Chorus: Antistrophe 1
Hark! with louder, nearer roar The bolt of Zeus descends once more. My spirit quails and cowers: my hair Bristles for fear. Again that flare! What doth the lightning-flash portend? Ever it points to issues grave. Dread powers of air! Save, Zeus, O save!
Oedipus: Daughters, upon me the predestined end Has come; no turning from it any more.
Antigone: How knowest thou? What sign convinces thee?
Oedipus: I know full well. Let some one with all speed Go summon hither the Athenian prince.
Chorus: Strophe 2
Ha! once more the deafening sound Peals yet louder all around If thou darkenest our land, Lightly, lightly lay thy hand; Grace, not anger, let me win, If upon a man of sin I have looked with pitying eye, Zeus, our king, to thee I cry!
Oedipus: Is the prince coming? Will he when he comes Find me yet living and my senses clear!
Antigone: What solemn charge would’st thou impress on him?
Oedipus: For all his benefits I would perform The promise made when I received them first.
Chorus: Antistrophe 2
Hither haste, my son, arise, Altar leave and sacrifice, If haply to Poseidon now In the far glade thou pay’st thy vow. For our guest to thee would bring And thy folk and offering, Thy due guerdon. Haste, O King!
Enter Theseus.
Theseus: Wherefore again this general din? at once My people call me and the stranger calls. Is it a thunderbolt of Zeus or sleet Of arrowy hail? a storm so fierce as this Would warrant all surmises of mischance.
Oedipus: Thou com’st much wished for, Prince, and sure some god Hath bid good luck attend thee on thy way.
Theseus: What, son of Laius, hath chanced of new?
Oedipus: My life hath turned the scale. I would do all I promised thee and thine before I die.
Theseus: What sign assures thee that thine end is near?
Oedipus: The gods themselves are heralds of my fate; Of their appointed warnings nothing fails.
Theseus: How sayest thou they signify their will?
Oedipus: This thunder, peal on peal, this lightning hurled Flash upon flash, from the unconquered hand.
Theseus: I must believe thee, having found thee oft A prophet true; then speak what must be done.
Oedipus: O son of Aegeus, for this state will I Unfold a treasure age cannot corrupt. Myself anon without a guiding hand Will take thee to the spot where I must end. This secret ne’er reveal to mortal man, Neither the spot nor whereabouts it lies, So shall it ever serve thee for defense Better than native shields and near allies. But those dread mysteries speech may not profane
Thyself shalt gather coming there alone; Since not to any of thy subjects, nor To my own children, though I love them dearly, Can I reveal what thou must guard alone, And whisper to thy chosen heir alone, So to be handed down from heir to heir. Thus shalt thou hold this land inviolate From the dread Dragon’s brood. The justest State By countless wanton neighbours may be wronged,
For the gods, though they tarry, mark for doom The godless sinner in his mad career. Far from thee, son of Aegeus, be such fate! Thou knowest, yet I would admonish thee. But to the spot—the god within me goads— Let us set forth no longer hesitate. Follow me, daughters, this way. Strange that I Whom ye have led so long should lead you now. Oh, touch me not, but let me all alone