Greek Texts & Translations

Strangers, I am without a city, but do not—

What is this that you forbid, old man?

210do not, do not ask me who I am! Do not seek or probe further!

What does this mean?

Horrid the birth—

Speak!

My child—ah, me!—what shall I say?

215What is your lineage, stranger? Speak! And who is your father?

Woe is me! What will become of me, my child?

Speak, for you are driven to the verge.

Then speak I will. I have no way to hide it.

You two make a long delay. Come, hasten!

220Do you know of a son of Laius?

Oh!

—And the race of the Labdacidae?

O Zeus!

—and the pitiful Oedipus?

You are he?

Have no fear of any words that I speak—

Ah, no, no!

Unhappy that I am!

Oh, oh!

225Daughter, what is about to happen?

Out with you! Go forth from the land!

And your promise—to what fulfillment will you bring it?

No man is visited by the punishment of fate if he requites deeds which were first done to himself. 230Deceit on the one part matches deceits on the other, and gives pain instead of pleasure for reward. And you—back with you! Out from your seat! 235Away from my land with all speed, that you may not fasten some heavier burden on my city!

Reverent strangers, since you have not endured my aged father—knowing, as you do, 240the rumor of his unintended deeds—pity at least my poor self, I implore you, who supplicate you for my father alone. I beg you with eyes that can still look 245on your own, like one sprung from your own blood, that this sufferer may meet with reverent treatment. On you, as on a god, we depend in our misery. But come, grant the favor for which we hardly dare hope! 250I implore you by everything that you hold dear at home: by child, by wife, or treasure, or god! Look well and you will not find the mortal who, if a god should lead him on, could escape.