425 BC

OEDIPUS AT COLONUS

by Sophocles

translated by R. C. Jebb

Characters in the Play -

Oedipus -

his daughters:

Antigone

Ismene -

A Man of Colonus

Theseus, King of Athens

Creon, of Thebes

Polyneices, the elder son of Oedipus

A Messenger

Chorus of Elders of Colonus

OEDIPUS AT COLONUS -

(Scene: -At Colonus in Attica, a little more than a mile north-west the Acropolis at Athens. The back-scene shows the grove sacred to the Erinyes or Furies, there worshipped under the propitiatory name of the Eumenides, or Kindly Powers. The grove is luxuriant with laurel, olive, and vine. Near the middle of the stage is seen a rock, affording a seat which is supposed to be just within the bounds of the grove. The hero Colonus is perhaps represented by a statue on the stage.

The blind OEDIPUS, who is conceived as coming into Attica from the west or north-west, enters on the spectators' left, led by ANTIGONE. He is old and way-worn, his haggard face bearing the traces of the self-inflicted wounds. The garb of both the wanderers betokens indigence and hardship. After replying to his first questions, his daughter leads him to the rocky seat.) -

OEDIPUS

DAUGHTER of the blind old man, to what region have we come, Antigone, or what city of men? Who will entertain the wandering Oedipus to-day with scanty gifts? Little crave I, and win yet less than that little, and therewith am content; for patience is the lesson of suffering, and of the years in our long fellowship, and lastly of a noble mind. -My child, if thou seest any resting-place, whether on profane ground or by groves of the gods, stay me and set me down, that we may inquire where we are: for we stand in need to learn as strangers of denizens, and to perform their bidding.

ANTIGONE

Father, toil-worn Oedipus, the towers that guard the city, to judge by sight, are far off; and this place is sacred, to all seeming, -thick-set with laurel, olive, vine; and in its heart a feathered choir of nightingales makes music. So sit thee here on this unhewn stone; thou hast travelled a long way for an old man.

OEDIPUS

Seat me, then, and watch over the blind.

ANTIGONE

If time can teach, I need not to learn that.

OEDIPUS

Canst thou tell me, now, where we have arrived?

ANTIGONE

Athens I know, but not this place.

OEDIPUS

Aye, so much every wayfarer told us.

ANTIGONE

Well, shall I go and learn how the spot is called?

OEDIPUS

Yes, child, -if indeed 'tis habitable.

ANTIGONE

Nay, inhabited it surely is; -but I think there is no need; -yonder see a man near us.

OEDIPUS

Hitherward moving and setting forth?

ANTIGONE

Nay, he is at our side already. Speak as the moment prompts thee, for the man is here.

(A STRANGER, a man of Colonus, enters.)

OEDIPUS

Stranger, hearing from this maiden, who hath sight for herself and for me, that thou hast drawn nigh with timely quest for the solving of our doubts-

STRANGER

Now, ere thou question me at large, quit this seat; for thou art on ground which 'tis not lawful to tread.

OEDIPUS

And what is this ground? To what deity sacred?

STRANGER

Ground inviolable, whereon none may dwell: for the dread goddesses hold it, the daughters of Earth and Darkness.

OEDIPUS

Who may they be, whose awful name I am to hear and invoke?

STRANGER

The all-seeing Eumenides the folk here would call them: but other names please otherwhere.

OEDIPUS

Then graciously may they receive their suppliant! for nevermore will I depart from my rest in this land.

STRANGER

What means this?

OEDIPUS

'Tis the watchword of my fate.

STRANGER

Nay, for my part, I dare not remove thee without warrant from the. city, ere I report what I am doing.

OEDIPUS

Now for the gods' love, stranger, refuse me not, hapless wanderer that I am, the knowledge for which I sue to thee.