Oedipus Rex | Oedipus Rex - Page 3

CHORUS:
Just as you adjured me under a curse, my lord,
so shall I speak. For neither did I kill
nor am I able to show the killer.
But it is the task of the one who sent it,
Phoebus, to say whoever has done this thing.(290)
OEDIPUS:
You have spoken justly, but no man can
compel the gods when they are unwilling.
CHORUS:
I would say things secondary to this,
but things which, I think, ought to be said.
OEDIPUS:
And if there are matters tertiary to it,(295)
do not fail to say them also.
CHORUS:
I know that my lord Tiresias most always
sees the same as my lord Apollo; from him one
investigating this might learn the wisest things.
OEDIPUS:
But this has not been neglected! No,(300)
even this I have done, for I sent two guides
after Creon mentioned him, and it is only
surprising that he is not already here.
CHORUS:
There are still other reports, though mute and old…
OEDIPUS:
What’s this? I will investigate any story.(305)
CHORUS:
It is said he died at the hands of bandits.
OEDIPUS:
So I have heard, but no one sees the one who saw.
CHORUS:
But if he has any fear at all, hearing
such curses as yours he will not remain here.
OEDIPUS:
But to a man who does not shrink from doing(310)
the thing, a word will not be frightening.
CHORUS:
But the one to accuse him is here, for
already those men lead hither the godlike
seer, in whom alone of men lives the truth.

[Enter Tiresias, led by guides.]

OEDIPUS:
O Tiresias, who grasp all things,(315)
both what can be learned and what is unspeakable,
both of heaven and treading the earth,
even if you cannot see, you still understand
what sickness plagues our city, and we find, lord,
you alone are our savior and defender.(320)
For Phoebus, if you have not heard this also
from the messengers, in response to our question
said relief from this sickness would only come
if we should discover and punish well
the murderers of Laius or send them forth(325)
as fugitives from this land. Therefore,
grudging nothing from the speech of birds
or something known from another sort
of divination, save yourself and the city,
and save me, and ward off all the pollution(330)
from the dead man. We are in your hands,
and to help a man from troubles when you have
the power is the sweetest of labors.
TIRESIAS:
Alas, alas! How terrible to know
when it does not help the knower; for knowing this(335)
well I let it slip—I should not have come here.
OEDIPUS:
What’s this? How dispiritedly you have come!
TIRESIAS:
Send me home, for you will bear your lot easily
and I mine, if you will yield to me.
OEDIPUS:
You speak neither clearly nor helpfully(340)
to this city, which raised you, if you guard your thoughts.
TIRESIAS:
For I see that your words come at the wrong time,
and since I would not suffer the same thing…
OEDIPUS:
No, by the gods, don’t hold back what you know, when
all of us as suppliants bow down before you.(345)
TIRESIAS:
None of you understand, but I shall never
reveal my own troubles, and so I shall not say yours.
OEDIPUS:
What are you saying? You will not explain
what you understand, but rather intend
to betray us and destroy the city.(350)
TIRESIAS:
I cause no pain for you or myself. Why do you
vainly seek this? For you can learn nothing from me.
OEDIPUS:
You worst of wicked men! You would anger
a stone! Will you reveal nothing, but instead
show yourself unmovable and impractical?(355)
TIRESIAS:
You have found fault with my anger, but your own,
living within you, you did not see, but blamed me.
OEDIPUS:
Who could hear such words and not grow angry,
words with which you dishonor the city?
TIRESIAS:
It will end the same, though I hide it in silence.(360)
OEDIPUS:
Why not, then, tell me what will come anyway?
TIRESIAS:
I should explain no further. At these things,
if you wish, rage as much as your heart is able.
OEDIPUS:
Indeed, since I am so angry, I’ll pass over none
of what I understand. Know that I think(365)
you, too, had your hand in this deed and did it,
even though you did not kill with your own hands.
But if you could see, I would think the deed yours alone.
TIRESIAS:
Really? I say to you: Abide by that decree
you made earlier, and from this day address(370)
neither these men here nor me, since you
are the unholy polluter of this land.
OEDIPUS:
Did you throw out this word so boldly?
And where do you think you will escape it?
TIRESIAS:
I have escaped it, for I hold the potent truth.(375)
OEDIPUS:
Who told you to say this? It is no prophecy!
TIRESIAS:
You did! For you forced me to speak unwillingly!
OEDIPUS:
What do you mean? Speak again, that I may learn more.
TIRESIAS:
Didn’t understand before? Or do you test me?
OEDIPUS:
No, I don’t know what you mean. Explain again.(380)
TIRESIAS:
I say that you slew the man whose slayer you seek.
OEDIPUS:
You’ll not rejoice to have said these evils twice.
TIRESIAS:
Should I now say more, too, to anger you further?
OEDIPUS:
Whatever you deem best; it will be said in vain.
TIRESIAS:
I say that you secretly have lived most foully(385)
with those who should be most dear, nor do you see
to what extent of evil you have come.
OEDIPUS:
Do you really think you can say this unpunished?
TIRESIAS:
If there is any strength in the truth.
OEDIPUS:
There is, but not for you. You don’t have this,(390)
since you are blind in your ears and mind and eyes.
TIRESIAS:
You are truly pathetic, hurling these insults,
which soon every man here will hurl at you.
OEDIPUS:
You live in one single night, so that you can never
harm me or any other who sees the light.(395)
  • The dialogue lines designated “chorus” were probably spoken by a single ‘chorus-leader,’ hence the singular pronouns. He speaks, however, for the chorus as a whole, who, in turn, represent the citizen body of Thebes.
  • Observing the flight of birds was an important aspect of Greek prophecy, as their motions were thought to indicate the gods’ will.
  • or miasma; see note 18
  • The Greeks bowed down only before gods, so this is a very strong gesture of Tiresias’ special status.
  • Remember that Oedipus has doubted the bandit story from the beginning and always suspected a conspiracy in Thebes.
  • i.e., How can you escape the consequences of this accusation?
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