Oedipus I cannot make the trip; for I am disabled by lack of strength and lack of sight, twin evils. But let one of you two go and do these things. For I think that one soul suffices to pay this debt for ten thousand, if it comes with good will. Act, then, with speed. But do not abandon me, for my body would not have the strength to move, without help or a guiding hand.
Ismene Then I will go to perform the rite; but where I am to find the place—this I wish to learn.
Chorus On the further side of this grove, stranger. And if you have need of anything, there is a guardian of the place. He will direct you.
Ismene Off to my task. But you, Antigone, watch our father here. In the case of parents, if we toil, we must not keep a memory of it.
Chorus Terrible it is, stranger, to arouse the old woe that has for so long been laid to rest: and yet I yearn to hear—
Oedipus What now?
Chorus —Of that grief-filled anguish, cureless, with which you have wrestled.
Oedipus By your hospitality, do not uncover the shame that I have suffered!
Chorus Seeing that the tale is wide-spread and in no way weakens, I wish, friend, to hear it straight.
Oedipus Ah me!
Chorus Grant the favor, I beg!
Oedipus Alas, alas!
Chorus Grant my wish, as I have granted yours to the full.
Oedipus I have suffered the greatest misery, strangers—suffered it through unintended deeds—may the god know it! No part was of my own choice.
Chorus But in what way?
Oedipus In an evil marriage, the city bound me, unknowing, to ruin.
Chorus Is it true, as I hear, that you made your mother the partner of your bed, to its infamy?
Oedipus Ah, me! These words, strangers, are like death to my ears. And those two maidens of mine—
Chorus What will you say?
Oedipus —Two daughters—two curses—
Chorus O Zeus!
Oedipus —of mine, sprung from the travail of the womb that bore me too.
Chorus These, then, are at once your daughters, and—
Oedipus —Sisters, indeed, of their father.
Chorus Oh!
Oedipus Indeed, woes untold sweep back upon my soul!
Chorus You have suffered—
Oedipus I have suffered woes grievous to bear.
Chorus You have performed—
Oedipus I have not performed!
Chorus How?
Oedipus A gift was given to me—O, wretched that I am, if only I had never won from the city that gift for my services!
Chorus Cursed man! What of this? Did you commit the murder—
Oedipus What now? What would you learn?
Chorus —Of your father?
Oedipus Oh! oh! a second stab—wound on wound!
Chorus You killed—
Oedipus I killed—yet I have a plea—
Chorus What can you plead?
Oedipus —A plea of justice.
Chorus What?
Oedipus I will tell you: I killed in ignorance and perished utterly. Pure before the law, without knowledge of my act, I have come to this!
Chorus
Look, there comes our lord, Theseus son of Aegeus, at the sound of your voice, to do that for which he was summoned.
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