Oedipus Child of a blind old man, Antigone, to what region have we come, or to what city of men? Who will entertain the wandering Oedipus today with scanty gifts? Little do I crave, and obtain still less than that little, and with that I am content. For patience is the lesson of suffering, and of the long years upon me, and lastly of a noble mind. My child, if you see any resting-place, either on profane ground or by groves of the gods, stop me and set me down, so that we may inquire where we are. We have come to learn as foreigners from the townsmen, and to bring to completion whatever we hear.
Antigone Father, toil-worn Oedipus, the towers that ring the city, to judge by sight, are far off; and this place is sacred, to judge from its appearance: laurel, olive, and vine grow thick-set; and a feathered crowd of nightingales makes music within. So sit here on this unshaped stone; you have 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 learn that.
Oedipus Can you tell me, now, where we have arrived?
Antigone Athens I know, but not this place.
Oedipus Yes, so much every traveller told us.
Antigone Well, shall I go and learn what the spot is called?
Oedipus Yes, child, if indeed it is inhabited.
Antigone It surely is inhabited. But I think there is no need—I see a man nearby.
Oedipus Setting off and coming toward us?
Antigone He is at our side already. Speak whatever seems timely to you, for the man is here.
Oedipus Stranger, hearing from this maiden, who has sight both for herself and for me, that you have arrived as a scout of good fortune for the solving of our doubts—
Stranger Now, before you question me at length, leave this seat. You occupy ground which is unholy to tread upon.
Oedipus And what is this ground? To which of the gods is it sacred?
Stranger Ground inviolable, on which no one may dwell. The dread goddesses hold it, the daughters of Earth and Darkness.
Oedipus Who are they? Whose awful name might I hear and invoke in prayer?
Stranger The all-seeing Eumenides the people here would call them: but other names please elsewhere.
Oedipus Then graciously may they receive their suppliant! Nevermore will I depart from my seat in this land.
Stranger What does this mean?
Oedipus The watchword of my fate.
Stranger I dare not remove you without warrant from the city, until I report what I am doing.
Oedipus Now by the gods, stranger, do not deny me, hapless wanderer as you see, the honor of the knowledge for which I beg you.
Stranger Tell me, and you will not be without honor from me.
Oedipus What, then, is the place that we have entered?
Stranger All that I myself know, you will hear and learn. This whole place is sacred; august Poseidon holds it, and in it lives the fire-bearing god, the Titan Prometheus. But as for the spot on which you tread, it is called the bronze threshold of this land, the support of Athens. And the neighboring fields claim Colonus, the horse-rider, for their ancient ruler; and all the people bear his name in common as their own. Such, you see, stranger, are these haunts. They receive their honor not through story, but rather through our living with them.
Oedipus Are there indeed dwellers in this region?
Stranger Yes indeed, the namesakes of that god there.
Oedipus Have they a king? Or does speaking rest with the masses?
Stranger These parts are ruled by the king in the city.
Oedipus And who is he that is sovereign in counsel and in might?
Stranger Theseus he is called, son of Aegeus who was before him.
Oedipus Could a messenger go to him from among you?
Stranger With what aim? To speak, or to prepare his coming?
Oedipus So that by a small service he may find a great gain.
Stranger And what help can come from one who cannot see?
Oedipus In all that I speak there will be vision.
Stranger Take care now, stranger, that you come to no harm; for you are noble, if I may judge by your looks, leaving your ill-fortune aside. Stay here, where I found you, until I go and tell these things to the people of this district—not in the city. They will decide for you whether you should stay or go back.
Oedipus My child, has the stranger left us?
Antigone He is gone, and so you can speak what you wish, father, fully at ease, knowing that I alone am near.
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