Oedipus at Colonus

By Sophocles.

Translated by Francis Storr.

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Argument

Oedipus, the blind and banished King of Thebes, has come in his wanderings to Colonus, a deme of Athens, led by his daughter Antigone. He sits to rest on a rock just within a sacred grove of the Furies and is bidden depart by a passing native. But Oedipus, instructed by an oracle that he had reached his final resting-place, refuses to stir, and the stranger consents to go and consult the Elders of Colonus (the Chorus of the Play). Conducted to the spot they pity at first the blind beggar and his daughter, but on learning his name they are horror-striken and order him to quit the land. He appeals to the world-famed hospitality of Athens and hints at the blessings that his coming will confer on the State. They agree to await the decision of King Theseus. From Theseus Oedipus craves protection in life and burial in Attic soil; the benefits that will accrue shall be told later. Theseus departs having promised to aid and befriend him. No sooner has he gone than Creon enters with an armed guard who seize Antigone and carry her off (Ismene, the other sister, they have already captured) and he is about to lay hands on Oedipus, when Theseus, who has heard the tumult, hurries up and, upbraiding Creon for his lawless act, threatens to detain him till he has shown where the captives are and restored them. In the next scene Theseus returns bringing with him the rescued maidens. He informs Oedipus that a stranger who has taken sanctuary at the altar of Poseidon wishes to see him. It is Polyneices who has come to crave his father’s forgiveness and blessing, knowing by an oracle that victory will fall to the side that Oedipus espouses. But Oedipus spurns the hypocrite, and invokes a dire curse on both his unnatural sons. A sudden clap of thunder is heard, and as peal follows peal, Oedipus is aware that his hour is come and bids Antigone summon Theseus. Self-guided he leads the way to the spot where death should overtake him, attended by Theseus and his daughters. Halfway he bids his daughters farewell, and what followed none but Theseus knew. He was not (so the Messenger reports) for the gods took him.

Dramatis Personae

Oedipus, banished King of Thebes
Antigone, his daughter
Ismene, his daughter
Theseus, King of Athens
Creon, brother of Jocasta, now reigning at Thebes
Polyneices, elder son of Oedipus
Stranger, a native of Colonus
Messenger, an attendant of Theseus
Chorus, citizens of Colonus

Scene: In front of the grove of the Eumenides.

Oedipus at Colonus

Enter the blind Oedipus led by his daughter, Antigone.

Oedipus	Child of an old blind sire, Antigone, What region, say, whose city have we reached? Who will provide today with scanted dole This wanderer? ’Tis little that he craves, And less obtains⁠—that less enough for me; For I am taught by suffering to endure, And the long years that have grown old with me, And last not least, by true nobility. My daughter, if thou seest a resting place On common ground or by some sacred grove, Stay me and set me down. Let us discover Where we have come, for strangers must inquire Of denizens, and do as they are bid.
Antigone	Long-suffering father, Oedipus, the towers That fence the city still are faint and far; But where we stand is surely holy ground; A wilderness of laurel, olive, vine; Within a choir or songster nightingales Are warbling. On this native seat of rock Rest; for an old man thou hast travelled far.
Oedipus	Guide these dark steps and seat me there secure.
Antigone	If time can teach, I need not to be told.
Oedipus	Say, prithee, if thou knowest, where we are.
Antigone	Athens I recognise, but not the spot.
Oedipus	That much we heard from every wayfarer.
Antigone	Shall I go on and ask about the place?
Oedipus	Yes, daughter, if it be inhabited.
Antigone	Sure there are habitations; but no need To leave thee; yonder is a man hard by.
Oedipus	What, moving hitherward and on his way?
Antigone	Say rather, here already. Ask him straight The needful questions, for the man is here.
	Enter Stranger.
Oedipus	O stranger, as I learn from her whose eyes Must serve both her and me, that thou art here Sent by some happy chance to serve our doubts⁠—
Stranger	First quit that seat, then question me at large: The spot thou treadest on is holy ground.
Oedipus	What is the site, to what god dedicate?
Stranger	Inviolable, untrod; goddesses, Dread brood of Earth and Darkness, here abide.
Oedipus	Tell me the awful