov 7re\os, 
 
 0(7Ti<! KaroiBe rov 0OTrjp , ov evveirei, 
 
 eiT ovu 67r aypwv ene Kuvvao eiaioav; 
 
 ar]firjva6\ w? 6 Kaipo<i evprjaOai, raSe. 1053 
 
 XOPOS. 
 ot/u.a( /xev ovoev aXKov rj rov ef wypwv, 
 ov Kafi,aTeve<! trpotrdev eiaihelv arap 
 ?j6 a// TOO ov^ rjKca-T av loKa<nrj \eyou 
 
 OIAinOTZ. 
 yvvai, voeii eKSivov, ovnv dpTUOi 
 fioXelp eipiefji^ada ; tovS' ovto<; Xeyei ; lOSj 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 Tt o ovjiv efjre; /irjoev evrpavrj^. ra oe 
 prjdevra ^ovKov /iijSe iiep.vf)a6ai fiaTrjv, 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 
 ovK av yevotTo rov9', ottw? eye* Xaficov 
 arifieia TOiavr ov <j)avco rov/iov yevos» 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 fiT] Trpos dewv, eiirep ri tov travTov ^tov loeo 
 
 Kr)Sei, /ji,aT€va-r]<; rovd' • aKi,<s voaova eya. 
 
 oiAinors. 
 Gapaei. av fiep yap ovB' eav rpiTr]<s eyo) 
 /jbjjTpo^ ^ava TpiBov\o<;, eK^avei Kaxr]. 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Say, any one of you in presence here, 
 If you can tell me of the swain he speaks of, 
 In town or country having known of him ? 
 The time for this discovery is full come. 
 
 Chorus. 
 Mgthinks itjs^no other than the peasant 
 Whom thou didst seek before' to see : but this 
 Could best be told by Queen Jocasta there; 
 
 Oedipus. 
 We lately urged that one should come, my queen. 
 Know you, is this of whom he speaks the same ? 
 
 Jocasta. 
 3?hat matter _who ? Eegaxd, not, jaot^SSJE?. 
 Even vainly to remember aught he saith. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 When I have found such tokens of my birth, 
 I must disclose it. 
 
 Jocasta. 
 
 As you love your life , 
 By Heaven I beg you, search no further here. 
 The sickness in my bosom is enough. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Nay, never fear. Wert I proved thrice jb slave 
 And waif_of bondwomen, you£till_are noble. 
 
OIAinOYS TYPANN02. 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 O/Uo)? TTiOov fjioi, \t<Taofiai' jir) Spa raSe. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 OVK av TTiBoifirjv fir] ov TaS' eKjUbBelv aa(f>ciiv. 1065 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 KM /JLT]V ^povovaa <Y ev ra Xeoffxa o-ot Xeyo). 
 
 oiAinors. 
 
 "oa XmtTTa toivvv 7avTa fi dXyvvet iraXai,, 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 w bva-voTfJ., eiae fnyirore yvoi.r]'; os et. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 af et Tt9 eXdcov Bevpo tov ^orrjpa fioi ; 
 javTTjv 8' eare irKovaLW '^atpeiv yevei. 1070 
 
 lOKASTH. 
 lov lov, Bv(7T7]ve' TovTo yap tr e)((o 
 fiovovrrpocrenrelv, aWo S ovnod' vcnepov. [Exit. 
 
 XOPOS. 
 Tt troTe ^e^TjKev, OIBittov<;, inr aypia<s 
 a^aaa Xuttt?? jj yvvr) ; BeSoi')(^ ottw? 
 fi'^ 'k Trjt UKo-rrrj'i TrjaS avapptj^et xaxa. 1076 
 
 OIAinOTfS. 
 OTTola 'X^pD^ei prjyvvra' rovfwv S eyco, 
 Ket (Tfuicpov eari, Girepp, t8ew» ^ovXrjaofiai. 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 JOCASTA. 
 Yet hearken. I implore you : do not- ao. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 I cannot hear you. I must know this out. 
 
 JOOASTA. 
 
 Withjelgaf.pfircfipiiQa. I advise the best. . 
 
 Oedipus. 
 This " best " of yours is ever mine annoy. 
 
 JocASTA. 
 "WiefcdLed.one,^evCTms^ you know your birjh. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Will some one go and bring the herdsman hither ? 
 Leave her to. revel in-her lordly line. 
 
 JoOASTA. 
 
 Q_horrible! lost one ! This alone 
 
 I spea k to thee, and no word more for^ever. 
 
 [Mushes within. 
 
 Choeus. 
 Oedipus, wherefore is Jocasta gone. 
 Driven madly by wild grief? I needs must fear 
 Lest from this silence she make sorrows spring. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 
 Let her ! YetJTwill, choose to. kflSK my birth 
 Though from an humble seed. Her woman's pride 
 
20*0KAE0YS 
 
 avrri S to-w?, (jjpovel yap a><; yvvrj fieya, 
 
 TTjv ovayeveiav ttjv €/j,tjv aLay(yverat. 
 
 eyoj 8 e/iavTov iralSa Trj<! Tv^rj'i vefiiov loeo 
 
 Trj<! ev StSoucri;? ovic aTifiaaOrjaofiiai. 
 
 TJ}? yap 'ire<j>VKa firirpo<;' oi Se avyyevel'i 
 
 firjve'i fie fiixpov Kai ^leyav huapicrav. 
 
 TOLoaBe S eic<^v<i ovk av e^eXBoifi en 
 
 VOT aWo?, wore firj Kfiadelv jovfiov yevo<;. 1085 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 OTp. 
 
 enrep eya fiavTK etfii, xat kutu yvoo/Jbav iBpK^ 
 ov Tov OXvfiirov aveipcov, w Kidaipcov, 
 OVK ear} tov avpiov navatXrfvov, fir] ov ae ye 1090 
 
 Kai TrarpiwTav OiSlvov 
 Kai Tpo<f)ov Kai fiUTep av^eiv, 
 
 Kai ')(ppev€<T6ai, irpo's rjfiaiv, a)<s eirlr/pa <f)epovTa Tot? e/ioZ? 
 
 TvpavvoK. 1095 
 Irjie 0ol^e, aol Se 
 ravT ape<TT eiTj. 
 
 dvT. 
 
 Ti<; ere, Texvov, Tts <t eTiKTS Tav /iaKpatwvcov Kopav, 
 TIavo<; opeaa-i^ara irarpo'; veKaadela , iioo 
 
 T} ae y evvareipa tk ^o^iov ; to> yap TrXaxei; 
 
 aypovofioi iraaai <j)iXaf 
 etd 6 KvXXava<i avacratov, 
 
 etd 6 JBa/ej^etos ^eo? vaicov eir UKpeov opemv evgrffia Be'^aT 
 
 ex TOV 1105 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Is Bhained, it may be, by my lowliness . 
 But I, wbilst I account myself the son, 
 Ofj)rospering fortune, ne'er will be disgraced. 
 For she is my true-mother : and the months 
 Cohei rs with me of the same .fatheiuICime 
 Have ma rked my lowness. and. mine .exaltation. 
 So born, so nurtured^ I can fear no change, 
 That I need shrink to delve this to the root. 
 
 Chorus. 
 I. 1. 
 
 If I wield a prophet's might. 
 
 Or have sense to search aright, 
 Cithaeron, when to-night th6 moon rides high, 
 
 Loud thy praise shall be confessed, 
 
 How upon thy rugged breast. 
 Thou, mighty mother, nursedst tenderly 
 Great Oedipus, and gav'st his being room 
 
 Within thy spacious home. 
 
 Yea, we will dance and sing 
 Thy glory for thy friendship to our king. 
 
 Phoebus, jinto_thee_ we cry, 
 
 B§ this pleasing in thine eye ! 
 I. 2. 
 
 "Who, my child, hath given thee birth 
 
 Of the long-lived nymphs of earth ? 
 Say, was she clasped by mountain-roving Faun, 
 
 Or beguiled she one sweet hoxir 
 
 "With Apollo in her bower, 
 Who loves to trace the wide uncultured lawn ? 
 'Or was the ruler of Cyllene's height 
 
 The author of thy light ? 
 
 Or did the Bacchic god. 
 Who makes the top of Helicon to nod, 
 
OIAinOYS TYPANNOS. 
 
 Nvfi(j)av ' EXiKCHviSav, ow 
 TrKeiaTa avfiTrai^ei. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 
 et j^/D^ Tt Kufie fjLT] avvaWa^avra irw, iiio 
 
 Trpea/Set?, aradfiaadai, tov ^orrjp opav ZokS), 
 
 ovrrep iraKai ^7)Tovfj,€V. ev re fyap fiaxpm 
 
 yr]pa ^vvaBei ra)Be ravBpt (rvfi/ieTpoi, 
 
 aWcov re tows ayovTaf ojairep oiKeraf; 
 
 eyvaK efiavTov' rfi S ernaTTnirj av fiov 1115 
 
 irpov^oi^ Ta^ av ttov, tov ^oTrjp iSwv irapoi;, 
 
 XOPOS. 
 eyvcoKa yap, a'd<j) laOf Aatov yap ^v 
 Eiirep Til aX\o<: iriaTO<! w? vofievi avrjp, 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 
 ire irpun epmrS), tov KopivBiov ^tvov, 
 7] TovBe ^pd^ei<s ! 
 
 ArrEAos. 
 
 TovTov, ovirep eiaopa^, 1120 
 
 oiAinors. 
 
 oi/TO? tru, irpea^v, Bevpo /xoi ^dvei, ^Xiireov llntroit 
 Off av a epanS). Aatov ttot rjaOa av ; pastor Laii. 
 
 eEPAnnjf. 
 7] 8ov\ov ovK <ovr)To<!, aXK oikoi rpa<f)ei<!. 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Take thee for a foundling care 
 From his playmates that are there? 
 
 Oedipus. 
 
 If haply I, who never saw his face, 
 Thebans, may guess, methinks I see the hind, 
 Whose coming we have longed for. Both his age, 
 Agreeing with the other's wintry locks, 
 - Chimes with my supposition, and the garb 
 Of his conductors is well known to me 
 As that of my own people. But thyself 
 In perfect knowledge art my better here. 
 Whose eyes have seen the herdsman in the past. 
 
 Chorus. 
 
 I know him well, believe me. Lalus 
 
 Had no more faithful shepherd than this man. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 
 Corinthian friend, I first appeal to you : 
 Was't he you spake of? 
 
 FiEST Messenger. 
 
 'Twas the man you see. 
 [Sbevakt enters at the right, from afield.\ 
 
 Oedipus. 
 
 Turn thine eyes hither, aged friend, and tell 
 What I shall ask thee. Wast thou Lalus' slave ? 
 
 Servant. 
 I was, not bought, but bred within the house. 
 
20*0KAE0Y2 
 
 oiAinors. 
 
 epyov fiepifivmv tto'lov rj fiiov riva; 
 
 GEPAnON. 
 iroifivaK ra ifKeiara rov ^cov avveiirofi'qv. 1125 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 "Xmpoi,!; fiaXicna irpov Tiai ^vvavXo<! cav; 
 
 eEPAnjjJS'. 
 
 rjv (lev KiOaipav, rjv Be irpoff')(a)po<s roTro<:. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 Tov avBpa TovB ovv oiada T^Se ttov jMaOwv ; 
 
 GBPAnnN. 
 •n j(prifia Spavra ; irolov avBpa km XeyeK ; 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 TovB 09 irapeaTiv rj ^vvr]\Xa^a<; ti ttoj; uso 
 
 GEPAnfiN. 
 ov^ &)(TTe y enreiv ev Taj(ei fivrjfir)'; viro. 
 
 ArrEAos. 
 
 KovBev ye Oavfia, Beairor . aXK eyco cra^Q)? 
 
 ayiicoT avanvr]<Tco viv. ev yap otS on 
 
 KUTOiBev rjfjbov tov KiffaipS)vo<i tottov 
 
 fiev BiifKoiat TTOi/jLvioa, eyco B evl 1135 
 
 evXtjaia^ov TwBe ravBpi, rpel^ 6X.01;? 
 
 6^ rjpoi} 619 apKTOvpov eKfirivov! '^povov^' 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 "What charge or occupation was thy care ? 
 
 Servant. 
 Most of my time was spent in shepherding. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 And where didst thou inhabit with thy flock ? 
 
 Seevani. 
 'Twas now Cithaeron, now the neighbouring tract. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 And hadst thou there acquaintance of this man ? 
 
 Seevant. 
 Following what service ? "Who is he you mean ? 
 
 Oedipus. 
 He who stands here. Say, hast thou met with him ? 
 
 Servant. 
 I cannot bring him all at once to mind. 
 
 First Messenger. 
 No marvel, good my lord. But I will clearly 
 "Wake to remembrance his long slumbering sense. 
 For well I wot he knoweth of the time 
 "When he with his two flocks and I with one 
 Beside him grazed Cithaeron's pasture wide 
 Good six months' space of three successive years, 
 From spring to rising of Arcturua ; then 
 
OIAinOYS TYPANNOS. 
 
 yeifitova o fjor/ rafia t et? eirav\ eym 
 
 rfkavvov ovtoi t et? ra AdCov araSfia. 
 
 Xeyco n rovrav, r] ov \eyco Trevpajfievov ; 1140 
 
 eEPAfflJN. 
 
 Xeyet? aXrjSrj, KMirep ek fiaxpov j(povov. 
 
 ArrEAos. 
 ^6^3 eiire vvv, tot ocaOa ttalha fioi Tiva 
 Bov<!, w? efiavTm dpefi/ia dpeyfraifirjv eyco; 
 
 GEPAnnisr. 
 
 / p,> 1 
 
 Tt S effTt TrpO? Tt TOVTO TOVTTO'i ICTTOped ; 
 
 ArrEAOs. 
 
 00 e<TTii>, w Tcti/, Kecvo<; o? tot ^v i/eo?. 1145 
 
 , GEPAnON. 
 
 oii« et? oKeupov; ov o-twTr^iros effei ; 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 a, /XTj Ko\u(fe, irptcr^v, t6vB\ tirel to, aa 
 oeiTM KoXaaTov fiaXXov tj tu toGS' emj. 
 
 GEPAnniir. 
 Tt o', w (pepiffTe SeffTTOTav, d/iapTavo) ; 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 
 ovK evveircov top TraiB^ ov ovto? la-Topei. ii66 
 
 GEPAnfiN. 
 
 Xeyej <yap etSoj? oiySe'i', aXX.' aWms 7roi/6t. 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 For the bleak ■winter-time I drove my charge 
 To their own folds, he his to LaYus' stalls. 
 Is this the truth, or do I stray from fact ? 
 
 Servant. 
 The time is far remote. But all is true. 
 
 First Messenger. 
 Well, dost remember having given me then 
 A child, that I might foster him for mine ? 
 
 Servant, 
 "What means this question ? Let me know thy drift. 
 
 First Messenger. 
 Friend, yonder is the infant whom we knew. 
 
 Servant. 
 Confusion seize thee, and thine evil tongue ! 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Check not his speech, I pray thee, for thy words 
 Call more than his for chastisement, old sir. 
 
 Servant. 
 What, mighty sovereign, is mine error here ? 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Not answering about the child he asks of. 
 
 Servant. 
 He knows notwhatie-saith. His end is vain. 
 
S0*0KAE0Y2 
 
 oiAinors. 
 av Trpo<s X^piv /lev ovk epe2<s, KXacojv S epeU. 
 
 GEPAnON. 
 fiTj BrJTa, trpot demv, tov yepovra fj. aixiffT]. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 ov^ (B? Ta;)(;os tjs tovB airooTpei^ei, ')(tpa<i; 
 
 GEPAnfiN. 
 BvaTr]vo<!, ami rov ; ti •Trpoa-'^pri^cov fxaOelv ; US5 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 TOV iraLO eotoKw; rato ov ovto<s unopei,; 
 
 GEPAnON. 
 ehaic ■ oXeaOai B axfieKov t^S r]fiepa. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 aW eii ToS rj^eK fjji] 'Ke'ywv ye tovvBikov. 
 
 GEPAnnN. 
 TToWw "ye iiaXKov, rjv cjjpaffo), BioXKvfiai, 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 avTjp 00 , w? eoiKev, e? Tpipa<i eXa. 1160 
 
 GEPAnQN. 
 01/ OT/T eycoy , aW ecnrov ea? ooi,7)v TroKai, 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 TToOev Xa/Stof ; oi/ceioi', ij f aWou rivo^ ; 
 
king oedipus. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Thou -wilt not speatto .plea 
 "SQE-Eoaka-tliafi-apeaL-, 
 
 Seevant. 
 
 _Sx. a-U that's merciful, 
 Scourge not this aged frame ! 
 
 Oedipus. 
 
 Pinion him straight ! 
 
 Servant. 
 Unhappy ! wherefore ? what is't you would know ? 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Gave you the child he asks of to this man ? 
 
 Servant. 
 I gave it him. Would I had died that hour ! 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Speak rightly, or your wish will soon come true. 
 
 Servant. 
 My ruin comes the sooner, if I speak. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 You mean to keep us in suspense, I see. 
 
 Servant. 
 Not I. I said long since, " I gave the child." 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Whence ? Was't your own, or from another's home ? 
 
OIAinOYS TYPANN02. 
 
 eEPAHON. 
 efiov fj,ev ovK eytoy , eBe^afirjv Se tov, 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 
 Tti/o? TToXtTwp rSivSe Kax iroiai trreyrji; ; 
 
 GEPAnnN. 
 fir] vpoi deoav, fir], Zecrvod , laropei irXeov. U63 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 o\o)Xa<{, et o"e ravr epT]<xofj,ai iraXi/v. 
 
 GEPAnON. 
 tS>v AaCov Toivvv tii tjv jewqfiaTtov, 
 
 oiAinors. 
 ^ Sovko^, 7] Kelvov Tt9 eyyei'Tj? yeyto?; 
 
 GEPAHfiN. 
 oifioi, irpo^ avTm y eifU rm Beivm Xeyetj*. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 Kayay uKOveiv aXK b/MQx; aKovareov. 1170 
 
 GEPAnnN. 
 Keipov ye roi or] iraK! eK\%ea • t] 6 earn 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 
 GEPAnON. 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Servant. 
 'Twas not mine own, another gave it me. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 What Theban gave it from what house in Thebes ? 
 
 Servant. 
 0, I implore thee, master, ask no more 1 
 
 Oedipus. 
 You perish, if I have to ask again. 
 
 Servant. 
 The child was of the stock of Lalus. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Slave-born, or rightly of the royal line ? 
 
 Servant. 
 My lips will hardly speak the awful truth. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 My lars refuse to hear, yet hear, thev must.,^ 
 
 Servant. 
 He was given out for Lalfus' son : but she, 
 
 Thy queen, within the palace, best can tell. 
 
 > 
 Oedipus. 
 How ? Did she give it thee ? 
 
 Servant. 
 
 My lord, she did. 
 
20*0KAE0YS 
 
 oiAinorz. 
 eBPAnoN. 
 
 oiAinors. 
 eBPAnfiN. 
 
 irouavi 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 GEPAnON. 
 
 KTeveiv viv tow? TSKovTai rjv Xdyoi, 
 oiAinors. 
 
 TTw? S^T a^r]Ka<{ too yepovrt TwSe o-v; 
 
 GBPAnON. 
 KaroiKTia-av, w heanrod , w? aWT^v ')(d6va 
 hoK&v awota-eiv, auT09 ev^ev ^i^* o Se 
 KOK e? ixeyiar eamaev. ei yap ovto<s ei uao 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 ton tov Ta TTavT av efjjKot cra^j;. 
 w ^ws, Te\ei;Ta6oi» <Te ■TrpoalSXe'ilraifu vvv, 
 offTW wetpaafiat (pv^ t a<p cov ov Ypijv, ^vv ot<s t 
 ov XPV" ofiiXwv, ou? re /j, ovk eSei ktuvcov. nss 
 
 [^Exeunt. 
 
king oedipus. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 "With what commission ? 
 
 Seevant. 
 
 I was to destroy him. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 And could a mother's heart be steeled to this ? 
 
 Servant. 
 By fear of evil prophecies. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 
 What were they ? 
 
 Servant. 
 T was said the child should be his father's d eath. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 W hat then p ossessed thee to give up the child 
 To this old man ? 
 
 Servant. 
 Pi ty, my sovereign lord ! 
 Supposing he would take him far away 
 Unto the land whence he was come. But he 
 Preserved him to great sorrow. For if thou 
 Art w h om he g ives, thee out,.Jba,welLjJssured 
 ^ou bear'st a heavy doom. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 
 horrible ! 
 Horrible ! All is known, as„s^ligKt 3Si ! 
 may I nevermore behpldjheday, 
 Since proved accursM, in my parentage, 
 In those I live with, and_in_ those I_siew. 
 
 [Oedipus rushes withia; the Pikst Messekoer retires to 
 the left, the Seevaht to the right. 
 
OIAinOYS TYPANNOS. 
 XOPOS. 
 
 OTp. &. " 
 
 ICO yeveai ^pormv, 
 6); v/ua; tea kui to fir/Sev ^aaav evapiOfia, 
 TK yap, Til avrjp irXeov 
 
 Ta<i evBaifioviai ^epei USJ 
 
 r} ToaovTov bcrov Soxelv 
 Kai Bo^avT atTOKklvai ; 
 TO aov Toi irapdSeiyfi e^^^cov, 
 
 701/ crov Baifiova, tov aov, co xKafKOV OiZinroha, ^porwv 1195 
 ovZev fiuKapi^co ' 
 
 dvT. d. 
 
 ocm<; Ka6 inrep^oXav 
 Tofei/cra? ewpaTJ^cra? tov Ttavr euBaip,ovo<! oX^ov, 
 ft) Zev, KaTa fiev (pOiaa^ 
 Tav yap,'\lr(ovv^a irapOevov 
 
 ■)(pri(T fimBov davaTWV S efia 1200 
 
 Xo>pa TTvpyot; avecrTa<s' 
 e^ ov Kai ^a<riXev<} leaXei 
 
 e/io?, Kai TO p^eyicTT eTifiaOrj^, rai'; /leyaXaiaiv ev 
 &r]l3aicTiv avaacTOisv. 
 
 trrp. P'. 
 
 Tavvp B aKoveiv Ti<s a&XiccTepo^ ; 
 Tt? arai'; ep aypiai<;, ti<; ev ttovok 1305 
 
 ^vvoiKo<; aXXaya (iiov; 
 
 III) KXeivov OiBiTTOv Kapa, 
 ft) fieyai; Xiiir}v 
 avTO<; TjpKeaev 
 TTaioi Kai TTaTpi ffaXa/jLTjirdXai Treaeiv, 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Choeus. 
 
 O tribes__ofliving men, 
 How nothing-worth I count you while ye stand ! 
 
 For who of all the train 
 Draws more of happiness into his hand 
 Than to seem bright, and, seeming, fade in gloom ? 
 Q, Oedipus Ja±MQajllrha^less.doom 
 
 Tpi)_j2lfiarl5Lltis.fixpressed 
 
 Nought^inmortality^^Jiest. 
 Thou, that with peerless might did hit 
 The centre, and destroy by wit 
 The taloned songstress, as a tower 
 Saving my land from death's dark power, 
 And winning for thyself the name 
 Of ThebS's king, and noblest fame 
 And fulness of triumphal bHss. 
 But now whose story mournfaller is ? 
 Who so in life's vicissitude 
 Hath fellowship with fortune rude, 
 Checkless calamity and^boun.dleggL,jpaiin ? 
 
 Oedipus renowned, 
 Who in one haven found 
 Koom both for son and sire 
 To haunt with nuptial fire, 
 
S0*0KAE0Y2 
 TTtiJ? TTore TTM? iroO ai irarp^ai a- a\o/c6? ^epeiv, 
 
 ToXcK, 1210 
 
 ffly eSvvdadr]iTav e<s roaovSe; 
 
 avT. p'. 
 
 ecpevpe a ukovu o iravu opwv ^povo?, 
 SiKa^ei Tov ayafiov yafiov iraXai, 
 TiKvovvra koI Texvovfievov. I2is 
 
 to), Aaieiov to tskvov, 
 ei,de (7 , et^e tre 
 p,i]iroT eiSofiav. 
 Bvpofiai yap eu? TTf/jiaW {a/ie^(Ci>2/ 
 
 eK (TTOfiaTcov. TO S opdov eiitelv, aveirvevaa t 6« 
 
 cediv 1220 
 
 /rat KareKolfirjaa Tovfiov ofifia. 
 
 ESATTBAOS. 
 «D "/?)? fieycara TTJaB aei rifjbUfiepoi, [Introit. 
 
 ot epy uKovcreaa , oia b ei<Toyfreat> , oaov o 
 apelade 7rev6o<i, eiirep eyyefoj? en 1225 
 
 Tmv Aa^Saxeiav evrpeireade Beofidrmv. 
 ol/jMi yap ovT av lurpov ovre ^aaiv av 
 viyjrai Kadapp,^ rrjvBe ttJk aTeyrjv, oaa 
 Kevdei, Ta 8' avTiic eh to (^w? ^avel kuko. 
 eKovra kovk aKOVTU, twv be Trrjfiovcov 1230 
 
 fiaXiaTa Xvttovo' ai ij)avSi(r avBaiperoi. 
 
 XOPOS. 
 Xeiirei fiev ovo a irpoadev r]Bep,ev to fi'q ov 
 ^apvaTOv eivat • tt/jos 8' eKeivoiaiv Tt ^t)<} ; 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 All ! how couldst thou so long remain 
 The furrower of thy father's field, 
 Borne patiently and unrevealed? 
 
 Cri mes from thyself co ncealed 
 A U-searchi ng Time hath opened to the day, 
 
 And shown, thee with clear ray, 
 Long while in hideous bond, spouse, father, child. 
 
 LaYus' fatal son. 
 
 Would I had ne'er thee known ! 
 
 My heart.£xiaa...l)BttA.iQJ ti-ge 
 
 In^onesd[ a,gonj, 
 And frenzied exclamation wild. 
 For, to speak sooth, thou didst renew my life, 
 And gav'st mine eye sweet respite after strife. 
 
 Second Messenger. 
 
 [Miters from the Palace.] 
 
 ye whom Theb^ still hath chosen in chief 
 
 To honour, what a spectacle of woe 
 
 Awaits your eyes, your ears ; what piercing grief 
 
 Your hearts must suffer, if as kinsmen should 
 
 Ye stiU. regard the house of Lalus ! 
 
 Not Phasis, nor the Danube's rolling flood 
 
 Can. ever wash away the,8iain§, and purge 
 
 This mansion. o£^.the horror that it hides. 
 
 And more it soon shall give to light, not now 
 
 Unconsciously determined. Of all ill. 
 
 Self-chosen sorrows are the worst to bear. 
 
 Ohoeus. 
 
 What hast thou new to add ? the weight of grief 
 From that we know burdens the heart enough. 
 
OIAinOYS TYPANNOS. 
 
 ESArrBAOS. 
 o fjiv rdvKTTO'i ,r5)v Xoiywv enrelv re koi 
 fjuiOelv, reOvriKe deiov lo/caffTij? Kapa. 1235 
 
 XOPOS. 
 w ZvffToKaiva, Tvpoi rtvoi iroT avruK ; 
 
 EgArrEAOS. 
 avrr) irpo^ avrrj^ • rav Se "Trpw^OevToav ra fiev 
 aXyiffT anreaTiv rj yap oi^t9 ov trapa. 
 ofMOi S , 6(70P ye Kav efioi fj.vrifiri<i ew, 
 irevaei ra Ketv7]<! adXtat iradrjfiaTa. 1240 
 
 OTTQJ? yap opyy ■^pcofiem] iraprjKd earn 
 dvpwvo^, ler ev&v •irpo<; ra vvfi<J3tKa 
 Xe^77, Kofiijv aTTaxr afi<f)LSe^ioi<; aKfiai<!. 
 •iTv\a<s S OTTO)? ei,arrj\d ejnppa^aa eaco 
 KaXel TOP rjSr] Aa'Cov vaXai vexpov, 1245 
 
 /ivrjfiTjv iraXacwv a-trepfiaTiDv c'^ovtr , v<f> av 
 Odpoi fiev avTo^, ttjv Be riiCTOvaav Xlvoi 
 TOt? oiicriv avTov Bvenexvov traiSovpyiav, 
 yoaro B ewa?, ev6a BvaTTjvo'i St7r\ou? 
 e^ avBpov avBpa Kai tskp ea reKPap reKOi. 1250 
 
 p^wTTQJS fiep eK r(opo ovKer oio airoWvrat ■ 
 ^owp yap eicreTraia-ep OtSwrou?, v^ ov 
 ovK r)P TO Keiprj'i exOeaaaffOat kukop, 
 aXX et?- eKelpop irepitroXovPT eXevarao/iep. 
 <}>oi,Ta yap rjfia<; ey)(p'i e^aiT&P iropelv, 1255 
 
 yvpatKa, t ov yvpalxa, fiijrpaiap B ovov 
 Ki,)(pi BfirXrjp apovpap ov re Kal reKvoav. 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Second Messengee. 
 Soon spoken and soon heard is the chief sum. 
 Jpcasta's royal head is sunk in death. 
 
 Chorus. 
 The hapless queen ! "^nbatwastheja^al^ cause ? 
 
 Second MEssENaES. 
 
 TJpv p-yyn .^ 6t,exixi.i.naii.nn Those who SaW 
 
 Felt more of pain that ever can be told. 
 Yet to, the summit of my memory's power 
 The wretched lady's passion you shall hear. 
 When she had passed in her rash mood within 
 The vestibule, straight to the bridal bed 
 She rushes, tearing with both hands her hair. 
 Then having entered, pulling fast the door, 
 She called aloud on Laitus, long dead, 
 With living memory of that far-off joy. 
 From which he died, and left the mother-queen 
 To breed a hideous offspring for his son. 
 And loudly o'er the bed she mourned, where she, 
 All hapless, had brought forth a twofold brood, 
 Husband from husband, children from a child. 
 We could not know the moment of her death, 
 Which followed soon, for Oedipus with cries 
 Burst in, and would not let us see her end, 
 But drew all eyes as he careered the hall. 
 Demanding arms, and where to find his wife, — 
 No, not- his wife, but fatal mother-croft. 
 Cropped doubly with himself and his own seed. 
 
20*OKAEOYS 
 
 Xva<ra>PTi, S amm haiixovcov heiKvvai rii' 
 
 ouSet? 'yap uvhp&v, ^ iTaprj/j,ev e'^'yvdev, 
 
 Beivov B avaa<i o)<s vcfyijyrjTov rivo<; 1260 
 
 7ri;\at9 SnrXal^ evTjXar , ex Be irvd/ievtov 
 
 exXive KOtKa Kkydpa Kafiirnrrei aTeyrj. 
 
 ov Bt] Kpefia(TT7)v T^i* yvvaiK eaeiBofiep, 
 
 irXeKTaiaiv aiwpaiaiv ep/ireirKTjyftevrjv. 
 
 6 B m<s opa vtv, Beiva ^pv^-qQeK ToXa';, 12G5 
 
 j^aXa KpefiaaTrjv apravTjv, ewet Be yrj 
 
 exeiTO TXrjfioav, Beiva B rjv ravdevB opav. 
 
 aiToairaaa^ yap eifiureov ■^pvaTfKarov'i 
 
 irepovaf atr avTrj<;, aiaiv e^eareWeTO, 
 
 apa<! etraiaev apOpa rStv avTov kvkKcov, 1270 
 
 avBwv roiavd , odovveK ovk oyjroivTO viv 
 
 ovu 01 eiraiTj^ev ova ottol eopa Kaxa, 
 
 aW ev (TKorm to Xoittov ovt fnev ovk eBei 
 
 oyjroiaB , ot»? B ej(p7)^ev ov yvcoaoiaro. 
 
 ToiavT e^vfivwv woXXa/cts re kov)(^ a/rra^ 1275 
 
 TjpaatT eiraipcov ^ecpapa. <f>oivtai B ofiov 
 
 yXrjvai yevei ereyyov, ovB avieaav 
 
 <f)ovov fivBo}(ra<i a-Tayovai, aW o/xov fieXa^ 
 
 Ofi^po^ '^aXd^rjv ai,p.aTOV<; ereyyeTO. 
 
 TttS eK Bvoip eppmyev, ov fiovov KaKa, 1280 
 
 aXK avBpi kui yvvaiKi crvfifMiyrj Kaica. 
 
 6 77/3(1/ nraiXaioi; B dK^Of; rjv irapoiOe fiev 
 
 oX^oi BiKai<iy<; • pvv Be ryBe Bfifiepa 
 
 a-revay/jio';, arri, Oavarof, aiaj(yvq, KaKwv 
 
 oa ecTTi iravrcov ovofiar , ovoev ear airov. 1285 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 And in h is rage some demon pointed him 
 
 The way, — for_|twM_no iQan.of us at hand. 
 
 And with a fearful shout, as following 
 
 Some leader, he assailed the folding doors. 
 
 Then hollowing inwards from the mortised bolts 
 
 The yielding boards, he breaks into the room ; 
 
 Where high suspended we beheld the queen, 
 
 In twisted cordage violently swung. 
 
 And he with terrible outcry when he saw. 
 
 Poor king ! undid the hanging noose. But when 
 
 She lay upon the ground, 'twas terrible 
 
 To see what followed. Eor he tore away 
 
 The brooch-pins tha|p,had fastened her attire, 
 
 And, lifting,, sffiotaJaa-fflaeMlsJa.- the xoat,. 
 
 Saying, Henspforth they .shauld. not see .the. evil 
 
 Suffered or done by him in the past time. 
 
 But eyermore in dar kness now should scan 
 
 The features he ought never to have seen, 
 
 Andnot3discern..the. souls he longed to know. 
 
 Chanting this strain, not once but oftentimes 
 
 He dashed the points into his eyes ; and soon 
 
 The bleeding pupils moistened all his beard, 
 
 Nor stinted the dark flood, but all at once 
 
 The ruddy hail poured forth with plenteous shower. 
 
 Thus from two springs, from man and wife together, 
 
 Burst the joint evil that is now o'erflowing. 
 
 Andjhe^dhappiness in_ thatjast day 
 
 Was truly happy, but the present hour 
 
 Hath groaningj death, ms^ter, shame, all Ul 
 
 Without exemption, that-hatk e'er been named. . 
 
OIAinOYS TYPANNOS. 
 
 XOPOS. 
 vvv B eaO 6 T\7j/i(aj/ ev Tivi a''xp\y kukov; 
 
 ESArrBAOS. 
 /3oa Sioiyeiv K\y0pa Kai hrjXovv Tiva 
 Toi<! iraat KaB/jLeioicyi tov TraTpOKTovov, 
 Tov fMTjTpo^ — avBmv avocri ovSe prjra fwi, 
 <B? e« ■)(dovo'i piy^oiv eavrov, ovh ere 1290 
 
 fievaiv Bofioi<s apaloi, tus rjpaaaro. 
 p(Ofj,r]<; ye /levroi km irporjyTjTov tivoi 
 Belrai • to yap vo(T7]/ia fxel^ov rj cf)epeiv. 
 Bei^et Be /cat aoi. KKfjdpa yap irvkSsu raSe 
 Bkoiyerai, • 6ea/j,a B eicro'^et Tw^a 1295 
 
 ToiovTov oiov Koi aTvyovvT eiroiKTiaai. 
 
 XOPOS. 
 to Beivov iBecv irado<; avdpwTroK, [^Introit (Ed. 
 
 CO BeivoTarov TravTwv o<t eyca 
 vpoasKvpa rjSij. rt? cr\ c5 TXrjfiov, 
 wpoaefiij fiavia ; t/s o tttjStjo-o? 1300 
 
 fiti^ova Baifitov twv fiaKiaroDv 
 irpof crri BvaBaijiovi, fwlpa ; 
 ^ev <p€v, Buarav • aW' ovB' eciBelv 
 Bvvafiai ae, 6e\(ov tto'w' dvepeadai, 
 iroWa TTvdeadai, iroWa S' ddprjaai' I30j 
 
 Toiap ^piKTjv irape'^eK /loi. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 aial atal, Bu(TTavo<! eym, 
 iroL yav <f)epo/juu TKa/iwv ; "rra fioi 
 
kino oedipus. 
 
 Choeus. 
 And finds tlie sufierer now some pause of woe ? 
 
 Second Messeng:^b,. 
 
 He cries to ope the portal and display 
 
 To all the men of Thebfe him who slew 
 
 His father, who unto his mother did 
 
 What I dare not repeat, and fain would fling 
 
 His person from the land, nor calmly bide 
 
 The shock of his own curse in his own haU. 
 
 His case craves succour and some guiding hand : 
 
 For such a load- of misery who can bear? 
 
 Thyself shalt judge : for, lo, the palace-gate 
 
 Is opening, and thou wilt quickly see 
 
 A hateful sight, yet one thou needs must pity. 
 
 Chorus. 
 
 horror of the world ! [OBDipua enten. 
 
 Too great for mortal eye ! 
 
 Terrible beyond all my life hath known ! 
 
 What madness, poor head ! 
 
 Assailed thee ? Who in heaven 
 
 Hath leap'd against thy hapless lot 
 
 With boundings.put of measure fierce and huge? 
 
 Ah ! wretched one, I cannot look on thee : 
 
 No, though I long to search, to ask, to learn. 
 
 Thine aspect is too horrible, XevinnotJ 
 
 Oedipus. 
 
 Oh ! miserable am I. 
 
 Where am I borne ? Ah woe I 
 
SO*OKAEOYS 
 
 <f)6oyya Si SXck ireTarat tpopoBr/v ; isio 
 
 uo Oaifiov, IV e^KKov. 
 
 X0P02. 
 £f Seivov, ovS aKovffTov, ovB eiro-^iiiov, 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 irrp. d. 
 
 UO (TKOTOV 
 
 ve<f>oi efiov atroTpoirov, eitovKofievov a^arov, 
 
 aSa/j.arov re xat Svcrovpiarov ov. lais 
 
 OhflOl, 
 
 oi/ioi fiaX avoi<i ' otov eiaeov fi afju 
 Kemptav re tcovS oiffrprj/jia koI p-vr](ir) Kaxav. 
 
 X0P02. 
 KM Qavfia y ovBev kv Toa-oiaSe Trrj/utaiv 
 Biirka ae irevdelv Kai BcvXa ifte'peiv koku. i320 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 avT. &. 
 
 ICO ^iXoV, 
 
 av fiev efio<! evi-rroXo'; ezi fidvifio^ • eri yap 
 
 virofieveK fi€ top rvcpXov Kr/Seveov. 
 
 ^ev <f>ev. 
 
 ov yap fi€ Xrjdeii, aWa yiyvcoaKco (ra<j)S)9, 1325 
 
 Kai/irep <TKOTeivo<;, t7]v ye crrjv avSfjv ofia)<;. 
 
 XOPOS. 
 ft) Setva Bpaaai, irois erK/tj^ Toiavra tra? 
 oi^et? fiapavai ; tk <t eirripe Saifiovav ; 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Where do these accents flow, 
 
 Tossed waveringly ? 
 Genius ! whither hath thy fury soar'd? 
 
 Choeus. 
 To a pitch too dread for speech, by sight abhorr'd. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 
 cloud of dark, on me 
 
 Sent loweringly ! 
 
 Hideous, unutterable, 
 
 Invincible ! 
 
 Too surely wafted on. 
 
 Ah me ! Again I moan. 
 
 These piercing wounds with agonizing smart 
 
 Sharpen the pang of memory at mine heart. 
 
 Chorus. 
 
 No marvel, if in this assault of woe 
 Thy miseries with redoubled fulness flow. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 
 Friend of the years that were, 
 
 constant kind ! 
 
 Still dost thou tend the blind, 
 
 Unwearied in thy care ! 
 
 Ah ! 'tis thy voice, I know thee by that tone ; 
 
 Dark though I be, tljou dost not lurk unknown. 
 
 Chokus. 
 
 Agent of horror ! whence hadst thou the force 
 
 To waste those orbs? what power impelled thy course? 
 
OIAinOYS TYPANNOS. 
 
 oiAinors. 
 
 crrp. P'. 
 
 AiroXXcov TaS rjv, AjtoWeov, ^l\oi, 
 Kaxa KUKU reX&u efia raS efia iraOea. 1330 
 
 eiraiae 8 avroj(eip viv ovtv<;, aXK eya TXaficov. 
 
 Tt yap eSet fi opav, 
 OTO) y op&vTi /jbTjSev rjv iSeiv yXvKV ; 1335 
 
 XOPOS. 
 rjv ravO oirwairep Kai av <py<s. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 Tt hrjT efioi ^Xeirrov, 7] arepicTov, 7] irpoaif/opov 
 
 VJVJ1 / t^ '^ I /-^ 
 
 ST ear uKoveiv aoova, <piXoi ; 
 
 uTrayer eKToiriov oTi To^to-ra ^.e, 13M 
 
 UTrayer . to (piXoc, top fiey oXetfpiov, 
 
 TOP KarapaToraTOp, ezi Be xai deoli 1345 
 
 e)(6porarop ^porwp. 
 
 XOPOS. 
 BeiXaie rov pov t^? re avfiipopa^ caov, 
 ws <r ^OeXfjaa p,T]B avayvmpai ttot av. 
 
 oiAinors. 
 
 OVT. P'. 
 
 oXoiff b<7Tt? rfv 09 aypiaf; •7reSa<; 
 pofiaB eirtTToSta? eXa^e p. airo re (povov 1350 
 
 epvTO Kapecaxjep, ovBev £i? X^P''" ""/aaffO'wj'. 
 
 T0T6 yap av 0av(ov 
 ovK rjv cplXoKTiv ovB' efioi roa-ovB' axp^. ■ 1355 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Apollo's w as the power. Apollo wrought my w oe : 
 But mine, and no man's else, the hand that struck the blow. 
 Why, friends, should I have sight, 
 When nought could meet my vision with delight ? 
 
 Choetjs. 
 A j;, thou say'st truly there ! 
 
 Oedipus. 
 What could I see, what hear, 
 That e'er again could move 
 My heart with love, or sweetly soothe mine ear ? 
 Friends, with what speed ye may 
 Lgad me from hence away, 
 Mg,the acciirsM .thing, 
 Eijined and ruining. 
 Ay,.and o'er all- oa Earth by Heaven abhorr'd. 
 
 Choeus. 
 Not least unhappy for thy depth of heart ! 
 Would I had never known thee who thou art ! , . 
 
 Oedipus. ^ x^'^' -' 
 
 .■^>* 
 ] Perish, who 'midst the w'ild from cruel fettering ban-J" 
 
 I Took me and saved from death, vain kindness, idfy plann'd! 
 
 Had I but perished then, ,?, •' 
 
 Nor I, nor those I loved, had known'^fiiis pain. 
 
 .:^' 
 
20*0KAE0VS 
 
 XOPOS. 
 OeXovTi KOfioi, tovt' av rjv. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 ovKovv trarpm 7' civ <f)ov6v^ n\6op, ovBe wfi^ioi 
 ^poTOK eKkridr]v av e^vv wiro. 
 
 vvv S' adeo<; fiev eift', avocritov Se irat?, 1360 
 
 o/ioyevrji B aip cov auTo? e(j}vi/ Ta\o?. 
 el Be Ti trpea^vrepov eii kukov kukov, 1365 
 
 tout' eX.OJ^' OtStTTOK?. 
 
 XOPOS. 
 ovK otB' OTTWS ae <f)a) 0e^ov\ev<rdai koXSk;- 
 Kpeiatrcov yap r]ada fj/qKer o)v r] ^S)v tk^Xo?. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 w<; fiev rao ov^ wo eo-T apicn eipyaafieva, 
 lir\ (i exBtBaaKe, firjBe a-Vfi^ovXev en. 1370 
 
 eyco yap ovk otS' oiijiacnv irotoii; ffXevtov 
 irarepa iror av irpoaelBov ei,<s AiBov fioXaiv, 
 ovB' av raXaivav /irjrep , oi,v efioi Bvoiv 
 epy eari Kpeiatrov' ay)(pvT}<s eipyacfieva. 
 aW rj reKvav Btjt oyfn<; rjv e<l>i/iepoi, 1376 
 
 ^Xaarovcr ottoj? e^\a<rTe, irpoaXevacyeiv e/iol ; 
 
 ov Br]Ta TOts y e/iolaiv o^OaXjji.oK irore' 
 
 j5.1v ^ jn,\ f '^■^^ f 
 
 ovo a(TTV y , ovoe irvpyo';, ovoe oai/j,ovQ)v 
 
 ayaXp,a6 ipa, Tmv TravrXi^fKov eyco 
 
 Ktt\\«7T avrjp e(,9 ev ye rat? ©rj/Sat? Tpai^et? 1380 
 
 a'ireaTepr)<T efiavTOV, auTOS evveircov 
 
king oedipus. 
 
 Chorus. 
 I join thee in that prayer. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Then I had ne'er been shown 
 My father's slayer, nor known 
 My mother's bridal in the face of men. 
 Now, heaven-abandonSd, 
 Of crime and horror bred, 
 I have shared a father's bed. 
 lEhat woe ranks highest in ill ? m y hfe hath fou 
 word. 
 
 Chorus. 
 Lknow not how to call thee wise i n this. 
 Better be out pf life than bllodlyjiye. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 That this last act hath not been for the best 
 Censure me not, nor counsel me again. 
 For how, if I had eyes, could I have looked 
 In Hades on my father's countenance, 
 Qr my all-hapless mother, when, toward both, 
 Crimes worse than capital are on my head ? 
 Ah ! but my children were a sight of joy, 
 Offspring of such a union ! were they so ? 
 Never, to eyes of mine ! nor town, nor tower, 
 Nor holy fanes o' the gods, which I myself, 
 misery, have sundered from myself, 
 I, dowered with fairest life of Theban men, 
 

 
 OIAinOYS TYPANNOS. 
 
 a>0elv avavra^ rov aa-e^fj, tov eu OeSsv 
 
 (pavevr ava'yvov km <yevov<; tov AdCov, 
 
 Toiavh eyaj KTjKlSa fUTjvvaa^ efn)V 
 
 opOoli efieWov ofifiaatv rovTov; opav ; 138S 
 
 TjKiaTa y • a\\ et rrji aKovovcrj]<t er rjv 
 
 TTTj'yrj'i St eoTcov (ppayfiot, ovk av ea-vofniv 
 
 TO firj-jTOKXya-ai Tovfiou dffXtov Seyua?, 
 
 IV Tjv TV(ji\o<! re xai, kKvwv ix-qZev • to yap 
 
 T^i> (ppovTiB e^co Tmv kukoiv otKelv yXvicv. 1390 
 
 KB Ki0aipo3V, Tt fi eBe'xpv ; ti p, ov Xafiav 
 
 eKT£iva<! evdv<!, to? eBei^a p,rproTe 
 
 efiavTov avdpuTToiaiv evdev rjv yey(i)<i ; 
 
 ta IIo\vfie Kai Kopivde km tu irarpia 
 
 \oy(p TToKata Za>p,ad , oiov apd p,e 1395 
 
 KaWo^ KaKoiv virovKov e^eOpeylrare. 
 
 vvv yap KaKo^ t' (ov kuk Kaxav evpi<TKop,ai. ) — — ■ 
 
 m Tpel<! KeKevdoi Koi iceKpvp,p.evr] vd-rrij 
 
 Spvp,o<: re km o-tei/wtto? ev TjOtTrXats oBoli, 
 
 ai, Tovfiov abp,a twv ep,5)v •)(ei,p5iv airo 1400 
 
 eTTtere Trarpo'i, apa p,ov /j,ep,vija-de ti, 
 
 0( epya opaawi vp,t,v ei/ra oevp loov 
 
 OTTOt eirpaaaov avuK ; w yap,oi, yap^i, 
 
 6<[>vaa0 rjp,a<;, xal (pvTevaavTe<; iraXcv 
 
 aveiTe tuvtov airep/ia, Ka-TreBei^aTe im 
 
 iraTepai, aSeKipov;, iralBa^, atpk e/j,(f>v\iov, 
 
 vvp.^a<{, yvvMKai;, p,r)Tepa<! ts, ■)(oyir6aa 
 
 Ma')(i<7T ev avoparrotaiv epya yiyveTai. 
 
 aW — ov yap avBav evd' a firjBe Bpav koKov — ■ 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Proclaiming to drive off from every door 
 Whom Heaven had marked for impious and impure, 
 Nay worse, of LaYus born ! And was I then, 
 By mine own process branded thus, to look 
 On Theban faces with unaltered mien ? 
 Nay verily; but had there been a way 
 To stop the hearing fountain through the ear, 
 I had not faltered, but had closed and^barred 
 Each gate of this poor body ; dgaf and blind I 
 So thought might sweetly dweU at rest from harm, 
 Cithaeron ! Why didst take me to thy breast, 
 Not slaying me then and there ? So had I not 
 Told to the world the horror of my birth. 
 foster-home of Corinth and her king. 
 How bright the life ye cherished, filming o'er 
 What foulness far beneath ! '^qv I am vile, 
 -And vHe have lieeD.,mjiupaEents. So 'tis proved. 
 cross-road in the covert of the glen, 
 
 thicket in the gorge where three ways met, 
 Bedewed by these my hands with mine own blood, 
 Prom whence I sprang — have you forgotten me ? 
 Or doth some memory haunt you of the deeds 
 
 1 did before you, and then came and wrought 
 Fresh horrors here ? doubly cursed womb ! 
 That gendered me, and then again sent forth 
 New offsets from the seed so gendered : 
 Mazing the world with dire confusion 
 
 Of father, brother, son, bride, mother, wife. 
 Murder of parents, and all shames that are. 
 But for that in respect of hideous deeds 
 Silence is commendable, I beg you now 
 
20*0KAE0Y2 
 
 oTTftJS Ta;^t(7Ta Trpo? 6fS)v e^io fie irov 1410 
 
 KoXv^aT , T) ^ovevaoT , rj daXaaaiov 
 
 CKpiifraT , evva /jbiyrroT eto-oyeo-r ert. 
 
 tT , a^imffaT avBpo<i a6\tov ffiyeiv. 
 
 TTtOeaOe, fi'q BeiaTjre, rafia ryap Kaxa 
 
 ovSetf oio's re ttX.'^i' e/ioC ^epeiv fiporav. 1415 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 a\A. wi/ 67ratTei? e? oeov Trapeao obe 
 Kpeoav to irpaaaeiv Kat, to fiovXeveiv, eirei 
 j^iopa^ XeKeiTTTai ij,ovvo<: avri aov <j)vXa^. 
 
 OIAinOTS, 
 
 oifioi, T( orjTa Xe^ofiev irpo<i rovo eiroi ; 
 
 Ti<! fioi ^aveljai iricm'! evSt/co? ; to, yap U20 
 
 irapoi Trpot avrov iravr e^evp7)fiai, kuko^. 
 
 KPEfiN. 
 
 ovO 0)? lyeXoffTTj?, OtStwow?, eXTjXv^a, [IntroU. 
 
 ovO IDS ovetStcdv Ti tS>v irapo'; kukSiv. 
 
 aXK et Ttt dvqTwv fir) KaTaiaj(yvea6 ert 
 
 yevedXa, Trjv yovv travra ^oaxovaav ^"koya 1425 
 
 aiZeiaO avaKjot HXiov, roiovS ayos 
 
 aKoXvTTTOv oiiTco BeiKvvvai, to firfre yff 
 
 fir)T ofi/Spot ipo<i fiqTS <^ws TrpoffSeferat. 
 
 dSX 0)? TayiaT e? olkov eaKOfii^eTe' 
 
 Tot? ep yevei yap Tayyevrf fiaktad^ opav 1430 
 
 (lovoK T oKoveip etice/Sra; rj^et Kaxa. 
 
\ 
 
 \ \ 
 
 KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 To Jhurl me forth at once from human view. 
 Slay me outright, or fling me far to sea, 
 Where ya may:.iLBs;6r.lopk on me again. 
 Come, lend your hand unto my misery. 
 Comply, and fear not, f or my strain of woe 
 Is i ncommunicable t o_a,ll but me. 
 
 Chorus. 
 With timely presence toJuLBlthyjTOrd 
 With_act_aiii.c.Qiinsfil,_Creon comes,_whQ..nQW 
 I s regent o 'e.r.o.ur-sitY inutby room. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Alas, what shall I say to him ? What plea 
 Will hold for my defence ? My wickedness 
 Towards him in all the past is clearly seen. 
 
 Ceeon. 
 
 [Enters from the city.] 
 I co me not, Oedipus, to mock thy woes, 
 Or to reproach thee, for. thine, evils past. 
 Eut ye, if all respect of mortal eye 
 Be dead, let awe of the universal flame 
 Of life's great nourisher, our lord the Sun, 
 Forbid your holding thus unveiled to view 
 This huge abomination, which nor Earth 
 Nor sacred Element, nor Ught of Heaven 
 Can once endure. Convey him in with speed. 
 Religion bids that kindred eyes and ears 
 Alone should witness kindred crime and woe. 
 
OIAinOYS TYPANN02. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 TTpoi OeSsv, STrenrep e\7rtSos fi aTeaTracra^, 
 apia-Tot e\do)v irpo<s kclkio-tov avhp 6/ie, 
 iridov Ti fwt ' 7rpo9 aov yap, ovS efiov, ^paffea. 
 
 KPEON. 
 KOI, ToC lie ')(peta<: wSe Xnrapel'} rv^elv; 1435 
 
 OIAinOTZ. 
 ptylrou /Me yrj'i ex Trjao oaov TW^fiffo , oirov 
 OvrjTWV ^avovfiai juT^Sefo; irpoarjyopoi;. 
 
 KPEQN. 
 eopaa av ev tout t,aa av, ei iii] tod ueov 
 irpaiTiar e}(ptj^ov e/cfiaOeiv ri vpaKTeov. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 a\\ 7] y eKeivov iraa eBrjXcodrj ^azK, 1440 
 
 rov 'iraTpo(f)6vTJ}v, tov aae^rj fj, a-TroKkuvai. 
 
 KPEON. 
 ovT<o<; eXep^c/i; rauc' ■ ofKoi o , ii* euTafuev 
 'Xpeiai, afjXLVov eK/iaBelv ri Bpaareov. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 owTWS o/j avSjOos o^Xtow ttevaeaO virep ; 
 
 KPEfiN. 
 /eat ya/j av vw Tai* ja> 0ea> Tnariv ^epoi<s. 1445 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 By^Heaven, since thou hast wrenched me fro m my fea r, 
 So nobly meeting my univorthiness, 
 I pray thee hear me for thine own behoof. 
 
 Creon. 
 What boon dost thou desire so earnestly ? 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Fhng me with utmost swiftness from the land, 
 Where I may never speak with mortal'more. 
 
 Ceeon. 
 Doubt ^ot I would have done so, but the ,god 
 Must, first be ^iieBtionfid. for our -guidance iere. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Sure unequivocal was }m behest, 
 The parricide, the impious, shojdd be slain. 
 
 Obeon. 
 So it was spoken : but, in such^ time. 
 We needs must be advised more perfectly. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 And will ye ask him for a Wretch like me ? 
 
 Cbeon, 
 Yes. For even thoii-methinks wilt now believ e. 
 
20*0KAE0YS 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 Koi aoi y eiriffKryrrra) re km irporpeyjrofiai, 
 T^S fiev Kar oikovs avTo<! ov 6e\€K ra(f)OV 
 6ov • Kot yap op65)^ tS)v ye acov TeXets wep • 
 efjLov be (iiyiroT a^icoarjTco rooe 
 
 iraTpatov aarv foJi'TO? oiktjtov Tv^eiv, 14S0 
 
 aW ea fie vaieiv opeaiv, evda KXy^erat 
 ovfw'i KiOaipoov ouTOS, ov- uriTTjp re /iot 
 iraTTip T edeadrjv fwi'Te Kvpiov Ta<f)ov, 
 IV e^ eKCivcav, ot p. airooWvTTjv, oavco. 
 KMTOi Toad^Tov y oiha, firjre fi av voaov 1455 
 
 /iTjT aXKo irepaai fiijSev • ov yap av Trore 
 0VT]ffKcov evtodrfv, firj iri t&> Seivm kuko). 
 aXX 1} p,ev r]jj,a)v fioip , ovonrep eia , nio • 
 valScov Be ra>v fiev apaevav p,ri fioi, Kpeov, 
 irpoaBr) /lepifivav • avBpei eurtv, toare p.r) 1460 
 
 airaviv irore v^felv, evd av toai, rov ^lov • 
 Taiv B aOXiaiv oticrpalv re irapdevoiv efiaiv, 
 aiv oviroO ■^fi-q ^wpts ecrraOrj ^opcii 
 TjOffliref avev tovo avopo<s, a\\ oacov ey<o 
 yfravoi/ii, iravrmv TmvB' aei /leTet^^erijv • i«5 
 
 atv fioi fieXeadat * Kat fiaXiffra /lev ')(epolv 
 y^avvai p. eaaov KcmoKKaviraadai kuko. 
 t6 (ova^, 
 
 id 0) yovrj yevvaie, X'^P^^ ''"^'' ^'7^" 
 BoKolp, e^etv a<^a<i, aairep rfviK e^Xeirov. wo 
 
 Tt ^'qp.i ; 
 ov Br) KKvto TTOV vpof Oeaiv loiv fioi <f>l\oiv 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Not only so. But I will charge thee too, 
 With urgent exhortation, to perform 
 The funeral rite for her who lies within — 
 She is thy kinswoman — howe'er thou wilt. 
 But never let this city of my sires 
 Claim me for living habitant, but there 
 Leave me to range the mountains, where my nurse 
 Oithaeron, echpeth with my name, Cithg-eron, 
 Which both niy^ parents ,^gg:yned for my grave. 
 So my true murderers will be my death. 
 Yet one thing I can tell. Mine end will come 
 Not by disease nor human casualty. 
 I had not lived when at the point to die, 
 But for some terrible doom. Then let my fate 
 Bun out its full career. But for my children 
 Thou, Creon, shalt provide. As for my sons, 
 I pray thee burden not thyself with them. 
 They ne'er will lack subsistence — they are men. 
 But my poor maidens, hapless and forlorn, 
 Who never had a meal apart from mine. 
 But ever shared my table, yea, for them 
 Take heedful care; and grant me, if but once, 
 Yea, I beseech thee, with these hands to feel, 
 Thou noble heart ! the forms I love so well. 
 And weep with them our common misery. 
 Oh, if my arms were round them, I might seem 
 To have them, as of old, when I could see. 
 What? Am I fooled once more, or do I hear 
 
OIAinOYS TYPANN02. 
 
 SaKpvppoovvToiv, KOI fi eiroiKTelpat Kpeav 
 eirefjAfre (loi ra <f>i,\TaT eKyovoiv eiioiv ; 
 
 KPEfiN. 
 Xeyet? ' eyto lyap ei/M 6 iropavva<s raSe, 
 yvov<s rrjv irapovaav repn^iv, 17 <t eiy(€v TraXai. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 aW euTi/^otTj?, Kai ae rrjaSe t^? oBov 
 Bai/icav afieivov t] fie <f>povpTi<Ta<s TV)(pi. 
 (o reKva, nrov tror ecrre ; Sevp' it, eXOere i*80 
 
 CB? TO? dSe\(jia^ raaBe ray ifiai %e/3a9i 
 (A Tov ^VTovpyov Trarpo? v/uv wS' opav 
 Ttt irpoffde Xa/j/irpa irpov^eprjaav ofifiara • 
 OS K/Uii/, CO rsKV, ova opwv ova laropav 
 •TTUTrfp e(f)avdr]V evBev outos ■^podrjv, 1485 
 
 KM a^to Saxpvto — Trpoa^eireiv yap ov adeino^— 
 voovfievot TO, \ovira tov iriKpov /8tou, 
 owv ^iwvai a^w irpo<! avdpojircov ')(pe<ov. 
 iroiat yap aa-Twv ri^er ea o/juXia^, 
 TTOta? S eOjOTa?, ei>0ev ov iceK\avfievai 1490 
 
 Trpo? oIkov l^etrO' dvTi Trj<; Gewpia's ; 
 aXK TjviK av or] Trpo? ya/Mtov r}Ki)T aKfiai, 
 Tt? ovTo? ecrrai, Tt? Trapappv^ei, Texva, 
 ToiavT oveiSfj Xafi^avav, a Tot? tfiovi 
 yovevaiv ecTM ff^mv 6' ofiov Srj\riij,aTa ; 1495 
 
 Ti yap KaKwv aireari ; tov iraTepa TraTr/p 
 vjMwv eireijive' t^v Texovaav ijpoaev, 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 My dear ones weeping ? And hath Creon sent, 
 Pitying my sorrows, mine own children to me 
 That most I love ? Can this be truth I utter ? 
 
 Ceeon. 
 
 Yaa^ I have done it . For I knew the j oy 
 T hou still hast felt in this, t hy comfort now. 
 
 [Enter Autigone and Ismene mth Attendants.] 
 
 Oedipus. 
 
 Fair be thy fortune, then, and, for this speed, 
 
 God guard thee better than he watched o'er me. 
 
 Where are ye, my children ? Come, draw near 
 
 To these my hands of brother blood with you, 
 
 Hands that have thus provided for your gaze 
 
 The once bright lustre of your father's eyes, 
 
 Of mine, who, ignorant and unaware, 
 
 Became your father at that fount of life. 
 
 My children, where I quickened ! GtLLEac you 
 
 I weep, not seeing you, when J taka thought 
 
 Df all the bitter passages of fate 
 
 That yet await you amongst men. For where 
 
 Can ye find fellowship, what civic throng, 
 
 What feast, can ye resort to, but instead 
 
 Of seeing aught, ye will come weeping home ? 
 
 And when ye reach the marriageable bloom, 
 
 My daughters, who will be the man to cast 
 
 His lot with the unfortunate, and take 
 
 All those reproaches on his name, which fall 
 
 So heavily on my parents and on you ? 
 
 WhaleviUsjuot here ? Your father slew 
 
 His father, and then eared the mother-field, 
 
20*OKAE0YS 
 
 odev irep oktos eaTTapr), kclk twv baav 
 
 eKTTqffaO' vfiav, tovirep aVTO<i e^e<f)v. 
 
 ToiavT oveiBiela-de. Kara t/? jafiel ; isoo 
 
 ovK 6<TTiv ouSew, CO TeKV , aWa SijXoo?/ 
 
 yipaov: (jtdapfjvat Ka^yup.ov<; vfj,a<; j^pe&Ji/. 
 
 w Trot MevoiKeo)<!, aW eirei fiovo<! nrarrjp 
 
 ravraiv \e\6ti|rat, vo) yap, co <})VTeva-ap,ev, 
 
 oXwKafiev Bv ovre, fir) cr^e irepuBrj^ 1S05 
 
 inw')(a<! avdvhpovi eyyeveli; a\ajfi6va<s, 
 
 fjLtjS e^i(To)(Tr)<s raffBe tok efioL<! KaKott. 
 
 aW' oiKTiadv a^a<;, wSe Tr)\iKaao opSsv 
 
 irdvTcov ep7]fji,ov<i, ifKriv oaov to aov fiepo^. 
 
 ^vvvevffov, (0 yevvaie, ay ■>^avcra<; ^ept. isio 
 
 <T<\)a)V S', w reKv , et fiev etyeTriv rjSri ^peva<s, 
 
 itoXTC clv vapyvovv • vvv Se tovt ev^eaOe /jloi, 
 
 ov Kaipo<i aei ^rjv, /Stow Se Xmovov 
 
 vficiv Kvpfjaai toO ^ureuffaj/To? irarpof. 
 
 KPEfJN. 
 aXK, IV e^rjKeK BaKpvcov aW i6c areyij? eao>. isis 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 
 KPEfiN. 
 vdvra yap Kcup^ KoKa, 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 oto'cr 6<p oif ovv etfii: 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Wkere lie himself was sown, and got you from 
 
 The source of his own birth. Such taunts will fly. 
 
 And who will marry you ? No man, my daughters ; 
 
 But ye must wither childless and unwed. 
 
 Son of Menoeceus, who alone ar t left 
 
 As father to them t wain : for_wej^llieir. parents, 
 
 " Who gjave them birth, are ^utterly undone : 
 
 Suffer them not, being your kinswomen, 
 
 To wander desolate and poor, nor make 
 
 Their lot perforce the counterpart of mine. 
 
 But have compassion on their youth, thus left 
 
 Forlorn of all protection save from thee. 
 
 Noble one, seal this promise with thy hand. 
 
 For you, my children, were ye of an age 
 
 To ponder speech, I would have counselled you 
 
 Full carefully. Now I would have you pray 
 
 To dwell where 'tis convenient, that your life 
 
 May find more blessing than your father -knew. 
 
 Ceeoit. 
 Thou hast had enough of weeping. Close thee in thy 
 chamber walls. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 I must yield, though sore against me. 
 
 Ceeon. 
 Yes, for strong occasion calls. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Know'st thou on what terms I yield it ? 
 
OIAinOYS TYPANN02. 
 
 KPEON. 
 
 Xe^eii, Kot TOT etaofiat k\vo)v. 
 
 oiAinors. 
 
 KPEQN. 
 
 Tov Oeov fi anei,!} Sdcriv. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 dWa 6eoK y e^OiOTOi ^kw. 
 
 KPEflN. 
 
 Toiyapovv Tev^ei Tax"*' 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 
 (fiyv ToS ovv ; 
 
 KPEON. 
 
 a lit] ij>pova> yap ov ^iXa "Keyeiv fidrriv, 1620 
 OIAinOTS. 
 
 airaye wv p. emevoev ^brj. 
 
 KPEON. 
 
 arel^e vw, tskvosv S' a<^ov. 
 
 OIAinOTS. 
 p,r)Zap,Ssi TavTO? </' e\j7 /tow. 
 
 KPEflN. 
 
 nravTa p,7) iSovXov KpaTeiv 
 KM yap dicpaTTi<Ta<} ov aoi Tm ^i^ ^vveaireTO, [Exeunt. 
 
king oedipus. 
 
 Ceeon. 
 Tell me, let me hear and know. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 That you send me from the country. 
 
 Ceeon. 
 
 God alone can let thee go. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 But the gods long since abhor me. 
 
 Ceeon. 
 
 This the sooner thou wilt gain. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Then consent. 
 
 Ceeon. 
 'Tis not my wont to venture promises in vain 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Lead me now within. the palace. 
 
 Ceeon. 
 
 Come, but let thy children be 
 
 Oedipus. 
 Tear not these from my embraces ! 
 
 Ceeon. 
 •Think not all. things are for .thee. 
 Jgyenjhe good thou on ce_Qb.tainadstJiathjiQt. held_ih^ 
 
 , lifoiaj^ 
 
 [Ail go vrithin. 
 
20*0KAE0Y2 OIAinOYS TYPANNOS. 
 XOPOS. 
 
 CO iratpa'i Qri^rj't evoiKoi, \eva-aeT\ OIBittovi; oBe, 
 01 ra hXeiv aiviy/iar ySr] Kat KpaTicrroi rjv avT]p, 1525 
 
 6?Ti? ou f»jX.w TroXtTwv Kol Tuj^ats eirifiXeTrav, 
 64? baov KXvBcova Beiinj<s aviJ.ipopa<s e\r}\v6ev. 
 wffTe, dvTjTov ovr , eKeivrjv rrjv reKevTaiav iBelv 
 rip,epav eTTiffKOTrovvTa, (iTjBev oK^i^eiv, irplv av 
 tepp-a Tov fiiov trepaaig p,r)Bev aXyeivov vadwv. 1530 
 
 [Exit Chorus. 
 
KING OEDIPUS. 
 
 Chorus. 
 Ye who dwell in Thebes our city, fix on Oedipus your eyes, 
 '\^oresqlved theda^^raugina, noblest liver and most wise. 
 G-lorious, like a sun he mounted, envied of the popular 
 
 throng ; 
 Now he sinks in seas of anguish, quenched the stormy 
 
 waves among. 
 Therefgre^I^awaitj^fioal^ hour, to ancient wisdomknown, 
 Erelcall pne mortal happy. Never shall that_thought 
 
 ibg^shown, 
 Till he end his earthly being, scathless of a sigh or groan. 
 
 [Retires to the City.