Epeisodion 4
Oedipus
were my mother not alive. But as it is, since she lives, I must necessarily fear, though you do speak well.
985
Iocasta
Your father’s death is a great sign for us to take cheer.
Oedipus
Great, I know. But my fear is of her who lives.
Messenger
And who is the woman about whom you fear?
Oedipus
Merope, old man, the consort of Polybus.
990
Messenger
And what is it in her that moves your fear?
Oedipus
A divine oracle of dread import, stranger.
Messenger
Proper, or improper, for another to know?
Oedipus
Proper, surely. Loxias once said that I was
doomed to marry my own mother, and to shed with my own hands my father’s blood. For which
reasons I long shirked my home in Corinth—with a happy outcome, to be sure, but
still it is sweet to see the face of one’s parents.
995
Messenger
Was it really for fear of this that you became an exile from that city?
Oedipus
And because I did not wish, old man, to be the murderer of my father.
1000
Messenger
Why have I not relieved you of this second fear, my lord, since I came to give you pleasure?
Oedipus
And indeed you will have worthy thanks from me.
Messenger
And indeed I came specially for this, that
I might profit from your returning home.
1005
Oedipus
But by no means will I ever go near my parents again.
Messenger
My son, it is crystal clear that you do not know what you are doing.
Oedipus
How so, old man? In the name of the gods, tell me.
Messenger
If on account of this you are fleeing from returning home.
1010
