Oedipus What is it, Antigone, my child?
Antigone I see a woman coming towards us, mounted on a colt of Etna; she wears a Thessalian bonnet to screen her face from the sun. What shall I say? Is it she, or is it not? Does my judgment err? Yes—no—I cannot tell—ah, me! It is no other, yes! She greets me with bright glances as she draws near, and makes a signal. Here is Ismene, clearly, and no other before me.
Oedipus What is that you say, my child?
Antigone That I see your daughter, my sister. By her voice right away you can know her.
Ismene Father and sister, names most sweet to me! How hard it was to find you! And how hard now to look upon you for my tears!
Oedipus My child, have you come?
Ismene Father, your fate is sad to see!
Oedipus Are you with us, my child?
Ismene Not without toil, indeed, for myself.
Oedipus Touch me, my daughter!
Ismene I give a hand to each at once.
Oedipus Ah my children, my sisters!
Ismene Alas, twice-wretched life!
Oedipus Her life and mine?
Ismene And mine, wretched me, makes a third.
Oedipus Child, why have you come?
Ismene Through concern for you, father.
Oedipus Through longing to see me?
Ismene Yes, and to bring you news by my own mouth, with the only faithful servant that I had.
Oedipus And where are the young men, your brothers, in our need?
Ismene They are where they are; their circumstances now are terrible.
Oedipus
True image of the ways of Egypt that they show in their spirit and their life! For there the men sit weaving in the house, but the wives go forth to win the daily bread. And in your case, my daughters, those to whom these toils belonged keep the house at home like maidens, while you two, in their place, bear your poor father’s woes. The one, from the time when her youth was past and she came into her strength, has always been this old man’s guide in weary wanderings, often roaming, hungry and barefoot, through the wild woods, often battered by rains and scorching sun. And the comforts of home, poor girl, she holds in the second place, so long as her father should have her care. And you, my child, in former days came forth, bringing your father, unknown to the Cadmeans, all the oracles that had been given concerning Oedipus. You became a faithful guardian on my behalf, when I was being driven from the land. Now, in turn, what new tidings have you brought your father, Ismene? On what mission have you set forth from home? For you do not come empty-handed, I know well, or without some cause of fear for me.
Cite This Text