Oedipus at Colonus

Sophocles

Sophocles the plays and fragments, Part 2: The Oedipus at Colonus. Jebb, Richard Claverhouse, Sir, translator. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1889.

  1. Do not plead for what must not be.
Antigone
  1. Then I, indeed, am utterly wretched, if I must lose you!
Polyneices
  1. It rests with the divinity, this way or that. But as for you two,
  2. I pray to the gods that you may never meet with evil; for in all men’s eyes you do not deserve to suffer.Polyneices exits.
Chorus
  1. Behold, new ills of heavy fate have newly come from the blind stranger,
  2. unless, perhaps, fate is finding its goal. I cannot say that a purpose of the divinities is ever vain. Time sees all things forever, and raises up some things,
  3. then on the next day raises others back up again. The sky resounds! Zeus!
Oedipus
  1. Children, children! If there is any man still here, send him forth to bring back Theseus, excellent in all respects.
Antigone
  1. And what, father, is the purpose of your summons?
Oedipus
  1. This winged thunder of Zeus will soon lead me to Hades. So send someone with speed.
Thunder.
Chorus
  1. Listen! With a louder noise this one crashes down unspeakably,
  2. hurled by Zeus! The hair of my head stands up for fear, my soul is dismayed; for again the lightning flashes in the sky. What end will it release?
  3. I fear it, for never does it fly forth in vain, or without serious results. O great Sky! O Zeus!
Oedipus
  1. Children, the appointed end of life has reached this man; he can turn from it no more.
Antigone
  1. How do you know? By what means do you understand this?
Oedipus
  1. I know it well. But let some one go, I pray you, as quickly as he can, and bring back the lord of this land.
Thunder.
Chorus
  1. Look! Look! Once again the piercing din is around us!
  2. Be merciful, divinity, be merciful, if you are bringing anything of gloom for the land which is our mother! May I find you well disposed, and may I not, because I have cared for a man accursed, somehow obtain a favor without profit!
  3. Lord Zeus, to you I cry!
Oedipus
  1. Is the man near? Will he find me still alive, children, and master of my senses?