Stasimon 1
[Choral 1]
Terrible it is, stranger, to arouse the old woe that has for so long been laid to rest: and yet I yearn to hear—
510
Chorus
—Of that grief-filled anguish, cureless, with which you have wrestled.
Oedipus
By your hospitality, do not uncover the shame that I have suffered!
515
Chorus
Seeing that the tale is wide-spread and in no way weakens, I wish, friend, to hear it straight.
Chorus
Grant the favor, I beg!
Chorus
Grant my wish, as I have granted yours to the full.
520
Oedipus
I have suffered the greatest misery, strangers—suffered it through unintended deeds—may the god know it! No part was of my own choice.
Oedipus
In an evil marriage, the city bound me, unknowing, to ruin.
525
Chorus
Is it true, as I hear, that you made your mother the partner of your bed, to its infamy?
Oedipus
Ah, me! These words, strangers, are like death to my ears. And those two maidens of mine—
Chorus
What will you say?
530
Oedipus
—Two daughters—two curses—
530
Oedipus
—of mine, sprung from the travail of the womb that bore me too.
[Choral 2]
These, then, are at once your daughters, and—
Oedipus
—Sisters, indeed, of their father.
535
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!