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Oedipus at Colonus Oedipus Trilogy - by Sophocles
OEDIPUS AT COLONUS Translation by F. Storr,
BA Formerly Scholar of Trinity College, Cambridge
From the Loeb Library Edition Originally
published by Harvard University Press, Cambridge,
MA and William Heinemann Ltd, London First
published in 1912
ARGUMENT
Oedipus, the blind and banished King of Thebes,
has come in his wanderings to Colonus, a
deme of Athens, led by his daughter Antigone.
He sits to rest on a rock just within a sacred
grove of the Furies and is bidden depart
by a passing native. But Oedipus, instructed
by an oracle that he had reached his final
resting-place, refuses to stir, and the stranger
consents to go and consult the Elders of
Colonus (the Chorus of the Play). Conducted
to the spot they pity at first the blind
beggar and his daughter, but on learning
his name they are horror-striken and order
him to quit the land. He appeals to the world-famed
hospitality of Athens and hints at the blessings
that his coming will confer on the State.
They agree to await the decision of King
Theseus. From Theseus Oedipus craves protection
in life and burial in Attic soil; the benefits
that will accrue shall be told later. Theseus
departs having promised to aid and befriend
him. No sooner has he gone than Creon enters
with an armed guard who seize Antigone and
carry her off (Ismene, the other sister,
they have already captured) and he is about
to lay hands on Oedipus, when Theseus, who
has heard the tumult, hurries up and, upbraiding
Creon for his lawless act, threatens to detain
him till he has shown where the captives
are and restored them. In the next scene
Theseus returns bringing with him the rescued
maidens. He informs Oedipus that a stranger
who has taken sanctuary at the altar of Poseidon
wishes to see him. It is Polyneices who has
come to crave his father's forgiveness and
blessing, knowing by an oracle that victory
will fall to the side that Oedipus espouses.
But Oedipus spurns the hypocrite, and invokes
a dire curse on both his unnatural sons.
A sudden clap of thunder is heard, and as
peal follows peal, Oedipus is aware that
his hour is come and bids Antigone summon
Theseus. Self-guided he leads the way to
the spot where death should overtake him,
attended by Theseus and his daughters. Halfway
he bids his daughters farewell, and what
followed none but Theseus knew. He was not
(so the Messenger reports) for the gods took
him.
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
OEDIPUS, banished King of Thebes. ANTIGONE,
his daughter. ISMENE, his daughter. THESEUS,
King of Athens. CREON, brother of Jocasta,
now reigning at Thebes. POLYNEICES, elder
son of Oedipus. STRANGER, a native of Colonus.
MESSENGER, an attendant of Theseus. CHORUS,
citizens of Colonus.
Scene: In front of the grove of the Eumenides.
OEDIPUS AT COLONUS
Enter the blind OEDIPUS led by his daughter,
ANTIGONE.
OEDIPUS Child of an old blind sire, Antigone,
What region, say, whose city have we reached?
Who will provide today with scanted dole
This wanderer? 'Tis little that he craves,
And less obtains--that less enough for me;
For I am taught by suffering to endure, And
the long years that have grown old with me,
And last not least, by true nobility. My
daughter, if thou seest a resting place On
common ground or by some sacred grove, Stay
me and set me down. Let us discover Where
we have come, for strangers must inquire
Of denizens, and do as they are bid.
ANTIGONE Long-suffering father, Oedipus,
the towers That fence the city still are
faint and far; But where we stand is surely
holy ground; A wilderness of laurel, olive,
vine; Within a choir or songster nightingales
Are warbling. On this native seat of rock
Rest; for an old man thou hast traveled far.
OEDIPUS Guide these dark steps and seat me
there secure.
ANTIGONE If time can teach, I need not to
be told.
OEDIPUS Say, prithee, if thou knowest, where
we are.
ANTIGONE Athens I recognize, but not the
spot.
OEDIPUS That much we heard from every wayfarer.
ANTIGONE Shall I go on and ask about the
place?
OEDIPUS Yes, daughter, if it be inhabited.
ANTIGONE Sure there are habitations; but
no need To leave thee; yonder is a man hard
by.
OEDIPUS What, moving hitherward and on his
way?
ANTIGONE Say rather, here already. Ask him
straight The needful questions, for the man
is here. [Enter STRANGER]
OEDIPUS O stranger, as I learn from her whose
eyes Must serve both her and me, that thou
art here Sent by some happy chance to serve
our doubts--
STRANGER First quit that seat, then question
me at large: The spot thou treadest on is
holy ground.
OEDIPUS What is the site, to what god dedicate?
STRANGER Inviolable, untrod; goddesses, Dread
brood of Earth and Darkness, here abide.
OEDIPUS Tell me the awful name I should invoke?
STRANGER The Gracious Ones, All-seeing, so
our folk Call them, but elsewhere other names
are rife.
OEDIPUS Then may they show their suppliant
grace, for I From this your sanctuary will
ne'er depart.
STRANGER What word is this?
OEDIPUS
The watchword of my fate.
STRANGER Nay, 'tis not mine to bid thee hence
without Due warrant and instruction from
the State.
OEDIPUS Now in God's name, O stranger, scorn
me not As a wayfarer; tell me what I crave.
STRANGER Ask; your request shall not be scorned
by me.
OEDIPUS How call you then the place wherein
we bide?
STRANGER Whate'er I know thou too shalt know;
the place Is all to great Poseidon consecrate.
Hard by, the Titan, he who bears the torch,
Prometheus, has his worship; but the spot
Thou treadest, the Brass-footed Threshold
named, Is Athens' bastion, and the neighboring
lands Claim as their chief and patron yonder
knight Colonus, and in common bear his name.
Such, stranger, is the spot, to fame unknown,
But dear to us its native worshipers.
OEDIPUS Thou sayest there are dwellers in
these parts?
STRANGER Surely; they bear the name of yonder
god.
OEDIPUS Ruled by a king or by the general
voice?
STRANGER The lord of Athens is our over-lord.
OEDIPUS Who is this monarch, great in word
and might?
STRANGER Theseus, the son of Aegeus our late
king.
OEDIPUS Might one be sent from you to summon
him?
STRANGER Wherefore? To tell him aught or
urge his coming?
OEDIPUS Say a slight service may avail him
much.
STRANGER How can he profit from a sightless
man?
OEDIPUS The blind man's words will be instinct
with sight.
STRANGER Heed then; I fain would see thee
out of harm; For by the looks, marred though
they be by fate, I judge thee noble; tarry
where thou art, While I go seek the burghers--those
at hand, Not in the city. They will soon
decide Whether thou art to rest or go thy
way. [Exit STRANGER]
OEDIPUS Tell me, my daughter, has the stranger
gone?
ANTIGONE Yes, he has gone; now we are all
alone, And thou may'st speak, dear father,
without fear.
OEDIPUS Stern-visaged queens, since coming
to this land First in your sanctuary I bent
the knee, Frown not on me or Phoebus, who,
when erst He told me all my miseries to come,
Spake of this respite after many years, Some
haven in a far-off land, a rest Vouchsafed
at last by dread divinities. "There,"
said he, "shalt thou round thy weary
life, A blessing to the land wherein thou
dwell'st, But to the land that cast thee
forth, a curse." And of my weird he
promised signs should come, Earthquake, or
thunderclap, or lightning flash. And now
I recognize as yours the sign That led my
wanderings to this your grove; Else had I
never lighted on you first, A wineless man
on your seat of native rock. O goddesses,
fulfill Apollo's word, Grant me some consummation
of my life, If haply I appear not all too
vile, A thrall to sorrow worse than any slave.
Hear, gentle daughters of primeval Night,
Hear, namesake of great Pallas; Athens, first
Of cities, pity this dishonored shade, The
ghost of him who once was Oedipus.
ANTIGONE Hush! for I see some grey-beards
on their way, Their errand to spy out our
resting-place.
OEDIPUS I will be mute, and thou shalt guide
my steps Into the covert from the public
road, Till I have learned their drift. A
prudent man Will ever shape his course by
what he learns. [Enter CHORUS]
CHORUS
(Str. 1) Ha! Where is he? Look around! Every
nook and corner scan! He the all-presumptuous
man, Whither vanished? search the ground!
A wayfarer, I ween, A wayfarer, no countryman
of ours, That old man must have been; Never
had native dared to tempt the Powers,
Or enter their demesne,
The Maids in awe of whom each mortal cowers,
Whose name no voice betrays nor cry, And
as we pass them with averted eye,
We move hushed lips in reverent piety.
But now some godless man, 'Tis rumored, here
abides; The precincts through I scan, Yet
wot not where he hides, The wretch profane!
I search and search in vain.
OEDIPUS
I am that man; I know you near Ears to the
blind, they say, are eyes.
CHORUS
O dread to see and dread to hear!
OEDIPUS Oh sirs, I am no outlaw under ban.
CHORUS Who can he be--Zeus save us!--this
old man?
OEDIPUS No favorite of fate, That ye should
envy his estate, O, Sirs, would any happy
mortal, say, Grope by the light of other
eyes his way, Or face the storm upon so frail
a stay?
CHORUS
(Ant. 1) Wast thou then sightless from thy
birth? Evil, methinks, and long Thy pilgrimage
on earth. Yet add not curse to curse and
wrong to wrong.
I warn thee, trespass not Within this hallowed
spot,
Lest thou shouldst find the silent grassy
glade
Where offerings are laid,
Bowls of spring water mingled with sweet
mead.
Thou must not stay, Come, come away, Tired
wanderer, dost thou heed?
(We are far off, but sure our voice can reach.)
If aught thou wouldst beseech,
Speak where 'tis right; till then refrain
from speech.
OEDIPUS Daughter, what counsel should we
now pursue?
ANTIGONE We must obey and do as here they
do.
OEDIPUS Thy hand then!
ANTIGONE
Here, O father, is my hand,
OEDIPUS O Sirs, if I come forth at your command,
Let me not suffer for my confidence.
CHORUS
(Str. 2) Against thy will no man shall drive
thee hence.
OEDIPUS Shall I go further?
CHORUS
Aye.
OEDIPUS
What further still?
CHORUS Lead maiden, thou canst guide him
where we will.
ANTIGONE [1]
OEDIPUS
ANTIGONE Follow with blind steps, father,
as I lead.
OEDIPUS
CHORUS In a strange land strange thou art;
To her will incline thy heart; Honor whatso'er
the State Honors, all she frowns on hate.
OEDIPUS Guide me child, where we may range
Safe within the paths of right; Counsel freely
may exchange Nor with fate and fortune fight.
CHORUS
(Ant. 2) Halt! Go no further than that rocky
floor.
OEDIPUS Stay where I now am?
CHORUS
Yes, advance no more.
OEDIPUS May I sit down?
CHORUS
Move sideways towards the ledge,
And sit thee crouching on the scarped edge.
ANTIGONE This is my office, father, O incline--
OEDIPUS Ah me! ah me!
ANTIGONE Thy steps to my steps, lean thine
aged frame on mine.
OEDIPUS Woe on my fate unblest!
CHORUS Wanderer, now thou art at rest, Tell
me of thy birth and home, From what far country
art thou come, Led on thy weary way, declare!
OEDIPUS Strangers, I have no country. O forbear--
CHORUS What is it, old man, that thou wouldst
conceal?
OEDIPUS Forbear, nor urge me further to reveal--
CHORUS Why this reluctance?
OEDIPUS
Dread my lineage.
CHORUS
Say!
OEDIPUS What must I answer, child, ah welladay!
CHORUS Say of what stock thou comest, what
man's son--
OEDIPUS Ah me, my daughter, now we are undone!
ANTIGONE Speak, for thou standest on the
slippery verge.
OEDIPUS I will; no plea for silence can I
urge.
CHORUS Will neither speak? Come, Sir, why
dally thus!
OEDIPUS Know'st one of Laius'--
CHORUS
Ha? Who!
OEDIPUS Seed of Labdacus--
CHORUS
Oh Zeus!
OEDIPUS The hapless Oedipus.
CHORUS
Art he?
OEDIPUS Whate'er I utter, have no fear of
me.
CHORUS Begone!
OEDIPUS
O wretched me!
CHORUS
Begone!
OEDIPUS O daughter, what will hap anon?
CHORUS Forth from our borders speed ye both!
OEDIPUS How keep you then your troth?
CHORUS Heaven's justice never smites Him
who ill with ill requites. But if guile with
guile contend, Bane, not blessing, is the
end. Arise, begone and take thee hence straightway,
Lest on our land a heavier curse thou lay.
ANTIGONE O sirs! ye suffered not my father
blind, Albeit gracious and to ruth inclined,
Knowing the deeds he wrought, not innocent,
But with no ill intent; Yet heed a maiden's
moan Who pleads for him alone; My eyes, not
reft of sight,
Plead with you as a daughter's might You
are our providence, O make us not go hence!
O with a gracious nod Grant us the nigh despaired-of
boon we crave?
Hear us, O hear,
But all that ye hold dear, Wife, children,
homestead, hearth and God! Where will you
find one, search ye ne'er so well. Who 'scapes
perdition if a god impel!
CHORUS Surely we pity thee and him alike
Daughter of Oedipus, for your distress; But
as we reverence the decrees of Heaven We
cannot say aught other than we said.
OEDIPUS O what avails renown or fair repute?
Are they not vanity? For, look you, now Athens
is held of States the most devout, Athens
alone gives hospitality And shelters the
vexed stranger, so men say. Have I found
so? I whom ye dislodged First from my seat
of rock and now would drive Forth from your
land, dreading my name alone; For me you
surely dread not, nor my deeds, Deeds of
a man more sinned against than sinning, As
I might well convince you, were it meet To
tell my mother's story and my sire's, The
cause of this your fear. Yet am I then A
villain born because in self-defense, Striken,
I struck the striker back again? E'en had
I known, no villainy 'twould prove: But all
unwitting whither I went, I went-- To ruin;
my destroyers knew it well, Wherefore, I
pray you, sirs, in Heaven's name, Even as
ye bade me quit my seat, defend me. O pay
not a lip service to the gods And wrong them
of their dues. Bethink ye well, The eye of
Heaven beholds the just of men, And the unjust,
nor ever in this world Has one sole godless
sinner found escape. Stand then on Heaven's
side and never blot Athens' fair scutcheon
by abetting wrong. I came to you a suppliant,
and you pledged Your honor; O preserve me
to the end, O let not this marred visage
do me wrong! A holy and god-fearing man is
here Whose coming purports comfort for your
folk. And when your chief arrives, whoe'er
he be, Then shall ye have my story and know
all. Meanwhile I pray you do me no despite.
CHORUS The plea thou urgest, needs must give
us pause, Set forth in weighty argument,
but we Must leave the issue with the ruling
powers.
OEDIPUS Where is he, strangers, he who sways
the realm?
CHORUS In his ancestral seat; a messenger,
The same who sent us here, is gone for him.
OEDIPUS And think you he will have such care
or thought For the blind stranger as to come
himself?
CHORUS Aye, that he will, when once he learns
thy name.
OEDIPUS But who will bear him word!
CHORUS
The way is long,
And many travelers pass to speed the news.
Be sure he'll hear and hasten, never fear;
So wide and far thy name is noised abroad,
That, were he ne'er so spent and loth to
move, He would bestir him when he hears of
thee.
OEDIPUS Well, may he come with blessing to
his State And me! Who serves his neighbor
serves himself. [2]
ANTIGONE Zeus! What is this? What can I say
or think?
OEDIPUS What now, Antigone?
ANTIGONE
I see a woman
Riding upon a colt of Aetna's breed; She
wears for headgear a Thessalian hat To shade
her from the sun. Who can it be? She or a
stranger? Do I wake or dream? 'This she;
'tis not--I cannot tell, alack; It is no
other! Now her bright'ning glance Greets
me with recognition, yes, 'tis she, Herself,
Ismene!
OEDIPUS
Ha! what say ye, child?
ANTIGONE That I behold thy daughter and my
sister, And thou wilt know her straightway
by her voice. [Enter ISMENE]
ISMENE Father and sister, names to me most
sweet, How hardly have I found you, hardly
now When found at last can see you through
my tears!
OEDIPUS Art come, my child?
ISMENE
O father, sad thy plight!
OEDIPUS Child, thou art here?
ISMENE
Yes, 'twas a weary way.
OEDIPUS Touch me, my child.
ISMENE
I give a hand to both.
OEDIPUS O children--sisters!
ISMENE
O disastrous plight!
OEDIPUS Her plight and mine?
ISMENE
Aye, and my own no less.
OEDIPUS What brought thee, daughter?
ISMENE
Father, care for thee.
OEDIPUS A daughter's yearning?
ISMENE
Yes, and I had news
I would myself deliver, so I came With the
one thrall who yet is true to me.
OEDIPUS Thy valiant brothers, where are they
at need?
ISMENE They are--enough, 'tis now their darkest
hour.
OEDIPUS Out on the twain! The thoughts and
actions all Are framed and modeled on Egyptian
ways. For there the men sit at the loom indoors
While the wives slave abroad for daily bread.
So you, my children--those whom I behooved
To bear the burden, stay at home like girls,
While in their stead my daughters moil and
drudge, Lightening their father's misery.
The one Since first she grew from girlish
feebleness To womanhood has been the old
man's guide And shared my weary wandering,
roaming oft Hungry and footsore through wild
forest ways, In drenching rains and under
scorching suns, Careless herself of home
and ease, if so Her sire might have her tender
ministry. And thou, my child, whilom thou
wentest forth, Eluding the Cadmeians' vigilance,
To bring thy father all the oracles Concerning
Oedipus, and didst make thyself My faithful
lieger, when they banished me. And now what
mission summons thee from home, What news,
Ismene, hast thou for thy father? This much
I know, thou com'st not empty-handed, Without
a warning of some new alarm.
ISMENE The toil and trouble, father, that
I bore To find thy lodging-place and how
thou faredst, I spare thee; surely 'twere
a double pain To suffer, first in act and
then in telling; 'Tis the misfortune of thine
ill-starred sons I come to tell thee. At
the first they willed To leave the throne
to Creon, minded well Thus to remove the
inveterate curse of old, A canker that infected
all thy race. But now some god and an infatuate
soul Have stirred betwixt them a mad rivalry
To grasp at sovereignty and kingly power.
Today the hot-branded youth, the younger
born, Is keeping Polyneices from the throne,
His elder, and has thrust him from the land.
The banished brother (so all Thebes reports)
Fled to the vale of Argos, and by help Of
new alliance there and friends in arms, Swears
he will stablish Argos straight as lord Of
the Cadmeian land, or, if he fail, Exalt
the victor to the stars of heaven. This is
no empty tale, but deadly truth, My father;
and how long thy agony, Ere the gods pity
thee, I cannot tell.
OEDIPUS Hast thou indeed then entertained
a hope The gods at last will turn and rescue
me?
ISMENE Yea, so I read these latest oracles.
OEDIPUS What oracles? What hath been uttered,
child?
ISMENE Thy country (so it runs) shall yearn
in time To have thee for their weal alive
or dead.
OEDIPUS And who could gain by such a one
as I?
ISMENE On thee, 'tis said, their sovereignty
depends.
OEDIPUS So, when I cease to be, my worth
begins.
ISMENE The gods, who once abased, uplift
thee now.
OEDIPUS Poor help to raise an old man fallen
in youth.
ISMENE Howe'er that be, 'tis for this cause
alone That Creon comes to thee--and comes
anon.
OEDIPUS With what intent, my daughter? Tell
me plainly.
ISMENE To plant thee near the Theban land,
and so Keep thee within their grasp, yet
now allow Thy foot to pass beyond their boundaries.
OEDIPUS What gain they, if I lay outside?
OEDIPUS
Thy tomb,
If disappointed, brings on them a curse.
OEDIPUS It needs no god to tell what's plain
to sense.
ISMENE Therefore they fain would have thee
close at hand, Not where thou wouldst be
master of thyself.
OEDIPUS Mean they to shroud my bones in Theban
dust?
ISMENE Nay, father, guilt of kinsman's blood
forbids.
OEDIPUS Then never shall they be my masters,
never!
ISMENE Thebes, thou shalt rue this bitterly
some day!
OEDIPUS When what conjunction comes to pass,
my child?
ISMENE Thy angry wraith, when at thy tomb
they stand. [3]
OEDIPUS And who hath told thee what thou
tell'st me, child?
ISMENE Envoys who visited the Delphic hearth.
OEDIPUS Hath Phoebus spoken thus concerning
me?
ISMENE So say the envoys who returned to
Thebes.
OEDIPUS And can a son of mine have heard
of this?
ISMENE Yea, both alike, and know its import
well.
OEDIPUS They knew it, yet the ignoble greed
of rule Outweighed all longing for their
sire's return.
ISMENE Grievous thy words, yet I must own
them true.
OEDIPUS Then may the gods ne'er quench their
fatal feud, And mine be the arbitrament of
the fight, For which they now are arming,
spear to spear; That neither he who holds
the scepter now May keep this throne, nor
he who fled the realm Return again. They
never raised a hand, When I their sire was
thrust from hearth and home, When I was banned
and banished, what recked they? Say you 'twas
done at my desire, a grace Which the state,
yielding to my wish, allowed? Not so; for,
mark you, on that very day When in the tempest
of my soul I craved Death, even death by
stoning, none appeared To further that wild
longing, but anon, When time had numbed my
anguish and I felt My wrath had all outrun
those errors past, Then, then it was the
city went about By force to oust me, respited
for years; And then my sons, who should as
sons have helped, Did nothing: and, one little
word from them Was all I needed, and they
spoke no word, But let me wander on for evermore,
A banished man, a beggar. These two maids
Their sisters, girls, gave all their sex
could give, Food and safe harborage and filial
care; While their two brethren sacrificed
their sire For lust of power and sceptred
sovereignty. No! me they ne'er shall win
for an ally, Nor will this Theban kingship
bring them gain; That know I from this maiden's
oracles, And those old prophecies concerning
me, Which Phoebus now at length has brought
to pass. Come Creon then, come all the mightiest
In Thebes to seek me; for if ye my friends,
Championed by those dread Powers indigenous,
Espouse my cause; then for the State ye gain
A great deliverer, for my foemen bane.
CHORUS Our pity, Oedipus, thou needs must
move, Thou and these maidens; and the stronger
plea Thou urgest, as the savior of our land,
Disposes me to counsel for thy weal.
OEDIPUS Aid me, kind sirs; I will do all
you bid.
CHORUS First make atonement to the deities,
Whose grove by trespass thou didst first
profane.
OEDIPUS After what manner, stranger? Teach
me, pray.
CHORUS Make a libation first of water fetched
With undefiled hands from living spring.
OEDIPUS And after I have gotten this pure
draught?
CHORUS Bowls thou wilt find, the carver's
handiwork; Crown thou the rims and both the
handles crown--
OEDIPUS With olive shoots or blocks of wool,
or how?
CHORUS With wool from fleece of yearling
freshly shorn.
OEDIPUS What next? how must I end the ritual?
CHORUS Pour thy libation, turning to the
dawn.
OEDIPUS Pouring it from the urns whereof
ye spake?
CHORUS Yea, in three streams; and be the
last bowl drained To the last drop.
OEDIPUS
And wherewith shall I fill it,
Ere in its place I set it? This too tell.
CHORUS With water and with honey; add no
wine.
OEDIPUS And when the embowered earth hath
drunk thereof?
CHORUS Then lay upon it thrice nine olive
sprays With both thy hands, and offer up
this prayer.
OEDIPUS I fain would hear it; that imports
the most.
CHORUS That, as we call them Gracious, they
would deign To grant the suppliant their
saving grace. So pray thyself or whoso pray
for thee, In whispered accents, not with
lifted voice; Then go and look back. Do as
I bid, And I shall then be bold to stand
thy friend; Else, stranger, I should have
my fears for thee.
OEDIPUS Hear ye, my daughters, what these
strangers say?
ANTIGONE We listened, and attend thy bidding,
father.
OEDIPUS I cannot go, disabled as I am Doubly,
by lack of strength and lack of sight; But
one of you may do it in my stead; For one,
I trow, may pay the sacrifice Of thousands,
if his heart be leal and true. So to your
work with speed, but leave me not Untended;
for this frame is all too week To move without
the help of guiding hand.
ISMENE Then I will go perform these rites,
but where To find the spot, this have I yet
to learn.
CHORUS Beyond this grove; if thou hast need
of aught, The guardian of the close will
lend his aid.
ISMENE I go, and thou, Antigone, meanwhile
Must guard our father. In a parent's cause
Toil, if there be toil, is of no account.
[Exit ISMENE]
CHORUS
(Str. 1) Ill it is, stranger, to awake Pain
that long since has ceased to ache, And yet
I fain would hear--
OEDIPUS What thing?
CHORUS Thy tale of cruel suffering For which
no cure was found, The fate that held thee
bound.
OEDIPUS O bid me not (as guest I claim This
grace) expose my shame.
CHORUS The tale is bruited far and near,
And echoes still from ear to ear. The truth,
I fain would hear.
OEDIPUS Ah me!
CHORUS
I prithee yield.
OEDIPUS
Ah me!
CHORUS Grant my request, I granted all to
thee.
OEDIPUS
(Ant. 1) Know then I suffered ills most vile,
but none (So help me Heaven!) from acts in
malice done.
CHORUS Say how.
OEDIPUS
The State around
An all unwitting bridegroom bound An impious
marriage chain;
That was my bane.
CHORUS Didst thou in sooth then share A bed
incestuous with her that bare--
OEDIPUS It stabs me like a sword, That two-edged
word, O stranger, but these maids--my own--
CHORUS Say on.
OEDIPUS Two daughters, curses twain.
CHORUS Oh God!
OEDIPUS Sprang from the wife and mother's
travail-pain.
CHORUS
(Str. 2) What, then thy offspring are at
once--
OEDIPUS
Too true.
Their father's very sister's too.
CHORUS Oh horror!
OEDIPUS
Horrors from the boundless deep
Back on my soul in refluent surges sweep.
CHORUS Thou hast endured--
OEDIPUS
Intolerable woe.
CHORUS And sinned--
OEDIPUS
I sinned not.
CHORUS
How so?
OEDIPUS I served the State; would I had never
won That graceless grace by which I was undone.
CHORUS
(Ant. 2) And next, unhappy man, thou hast
shed blood?
OEDIPUS Must ye hear more?
CHORUS
A father's?
OEDIPUS
Flood on flood
Whelms me; that word's a second mortal blow.
CHORUS Murderer!
OEDIPUS
Yes, a murderer, but know--
CHORUS What canst thou plead?
OEDIPUS
A plea of justice.
CHORUS
How?
OEDIPUS I slew who else would me have slain;
I slew without intent, A wretch, but innocent
In the law's eye, I stand, without a stain.
CHORUS Behold our sovereign, Theseus, Aegeus'
son, Comes at thy summons to perform his
part. [Enter THESEUS]
THESEUS Oft had I heard of thee in times
gone by-- The bloody mutilation of thine
eyes-- And therefore know thee, son of Laius.
All that I lately gathered on the way Made
my conjecture doubly sure; and now Thy garb
and that marred visage prove to me That thou
art he. So pitying thine estate, Most ill-starred
Oedipus, I fain would know What is the suit
ye urge on me and Athens, Thou and the helpless
maiden at thy side. Declare it; dire indeed
must be the tale Whereat I should recoil.
I too was reared, Like thee, in exile, and
in foreign lands Wrestled with many perils,
no man more. Wherefore no alien in adversity
Shall seek in vain my succor, nor shalt thou;
I know myself a mortal, and my share In what
the morrow brings no more than thine.
OEDIPUS Theseus, thy words so apt, so generous
So comfortable, need no long reply Both who
I am and of what lineage sprung, And from
what land I came, thou hast declared. So
without prologue I may utter now My brief
petition, and the tale is told.
THESEUS Say on, and tell me what I fain would
learn.
OEDIPUS I come to offer thee this woe-worn
frame, A gift not fair to look on; yet its
worth More precious far than any outward
show.
THESEUS What profit dost thou proffer to
have brought?
OEDIPUS Hereafter thou shalt learn, not yet,
methinks.
THESEUS When may we hope to reap the benefit?
OEDIPUS When I am dead and thou hast buried
me.
THESEUS Thou cravest life's last service;
all before-- Is it forgotten or of no account?
OEDIPUS Yea, the last boon is warrant for
the rest.
THESEUS The grace thou cravest then is small
indeed.
OEDIPUS Nay, weigh it well; the issue is
not slight.
THESEUS Thou meanest that betwixt thy sons
and me?
OEDIPUS Prince, they would fain convey me
back to Thebes.
THESEUS If there be no compulsion, then methinks
To rest in banishment befits not thee.
OEDIPUS Nay, when I wished it they would
not consent.
THESEUS For shame! such temper misbecomes
the faller.
OEDIPUS Chide if thou wilt, but first attend
my plea.
THESEUS Say on, I wait full knowledge ere
I judge.
OEDIPUS O Theseus, I have suffered wrongs
on wrongs.
THESEUS Wouldst tell the old misfortune of
thy race?
OEDIPUS No, that has grown a byword throughout
Greece.
THESEUS What then can be this more than mortal
grief?
OEDIPUS My case stands thus; by my own flesh
and blood I was expelled my country, and
can ne'er Thither return again, a parricide.
THESEUS Why fetch thee home if thou must
needs obey.
THESEUS What are they threatened by the oracle?
OEDIPUS Destruction that awaits them in this
land.
THESEUS What can beget ill blood 'twixt them
and me?
OEDIPUS Dear son of Aegeus, to the gods alone
Is given immunity from eld and death; But
nothing else escapes all-ruinous time. Earth's
might decays, the might of men decays, Honor
grows cold, dishonor flourishes, There is
no constancy 'twixt friend and friend, Or
city and city; be it soon or late, Sweet
turns to bitter, hate once more to love.
If now 'tis sunshine betwixt Thebes and thee
And not a cloud, Time in his endless course
Gives birth to endless days and nights, wherein
The merest nothing shall suffice to cut With
serried spears your bonds of amity. Then
shall my slumbering and buried corpse In
its cold grave drink their warm life-blood
up, If Zeus be Zeus and Phoebus still speak
true. No more: 'tis ill to tear aside the
veil Of mysteries; let me cease as I began:
Enough if thou wilt keep thy plighted troth,
Then shall thou ne'er complain that Oedipus
Proved an unprofitable and thankless guest,
Except the gods themselves shall play me
false.
CHORUS The man, my lord, has from the very
first Declared his power to offer to our
land These and like benefits.
THESEUS
Who could reject
The proffered amity of such a friend? First,
he can claim the hospitality To which by
mutual contract we stand pledged: Next, coming
here, a suppliant to the gods, He pays full
tribute to the State and me; His favors therefore
never will I spurn, But grant him the full
rights of citizen; And, if it suits the stranger
here to bide, I place him in your charge,
or if he please Rather to come with me--choose,
Oedipus, Which of the two thou wilt. Thy
choice is mine.
OEDIPUS Zeus, may the blessing fall on men
like these!
THESEUS What dost thou then decide--to come
with me?
OEDIPUS Yea, were it lawful--but 'tis rather
here--
THESEUS What wouldst thou here? I shall not
thwart thy wish.
OEDIPUS Here shall I vanquish those who cast
me forth.
THESEUS Then were thy presence here a boon
indeed.
OEDIPUS Such shall it prove, if thou fulfill'st
thy pledge.
THESEUS Fear not for me; I shall not play
thee false.
OEDIPUS No need to back thy promise with
an oath.
THESEUS An oath would be no surer than my
word.
OEDIPUS How wilt thou act then?
THESEUS
What is it thou fear'st?
OEDIPUS My foes will come--
THESEUS
Our friends will look to that.
OEDIPUS But if thou leave me?
THESEUS
Teach me not my duty.
OEDIPUS 'Tis fear constrains me.
THESEUS
My soul knows no fear!
OEDIPUS Thou knowest not what threats--
THESEUS
I know that none
Shall hale thee hence in my despite. Such
threats Vented in anger oft, are blusterers,
An idle breath, forgot when sense returns.
And for thy foemen, though their words were
brave, Boasting to bring thee back, they
are like to find The seas between us wide
and hard to sail. Such my firm purpose, but
in any case Take heart, since Phoebus sent
thee here. My name, Though I be distant,
warrants thee from harm.
CHORUS
(Str. 1)
Thou hast come to a steed-famed land for
rest, O stranger worn with toil, To a land
of all lands the goodliest
Colonus' glistening soil.
'Tis the haunt of the clear-voiced nightingale,
Who hid in her bower, among The wine-dark
ivy that wreathes the vale,
Trilleth her ceaseless song;
And she loves, where the clustering berries
nod
O'er a sunless, windless glade,
The spot by no mortal footstep trod, The
pleasance kept for the Bacchic god, Where
he holds each night his revels wild With
the nymphs who fostered the lusty child.
(Ant. 1) And fed each morn by the pearly
dew
The starred narcissi shine,
And a wreath with the crocus' golden hue
For the Mother and Daughter twine.
And never the sleepless fountains cease
That feed Cephisus' stream,
But they swell earth's bosom with quick increase,
And their wave hath a crystal gleam.
And the Muses' quire will never disdain To
visit this heaven-favored plain, Nor the
Cyprian queen of the golden rein.
(Str. 2) And here there grows, unpruned,
untamed,
Terror to foemen's spear,
A tree in Asian soil unnamed, By Pelops'
Dorian isle unclaimed,
Self-nurtured year by year;
'Tis the grey-leaved olive that feeds our
boys; Nor youth nor withering age destroys
The plant that the Olive Planter tends And
the Grey-eyed Goddess herself defends.
(Ant. 2) Yet another gift, of all gifts the
most Prized by our fatherland, we boast--
The might of the horse, the might of the
sea; Our fame, Poseidon, we owe to thee,
Son of Kronos, our king divine, Who in these
highways first didst fit For the mouth of
horses the iron bit; Thou too hast taught
us to fashion meet For the arm of the rower
the oar-blade fleet, Swift as the Nereids'
hundred feet As they dance along the brine.
ANTIGONE Oh land extolled above all lands,
'tis now For thee to make these glorious
titles good.
OEDIPUS Why this appeal, my daughter?
ANTIGONE
Father, lo!
Creon approaches with his company.
OEDIPUS Fear not, it shall be so; if we are
old, This country's vigor has no touch of
age. [Enter CREON with attendants]
CREON Burghers, my noble friends, ye take
alarm At my approach (I read it in your eyes),
Fear nothing and refrain from angry words.
I come with no ill purpose; I am old, And
know the city whither I am come, Without
a peer amongst the powers of Greece. It was
by reason of my years that I Was chosen to
persuade your guest and bring Him back to
Thebes; not the delegate Of one man, but
commissioned by the State, Since of all Thebans
I have most bewailed, Being his kinsman,
his most grievous woes. O listen to me, luckless
Oedipus, Come home! The whole Cadmeian people
claim With right to have thee back, I most
of all, For most of all (else were I vile
indeed) I mourn for thy misfortunes, seeing
thee An aged outcast, wandering on and on,
A beggar with one handmaid for thy stay.
Ah! who had e'er imagined she could fall
To such a depth of misery as this, To tend
in penury thy stricken frame, A virgin ripe
for wedlock, but unwed, A prey for any wanton
ravisher? Seems it not cruel this reproach
I cast On thee and on myself and all the
race? Aye, but an open shame cannot be hid.
Hide it, O hide it, Oedipus, thou canst.
O, by our fathers' gods, consent I pray;
Come back to Thebes, come to thy father's
home, Bid Athens, as is meet, a fond farewell;
Thebes thy old foster-mother claims thee
first.
OEDIPUS O front of brass, thy subtle tongue
would twist To thy advantage every plea of
right Why try thy arts on me, why spread
again Toils where 'twould gall me sorest
to be snared? In old days when by self-wrought
woes distraught, I yearned for exile as a
glad release, Thy will refused the favor
then I craved. But when my frenzied grief
had spent its force, And I was fain to taste
the sweets of home, Then thou wouldst thrust
me from my country, then These ties of kindred
were by thee ignored; And now again when
thou behold'st this State And all its kindly
people welcome me, Thou seek'st to part us,
wrapping in soft words Hard thoughts. And
yet what pleasure canst thou find In forcing
friendship on unwilling foes? Suppose a man
refused to grant some boon When you importuned
him, and afterwards When you had got your
heart's desire, consented, Granting a grace
from which all grace had fled, Would not
such favor seem an empty boon? Yet such the
boon thou profferest now to me, Fair in appearance,
but when tested false. Yea, I will proved
thee false, that these may hear; Thou art
come to take me, not to take me home, But
plant me on thy borders, that thy State May
so escape annoyance from this land. That
thou shalt never gain, but this instead--
My ghost to haunt thy country without end;
And for my sons, this heritage--no more--
Just room to die in. Have not I more skill
Than thou to draw the horoscope of Thebes?
Are not my teachers surer guides than thine--
Great Phoebus and the sire of Phoebus, Zeus?
Thou art a messenger suborned, thy tongue
Is sharper than a sword's edge, yet thy speech
Will bring thee more defeats than victories.
Howbeit, I know I waste my words--begone,
And leave me here; whate'er may be my lot,
He lives not ill who lives withal content.
CREON Which loses in this parley, I o'erthrown
By thee, or thou who overthrow'st thyself?
OEDIPUS I shall be well contented if thy
suit Fails with these strangers, as it has
with me.
CREON Unhappy man, will years ne'er make
thee wise? Must thou live on to cast a slur
on age?
OEDIPUS Thou hast a glib tongue, but no honest
man, Methinks, can argue well on any side.
CREON 'Tis one thing to speak much, another
well.
OEDIPUS Thy words, forsooth, are few and
all well aimed!
CREON Not for a man indeed with wits like
thine.
OEDIPUS Depart! I bid thee in these burghers'
name, And prowl no longer round me to blockade
My destined harbor.
CREON
I protest to these,
Not thee, and for thine answer to thy kin,
If e'er I take thee--
OEDIPUS
Who against their will
Could take me?
CREON
Though untaken thou shalt smart.
OEDIPUS What power hast thou to execute this
threat?
CREON One of thy daughters is already seized,
The other I will carry off anon.
OEDIPUS Woe, woe!
CREON
This is but prelude to thy woes.
OEDIPUS Hast thou my child?
CREON
And soon shall have the other.
OEDIPUS Ho, friends! ye will not surely play
me false? Chase this ungodly villain from
your land.
CHORUS Hence, stranger, hence avaunt! Thou
doest wrong In this, and wrong in all that
thou hast done.
CREON (to his guards) 'Tis time by force
to carry off the girl, If she refuse of her
free will to go.
ANTIGONE Ah, woe is me! where shall I fly,
where find Succor from gods or men?
CHORUS
What would'st thou, stranger?
CREON I meddle not with him, but her who
is mine.
OEDIPUS O princes of the land!
CHORUS
Sir, thou dost wrong.
CREON Nay, right.
CHORUS
How right?
CREON
I take but what is mine.
OEDIPUS Help, Athens!
CHORUS What means this, sirrah? quick unhand
her, or We'll fight it out.
CREON
Back!
CHORUS
Not till thou forbear.
CREON 'Tis war with Thebes if I am touched
or harmed.
OEDIPUS Did I not warn thee?
CHORUS
Quick, unhand the maid!
CREON Command your minions; I am not your
slave.
CHORUS Desist, I bid thee.
CREON (to the guard)
And O bid thee march!
CHORUS
To the rescue, one and all! Rally, neighbors
to my call! See, the foe is at the gate!
Rally to defend the State.
ANTIGONE Ah, woe is me, they drag me hence,
O friends.
OEDIPUS Where art thou, daughter?
ANTIGONE
Haled along by force.
OEDIPUS Thy hands, my child!
ANTIGONE
They will not let me, father.
CREON Away with her!
OEDIPUS
Ah, woe is me, ah woe!
CREON So those two crutches shall no longer
serve thee For further roaming. Since it
pleaseth thee To triumph o'er thy country
and thy friends Who mandate, though a prince,
I here discharge, Enjoy thy triumph; soon
or late thou'lt find Thou art an enemy to
thyself, both now And in time past, when
in despite of friends Thou gav'st the rein
to passion, still thy bane.
CHORUS Hold there, sir stranger!
CREON
Hands off, have a care.
CHORUS Restore the maidens, else thou goest
not.
CREON Then Thebes will take a dearer surety
soon; I will lay hands on more than these
two maids.
CHORUS What canst thou further?
CREON
Carry off this man.
CHORUS Brave words!
CREON
And deeds forthwith shall make them good.
CHORUS Unless perchance our sovereign intervene.
OEDIPUS O shameless voice! Would'st lay an
hand on me?
CREON Silence, I bid thee!
OEDIPUS
Goddesses, allow
Thy suppliant to utter yet one curse! Wretch,
now my eyes are gone thou hast torn away
The helpless maiden who was eyes to me; For
these to thee and all thy cursed race May
the great Sun, whose eye is everywhere, Grant
length of days and old age like to mine.
CREON Listen, O men of Athens, mark ye this?
OEDIPUS They mark us both and understand
that I Wronged by the deeds defend myself
with words.
CREON Nothing shall curb my will; though
I be old And single-handed, I will have this
man.
OEDIPUS O woe is me!
CHORUS Thou art a bold man, stranger, if
thou think'st To execute thy purpose.
CREON
So I do.
CHORUS Then shall I deem this State no more
a State.
CREON With a just quarrel weakness conquers
might.
OEDIPUS Ye hear his words?
CHORUS
Aye words, but not yet deeds,
Zeus knoweth!
CREON
Zeus may haply know, not thou.
CHORUS Insolence!
CREON
Insolence that thou must bear.
CHORUS
Haste ye princes, sound the alarm! Men of
Athens, arm ye, arm! Quickly to the rescue
come Ere the robbers get them home.
[Enter THESEUS]
THESEUS Why this outcry? What is forward?
wherefore was I called away From the altar
of Poseidon, lord of your Colonus? Say! On
what errand have I hurried hither without
stop or stay.
OEDIPUS Dear friend--those accents tell me
who thou art-- Yon man but now hath done
me a foul wrong.
THESEUS What is this wrong and who hath wrought
it? Speak.
OEDIPUS Creon who stands before thee. He
it is Hath robbed me of my all, my daughters
twain.
THESEUS What means this?
OEDIPUS
Thou hast heard my tale of wrongs.
THESEUS Ho! hasten to the altars, one of
you. Command my liegemen leave the sacrifice
And hurry, foot and horse, with rein unchecked,
To where the paths that packmen use diverge,
Lest the two maidens slip away, and I Become
a mockery to this my guest, As one despoiled
by force. Quick, as I bid. As for this stranger,
had I let my rage, Justly provoked, have
play, he had not 'scaped Scathless and uncorrected
at my hands. But now the laws to which himself
appealed, These and none others shall adjudicate.
Thou shalt not quit this land, till thou
hast fetched The maidens and produced them
in my sight. Thou hast offended both against
myself And thine own race and country. Having
come Unto a State that champions right and
asks For every action warranty of law, Thou
hast set aside the custom of the land, And
like some freebooter art carrying off What
plunder pleases thee, as if forsooth Thou
thoughtest this a city without men, Or manned
by slaves, and me a thing of naught. Yet
not from Thebes this villainy was learnt;
Thebes is not wont to breed unrighteous sons,
Nor would she praise thee, if she learnt
that thou Wert robbing me--aye and the gods
to boot, Haling by force their suppliants,
poor maids. Were I on Theban soil, to prosecute
The justest claim imaginable, I Would never
wrest by violence my own Without sanction
of your State or King; I should behave as
fits an outlander Living amongst a foreign
folk, but thou Shamest a city that deserves
it not, Even thine own, and plentitude of
years Have made of thee an old man and a
fool. Therefore again I charge thee as before,
See that the maidens are restored at once,
Unless thou would'st continue here by force
And not by choice a sojourner; so much I
tell thee home and what I say, I mean.
CHORUS Thy case is perilous; though by birth
and race Thou should'st be just, thou plainly
doest wrong.
CREON Not deeming this city void of men Or
counsel, son of Aegeus, as thou say'st I
did what I have done; rather I thought Your
people were not like to set such store by
kin of mine and keep them 'gainst my will.
Nor would they harbor, so I stood assured,
A godless parricide, a reprobate Convicted
of incestuous marriage ties. For on her native
hill of Ares here (I knew your far-famed
Areopagus) Sits Justice, and permits not
vagrant folk To stay within your borders.
In that faith I hunted down my quarry; and
e'en then i had refrained but for the curses
dire Wherewith he banned my kinsfolk and
myself: Such wrong, methought, had warrant
for my act. Anger has no old age but only
death; The dead alone can feel no touch of
spite. So thou must work thy will; my cause
is just But weak without allies; yet will
I try, Old as I am, to answer deeds with
deeds.
OEDIPUS O shameless railer, think'st thou
this abuse Defames my grey hairs rather than
thine own? Murder and incest, deeds of horror,
all Thou blurtest forth against me, all I
have borne, No willing sinner; so it pleased
the gods Wrath haply with my sinful race
of old, Since thou could'st find no sin in
me myself For which in retribution I was
doomed To trespass thus against myself and
mine. Answer me now, if by some oracle My
sire was destined to a bloody end By a son's
hand, can this reflect on me, Me then unborn,
begotten by no sire, Conceived in no mother's
womb? And if When born to misery, as born
I was, I met my sire, not knowing whom I
met or what I did, and slew him, how canst
thou With justice blame the all-unconscious
hand? And for my mother, wretch, art not
ashamed, Seeing she was thy sister, to extort
From me the story of her marriage, such A
marriage as I straightway will proclaim.
For I will speak; thy lewd and impious speech
Has broken all the bonds of reticence. She
was, ah woe is me! she was my mother; I knew
it not, nor she; and she my mother Bare children
to the son whom she had borne, A birth of
shame. But this at least I know Wittingly
thou aspersest her and me; But I unwitting
wed, unwilling speak. Nay neither in this
marriage or this deed Which thou art ever
casting in my teeth-- A murdered sire--shall
I be held to blame. Come, answer me one question,
if thou canst: If one should presently attempt
thy life, Would'st thou, O man of justice,
first inquire If the assassin was perchance
thy sire, Or turn upon him? As thou lov'st
thy life, On thy aggressor thou would'st
turn, no stay Debating, if the law would
bear thee out. Such was my case, and such
the pass whereto The gods reduced me; and
methinks my sire, Could he come back to life,
would not dissent. Yet thou, for just thou
art not, but a man Who sticks at nothing,
if it serve his plea, Reproachest me with
this before these men. It serves thy turn
to laud great Theseus' name, And Athens as
a wisely governed State; Yet in thy flatteries
one thing is to seek: If any land knows how
to pay the gods Their proper rites, 'tis
Athens most of all. This is the land whence
thou wast fain to steal Their aged suppliant
and hast carried off My daughters. Therefore
to yon goddesses, I turn, adjure them and
invoke their aid To champion my cause, that
thou mayest learn What is the breed of men
who guard this State.
CHORUS An honest man, my liege, one sore
bestead By fortune, and so worthy our support.
THESEUS Enough of words; the captors speed
amain, While we the victims stand debating
here.
CREON What would'st thou? What can I, a feeble
man?
THESEUS Show us the trail, and I'll attend
thee too, That, if thou hast the maidens
hereabouts, Thou mayest thyself discover
them to me; But if thy guards outstrip us
with their spoil, We may draw rein; for others
speed, from whom They will not 'scape to
thank the gods at home. Lead on, I say, the
captor's caught, and fate Hath ta'en the
fowler in the toils he spread; So soon are
lost gains gotten by deceit. And look not
for allies; I know indeed Such height of
insolence was never reached Without abettors
or accomplices; Thou hast some backer in
thy bold essay, But I will search this matter
home and see One man doth not prevail against
the State. Dost take my drift, or seem these
words as vain As seemed our warnings when
the plot was hatched?
CREON Nothing thou sayest can I here dispute,
But once at home I too shall act my part.
THESEUS Threaten us and--begone! Thou, Oedipus,
Stay here assured that nothing save my death
Will stay my purpose to restore the maids.
OEDIPUS Heaven bless thee, Theseus, for thy
nobleness And all thy loving care in my behalf.
[Exeunt THESEUS and CREON]
CHORUS
(Str. 1)
O when the flying foe, Turning at last to
bay, Soon will give blow for blow, Might
I behold the fray; Hear the loud battle roar
Swell, on the Pythian shore, Or by the torch-lit
bay, Where the dread Queen and Maid Cherish
the mystic rites, Rites they to none betray,
Ere on his lips is laid Secrecy's golden
key By their own acolytes, Priestly Eumolpidae.
There I might chance behold Theseus our captain
bold Meet with the robber band, Ere they
have fled the land, Rescue by might and main
Maidens, the captives twain.
(Ant. 1)
Haply on swiftest steed, Or in the flying
car, Now they approach the glen, West of
white Oea's scaur. They will be vanquished:
Dread are our warriors, dread Theseus our
chieftain's men. Flashes each bridle bright,
Charges each gallant knight, All that our
Queen adore, Pallas their patron, or Him
whose wide floods enring Earth, the great
Ocean-king Whom Rhea bore.
(Str. 2)
Fight they or now prepare To fight? a vision
rare Tells me that soon again I shall behold
the twain Maidens so ill bestead, By their
kin buffeted.
Today, today Zeus worketh some great thing
This day shall victory bring. O for the wings,
the wings of a dove, To be borne with the
speed of the gale, Up and still upwards to
sail
And gaze on the fray from the clouds above.
(Ant. 2) All-seeing Zeus, O lord of heaven,
To our guardian host be given Might triumphant
to surprise Flying foes and win their prize.
Hear us, Zeus, and hear us, child Of Zeus,
Athene undefiled, Hear, Apollo, hunter, hear,
Huntress, sister of Apollo, Who the dappled
swift-foot deer O'er the wooded glade dost
follow; Help with your two-fold power Athens
in danger's hour! O wayfarer, thou wilt not
have to tax The friends who watch for thee
with false presage, For lo, an escort with
the maids draws near. [Enter ANTIGONE and
ISMENE with THESEUS]
OEDIPUS Where, where? what sayest thou?
ANTIGONE
O father, father,
Would that some god might grant thee eyes
to see This best of men who brings us back
again.
OEDIPUS My child! and are ye back indeed!
ANTIGONE
Yes, saved
By Theseus and his gallant followers.
OEDIPUS Come to your father's arms, O let
me feel A child's embrace I never hoped for
more.
ANTIGONE Thou askest what is doubly sweet
to give.
OEDIPUS Where are ye then?
ANTIGONE
We come together both.
OEDIPUS My precious nurslings!
ANTIGONE
Fathers aye were fond.
OEDIPUS Props of my age!
ANTIGONE
So sorrow sorrow props.
OEDIPUS I have my darlings, and if death
should come, Death were not wholly bitter
with you near. Cling to me, press me close
on either side, There rest ye from your dreary
wayfaring. Now tell me of your ventures,
but in brief; Brief speech suffices for young
maids like you.
ANTIGONE Here is our savior; thou should'st
hear the tale From his own lips; so shall
my part be brief.
OEDIPUS I pray thee do not wonder if the
sight Of children, given o'er for lost, has
made My converse somewhat long and tedious.
Full well I know the joy I have of them Is
due to thee, to thee and no man else; Thou
wast their sole deliverer, none else. The
gods deal with thee after my desire, With
thee and with this land! for fear of heaven
I found above all peoples most with you,
And righteousness and lips that cannot lie.
I speak in gratitude of what I know, For
all I have I owe to thee alone. Give me thy
hand, O Prince, that I may touch it, And
if thou wilt permit me, kiss thy cheek. What
say I? Can I wish that thou should'st touch
One fallen like me to utter wretchedness,
Corrupt and tainted with a thousand ills?
Oh no, I would not let thee if thou would'st.
They only who have known calamity Can share
it. Let me greet thee where thou art, And
still befriend me as thou hast till now.
THESEUS I marvel not if thou hast dallied
long In converse with thy children and preferred
Their speech to mine; I feel no jealousy,
I would be famous more by deeds than words.
Of this, old friend, thou hast had proof;
my oath I have fulfilled and brought thee
back the maids Alive and nothing harmed for
all those threats. And how the fight was
won, 'twere waste of words To boast--thy
daughters here will tell thee all. But of
a matter that has lately chanced On my way
hitherward, I fain would have Thy counsel--slight
'twould seem, yet worthy thought. A wise
man heeds all matters great or small.
OEDIPUS What is it, son of Aegeus? Let me
hear. Of what thou askest I myself know naught.
THESEUS 'Tis said a man, no countryman of
thine, But of thy kin, hath taken sanctuary
Beside the altar of Poseidon, where I was
at sacrifice when called away.
OEDIPUS What is his country? what the suitor's
prayer?
THESEUS I know but one thing; he implores,
I am told, A word with thee--he will not
trouble thee.
OEDIPUS What seeks he? If a suppliant, something
grave.
THESEUS He only waits, they say, to speak
with thee, And then unharmed to go upon his
way.
OEDIPUS I marvel who is this petitioner.
THESEUS Think if there be not any of thy
kin At Argos who might claim this boon of
thee.
OEDIPUS Dear friend, forbear, I pray.
THESEUS
What ails thee now?
OEDIPUS Ask it not of me.
THESEUS
Ask not what? explain.
OEDIPUS Thy words have told me who the suppliant
is.
THESEUS Who can he be that I should frown
on him?
OEDIPUS My son, O king, my hateful son, whose
words Of all men's most would jar upon my
ears.
THESEUS Thou sure mightest listen. If his
suit offend, No need to grant it. Why so
loth to hear him?
OEDIPUS That voice, O king, grates on a father's
ears; I have come to loathe it. Force me
not to yield.
THESEUS But he hath found asylum. O beware,
And fail not in due reverence to the god.
ANTIGONE O heed me, father, though I am young
in years. Let the prince have his will and
pay withal What in his eyes is service to
the god; For our sake also let our brother
come. If what he urges tend not to thy good
He cannot surely wrest perforce thy will.
To hear him then, what harm? By open words
A scheme of villainy is soon bewrayed. Thou
art his father, therefore canst not pay In
kind a son's most impious outrages. O listen
to him; other men like thee Have thankless
children and are choleric, But yielding to
persuasion's gentle spell They let their
savage mood be exorcised. Look thou to the
past, forget the present, think On all the
woe thy sire and mother brought thee; Thence
wilt thou draw this lesson without fail,
Of evil passion evil is the end. Thou hast,
alas, to prick thy memory, Stern monitors,
these ever-sightless orbs. O yield to us;
just suitors should not need To be importunate,
nor he that takes A favor lack the grace
to make return.
OEDIPUS Grievous to me, my child, the boon
ye win By pleading. Let it be then; have
your way Only if come he must, I beg thee,
friend, Let none have power to dispose of
me.
THESEUS No need, Sir, to appeal a second
time. It likes me not to boast, but be assured
Thy life is safe while any god saves mine.
[Exit THESEUS]
CHORUS
(Str.) Who craves excess of days,
Scorning the common span Of life, I judge
that man
A giddy wight who walks in folly's ways.
For the long years heap up a grievous load,
Scant pleasures, heavier pains, Till not
one joy remains
For him who lingers on life's weary road
And come it slow or fast,
One doom of fate Doth all await, For dance
and marriage bell, The dirge and funeral
knell.
Death the deliverer freeth all at last. (Ant.)
Not to be born at all Is best, far best that
can befall, Next best, when born, with least
delay To trace the backward way.
For when youth passes with its giddy train,
Troubles on troubles follow, toils on toils,
Pain, pain for ever pain; And none escapes
life's coils. Envy, sedition, strife,
Carnage and war, make up the tale of life.
Last comes the worst and most abhorred stage
Of unregarded age,
Joyless, companionless and slow,
Of woes the crowning woe.
(Epode) Such ills not I alone, He too our
guest hath known, E'en as some headland on
an iron-bound shore, Lashed by the wintry
blasts and surge's roar, So is he buffeted
on every side By drear misfortune's whelming
tide,
By every wind of heaven o'erborne Some from
the sunset, some from orient morn, Some from
the noonday glow.
Some from Rhipean gloom of everlasting snow.
ANTIGONE Father, methinks I see the stranger
coming, Alone he comes and weeping plenteous
tears.
OEDIPUS Who may he be?
ANTIGONE
The same that we surmised.
From the outset--Polyneices. He is here.
[Enter POLYNEICES]
POLYNEICES Ah me, my sisters, shall I first
lament My own afflictions, or my aged sire's,
Whom here I find a castaway, with you, In
a strange land, an ancient beggar clad In
antic tatters, marring all his frame, While
o'er the sightless orbs his unkept locks
Float in the breeze; and, as it were to match,
He bears a wallet against hunger's pinch.
All this too late I learn, wretch that I
am, Alas! I own it, and am proved most vile
In my neglect of thee: I scorn myself. But
as almighty Zeus in all he doth Hath Mercy
for co-partner of this throne, Let Mercy,
father, also sit enthroned In thy heart likewise.
For transgressions past May be amended, cannot
be made worse.
Why silent? Father, speak, nor turn away,
Hast thou no word, wilt thou dismiss me then
In mute disdain, nor tell me why thou art
wrath? O ye his daughters, sisters mine,
do ye This sullen, obstinate silence try
to move. Let him not spurn, without a single
word Of answer, me the suppliant of the god.
ANTIGONE Tell him thyself, unhappy one, thine
errand; For large discourse may send a thrill
of joy, Or stir a chord of wrath or tenderness,
And to the tongue-tied somehow give a tongue.
POLYNEICES Well dost thou counsel, and I
will speak out. First will I call in aid
the god himself, Poseidon, from whose altar
I was raised, With warrant from the monarch
of this land, To parley with you, and depart
unscathed. These pledges, strangers, I would
see observed By you and by my sisters and
my sire. Now, father, let me tell thee why
I came. I have been banished from my native
land Because by right of primogeniture I
claimed possession of thy sovereign throne
Wherefrom Etocles, my younger brother, Ousted
me, not by weight of precedent, Nor by the
last arbitrament of war, But by his popular
acts; and the prime cause Of this I deem
the curse that rests on thee. So likewise
hold the soothsayers, for when I came to
Argos in the Dorian land And took the king
Adrastus' child to wife, Under my standard
I enlisted all The foremost captains of the
Apian isle, To levy with their aid that sevenfold
host Of spearmen against Thebes, determining
To oust my foes or die in a just cause. Why
then, thou askest, am I here today? Father,
I come a suppliant to thee Both for myself
and my allies who now With squadrons seven
beneath their seven spears Beleaguer all
the plain that circles Thebes. Foremost the
peerless warrior, peerless seer, Amphiaraiis
with his lightning lance; Next an Aetolian,
Tydeus, Oeneus' son; Eteoclus of Argive birth
the third; The fourth Hippomedon, sent to
the war By his sire Talaos; Capaneus, the
fifth, Vaunts he will fire and raze the town;
the sixth Parthenopaeus, an Arcadian born
Named of that maid, longtime a maid and late
Espoused, Atalanta's true-born child; Last
I thy son, or thine at least in name, If
but the bastard of an evil fate, Lead against
Thebes the fearless Argive host. Thus by
thy children and thy life, my sire, We all
adjure thee to remit thy wrath And favor
one who seeks a just revenge Against a brother
who has banned and robbed him. For victory,
if oracles speak true, Will fall to those
who have thee for ally. So, by our fountains
and familiar gods I pray thee, yield and
hear; a beggar I And exile, thou an exile
likewise; both Involved in one misfortune
find a home As pensioners, while he, the
lord of Thebes, O agony! makes a mock of
thee and me. I'll scatter with a breath the
upstart's might, And bring thee home again
and stablish thee, And stablish, having cast
him out, myself. This will thy goodwill I
will undertake, Without it I can scare return
alive.
CHORUS For the king's sake who sent him,
Oedipus, Dismiss him not without a meet reply.
OEDIPUS Nay, worthy seniors, but for Theseus'
sake Who sent him hither to have word of
me. Never again would he have heard my voice;
But now he shall obtain this parting grace,
An answer that will bring him little joy.
O villain, when thou hadst the sovereignty
That now thy brother holdeth in thy stead,
Didst thou not drive me, thine own father,
out, An exile, cityless, and make we wear
This beggar's garb thou weepest to behold,
Now thou art come thyself to my sad plight?
Nothing is here for tears; it must be borne
By me till death, and I shall think of thee
As of my murderer; thou didst thrust me out;
'Tis thou hast made me conversant with woe,
Through thee I beg my bread in a strange
land; And had not these my daughters tended
me I had been dead for aught of aid from
thee. They tend me, they preserve me, they
are men Not women in true service to their
sire; But ye are bastards, and no sons of
mine. Therefore just Heaven hath an eye on
thee; Howbeit not yet with aspect so austere
As thou shalt soon experience, if indeed
These banded hosts are moving against Thebes.
That city thou canst never storm, but first
Shall fall, thou and thy brother, blood-imbrued.
Such curse I lately launched against you
twain, Such curse I now invoke to fight for
me, That ye may learn to honor those who
bear thee Nor flout a sightless father who
begat Degenerate sons--these maidens did
not so. Therefore my curse is stronger than
thy "throne," Thy "suppliance,"
if by right of laws eterne Primeval Justice
sits enthroned with Zeus. Begone, abhorred,
disowned, no son of mine, Thou vilest of
the vile! and take with thee This curse I
leave thee as my last bequest:-- Never to
win by arms thy native land, No, nor return
to Argos in the Vale, But by a kinsman's
hand to die and slay Him who expelled thee.
So I pray and call On the ancestral gloom
of Tartarus To snatch thee hence, on these
dread goddesses I call, and Ares who incensed
you both To mortal enmity. Go now proclaim
What thou hast heard to the Cadmeians all,
Thy staunch confederates--this the heritage
that Oedipus divideth to his sons.
CHORUS Thy errand, Polyneices, liked me not
From the beginning; now go back with speed.
POLYNEICES Woe worth my journey and my baffled
hopes! Woe worth my comrades! What a desperate
end To that glad march from Argos! Woe is
me! I dare not whisper it to my allies Or
turn them back, but mute must meet my doom.
My sisters, ye his daughters, ye have heard
The prayers of our stern father, if his curse
Should come to pass and ye some day return
To Thebes, O then disown me not, I pray,
But grant me burial and due funeral rites.
So shall the praise your filial care now
wins Be doubled for the service wrought for
me.
ANTIGONE One boon, O Polyneices, let me crave.
POLYNEICES What would'st thou, sweet Antigone?
Say on.
ANTIGONE Turn back thy host to Argos with
all speed, And ruin not thyself and Thebes
as well.
POLYNEICES That cannot be. How could I lead
again An army that had seen their leader
quail?
ANTIGONE But, brother, why shouldst thou
be wroth again? What profit from thy country's
ruin comes?
POLYNEICES 'Tis shame to live in exile, and
shall I The elder bear a younger brother's
flouts?
ANTIGONE Wilt thou then bring to pass his
prophecies Who threatens mutual slaughter
to you both?
POLYNEICES Aye, so he wishes:--but I must
not yield.
ANTIGONE O woe is me! but say, will any dare,
Hearing his prophecy, to follow thee?
POLYNEICES I shall not tell it; a good general
Reports successes and conceals mishaps.
ANTIGONE Misguided youth, thy purpose then
stands fast!
POLYNEICES 'Tis so, and stay me not. The
road I choose, Dogged by my sire and his
avenging spirit, Leads me to ruin; but for
you may Zeus Make your path bright if ye
fulfill my hest When dead; in life ye cannot
serve me more. Now let me go, farewell, a
long farewell! Ye ne'er shall see my living
face again.
ANTIGONE Ah me!
POLYNEICES
Bewail me not.
ANTIGONE
Who would not mourn
Thee, brother, hurrying to an open pit!
POLYNEICES If I must die, I must.
ANTIGONE
Nay, hear me plead.
POLYNEICES It may not be; forbear.
ANTIGONE
Then woe is me,
If I must lose thee.
POLYNEICES
Nay, that rests with fate,
Whether I live or die; but for you both I
pray to heaven ye may escape all ill; For
ye are blameless in the eyes of all. [Exit
POLYNEICES]
CHORUS
(Str. 1) Ills on ills! no pause or rest!
Come they from our sightless guest? Or haply
now we see fulfilled What fate long time
hath willed? For ne'er have I proved vain
Aught that the heavenly powers ordain. Time
with never sleeping eye Watches what is writ
on high, Overthrowing now the great, Raising
now from low estate. Hark! How the thunder
rumbles! Zeus defend us!
OEDIPUS Children, my children! will no messenger
Go summon hither Theseus my best friend?
ANTIGONE And wherefore, father, dost thou
summon him?
OEDIPUS This winged thunder of the god must
bear me Anon to Hades. Send and tarry not.
CHORUS
(Ant. 1) Hark! with louder, nearer roar The
bolt of Zeus descends once more. My spirit
quails and cowers: my hair Bristles for fear.
Again that flare! What doth the lightning-flash
portend? Ever it points to issues grave.
Dread powers of air! Save, Zeus, O save!
OEDIPUS Daughters, upon me the predestined
end Has come; no turning from it any more.
ANTIGONE How knowest thou? What sign convinces
thee?
OEDIPUS I know full well. Let some one with
all speed Go summon hither the Athenian prince.
CHORUS
(Str. 2) Ha! once more the deafening sound
Peals yet louder all around If thou darkenest
our land, Lightly, lightly lay thy hand;
Grace, not anger, let me win, If upon a man
of sin I have looked with pitying eye, Zeus,
our king, to thee I cry!
OEDIPUS Is the prince coming? Will he when
he comes Find me yet living and my senses
clear!
ANTIGONE What solemn charge would'st thou
impress on him?
OEDIPUS For all his benefits I would perform
The promise made when I received them first.
CHORUS
(Ant. 2)
Hither haste, my son, arise, Altar leave
and sacrifice, If haply to Poseidon now In
the far glade thou pay'st thy vow. For our
guest to thee would bring And thy folk and
offering, Thy due guerdon. Haste, O King!
[Enter THESEUS]
THESEUS Wherefore again this general din?
at once My people call me and the stranger
calls. Is it a thunderbolt of Zeus or sleet
Of arrowy hail? a storm so fierce as this
Would warrant all surmises of mischance.
OEDIPUS Thou com'st much wished for, Prince,
and sure some god Hath bid good luck attend
thee on thy way.
THESEUS What, son of Laius, hath chanced
of new?
OEDIPUS My life hath turned the scale. I
would do all I promised thee and thine before
I die.
THESEUS What sign assures thee that thine
end is near?
OEDIPUS The gods themselves are heralds of
my fate; Of their appointed warnings nothing
fails.
THESEUS How sayest thou they signify their
will?
OEDIPUS This thunder, peal on peal, this
lightning hurled Flash upon flash, from the
unconquered hand.
THESEUS I must believe thee, having found
thee oft A prophet true; then speak what
must be done.
OEDIPUS O son of Aegeus, for this state will
I Unfold a treasure age cannot corrupt. Myself
anon without a guiding hand Will take thee
to the spot where I must end. This secret
ne'er reveal to mortal man, Neither the spot
nor whereabouts it lies, So shall it ever
serve thee for defense Better than native
shields and near allies. But those dread
mysteries speech may not profane Thyself
shalt gather coming there alone; Since not
to any of thy subjects, nor To my own children,
though I love them dearly, Can I reveal what
thou must guard alone, And whisper to thy
chosen heir alone, So to be handed down from
heir to heir. Thus shalt thou hold this land
inviolate From the dread Dragon's brood.
[4] The justest State By countless wanton
neighbors may be wronged, For the gods, though
they tarry, mark for doom The godless sinner
in his mad career. Far from thee, son of
Aegeus, be such fate! But to the spot--the
god within me goads-- Let us set forth no
longer hesitate. Follow me, daughters, this
way. Strange that I Whom you have led so
long should lead you now. Oh, touch me not,
but let me all alone Find out the sepulcher
that destiny Appoints me in this land. Hither,
this way, For this way Hermes leads, the
spirit guide, And Persephassa, empress of
the dead. O light, no light to me, but mine
erewhile, Now the last time I feel thee palpable,
For I am drawing near the final gloom Of
Hades. Blessing on thee, dearest friend,
On thee and on thy land and followers! Live
prosperous and in your happy state Still
for your welfare think on me, the dead. [Exit
THESEUS followed by ANTIGONE and ISMENE]
CHORUS
(Str.)
If mortal prayers are heard in hell, Hear,
Goddess dread, invisible! Monarch of the
regions drear, Aidoneus, hear, O hear! By
a gentle, tearless doom Speed this stranger
to the gloom, Let him enter without pain
The all-shrouding Stygian plain. Wrongfully
in life oppressed, Be he now by Justice blessed.
(Ant.)
Queen infernal, and thou fell Watch-dog of
the gates of hell, Who, as legends tell,
dost glare, Gnarling in thy cavernous lair
At all comers, let him go Scathless to the
fields below. For thy master orders thus,
The son of earth and Tartarus; In his den
the monster keep, Giver of eternal sleep.
[Enter MESSENGER]
MESSENGER Friends, countrymen, my tidings
are in sum That Oedipus is gone, but the
event Was not so brief, nor can the tale
be brief.
CHORUS What, has he gone, the unhappy man?
MESSENGER
Know well
That he has passed away from life to death.
CHORUS How? By a god-sent, painless doom,
poor soul?
MESSENGER Thy question hits the marvel of
the tale. How he moved hence, you saw him
and must know; Without a friend to lead the
way, himself Guiding us all. So having reached
the abrupt Earth-rooted Threshold with its
brazen stairs, He paused at one of the converging
paths, Hard by the rocky basin which records
The pact of Theseus and Peirithous. Betwixt
that rift and the Thorician rock, The hollow
pear-tree and the marble tomb, Midway he
sat and loosed his beggar's weeds; Then calling
to his daughters bade them fetch Of running
water, both to wash withal And make libation;
so they clomb the steep; And in brief space
brought what their father bade, Then laved
and dressed him with observance due. But
when he had his will in everything, And no
desire was left unsatisfied, It thundered
from the netherworld; the maids Shivered,
and crouching at their father's knees Wept,
beat their breast and uttered a long wail.
He, as he heard their sudden bitter cry,
Folded his arms about them both and said,
"My children, ye will lose your sire
today, For all of me has perished, and no
more Have ye to bear your long, long ministry;
A heavy load, I know, and yet one word Wipes
out all score of tribulations--_love_. And
love from me ye had--from no man more; But
now must live without me all your days."
So clinging to each other sobbed and wept
Father and daughters both, but when at last
Their mourning had an end and no wail rose,
A moment there was silence; suddenly A voice
that summoned him; with sudden dread The
hair of all stood up and all were 'mazed;
For the call came, now loud, now low, and
oft. "Oedipus, Oedipus, why tarry we?
Too long, too long thy passing is delayed."
But when he heard the summons of the god,
He prayed that Theseus might be brought,
and when The Prince came nearer: "O
my friend," he cried, "Pledge ye
my daughters, giving thy right hand-- And,
daughters, give him yours--and promise me
Thou never wilt forsake them, but do all
That time and friendship prompt in their
behoof." And he of his nobility repressed
His tears and swore to be their constant
friend. This promise given, Oedipus put forth
Blind hands and laid them on his children,
saying, "O children, prove your true
nobility And hence depart nor seek to witness
sights Unlawful or to hear unlawful words.
Nay, go with speed; let none but Theseus
stay, Our ruler, to behold what next shall
hap." So we all heard him speak, and
weeping sore We companied the maidens on
their way. After brief space we looked again,
and lo The man was gone, evanished from our
eyes; Only the king we saw with upraised
hand Shading his eyes as from some awful
sight, That no man might endure to look upon.
A moment later, and we saw him bend In prayer
to Earth and prayer to Heaven at once. But
by what doom the stranger met his end No
man save Theseus knoweth. For there fell
No fiery bold that reft him in that hour,
Nor whirlwind from the sea, but he was taken.
It was a messenger from heaven, or else Some
gentle, painless cleaving of earth's base;
For without wailing or disease or pain He
passed away--and end most marvelous. And
if to some my tale seems foolishness I am
content that such could count me fool.
CHORUS Where are the maids and their attendant
friends?
MESSENGER They cannot be far off; the approaching
sound Of lamentation tells they come this
way. [Enter ANTIGONE and ISMENE]
ANTIGONE
(Str. 1)
Woe, woe! on this sad day We sisters of one
blasted stock must bow beneath the shock,
Must weep and weep the curse that lay On
him our sire, for whom In life, a life-long
world of care 'Twas ours to bear, In death
must face the gloom That wraps his tomb.
What tongue can tell That sight ineffable?
CHORUS What mean ye, maidens?
ANTIGONE
All is but surmise.
CHORUS Is he then gone?
ANTIGONE
Gone as ye most might wish.
Not in battle or sea storm, But reft from
sight, By hands invisible borne To viewless
fields of night. Ah me! on us too night has
come, The night of mourning. Wither roam
O'er land or sea in our distress Eating the
bread of bitterness?
ISMENE I know not. O that Death Might nip
my breath, And let me share my aged father's
fate. I cannot live a life thus desolate.
CHORUS Best of daughters, worthy pair, What
heaven brings ye needs must bear, Fret no
more 'gainst Heaven's will; Fate hath dealt
with you not ill.
ANTIGONE
(Ant. 1)
Love can turn past pain to bliss, What seemed
bitter now is sweet. Ah me! that happy toil
is sweet.
The guidance of those dear blind feet.
Dear father, wrapt for aye in nether gloom,
E'en in the tomb Never shalt thou lack of
love repine,
Her love and mine.
CHORUS His fate--
ANTIGONE
Is even as he planned.
CHORUS How so?
ANTIGONE He died, so willed he, in a foreign
land. Lapped in kind earth he sleeps his
long last sleep,
And o'er his grave friends weep. How great
our lost these streaming eyes can tell,
This sorrow naught can quell.
Thou hadst thy wish 'mid strangers thus to
die, But I, ah me, not by. ISMENE Alas, my
sister, what new fate
Befalls us orphans desolate?
CHORUS His end was blessed; therefore, children,
stay Your sorrow. Man is born to fate a prey.
ANTIGONE
(Str. 2) Sister, let us back again.
ISMENE Why return?
ANTIGONE
My soul is fain--
ISMENE Is fain?
ANTIGONE
To see the earthy bed.
ISMENE Sayest thou?
ANTIGONE
Where our sire is laid.
ISMENE Nay, thou can'st not, dost not see--
ANTIGONE Sister, wherefore wroth with me?
ISMENE Know'st not--beside--
ANTIGONE
More must I hear?
ISMENE Tombless he died, none near.
ANTIGONE Lead me thither; slay me there.
ISMENE How shall I unhappy fare, Friendless,
helpless, how drag on A life of misery alone?
CHORUS
(Ant. 2) Fear not, maids--
ANTIGONE
Ah, whither flee?
CHORUS Refuge hath been found.
ANTIGONE
For me?
CHORUS Where thou shalt be safe from harm.
ANTIGONE I know it.
CHORUS
Why then this alarm?
ANTIGONE How again to get us home I know
not.
CHORUS
Why then this roam?
ANTIGONE Troubles whelm us--
CHORUS
As of yore.
ANTIGONE Worse than what was worse before.
CHORUS Sure ye are driven on the breakers'
surge.
ANTIGONE Alas! we are.
CHORUS
Alas! 'tis so.
ANTIGONE Ah whither turn, O Zeus? No ray
Of hope to cheer the way Whereon the fates
our desperate voyage urge. [Enter THESEUS]
THESEUS Dry your tears; when grace is shed
On the quick and on the dead By dark Powers
beneficent, Over-grief they would resent.
ANTIGONE Aegeus' child, to thee we pray.
THESEUS What the boon, my children, say.
ANTIGONE With our own eyes we fain would
see Our father's tomb.
THESEUS
That may not be.
ANTIGONE What say'st thou, King?
THESEUS
My children, he
Charged me straitly that no moral Should
approach the sacred portal, Or greet with
funeral litanies The hidden tomb wherein
he lies; Saying, "If thou keep'st my
hest Thou shalt hold thy realm at rest."
The God of Oaths this promise heard, And
to Zeus I pledged my word.
ANTIGONE Well, if he would have it so, We
must yield. Then let us go Back to Thebes,
if yet we may Heal this mortal feud and stay
The self-wrought doom That drives our brothers
to their tomb.
THESEUS Go in peace; nor will I spare Ought
of toil and zealous care, But on all your
needs attend, Gladdening in his grave my
friend.
CHORUS Wail no more, let sorrow rest, All
is ordered for the best.
|
Evans Experientialism 
