Stasimon 1
Oedipus
Indeed, woes untold sweep back upon my soul!
Chorus
You have suffered—
Oedipus
I have suffered woes grievous to bear.
Chorus
You have performed—
Oedipus
I have not performed!
Oedipus
A gift was given to me—O, wretched that I am, if only I had never won from the city that gift for my services!
Chorus
Cursed man! What of this? Did you commit the murder—
Oedipus
What now? What would you learn?
Oedipus
Oh! oh! a second stab—wound on wound!
Oedipus
I killed—yet I have a plea—
545
Chorus
What can you plead?
Oedipus
—A plea of justice.
Oedipus
I will tell you: I killed in ignorance and perished utterly. Pure before the law, without knowledge of my act, I have come to this!