Epeisodion 4
Chorus
Wandering stranger, you will not say your watcher was a false prophet, for I see your daughters once again drawing near.
Oedipus
Where? Where? What is that? What do you mean?
I wish some god would grant that your eyes might see this excellent man, who has brought us here to you!
1100
Oedipus
My child, are you really here?
Antigone
Yes, for these strong arms have saved us—Theseus and his dearest followers.
Oedipus
Come here, my children, to your father!
Grant me your embrace—restored beyond all hope!
1105
Antigone
We shall grant your wish, for we crave the favor we bestow.
Oedipus
Where, then, where are you?
Antigone
Here we are, approaching you together.
Oedipus
Dearest offspring!
Antigone
Everything is dear to its parent.
Oedipus
Supports of a man—
Antigone
Ill-fated as he is ill-fated.
Oedipus
I hold my dearest. Now, if I should die, I would not be wholly wretched, since you have come to me. Press close to me on either side, children, cling to your father, and rest from your wandering, so desolate, so grievous!
1110
And tell me what has happened as briefly as you can, since brief speech suffices for young maidens.
1115
Antigone
Here is our savior: you should hear the story from him, father, since the deed was his. So short will by part be.
Oedipus
Stranger, do not be amazed at my persistence, if I prolong my words to my children,
found again beyond my hope. I well know that my present joy in them has come to me from you, and you alone, for you—and not any other mortal—have rescued them. May the gods grant to you my wish,
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