Epeisodion 1
Chorus
Feel sure, daughter of Oedipus, that we pity you and him alike
for your misfortune; but dreading the punishment of the gods, we could not say anything beyond what we have now said to you.
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Oedipus
What help comes, then, of repute or fair fame, if it ends in idle breath;
seeing that Athens, as men say, is god-fearing beyond all, and alone has the power to shelter the outraged stranger, and alone the power to help him? And where are these things for me, when, after making me rise up from this rocky seat, you then drive me from the land, afraid of my name alone?
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Not, surely, afraid of my person or of my acts; since my acts, at least, have been in suffering rather than doing—if I must mention the tale of my mother and my father, because of which you fear me. That know I full well.
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And yet how was I innately evil? I, who was merely requiting a wrong, so that, had I been acting with knowledge, even then I could not be accounted evil. But, as it was, all unknowing I went where I went—while they who wronged me knowingly sought my ruin.
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Therefore, strangers, I beseech you by the gods: just as you made me leave my seat, so protect me, and do not, while you render honor to the gods, consider those gods to be fools. But rather consider that they look on the god-fearing man
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and on the godless, and that never yet has an impious man found escape. With the help of those gods, do not becloud the prosperity of Athens by paying service to unholy deeds. As you have received the suppliant under your pledge,
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rescue me and guard me to the end; nor dishonor me when you look on this face unlovely to behold, for I have come to you as one sacred and pious, bearing comfort for this people. But when the master has come,
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whoever is your leader, then you will hear and know all; meanwhile show yourselves in no way evil.
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Chorus
The thoughts you urge, old man, must move awe; they have been set forth in grave words.
But I am content that the rulers of our country should judge in this case.
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Oedipus
And where, strangers, is the lord of this realm?
Chorus
He is at the city of his fathers in our land. The messenger who sent us here has gone to fetch him.
Oedipus
Do you think that he will have any regard or care for the blind man,
so as to come here himself?
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Chorus
Yes, surely, as soon as he learns of your name.
Oedipus
Who is there to bring him that word?
Chorus
The way is long, and many words from travellers often wander about. When he hears them, he will soon be with us, never fear.
For your name, old man, has been loudly trumpeted through all lands, so that even if he is taking his ease, and slow to move, when he hears of you he will swiftly arrive.
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Oedipus
Well, may he come with good fortune both for his own city and for me! What noble man is not his own friend?
Antigone
O Zeus! What shall I say? What shall I think, my father?
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Oedipus
What is it, Antigone, my child?
Antigone
I see a woman coming towards us, mounted on a colt of Etna; she wears a Thessalian bonnet to screen her face from the sun.
What shall I say? Is it she, or is it not? Does my judgment err? Yes—no—I cannot tell—ah, me! It is no other, yes! She greets me with bright glances
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as she draws near, and makes a signal. Here is Ismene, clearly, and no other before me.
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Oedipus
What is that you say, my child?
Antigone
That I see your daughter, my sister. By her voice right away you can know her.
Ismene
Father and sister, names most sweet to me! How hard it was to find you!
And how hard now to look upon you for my tears!
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Oedipus
My child, have you come?
Ismene
Father, your fate is sad to see!
Oedipus
Are you with us, my child?
Ismene
Not without toil, indeed, for myself.
Oedipus
Touch me, my daughter!
Ismene
I give a hand to each at once.
Oedipus
Ah my children, my sisters!
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Ismene
Alas, twice-wretched life!
330
Oedipus
Her life and mine?
Ismene
And mine, wretched me, makes a third.
Oedipus
Child, why have you come?
Ismene
Through concern for you, father.
Oedipus
Through longing to see me?
Ismene
Yes, and to bring you news by my own mouth, with the only faithful servant that I had.
Oedipus
And where are the young men, your brothers, in our need?
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Ismene
They are where they are; their circumstances now are terrible.
Oedipus
True image of the ways of Egypt that they show in their spirit and their life! For there the men sit weaving in the house,
but the wives go forth to win the daily bread. And in your case, my daughters, those to whom these toils belonged keep the house at home like maidens, while you two, in their place, bear your poor father’s woes.
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The one, from the time when her youth was past and she came into her strength, has always been this old man’s guide in weary wanderings, often roaming, hungry and barefoot, through the wild woods, often battered by rains and scorching sun.
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And the comforts of home, poor girl, she holds in the second place, so long as her father should have her care. And you, my child, in former days came forth, bringing your father, unknown to the Cadmeans, all the oracles that had been given concerning Oedipus.
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You became a faithful guardian on my behalf, when I was being driven from the land. Now, in turn, what new tidings have you brought your father, Ismene? On what mission have you set forth from home? For you do not come empty-handed, I know well,
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or without some cause of fear for me.
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Ismene
The sufferings that I bore, father, in seeking where you dwelt, I will pass by; I would not renew the pain in the recital.
But the evils that now beset your ill-fated sons—it is of these that I have come to tell. At first it was their decision that the throne should be left to Creon, and the city spared pollution, when they thought calmly about the ancient blight on our race,
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and how it has clung to your unfortunate house. But now, moved by some god and by sinful heart, an evil strife has seized them—thrice-deluded!—to grasp at rule and the power of a tyrant. And the younger son has stripped the elder, Polyneices, of the throne,
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and has driven him from his fatherland. But he, as the widespread rumor says among us, has gone to the valley of Argos as an exile, and is taking to himself a new marriage connection, and warriors for his friends, intending that Argos soon get hold of the Cadmean land,
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or send its praises to the sky. These are not empty words, my father, but terrible deeds; and where the gods will have pity on your grief, I cannot tell.
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Oedipus
What, had you come to hope that the gods would ever have concern enough for me to give me rescue?
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Ismene
Yes, that is my hope, father, from the present oracles.
Oedipus
What are they? What has been prophesied, my child?
Ismene
That you will be desired some day, in life and death, by the men of that land,
for their safety’s sake.
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Oedipus
And who could profit from such a one as I?
Ismene
Their power, it is said, proves to be in your hands.
Oedipus
When I no longer exist, then I am a man?
Ismene
Yes, for the gods now raise you up; but before they worked your ruin.
Oedipus
It is a paltry thing to raise up age, when youth was ruined.
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Ismene
Well, know at least that Creon will come to you on this account—and soon, not late.
Oedipus
With what purpose, daughter? Interpret that to me.
Ismene
To plant you near the Cadmean land, so that they may have you in their power,
while you may not set foot within their borders.
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Oedipus
And how can I profit them while I rest beyond their gates?
Ismene
Your tomb contains a curse for them, if it should suffer misfortune.
Oedipus
I need no god to help my wits so far.
Ismene
For this reason, therefore, they wish to get you as their neighbor;
but in a place where they will have you at their mercy.
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Oedipus
Will they really cover me in Theban dust?
Ismene
No, the guilt of related blood forbids you, father.
Oedipus
Then never will they become my masters.
Ismene
Someday then this will be a grief for the Cadmeans.
Oedipus
In what conjunction of events, my child?
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Ismene
Under the power of your anger, when they stand at your tomb.
Oedipus
And who has told you this, my child?
Ismene
Sacred envoys, from the Delphian hearth.
Oedipus
And has Phoebus indeed spoken this concerning me?
Ismene
So say the men who have come back to Thebes.
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Oedipus
Has either of my sons heard this?
Ismene
Yes, both have heard it, and know it well.
Oedipus
And then those most evil of sons, aware of this, preferred the kingship to the wish of recalling me?
Ismene
It grieves me to hear this, but I must bear it.
420
Oedipus
Then may the gods not quench their fated strife, and may it fall to me to decide this war on which they are now setting their hands, raising spear against spear!
For then neither would he who now holds the scepter and the throne survive, nor would the exile ever return; seeing that when I, their father, was being thrust without honor from my country, they did not stop or defend me. No, they saw me sent forth homeless,
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and heard the crier proclaim my sentence of exile. Perhaps you will say that that was my own wish then, and that the city fittingly granted me that gift. Not so! For on that first day, when my heart seethed,
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and my sweetest wish was for death—indeed, death by stoning—no one was found to help me in that desire. But after a time, when all my anguish was now softened, and when I began to feel that my heart had been excessive in punishing those past errors,
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then it was that the city set about to drive me by force from the land, after all that time. And my sons, when they had the strength to bring help—sons to their own father—they would not do it. For lack of one little word from them, I was left to wander, an outcast and a beggar forever.
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Instead, it is from these, maidens as they are, insofar as nature enables them, that I obtain my daily food, and a shelter in the land, and the aid of family. Their brothers have bartered their father for the throne, the scepter of power, and the rule of the realm.
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No, never will they win Oedipus for an ally, nor will good ever come to them from this reign at Thebes; that I know, when I hear this maiden’s oracles and reflect on the old prophecies stored in my own mind, which Phoebus has fulfilled for me at last.
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Therefore let them send Creon to seek me—or whoever else is mighty in Thebes. For if you, strangers, with the help of the dread goddesses who reign among your district, are willing to defend me, you will obtain a great savior for this city,
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and troubles for my enemies.
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Chorus
You are worthy of compassion, Oedipus, both you and these maidens. And since to this plea you append your power to save our land, I wish to advise you for your advantage.
Oedipus
Dearest friends, be my patrons, and I will bring everything to completion.
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Chorus
Then make atonement to these divinities, to whom you have come first, and on whose ground you have trespassed.
Oedipus
With what rites? Instruct me, strangers.
Chorus
First, from an ever-flowing
spring bring sacred drink-offerings, borne in ritually pure hands.
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Oedipus
And when I have gotten this unmixed draught?
Chorus
There are bowls, the work of a skilled craftsman; crown their edges and the handles at either side.
Oedipus
With olive branches, or woollen cloths, or in what way?
Chorus
Take the freshly-shorn wool of a ewe-lamb.
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Oedipus
Good; and then to what last rite shall I proceed?
Chorus
Pour the drink-offerings, with your face to the dawn.
Oedipus
Shall I pour them with these vessels of which you speak?
Chorus
Yes, in three streams; but the last vessel—
Oedipus
With what shall I fill this, before I set it down? Teach me this also.
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Chorus
With water and honey; but add no wine.
Oedipus
And when the ground under the dark shade has drunk these?
Chorus
Three times lay on it nine branches of olive with both your hands, and meanwhile make this prayer.
Oedipus
I wish to hear this prayer; it is the most important part.
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Chorus
We call them Eumenides, so that with well-wishing power they may receive the suppliant as his saviors. Let this be your prayer, or of whoever prays for you. Speak inaudibly, and do not lift up your voice; then depart, without looking behind.
If you should do this, I would be bold enough to come to your aid; but otherwise, stranger, I would fear for you.
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Oedipus
Daughters, do you hear these strangers who dwell nearby?
Antigone
We have listened. Tell us what to do.
Oedipus
I cannot make the trip; for I am disabled by lack of strength and lack of sight, twin evils. But let one of you two go and do these things. For I think that one soul suffices to pay this debt for ten thousand, if it comes with good will.
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Act, then, with speed. But do not abandon me, for my body would not have the strength to move, without help or a guiding hand.
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Ismene
Then I will go to perform the rite; but where I am to find the place—this I wish to learn.
Chorus
On the further side of this grove, stranger. And if you have need of anything, there is a guardian of the place. He will direct you.
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Ismene
Off to my task. But you, Antigone, watch our father here. In the case of parents, if we toil, we must not keep a memory of it. Ismene exits.