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TRANSLATED BY F. STORR
To Laius, King of Thebes, an oracle foretold that the child born to him by his queen Jocasta would slay
his father and wed his mother. So when in time a son was born the infant’s feet were riveted together and
he was left to die on Mount Cithaeron. But a shepherd found the babe and tended him, and delivered him
to another shepherd who took him to his master, the King of Corinth. Polybus being childless adopted
the boy, who grew up believing that he was indeed the King’s son. Afterwards doubting his parentage he
inquired of the Delphic god and heard himself the word declared before to Laius. Wherefore he fled from
what he deemed his father’s house and in his flight he encountered and unwillingly slew his father Laius.
Arriving at Thebes he answered the riddle of the Sphinx and the grateful Thebans made their deliverer
king. So he reigned in the room of Laius, and espoused the widowed queen. Children were born to them
and Thebes prospered under his rule, but again a grievous plague fell upon the city. Again the oracle was
consulted and it bade them purge themselves of blood-guiltiness. Oedipus denounces the crime of which
he is unaware, and undertakes to track out the criminal. Step by step it is brought home to him that he is
the man. The closing scene reveals Jocasta slain by her own hand and Oedipus blinded by his own act and
praying for death or exile.
OEDIPUS REX 2
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
Oedipus.
Creon.
Teiresias.
Jocasta.
Messenger.
Herd of Laius.
Second Messenger.
OEDIPUS REX 3
SCENE
OEDIPUS REX 4
OEDIPUS REX
[Suppliants of all ages are seated round the altar at the palace doors, at their head a PRIEST OF ZEUS.
To them enter OEDIPUS.]
OEDIPUS.
PRIEST.
OEDIPUS REX 5
and greybeards bowed with years; priests, as am I
OEDIPUS REX 6
And testify) didst thou renew our life.
OEDIPUS.
OEDIPUS REX 7
Both for the general and myself and you.
PRIEST.
OEDIPUS.
PRIEST.
OEDIPUS.
[Enter CREON]
OEDIPUS REX 8
My royal cousin, say, Menoeceus’ child,
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
OEDIPUS REX 9
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS REX 10
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
OEDIPUS REX 11
For whoso slew that king might have a mind
PRIEST.
CHORUS.
(Str. 1)
What dost thou bring me? My soul is racked and shivers with fear.
(Ant. 1)
OEDIPUS REX 12
Artemis, Lady of Thebes, high-throned in the midst of our mart!
From our land the fiery plague, be near us now and defend us!
(Str. 2)
(Ant. 2)
OEDIPUS REX 13
Let thine angel face appear!
(Str. 3)
Or Amphitrite’s bed.
(Ant. 3)
OEDIPUS REX 14
The god whom gods abhor.
[Enter OEDIPUS]
OEDIPUS.
OEDIPUS REX 15
On the assassin whosoe’er he be.
OEDIPUS REX 16
But Fate swooped down upon him), therefore I
CHORUS.
OEDIPUS.
CHORUS.
OEDIPUS REX 17
OEDIPUS.
CHORUS.
OEDIPUS.
CHORUS.
Mere gossip.
OEDIPUS.
CHORUS.
OEDIPUS.
So I heard,
But none has seen the man who saw him fall.
CHORUS.
OEDIPUS.
OEDIPUS REX 18
CHORUS.
OEDIPUS.
TEIRESIAS.
OEDIPUS REX 19
When wisdom profits nothing! This old lore
OEDIPUS.
TEIRESIAS.
OEDIPUS.
TEIRESIAS.
OEDIPUS.
Oh speak,
TEIRESIAS.
OEDIPUS.
TEIRESIAS.
OEDIPUS REX 20
OEDIPUS.
TEIRESIAS.
OEDIPUS.
TEIRESIAS.
OEDIPUS.
TEIRESIAS.
OEDIPUS.
TEIRESIAS.
OEDIPUS REX 21
By thine own proclamation; from this day
OEDIPUS.
TEIRESIAS.
OEDIPUS.
TEIRESIAS.
OEDIPUS.
TEIRESIAS.
OEDIPUS.
TEIRESIAS.
OEDIPUS.
TEIRESIAS.
OEDIPUS REX 22
OEDIPUS.
TEIRESIAS.
OEDIPUS.
TEIRESIAS.
OEDIPUS.
TEIRESIAS.
OEDIPUS.
TEIRESIAS.
OEDIPUS.
TEIRESIAS.
OEDIPUS REX 23
OEDIPUS.
OEDIPUS REX 24
CHORUS.
TEIRESIAS.
OEDIPUS REX 25
Aye, and a flood of ills thou guessest not
OEDIPUS.
TEIRESIAS.
OEDIPUS.
TEIRESIAS.
OEDIPUS.
TEIRESIAS.
OEDIPUS.
TEIRESIAS.
OEDIPUS.
OEDIPUS REX 26
TEIRESIAS.
OEDIPUS.
TEIRESIAS.
OEDIPUS.
TEIRESIAS.
Thy frown I dread not, for thou canst not harm me.
OEDIPUS REX 27
That I have missed the mark, henceforth declare
CHORUS.
(Str. 1)
(Ant. 1)
Yea, but now flashed forth the summons from Parnassus’ snowy peak,
(Str. 2)
OEDIPUS REX 28
Are they true, are they false? I know not and bridle my tongue for fear,
Proof is there none: how then can I challenge our King’s good name,
(Ant. 2)
All wise are Zeus and Apollo, and nothing is hid from their ken;
They are gods; and in wits a man may surpass his fellow men;
Hath this been proven? Or how without sign assured, can I blame
Him who saved our State when the winged songstress came,
CREON.
OEDIPUS REX 29
CHORUS.
CREON.
CHORUS.
CREON.
CHORUS.
[Enter OEDIPUS]
OEDIPUS.
OEDIPUS REX 30
Without a following or friends the crown,
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS REX 31
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
OEDIPUS REX 32
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS REX 33
Of terrors rather than secure repose,
OEDIPUS REX 34
On bare suspicion. ‘Tis not right to adjudge
CHORUS.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS REX 35
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
CHORUS.
[Enter JOCASTA]
JOCASTA.
OEDIPUS REX 36
Go home, my brother, and forebear to make
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
JOCASTA.
CHORUS.
(Str. 1)
Hearken, King, reflect, we pray thee, but not stubborn but relent.
OEDIPUS.
CHORUS.
OEDIPUS.
OEDIPUS REX 37
CHORUS.
Yea, I know.
OEDIPUS.
CHORUS.
OEDIPUS.
CHORUS.
(Str. 2)
OEDIPUS.
OEDIPUS REX 38
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
I go,
[Exeunt CREON]
CHORUS.
(Ant. 1)
JOCASTA.
CHORUS.
JOCASTA.
CHORUS.
Both.
JOCASTA.
CHORUS.
OEDIPUS REX 39
OEDIPUS.
CHORUS.
(Ant. 2)
JOCASTA.
OEDIPUS.
JOCASTA.
OEDIPUS.
JOCASTA.
OEDIPUS REX 40
OEDIPUS.
JOCASTA.
OEDIPUS REX 41
To search, himself unaided will reveal.
OEDIPUS.
JOCASTA.
OEDIPUS.
JOCASTA.
OEDIPUS.
JOCASTA.
OEDIPUS.
JOCASTA.
OEDIPUS.
JOCASTA.
OEDIPUS REX 42
OEDIPUS.
JOCASTA.
OEDIPUS.
JOCASTA.
I tremble.
OEDIPUS.
JOCASTA.
OEDIPUS.
JOCASTA.
OEDIPUS.
OEDIPUS REX 43
Lady, who carried this report to Thebes?
JOCASTA.
OEDIPUS.
JOCASTA.
OEDIPUS.
JOCASTA.
OEDIPUS.
JOCASTA.
OEDIPUS.
OEDIPUS REX 44
Who has a higher claim that thou to hear
OEDIPUS REX 45
A herald met me and a man who sat
OEDIPUS REX 46
Polybus, who begat me and upreared?
CHORUS.
OEDIPUS.
JOCASTA.
OEDIPUS.
JOCASTA.
OEDIPUS.
OEDIPUS REX 47
The last link wanting to my guilt is forged.
JOCASTA.
OEDIPUS.
JOCASTA.
CHORUS.
(Str. 1)
OEDIPUS REX 48
Whose birthplace is the bright ethereal sky
(Ant. 1)
Of insolence is bred
(Str. 2)
Of images divine,
OEDIPUS REX 49
If sin like this to honor can aspire,
(Ant. 2)
My votive offering.
[Enter JOCASTA]
JOCASTA.
OEDIPUS REX 50
Apollo, Lord Lycean, and to thee
MESSENGER.
CHORUS.
MESSENGER.
JOCASTA.
MESSENGER.
JOCASTA.
MESSENGER.
OEDIPUS REX 51
JOCASTA.
MESSENGER.
JOCASTA.
MESSENGER.
JOCASTA.
[Enter OEDIPUS]
OEDIPUS.
JOCASTA.
OEDIPUS.
JOCASTA.
OEDIPUS REX 52
Thy father Polybus hath passed away.
OEDIPUS.
MESSENGER.
OEDIPUS.
MESSENGER.
OEDIPUS.
MESSENGER.
OEDIPUS.
JOCASTA.
OEDIPUS REX 53
OEDIPUS.
JOCASTA.
OEDIPUS.
JOCASTA.
OEDIPUS.
JOCASTA.
OEDIPUS.
MESSENGER.
OEDIPUS.
OEDIPUS REX 54
MESSENGER.
OEDIPUS.
MESSENGER.
OEDIPUS.
MESSENGER.
OEDIPUS.
MESSENGER.
OEDIPUS.
MESSENGER.
OEDIPUS REX 55
OEDIPUS.
MESSENGER.
OEDIPUS.
MESSENGER.
OEDIPUS.
MESSENGER.
OEDIPUS.
MESSENGER.
OEDIPUS.
MESSENGER.
OEDIPUS.
MESSENGER.
OEDIPUS.
OEDIPUS REX 56
MESSENGER.
OEDIPUS.
MESSENGER.
OEDIPUS.
MESSENGER.
OEDIPUS.
MESSENGER.
OEDIPUS.
MESSENGER.
OEDIPUS.
MESSENGER.
OEDIPUS.
MESSENGER.
OEDIPUS REX 57
OEDIPUS.
MESSENGER.
OEDIPUS.
MESSENGER.
OEDIPUS.
MESSENGER.
I know not.
OEDIPUS.
MESSENGER.
OEDIPUS.
MESSENGER.
OEDIPUS.
MESSENGER.
OEDIPUS REX 58
OEDIPUS.
MESSENGER.
OEDIPUS.
CHORUS.
OEDIPUS.
JOCASTA.
OEDIPUS.
JOCASTA.
OEDIPUS REX 59
OEDIPUS.
JOCASTA.
OEDIPUS.
JOCASTA.
OEDIPUS.
JOCASTA.
OEDIPUS.
JOCASTA.
[Exit JOCASTA]
CHORUS.
OEDIPUS REX 60
OEDIPUS.
CHORUS.
(Str.)
Dance and song shall hymn thy praises, lover of our royal race.
(Ant.)
Child, who bare thee, nymph or goddess? sure thy sure was more than man,
OEDIPUS REX 61
OEDIPUS.
CHORUS.
[Enter HERDSMAN]
OEDIPUS.
MESSENGER.
This is he.
OEDIPUS.
HERDSMAN.
OEDIPUS.
OEDIPUS REX 62
HERDSMAN.
OEDIPUS.
HERDSMAN.
OEDIPUS.
Then there
HERDSMAN.
OEDIPUS.
HERDSMAN.
MESSENGER.
HERDSMAN.
OEDIPUS REX 63
MESSENGER.
HERDSMAN.
MESSENGER.
HERDSMAN.
OEDIPUS.
HERDSMAN.
OEDIPUS.
HERDSMAN.
OEDIPUS.
HERDSMAN.
OEDIPUS.
HERDSMAN.
Alack, alack!
OEDIPUS REX 64
What have I done? what wouldst thou further learn?
OEDIPUS.
HERDSMAN.
OEDIPUS.
HERDSMAN.
OEDIPUS.
HERDSMAN.
OEDIPUS.
HERDSMAN.
OEDIPUS.
HERDSMAN.
OEDIPUS.
HERDSMAN.
OEDIPUS REX 65
OEDIPUS.
HERDSMAN.
Ah me!
OEDIPUS.
HERDSMAN.
OEDIPUS.
HERDSMAN.
OEDIPUS.
HERDSMAN.
OEDIPUS.
HERDSMAN.
OEDIPUS.
What weird?
HERDSMAN.
OEDIPUS REX 66
OEDIPUS.
HERDSMAN.
OEDIPUS.
[Exit OEDIPUS]
CHORUS.
(Str. 1)
(Ant. 1)
OEDIPUS REX 67
O Zeus, outshot the rest,
(Str. 2)
Whose tale more sad than thine, whose lot more dire?
(Ant. 2)
OEDIPUS REX 68
SECOND MESSENGER.
CHORUS.
SECOND MESSENGER.
CHORUS.
SECOND MESSENGER.
OEDIPUS REX 69
With both her hands, and, once within the room,
OEDIPUS REX 70
But when he saw her, with a maddened roar
CHORUS.
SECOND MESSENGER.
OEDIPUS REX 71
Behold the slayer of his sire, his mother’s—”
CHORUS.
OEDIPUS.
Ah whither am I borne!
OEDIPUS REX 72
How like a ghost forlorn
CHORUS.
OEDIPUS.
(Str. 1)
CHORUS.
OEDIPUS.
(Ant. 1)
CHORUS.
OEDIPUS.
(Str. 2)
OEDIPUS REX 73
That brought these ills to pass;
Brought no delight?
CHORUS.
OEDIPUS.
CHORUS.
OEDIPUS.
(Ant. 2)
CHORUS.
OEDIPUS REX 74
OEDIPUS.
Like Oedipus.
CHORUS.
OEDIPUS.
OEDIPUS REX 75
The miscreant by heaven itself declared
OEDIPUS REX 76
Brides, wives and mothers, an incestuous brood,
[Enter CREON]
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
[To BYSTANDERS]
OEDIPUS REX 77
A horror neither earth nor rain from heaven
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
OEDIPUS REX 78
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
OEDIPUS REX 79
For them, I pray thee, care, and, if thou willst,
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
The slights and wrongs that men will put upon you.
OEDIPUS REX 80
But oft abashed in tears ye will return.
CREON.
OEDIPUS REX 81
OEDIPUS.
I must obey,
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
OEDIPUS.
CREON.
For the mastery that raised thee was thy bane and wrought thy fall.
OEDIPUS REX 82
CHORUS.
He who knew the Sphinx’s riddle and was mightiest in our state.
Who of all our townsmen gazed not on his fame with envious eyes?
Therefore wait to see life’s ending ere thou count one mortal blest;
Wait till free from pain and sorrow he has gained his final rest.
OEDIPUS REX 83
FOOTNOTES
1
[Dr. Kennedy and others render “Since to men of experience I see that also comparisons of their counsels
are in most lively use.”]
2
[Literally “not to call them thine,” but the Greek may be rendered “In order not to reveal thine.”]
3
[The Greek text that occurs in this place has been lost.]
OEDIPUS REX 84