Oedipus Tyrannus
Sophocles
Sophocles the plays and fragments, Part 1: The Oedipus Tyrannus. Jebb, Richard Claverhouse, Sir, translator. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1887.
- Ah me, why do you speak of that old trouble?
- I freed you when you had your ankles pinned together.
- It was a dread brand of shame that I took from my cradle.
- So much so that from that fortune you were called by that name which you still bear.
- Oh, in the name of the gods, was the deed my mother’s or father’s? Speak!
- I know not. He who gave you to me knows better of that than I.
- What, you got me from another? You did not find me yourself?
- No. Another shepherd gave you to me.
- Who was he? Can you tell clearly?
- I think he was said to be one of the household of Laius.
- The king who ruled this country long ago?
- The same. The man was a herdsman in his service.
- Is he still alive, that I might see him?
- You natives of this country should know best.
- Is there any of you here present that knows the herdsman of whom he speaks, having seen him either in the pastures or here in town? Answer!
- The hour has come for these things to be revealed finally.
- I think he speaks of no other than the peasant you already wanted to see. But our lady Iocasta might best tell you that.
- Lady, do you know the one whom we summoned just now?
- Is it of him that this man speaks?
- Why ask of whom he spoke? Regard it not; waste not a thought on what he said; it would be vain.