Oedipus Dearest son of Aegeus, to the gods alone old age and death never come, but everything else sinks into chaos from time which overpowers all. Earth’s strength decays, and so too the strength of the body; trust dies; distrust is born; and the same spirit is never steadfast among friends, or between city and city. For some now, for others tomorrow, sweet feelings turn to bitter, and then once more to being dear. And if now the sun shines brightly between Thebes and you, yet time in his course gives birth to days and nights untold, in which from a small cause they will scatter with the spear today’s pledges of concord. Then one day my slumbering and buried corpse, cold in death, will drink their warm blood, if Zeus is still Zeus, and Phoebus, the son of Zeus, speaks clear. But, since I would not break silence concerning words that must not spoken, allow me to cease where I began. Only keep your own pledge good, and never will you say that in vain you welcomed Oedipus to dwell in this land—if indeed the gods do not deceive me.
Chorus Lord, from the first this man has shown a will to bring these words, or similar ones, to completion for our land.
Theseus Who, then, would reject the goodwill of such a one? To whom, first, the hearth of a spear-friend is always available on our side, by reciprocal right; then too he has come as a suppliant to our gods, paying no small recompense to this land and to me. In reverence for these claims, I will never spurn his favor, and I will establish a dwelling for him as a citizen in the land. And if it is the pleasure of the stranger to remain here, I will command you to protect him; or, if it pleases him, to come with me. This choice or that, Oedipus, you may take; your desire will be mine.
Oedipus O Zeus, may you be good to men such as these!
Theseus What is your wish, then? Will you come to my house?
Oedipus Yes, I would, if it were right. But this is the place—
Theseus What will you do here? Speak, for I will not hinder you.
Oedipus —Where I will conquer those who cast me out.
Theseus The promised gift of your presence would be great.
Oedipus It shall be, if you keep your pledge with me.
Theseus Have courage concerning me; never will I betray you.
Oedipus I will not bind you with an oath as if an evil man.
Theseus Well, you would win nothing more than by my word.
Oedipus What will you do, then?
Theseus What is it that you fear?
Oedipus Men will come—
Theseus But these men here will see to that.
Oedipus Beware that if you leave me—
Theseus Do not instruct me in my duties.
Oedipus Fear constrains me—
Theseus My heart feels no fear.
Oedipus You do not know the threats—
Theseus I know that none will lead you from here against my will. Often threats have blustered in men’s hearts with words loud and vain; but when the mind comes to itself once more, the threats have vanished. For those men, too, perhaps—yes, even if in boldness they have spoken dreadful things of bringing you back, the voyage here will prove long and hard to sail. Now I exhort you, apart from any decision of mine, to take heart, if indeed Phoebus has been your escort here. Even if I am not present, still my name, I know, will shield you from harm.
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