Oedipus Tyrannus

Sophocles

Sophocles the plays and fragments, Part 1: The Oedipus Tyrannus. Jebb, Richard Claverhouse, Sir, translator. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1887.

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