| nan | I will give you a pithy proof of this. An oracle came to Laius once—I will not say from Phoebus himself, but from his ministers—saying that he would suffer his doom at the hands of the child to be born to him and me. |
|
| nan | I will give you a pithy proof of this. An oracle came to Laius once—I will not say from Phoebus himself, but from his ministers—saying that he would suffer his doom at the hands of the child to be born to him and me. |
|
| nan | I will give you a pithy proof of this. An oracle came to Laius once—I will not say from Phoebus himself, but from his ministers—saying that he would suffer his doom at the hands of the child to be born to him and me. |
|
| nan | And Laius—as, at least, the rumor goes—was murdered one day by foreign robbers at a place where the three highways meet. And the child’s birth was not yet three days past, when Laius pinned his ankles together and had him thrown, by others’ hands, on a remote mountain. |
|
| nan | And Laius—as, at least, the rumor goes—was murdered one day by foreign robbers at a place where the three highways meet. And the child’s birth was not yet three days past, when Laius pinned his ankles together and had him thrown, by others’ hands, on a remote mountain. |
|
| nan | And Laius—as, at least, the rumor goes—was murdered one day by foreign robbers at a place where the three highways meet. And the child’s birth was not yet three days past, when Laius pinned his ankles together and had him thrown, by others’ hands, on a remote mountain. |
|
| nan | And Laius—as, at least, the rumor goes—was murdered one day by foreign robbers at a place where the three highways meet. And the child’s birth was not yet three days past, when Laius pinned his ankles together and had him thrown, by others’ hands, on a remote mountain. |
|
| nan | And Laius—as, at least, the rumor goes—was murdered one day by foreign robbers at a place where the three highways meet. And the child’s birth was not yet three days past, when Laius pinned his ankles together and had him thrown, by others’ hands, on a remote mountain. |
|
| nan | Now Laius — so at least report affirmed — Was murdered on a day by highwaymen, No natives, at a spot where three roads meet. As for the child, it was but three days old, When Laius, its ankles pierced and pinned Together, gave it to be cast away By others on the trackless mountain side. So then Apollo brought it not to pass The child should be his father's murderer, Or the dread terror find accomplishment, And Laius be slain by his own son. Such was the prophet's horoscope. O king, Regard it not. Whate'er the god deems fit To search, himself unaided will reveal. OIDIPUS: What memories, what wild tumult of the soul Came o'er me, lady, as I heard thee speak! JOCASTA: What mean'st thou? What has shocked and startled thee? OIDIPUS: Methought I heard thee say that LaiusWas murdered at the meeting of three roads. JOCASTA: So ran the story that is current still. |
|
| nan | So, in that case, Apollo did not bring it to pass that the child should become the slayer of his father, or that Laius should suffer that which he feared, death at the hands of his child: thus the messages of the seer’s art had mapped out the future. Pay them no regard. Whatever necessary event |
|
| nan | So, in that case, Apollo did not bring it to pass that the child should become the slayer of his father, or that Laius should suffer that which he feared, death at the hands of his child: thus the messages of the seer’s art had mapped out the future. Pay them no regard. Whatever necessary event |
|
| nan | So, in that case, Apollo did not bring it to pass that the child should become the slayer of his father, or that Laius should suffer that which he feared, death at the hands of his child: thus the messages of the seer’s art had mapped out the future. Pay them no regard. Whatever necessary event |
|
| nan | So, in that case, Apollo did not bring it to pass that the child should become the slayer of his father, or that Laius should suffer that which he feared, death at the hands of his child: thus the messages of the seer’s art had mapped out the future. Pay them no regard. Whatever necessary event |
|
| nan | So, in that case, Apollo did not bring it to pass that the child should become the slayer of his father, or that Laius should suffer that which he feared, death at the hands of his child: thus the messages of the seer’s art had mapped out the future. Pay them no regard. Whatever necessary event |
|
| nan | the god seeks, he himself will easily bring to light. Oedipu |
|
| nan | What restlessness of soul, lady, what tumult has come upon me since I heard you speak! Iocasta |
|
| nan | What restlessness of soul, lady, what tumult has come upon me since I heard you speak! Iocasta |
|
| nan | What anxiety has startled you, that you say this? Oedipu |
|
| nan | I thought that I heard this from you—that Laiu |
|
| nan | was slain where the three roads meet. Icasta |
|
| nan | Yes, that was the report, and so it is still thought. Oedipu |
|
| nan | And where is the place where this occurred? Iocasta |
|
| nan | The land is called Phocis ; the branching forks lead to the same spot from Delphi and from Daulia. Oedipu |
|
| nan | The land is called Phocis ; the branching forks lead to the same spot from Delphi and from Daulia. Oedipu |
|
| nan | And how much time has passed since these events took place? Iocasta |
|
| nan | The news was announced to the town shortly before you first attained power over this land. Oedipu |
|
| nan | The news was announced to the town shortly before you first attained power over this land. Oedipu |
|
| nan | O Zeus, what have you decreed for me? Iocasta |
|
| nan | Why, Oedipus, does this matter weigh upon your heart? Oedipu |
|
| nan | OIDIPUS: Where did this happen? Dost thou know the place? JOCASTA: Phocis the land is called; the spot is where Branch roads from Delphi and from Daulis meet. OIDIPUS: And how long is it since these things befell? JOCASTA: 'Twas but a brief while were thou wast proclaimed Our country's ruler that the news was brought. OIDIPUS: O Zeus, what hast thou willed to do with me! JOCASTA: What is it, Oidipus, that moves thee so? OIDIPUS: Ask me not yet; tell me the build and height Of Laius? Was he still in manhood's prime? JOCASTA: Tall was he, and his hair was lightly strewn With silver; and not unlike thee in form. OIDIPUS: O woe is me! Mehtinks unwittingly I laid but now a dread curse on myself. JOCASTA: What say'st thou? When I look upon thee, my king, I tremble. OIDIPUS: 'Tis a dread presentiment That in the end the seer will prove not blind. One further question to resolve my doubt. JOCASTA: I quail; but ask, and I will answer all. OIDIPUS: Had he but few attendants or a train |
|
| nan | Do not ask me yet. Tell me rather what stature Laius had, and how ripe his manhood was. Iocasta |
|
| nan | Do not ask me yet. Tell me rather what stature Laius had, and how ripe his manhood was. Iocasta |
|
| nan | He was tall—the silver just lightly strewn among his hair—and his form was not greatly unlike your own. Oedipu |
|
| nan | He was tall—the silver just lightly strewn among his hair—and his form was not greatly unlike your own. Oedipu |
|
| nan | Unhappy that I am! I think that I have |
|
| nan | laid myself under a terrible curse without realizing it. Iocasta |
|
| nan | How do you mean? I tremble when I look at you, my lord. Oedipu |
|
| nan | I have dread fears that the seer can see. But you will reveal the matter better if you tell me one thing more. Iocasta |
|
| nan | I have dread fears that the seer can see. But you will reveal the matter better if you tell me one thing more. Iocasta |
|
| nan | Indeed, though I tremble, I will hear and answer all that you ask. Oedipu |
|
| nan | Did he go with a small force, or like a chieftain, with many armed followers? Iocasta |
|
| nan | Did he go with a small force, or like a chieftain, with many armed followers? Iocasta |
|
| nan | Did he go with a small force, or like a chieftain, with many armed followers? Iocasta |
|
| nan | Five they were in all—a herald among them—and there was one carriage which bore Laius. Oedipu |
|
| nan | Five they were in all—a herald among them—and there was one carriage which bore Laius. Oedipu |
|
| nan | Alas! It is all clear now! Who gave you this information, lady? Iocasta |
|
| nan | A servant, the only survivor who returned home. Oedipu |
|
| nan | Is he by any chance in the house now? Iocasta |
|
| nan | No. Soon after he returned and found you ruling in Laius’ stead |
|
| nan | No. Soon after he returned and found you ruling in Laius’ stead |
|
| nan | Of armed retainers with him, like a prince? JOCASTA: They were but five in all, and one of them A herald; Laius in a mule-car rode. OIDIPUS: Alas! 'tis clear as noonday now. But say, Lady, who carried this report to Thebes? JOCASTA: A serf, the sole survivor who returned. OIDIPUS: Haply he is at hand or in the house? JOCASTA: No, for as soon as he returned and found Thee reigning in the stead of Laius slain, He clasped my hand and supplicated me To send him to the alps and pastures, where He might be farthest from the sight of Thebes. And so I sent him. 'Twas an honest slave And well deserved some better recompense. OIDIPUS: Fetch him at once. I fain would see the man. JOCASTA: He shall be brought; but wherefore summon him? OIDIPUS: Lady, I fear my tongue has overrun Discretion; therefore I would question him. JOCASTA: Well, he shall come, but may not I too claim To share the burden of thy heart, my king? |
|
| nan | he pled with me, with hand laid on mine, to send him to the fields, to the pastures of the flocks, that he might be far from the sight of this town. And I sent him; he was worthy, for a slave, to win even a larger favor than that. Oedipu |
|
| nan | he pled with me, with hand laid on mine, to send him to the fields, to the pastures of the flocks, that he might be far from the sight of this town. And I sent him; he was worthy, for a slave, to win even a larger favor than that. Oedipu |
|
| nan | he pled with me, with hand laid on mine, to send him to the fields, to the pastures of the flocks, that he might be far from the sight of this town. And I sent him; he was worthy, for a slave, to win even a larger favor than that. Oedipu |
|
| nan | he pled with me, with hand laid on mine, to send him to the fields, to the pastures of the flocks, that he might be far from the sight of this town. And I sent him; he was worthy, for a slave, to win even a larger favor than that. Oedipu |
|
| nan | he pled with me, with hand laid on mine, to send him to the fields, to the pastures of the flocks, that he might be far from the sight of this town. And I sent him; he was worthy, for a slave, to win even a larger favor than that. Oedipu |
|
| nan | Would, then, that he return to us without delay! Iocasta |
|
| nan | That is easy. But why do you enjoin this? Oedipu |
|
| nan | I fear, lady, that my words have been rash, and therefore I wish to see him. Iocasta |
|
| nan | I fear, lady, that my words have been rash, and therefore I wish to see him. Iocasta |
|
| nan | He will come. But I think that |
|
| nan | I too have a claim to learn what lies heavy on your heart, my king. Oedipu |
|
| nan | It will not be kept from you, now that my forebodings have advanced so far. To whom more than to you would I speak in suffering such a fortune as this? My father was Polybus of Corinth |
|
| nan | It will not be kept from you, now that my forebodings have advanced so far. To whom more than to you would I speak in suffering such a fortune as this? My father was Polybus of Corinth |
|
| nan | It will not be kept from you, now that my forebodings have advanced so far. To whom more than to you would I speak in suffering such a fortune as this? My father was Polybus of Corinth |
|
| nan | It will not be kept from you, now that my forebodings have advanced so far. To whom more than to you would I speak in suffering such a fortune as this? My father was Polybus of Corinth |
|
| nan | my mother the Dorian Merope. I was considered the greatest of the folk in that town, until a chance event befell me, worthy, indeed, of wonder, though not of my overreaction regarding it. At a banquet, a man drunk with wine |
|
| nan | my mother the Dorian Merope. I was considered the greatest of the folk in that town, until a chance event befell me, worthy, indeed, of wonder, though not of my overreaction regarding it. At a banquet, a man drunk with wine |
|
| nan | my mother the Dorian Merope. I was considered the greatest of the folk in that town, until a chance event befell me, worthy, indeed, of wonder, though not of my overreaction regarding it. At a banquet, a man drunk with wine |
|
| nan | my mother the Dorian Merope. I was considered the greatest of the folk in that town, until a chance event befell me, worthy, indeed, of wonder, though not of my overreaction regarding it. At a banquet, a man drunk with wine |
|
| nan | my mother the Dorian Merope. I was considered the greatest of the folk in that town, until a chance event befell me, worthy, indeed, of wonder, though not of my overreaction regarding it. At a banquet, a man drunk with wine |
|
| nan | OIDIPUS: And thou shalt not be frustrate of thy wish. Now my imaginings have gone so far. Who has a higher claim that thou to hear My tale of dire adventures? Listen then. My sire was Polybus of Corinth, and My mother Merope, a Dorian; And I was held the foremost citizen, Till a strange thing befell me, strange indeed, Yet scarce deserving all the heat it stirred. A roisterer at some banquet, flown with wine, Shouted "Thou art not true son of thy sire." It irked me, but I stomached for the nonce The insult; on the morrow I sought out My mother and my sire and questioned them. They were indignant at the random slur Cast on my parentage and did their best To comfort me, but still the venomed barb Rankled, for still the scandal spread and grew. So privily without their leave I went To Delphi, and Apollo sent me back |
|
| nan | cast it at me that I was not the true son of my father. And I, vexed, restrained myself for that day as best as I could, but on the next went to my mother and father and questioned them. They were angry at the one who had let this taunt fly. |
|
| nan | cast it at me that I was not the true son of my father. And I, vexed, restrained myself for that day as best as I could, but on the next went to my mother and father and questioned them. They were angry at the one who had let this taunt fly. |
|
| nan | cast it at me that I was not the true son of my father. And I, vexed, restrained myself for that day as best as I could, but on the next went to my mother and father and questioned them. They were angry at the one who had let this taunt fly. |
|
| nan | cast it at me that I was not the true son of my father. And I, vexed, restrained myself for that day as best as I could, but on the next went to my mother and father and questioned them. They were angry at the one who had let this taunt fly. |
|
| nan | cast it at me that I was not the true son of my father. And I, vexed, restrained myself for that day as best as I could, but on the next went to my mother and father and questioned them. They were angry at the one who had let this taunt fly. |
|
| nan | So I had comfort about them, but the matter rankled in my heart, for such a rumor still spread widely. I went to Delphi without my parents’ knowledge, and Phoebus sent me forth disappointed of the knowledge for which I had come |
|
| nan | So I had comfort about them, but the matter rankled in my heart, for such a rumor still spread widely. I went to Delphi without my parents’ knowledge, and Phoebus sent me forth disappointed of the knowledge for which I had come |
|
| nan | So I had comfort about them, but the matter rankled in my heart, for such a rumor still spread widely. I went to Delphi without my parents’ knowledge, and Phoebus sent me forth disappointed of the knowledge for which I had come |
|
| nan | So I had comfort about them, but the matter rankled in my heart, for such a rumor still spread widely. I went to Delphi without my parents’ knowledge, and Phoebus sent me forth disappointed of the knowledge for which I had come |
|
| nan | So I had comfort about them, but the matter rankled in my heart, for such a rumor still spread widely. I went to Delphi without my parents’ knowledge, and Phoebus sent me forth disappointed of the knowledge for which I had come |
|
| nan | but in his response set forth other things, full of sorrow and terror and woe: that I was fated to defile my mother’s bed, that I would reveal to men a brood which they could not endure to behold, and that I would slay the father that sired me. When I heard this, I turned in flight from the land of Corinth |
|
| nan | but in his response set forth other things, full of sorrow and terror and woe: that I was fated to defile my mother’s bed, that I would reveal to men a brood which they could not endure to behold, and that I would slay the father that sired me. When I heard this, I turned in flight from the land of Corinth |
|
| nan | but in his response set forth other things, full of sorrow and terror and woe: that I was fated to defile my mother’s bed, that I would reveal to men a brood which they could not endure to behold, and that I would slay the father that sired me. When I heard this, I turned in flight from the land of Corinth |
|
| nan | but in his response set forth other things, full of sorrow and terror and woe: that I was fated to defile my mother’s bed, that I would reveal to men a brood which they could not endure to behold, and that I would slay the father that sired me. When I heard this, I turned in flight from the land of Corinth |
|
| nan | but in his response set forth other things, full of sorrow and terror and woe: that I was fated to defile my mother’s bed, that I would reveal to men a brood which they could not endure to behold, and that I would slay the father that sired me. When I heard this, I turned in flight from the land of Corinth |
|
| nan | from then on thinking of it only by its position under the stars, to some spot where I should never see fulfillment of the infamies foretold in my evil fate. And on my way I came to the land in which you say that this prince perished. |
|
| nan | from then on thinking of it only by its position under the stars, to some spot where I should never see fulfillment of the infamies foretold in my evil fate. And on my way I came to the land in which you say that this prince perished. |
|
| nan | from then on thinking of it only by its position under the stars, to some spot where I should never see fulfillment of the infamies foretold in my evil fate. And on my way I came to the land in which you say that this prince perished. |
|
| nan | from then on thinking of it only by its position under the stars, to some spot where I should never see fulfillment of the infamies foretold in my evil fate. And on my way I came to the land in which you say that this prince perished. |
|
| nan | from then on thinking of it only by its position under the stars, to some spot where I should never see fulfillment of the infamies foretold in my evil fate. And on my way I came to the land in which you say that this prince perished. |
|
| nan | Baulked of the knowledge that I came to seek. But other grievous things he prophesied, Woes, lamentations, mourning, portents dire; To wit I should defile my mother's bed And raise up seed too loathsome to behold, And slay the father from whose loins I sprang. Then, lady, — thou shalt hear the very truth — As I drew near the triple-branching roads, A herald met me and a man who sat In a car drawn by colts — as in thy tale — The man in front and the old man himself Threatened to thrust me rudely from the path, Then jostled by the charioteer in wrath I struck him, and the old man, seeing this, Watched till I passed and from his car brought down Full on my head the double-pointed goad. Yet was I quits with him and more; one stroke Of my good staff sufficed to fling him clean Out of the chariot seat and laid him prone. And so I slew them every one. But if |
|
| nan | Now, lady, I will tell you the truth. When on my journey I was near those three roads, there I met a herald, and a man in a carriage drawn by colts, as you have described. The leader and the old man |
|
| nan | Now, lady, I will tell you the truth. When on my journey I was near those three roads, there I met a herald, and a man in a carriage drawn by colts, as you have described. The leader and the old man |
|
| nan | Now, lady, I will tell you the truth. When on my journey I was near those three roads, there I met a herald, and a man in a carriage drawn by colts, as you have described. The leader and the old man |
|
| nan | Now, lady, I will tell you the truth. When on my journey I was near those three roads, there I met a herald, and a man in a carriage drawn by colts, as you have described. The leader and the old man |
|
| nan | Now, lady, I will tell you the truth. When on my journey I was near those three roads, there I met a herald, and a man in a carriage drawn by colts, as you have described. The leader and the old man |
|
| nan | himself tried to thrust me rudely from the path. Then, in anger, I struck the one pushing me aside, the driver, and the old man, when he saw this, watched for the moment I was passing, and from his carriage, brought his double goad straight down on my head. |
|
| nan | himself tried to thrust me rudely from the path. Then, in anger, I struck the one pushing me aside, the driver, and the old man, when he saw this, watched for the moment I was passing, and from his carriage, brought his double goad straight down on my head. |
|
| nan | himself tried to thrust me rudely from the path. Then, in anger, I struck the one pushing me aside, the driver, and the old man, when he saw this, watched for the moment I was passing, and from his carriage, brought his double goad straight down on my head. |
|
| nan | himself tried to thrust me rudely from the path. Then, in anger, I struck the one pushing me aside, the driver, and the old man, when he saw this, watched for the moment I was passing, and from his carriage, brought his double goad straight down on my head. |
|
| nan | himself tried to thrust me rudely from the path. Then, in anger, I struck the one pushing me aside, the driver, and the old man, when he saw this, watched for the moment I was passing, and from his carriage, brought his double goad straight down on my head. |
|
| nan | Yet he was paid back with interest: with one swift blow from the staff in this hand he rolled right out of the carriage onto his back. I slew every one of them. But if this stranger had any tie of kinship to Laius |
|
| nan | Yet he was paid back with interest: with one swift blow from the staff in this hand he rolled right out of the carriage onto his back. I slew every one of them. But if this stranger had any tie of kinship to Laius |
|
| nan | Yet he was paid back with interest: with one swift blow from the staff in this hand he rolled right out of the carriage onto his back. I slew every one of them. But if this stranger had any tie of kinship to Laius |
|
| nan | Yet he was paid back with interest: with one swift blow from the staff in this hand he rolled right out of the carriage onto his back. I slew every one of them. But if this stranger had any tie of kinship to Laius |
|
| nan | Yet he was paid back with interest: with one swift blow from the staff in this hand he rolled right out of the carriage onto his back. I slew every one of them. But if this stranger had any tie of kinship to Laius |
|
| nan | who is now more wretched than this man before you? What mortal could be proved more hateful to the gods? No stranger, no citizen, is allowed to receive him at home, it is unlawful for anyone to accost him, and all must push him from their homes. And this—this curse— |
|
| nan | who is now more wretched than this man before you? What mortal could be proved more hateful to the gods? No stranger, no citizen, is allowed to receive him at home, it is unlawful for anyone to accost him, and all must push him from their homes. And this—this curse— |
|
| nan | who is now more wretched than this man before you? What mortal could be proved more hateful to the gods? No stranger, no citizen, is allowed to receive him at home, it is unlawful for anyone to accost him, and all must push him from their homes. And this—this curse— |
|
| nan | who is now more wretched than this man before you? What mortal could be proved more hateful to the gods? No stranger, no citizen, is allowed to receive him at home, it is unlawful for anyone to accost him, and all must push him from their homes. And this—this curse— |
|
| nan | who is now more wretched than this man before you? What mortal could be proved more hateful to the gods? No stranger, no citizen, is allowed to receive him at home, it is unlawful for anyone to accost him, and all must push him from their homes. And this—this curse— |
|
| nan | Betwixt this stranger there was aught in common With Laius, who more miserable than I, What mortal could you find more god-abhorred? Wretch whom no sojourner, no citizen May harbor or address, whom all are bound To harry from their homes. And this same curse Was laid on me, and laid by none but me. Yea with these hands all gory I pollute The bed of him I slew. Say, am I vile? Am I not utterly unclean, a wretch Doomed to be banished, and in banishment Forgo the sight of all my dearest ones, And never tread again my native earth; Or else to wed my mother and slay my sire, Polybus, who begat me and upreared? If one should say, this is the handiwork Of some inhuman power, who could blame His judgment? But, ye pure and awful gods, Forbid, forbid that I should see that day! May I be blotted out from living men |
|
| nan | was laid on me by no other mouth than my own. And I pollute the bed of the slain man with the hands by which he perished. Am I now vile? Oh, am I not utterly unclean, seeing that I must be banished, and in banishment neither see my own people |
|
| nan | was laid on me by no other mouth than my own. And I pollute the bed of the slain man with the hands by which he perished. Am I now vile? Oh, am I not utterly unclean, seeing that I must be banished, and in banishment neither see my own people |
|
| nan | was laid on me by no other mouth than my own. And I pollute the bed of the slain man with the hands by which he perished. Am I now vile? Oh, am I not utterly unclean, seeing that I must be banished, and in banishment neither see my own people |
|
| nan | was laid on me by no other mouth than my own. And I pollute the bed of the slain man with the hands by which he perished. Am I now vile? Oh, am I not utterly unclean, seeing that I must be banished, and in banishment neither see my own people |
|
| nan | was laid on me by no other mouth than my own. And I pollute the bed of the slain man with the hands by which he perished. Am I now vile? Oh, am I not utterly unclean, seeing that I must be banished, and in banishment neither see my own people |
|
| nan | nor set foot in my own land, or else be joined in wedlock to my mother, and slay my father Polybus, who sired and reared me? Then would he who judged these things to be sent down by some cruel divinity not be right about Oedipus? |
|
| nan | nor set foot in my own land, or else be joined in wedlock to my mother, and slay my father Polybus, who sired and reared me? Then would he who judged these things to be sent down by some cruel divinity not be right about Oedipus? |
|
| nan | nor set foot in my own land, or else be joined in wedlock to my mother, and slay my father Polybus, who sired and reared me? Then would he who judged these things to be sent down by some cruel divinity not be right about Oedipus? |
|
| nan | nor set foot in my own land, or else be joined in wedlock to my mother, and slay my father Polybus, who sired and reared me? Then would he who judged these things to be sent down by some cruel divinity not be right about Oedipus? |
|
| nan | nor set foot in my own land, or else be joined in wedlock to my mother, and slay my father Polybus, who sired and reared me? Then would he who judged these things to be sent down by some cruel divinity not be right about Oedipus? |
|
| nan | Prevent, prevent, you pure and awful gods, me from ever seeing that day! No, may I be swept away from all men, before I see myself visited with that brand of doom. Choru |
|
| nan | Prevent, prevent, you pure and awful gods, me from ever seeing that day! No, may I be swept away from all men, before I see myself visited with that brand of doom. Choru |
|
| nan | Prevent, prevent, you pure and awful gods, me from ever seeing that day! No, may I be swept away from all men, before I see myself visited with that brand of doom. Choru |
|
| nan | Prevent, prevent, you pure and awful gods, me from ever seeing that day! No, may I be swept away from all men, before I see myself visited with that brand of doom. Choru |
|
| nan | To us, king, these things are fraught with fear. Yet have hope, until at least you have gained full knowledge |
|
| nan | from the one who saw the deed. Oedipu |
|
| nan | I have, in truth, this much hope alone: I await the man summoned from the pastures. Iocasta |
|
| nan | I have, in truth, this much hope alone: I await the man summoned from the pastures. Iocasta |
|
| nan | And what do you want from him when he appears? Oedipu |
|
| nan | I will tell you. If his story is found |
|
| nan | Ere such a plague spot set on me its brand! CHORUS: We too, O king, are troubled; but till thou Hast questioned the survivor, still hope on. OIDIPUS: My hope is faint, but still enough survives To bid me bide the coming of this herd. JOCASTA: Suppose him here, what wouldst thou learn of him? OIDIPUS: I'll tell thee, lady; if his tale agrees With thine, I shall have 'scaped calamity. JOCASTA: And what of special import did I say? OIDIPUS: In thy report of what the herdsman said Laius was slain by robbers; now if he Still speaks of robbers, not a robber, I Slew him not; "one" with "many" cannot square. But if he says one lonely wayfarer, The last link wanting to my guilt is forged. JOCASTA: Well, rest assured, his tale ran thus at first, Nor can he now retract what then he said; Not I alone but all our townsfolk heard it. E'en should he vary somewhat in his story, He cannot make the death of Laiu |
|
| nan | to match withwith yours, I at least, will stand clear of disaster. Iocasta |
|
| nan | And what special note did you hear from me? Oedipu |
|
| nan | You said that he spoke of Laius as slain by robbers. If, then, he still speaks of several as before, I was not the slayer: |
|
| nan | You said that he spoke of Laius as slain by robbers. If, then, he still speaks of several as before, I was not the slayer: |
|
| nan | You said that he spoke of Laius as slain by robbers. If, then, he still speaks of several as before, I was not the slayer: |
|
| nan | a solitary man could not be considered the same as that band. But if he names one lonely wayfarer, then beyond doubt this guilt rests upon me. Iocasta |
|
| nan | a solitary man could not be considered the same as that band. But if he names one lonely wayfarer, then beyond doubt this guilt rests upon me. Iocasta |
|
| nan | a solitary man could not be considered the same as that band. But if he names one lonely wayfarer, then beyond doubt this guilt rests upon me. Iocasta |
|
| nan | Be assured that thus, at least, the tale was first told. He cannot revoke that |
|
| nan | Be assured that thus, at least, the tale was first told. He cannot revoke that |
|
| nan | for the city heard it, not I alone. But even if he should diverge somewhat from his former story, never, king, can he show that the murder of Laius, at least, is truly square with the prophecy, for Loxias plainly said that he was to die at the hand of my child. |
|
| nan | for the city heard it, not I alone. But even if he should diverge somewhat from his former story, never, king, can he show that the murder of Laius, at least, is truly square with the prophecy, for Loxias plainly said that he was to die at the hand of my child. |
|
| nan | for the city heard it, not I alone. But even if he should diverge somewhat from his former story, never, king, can he show that the murder of Laius, at least, is truly square with the prophecy, for Loxias plainly said that he was to die at the hand of my child. |
|
| nan | for the city heard it, not I alone. But even if he should diverge somewhat from his former story, never, king, can he show that the murder of Laius, at least, is truly square with the prophecy, for Loxias plainly said that he was to die at the hand of my child. |
|
| nan | for the city heard it, not I alone. But even if he should diverge somewhat from his former story, never, king, can he show that the murder of Laius, at least, is truly square with the prophecy, for Loxias plainly said that he was to die at the hand of my child. |
|
| nan | How was it then that that poor innocent never slew him, but perished first? From now on then, as far as divination goes, I would not look to my right hand or my left. Oedipu |
|
| nan | How was it then that that poor innocent never slew him, but perished first? From now on then, as far as divination goes, I would not look to my right hand or my left. Oedipu |
|
| nan | How was it then that that poor innocent never slew him, but perished first? From now on then, as far as divination goes, I would not look to my right hand or my left. Oedipu |
|
| nan | How was it then that that poor innocent never slew him, but perished first? From now on then, as far as divination goes, I would not look to my right hand or my left. Oedipu |
|
| nan | You are right. But nevertheless send someone to fetch the peasant |
|
| nan | In any wise jump with the oracle. For Loxias said expressly he was doomed To die by my child's hand, but he, poor babe, He shed no blood, but perished first himself. So much for divination. Henceforth I Will look for signs neither to right nor left. OIDIPUS: Thou reasonest well. Still I would have thee send And fetch the bondsman hither. See to it. JOCASTA: That will I straightway. Come, let us within. I would do nothing that my lord mislikes. [Exeunt OEDIPUS and JOCASTA] CHORUS: My lot be still to lead The life of innocence and fly Irreverence in word or deed, To follow still those laws ordained on high Whose birthplace is the bright ethereal sky No mortal birth they own, Olympus their progenitor alone: Ne'er shall they slumber in oblivion cold, The god in them is strong and grows not old. |
|
| nan | and do not neglect this matter. Iocasta |
|
| nan | I will send for him without delay. But let us go into the house: I will do nothing which does not please you. Exeunt Oedipus and Iocasta. Choru |
|
| nan | I will send for him without delay. But let us go into the house: I will do nothing which does not please you. Exeunt Oedipus and Iocasta. Choru |
|
