The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Oedipus Trilogy, by Sophocles ...
The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Oedipus Trilogy, by Sophocles ... The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Oedipus Trilogy, by Sophocles ...
Look ye, countrymen and Thebans, this is Oedipus the great, He who knew the Sphinx's riddle and was mightiest in our state. Who of all our townsmen gazed not on his fame with envious eyes? Now, in what a sea of troubles sunk and overwhelmed he lies! Therefore wait to see life's ending ere thou count one mortal blest; Wait till free from pain and sorrow he has gained his final rest. FOOTNOTES --------- [Footnote 1: Dr. Kennedy and others render "Since to men of experience I see that also comparisons of their counsels are in most lively use."] [Footnote 2: Literally "not to call them thine," but the Greek may be rendered "In order not to reveal thine."] [Footnote 3: The Greek text that occurs in this place has been lost.] SOPHOCLES OEDIPUS AT COLONUS Translation by F. Storr, BA Formerly Scholar of Trinity College, Cambridge From the Loeb Library Edition Originally published by Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA and William Heinemann Ltd, London First published in 1912 ***** ARGUMENT Oedipus, the blind and banished King of Thebes, has come in his wanderings to Colonus, a deme of Athens, led by his daughter Antigone. He sits to rest on a rock just within a sacred grove of the Furies and is bidden depart by a passing native. But Oedipus, instructed by an oracle that he had reached his final resting-place, refuses to stir, and the stranger consents to go and consult the Elders of Colonus (the Chorus of the Play). Conducted to the spot they pity at first the blind beggar and his daughter, but on learning his name they are horrorstriken and order him to quit the land. He appeals to the world-famed hospitality of Athens and hints at the blessings that his coming will confer on the State. They agree to await the decision of King Theseus. From Theseus Oedipus craves protection in life and burial in Attic soil; the benefits that will accrue shall be told later. Theseus departs having promised to aid and befriend him. No sooner has he gone than
Creon enters with an armed guard who seize Antigone and carry her off (Ismene, the other sister, they have already captured) and he is about to lay hands on Oedipus, when Theseus, who has heard the tumult, hurries up and, upbraiding Creon for his lawless act, threatens to detain him till he has shown where the captives are and restored them. In the next scene Theseus returns bringing with him the rescued maidens. He informs Oedipus that a stranger who has taken sanctuary at the altar of Poseidon wishes to see him. It is Polyneices who has come to crave his father's forgiveness and blessing, knowing by an oracle that victory will fall to the side that Oedipus espouses. But Oedipus spurns the hypocrite, and invokes a dire curse on both his unnatural sons. A sudden clap of thunder is heard, and as peal follows peal, Oedipus is aware that his hour is come and bids Antigone summon Theseus. Self-guided he leads the way to the spot where death should overtake him, attended by Theseus and his daughters. Halfway he bids his daughters farewell, and what followed none but Theseus knew. He was not (so the Messenger reports) for the gods took him. ***** DRAMATIS PERSONAE OEDIPUS, banished King of Thebes. ANTIGONE, his daughter. ISMENE, his daughter. THESEUS, King of Athens. CREON, brother of Jocasta, now reigning at Thebes. POLYNEICES, elder son of Oedipus. STRANGER, a native of Colonus. MESSENGER, an attendant of Theseus. CHORUS, citizens of Colonus. Scene: In front of the grove of the Eumenides. ***** OEDIPUS AT COLONUS Enter the blind OEDIPUS led by his daughter, ANTIGONE. OEDIPUS Child of an old blind sire, Antigone, What region, say, whose city have we reached? Who will provide today with scanted dole This wanderer? 'Tis little that he craves, And less obtains--that less enough for me; For I am taught by suffering to endure, And the long years that have grown old with me, And last not least, by true nobility. My daughter, if thou seest a resting place On common ground or by some sacred grove, Stay me and set me down. Let us discover Where we have come, for strangers must inquire Of denizens, and do as they are bid. ANTIGONE Long-suffering father, Oedipus, the towers
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Creon enters with an armed guard who seize Antigone and carry her <strong>of</strong>f<br />
(Ismene, the other sister, they have already captured) and he is about<br />
to lay hands on <strong>Oedipus</strong>, when <strong>The</strong>seus, who has heard the tumult, hurries<br />
up and, upbraiding Creon for his lawless act, threatens to detain him<br />
till he has shown where the captives are and restored them. In the next<br />
scene <strong>The</strong>seus returns bringing with him the rescued maidens. He informs<br />
<strong>Oedipus</strong> that a stranger who has taken sanctuary at the altar <strong>of</strong> Poseidon<br />
wishes to see him. It is Polyneices who has come to crave his father's<br />
forgiveness and blessing, knowing <strong>by</strong> an oracle that victory will fall to<br />
the side that <strong>Oedipus</strong> espouses. But <strong>Oedipus</strong> spurns the hypocrite, and<br />
invokes a dire curse on both his unnatural sons. A sudden clap <strong>of</strong><br />
thunder is heard, and as peal follows peal, <strong>Oedipus</strong> is aware that his<br />
hour is come and bids Antigone summon <strong>The</strong>seus. Self-guided he leads the<br />
way to the spot where death should overtake him, attended <strong>by</strong> <strong>The</strong>seus and<br />
his daughters. Halfway he bids his daughters farewell, and what followed<br />
none but <strong>The</strong>seus knew. He was not (so the Messenger reports) for the<br />
gods took him.<br />
*****<br />
DRAMATIS PERSONAE<br />
OEDIPUS, banished King <strong>of</strong> <strong>The</strong>bes.<br />
ANTIGONE, his daughter.<br />
ISMENE, his daughter.<br />
THESEUS, King <strong>of</strong> Athens.<br />
CREON, brother <strong>of</strong> Jocasta, now reigning at <strong>The</strong>bes.<br />
POLYNEICES, elder son <strong>of</strong> <strong>Oedipus</strong>.<br />
STRANGER, a native <strong>of</strong> Colonus.<br />
MESSENGER, an attendant <strong>of</strong> <strong>The</strong>seus.<br />
CHORUS, citizens <strong>of</strong> Colonus.<br />
Scene: In front <strong>of</strong> the grove <strong>of</strong> the Eumenides.<br />
*****<br />
OEDIPUS AT COLONUS<br />
Enter the blind OEDIPUS led <strong>by</strong> his daughter, ANTIGONE.<br />
OEDIPUS<br />
Child <strong>of</strong> an old blind sire, Antigone,<br />
What region, say, whose city have we reached?<br />
Who will provide today with scanted dole<br />
This wanderer? 'Tis little that he craves,<br />
And less obtains--that less enough for me;<br />
For I am taught <strong>by</strong> suffering to endure,<br />
And the long years that have grown old with me,<br />
And last not least, <strong>by</strong> true nobility.<br />
My daughter, if thou seest a resting place<br />
On common ground or <strong>by</strong> some sacred grove,<br />
Stay me and set me down. Let us discover<br />
Where we have come, for strangers must inquire<br />
Of denizens, and do as they are bid.<br />
ANTIGONE<br />
Long-suffering father, <strong>Oedipus</strong>, the towers