Oedipus Trilogy Part 12

[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 pa.s.sing 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 horror- striken 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 G.o.ds 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 n.o.bility.

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 That fence the city still are faint and far; But where we stand is surely holy ground; A wilderness of laurel, olive, vine; Within a choir or songster nightingales Are warbling. On this native seat of rock Rest; for an old man thou hast traveled far.

OEDIPUS Guide these dark steps and seat me there secure.

ANTIGONE If time can teach, I need not to be told.

OEDIPUS Say, prithee, if thou knowest, where we are.

ANTIGONE Athens I recognize, but not the spot.

OEDIPUS That much we heard from every wayfarer.

ANTIGONE Shall I go on and ask about the place?

OEDIPUS Yes, daughter, if it be inhabited.

ANTIGONE Sure there are habitations; but no need To leave thee; yonder is a man hard by.

OEDIPUS What, moving hitherward and on his way?

ANTIGONE Say rather, here already. Ask him straight The needful questions, for the man is here.

[Enter STRANGER]

OEDIPUS O stranger, as I learn from her whose eyes Must serve both her and me, that thou art here Sent by some happy chance to serve our doubts--

STRANGER First quit that seat, then question me at large: The spot thou treadest on is holy ground.

OEDIPUS What is the site, to what G.o.d dedicate?

STRANGER Inviolable, untrod; G.o.ddesses, Dread brood of Earth and Darkness, here abide.

OEDIPUS Tell me the awful name I should invoke?

STRANGER The Gracious Ones, All-seeing, so our folk Call them, but elsewhere other names are rife.

OEDIPUS Then may they show their suppliant grace, for I From this your sanctuary will ne'er depart.

STRANGER What word is this?

OEDIPUS The watchword of my fate.

STRANGER Nay, 'tis not mine to bid thee hence without Due warrant and instruction from the State.

OEDIPUS Now in G.o.d's name, O stranger, scorn me not As a wayfarer; tell me what I crave.

STRANGER Ask; your request shall not be scorned by me.