For to what gatherings of the citizens

Will you resort, or to what festivals,

Whence you will not, in place of holiday,

Come home in tears? Or when you shall have grown

To years of marriage, who—ah, who will be

The man to abide the hazard of disgrace

Such as must be the bane, both of my sons,

And you as well? For what reproach is lacking?

Your father slew his father, and became

Father of you—by her who bare him. So

Will they reproach you; who will wed you then?

No one, my children; but you needs must wither,

Barren—unwed. But thou, Menoeceus’ son,

Since thou art all the father these have left them,

For we, the two that were their parents, now

Are both undone, do not thou suffer them

To wander, vagabond and husband-less,

Being of thy kin; nor let them fall so low

As are my fortunes; but have pity on them,

Seeing them so tender, and so desolate

Of all friends, but for thee. Give me thy hand,

Good sir, and promise this.—To you, my girls,

If you were old enough to understand,

I should have much to say; but as it is,

This be your prayer; in some permitted place

That you may breathe; and have your lot in life

Happier than his, who did engender you.

CREON

Get thee in; thou hast bewailed thee enough, in reason.

OEDIPUS

Though it be bitter, I must do it.

CREON

Alls good, in good season.

OEDIPUS

Do you know how to make me?

CREON

Say on, and I shall know.

OEDIPUS

Banish me from this country.

CREON

That must the God bestow.

OEDIPUS

But to Gods, above all men, I am a mark for hate.

CREON

And for that same reason you will obtain it straight.

OEDIPUS

Say you so?

CREON

Yes truly, and I mean what I say.

OEDIPUS

Lead me hence then, quickly.

CREON

Go; but let the children stay.

OEDIPUS

Do not take them from me!

CREON

Think not to have all at thy pleasure;

For what thou didst attain to far outwent thy measure.

CREON,

the Children, etc. retire.

OEDIPUS

is led in.

Chorus.

Dwellers in Thebes, behold this Oedipus,

The man who solved the riddle marvellous,

A prince of men,

Whose lot what citizen

Did not with envy see,

How deep the billows of calamity

Above him roll.

Watch therefore and regard that supreme day;

And of no mortal say

“That man is happy,” till

Vexed by no grievous ill

He pass Life’s goal.

[Exeunt omnes.

* Founder of Thebes.

* Referring to Ismene, a legendary Theban woman.

** Athena.

*** The Sphinx, whose riddle Oedipus guessed.

* Apollo.

* The sea.

** Apollo.

* Apollo’s.

* Mountain associated with many myths; see also page 37.

* Mount Parnassus is also associated with Apollo.

** Oedipus.

* The Pythian oracle at Delphi, as on page 3.

* The oracle at Delphi.

* By a folk etymology, the name Oedipus is taken to mean “swollen feet.”