My child, if you see any resting-place,Įither on profane ground or by groves of the gods, stop me and set me down, so that we may inquire where we are. For patience is the lesson of suffering, and of the long years upon me, and lastly of a noble mind. Little do I crave, and obtain still less than that little, and with that I am content. In all that I speak there will be vision.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? StrangerĪnd what help can come from one who cannot see? Oedipus So that by a small service he may find a great gain. With what aim? To speak, or to prepare his coming? Oedipus OedipusĬould a messenger go to him from among you? Stranger Theseus he is called, son of Aegeus who was before him.

OedipusĪnd who is he that is sovereign in counsel and in might? Stranger These parts are ruled by the king in the city. Have they a king? Or does speaking rest with the masses? Stranger Yes indeed, the namesakes of that god there. OedipusĪre there indeed dwellers in this region? Stranger They receive their honor not through story, but rather through our living with them. Such, you see, stranger, are these haunts. And the neighboring fields claim Colonus, the horse-rider, for their ancient ruler Īnd all the people bear his name in common as their own. But as for the spot on which you tread, it is called the bronze threshold of this land, the support of Athens. This whole place is sacred Īugust Poseidon holds it, and in it lives the fire-bearing god, the Titan Prometheus. What, then, is the place that we have entered? StrangerĪll that I myself know, you will hear and learn. Tell me, and you will not be without honor from me. The honor of the knowledge for which I beg you. Now by the gods, stranger, do not deny me, hapless wanderer as you see, I dare not remove you without warrant from the city, until I report what I am doing. Nevermore will I depart from my seat in this land. Then graciously may they receive their suppliant! The all-seeing Eumenides the people here would call them: but other names please elsewhere. Who are they? Whose awful name might I hear and invoke in prayer? Stranger Goddesses hold it, the daughters of Earth and Darkness. Ground inviolable, on which no one may dwell. OedipusĪnd what is this ground? To which of the gods is it sacred? Stranger You occupy ground which is unholy to tread upon. Now, before you question me at length, leave this seat. That you have arrived as a scout of good fortune for the solving of our doubts- Enter a stranger, a man of Colonus. Stranger, hearing from this maiden, who has sight both for herself and for me,

Oedipus at colonus