DRAMATIS PERSONE. EDIPUS. A PRIEST. CREON. THE CHORUS (OF OLD MEN OF THEBES.) TIRESIAS. JOCASTA A MESSENGER. A SERVANT OF LAIUS. ANOTHER MESSENGER. EDIPUS THE KING. EDIPUS. My children, modern generation of the ancient Cadmus, what is this sitting of yours that ye sit, as I see, arrayed with suppliant branches, and the city is full at the same time of incense burning, and at the same time of pæans 3 and lamentations? which I not choosing to hear from other messengers, my children, have come hither myself. But, O old man, say, since you are fit to speak for this company, why are ye here? fearing something or seeking something? 1. θοάζετε. θοάζω according to Buttman (Lexil. in voc. θαάσσω) is another form of θαάσσω οι θάσσω, still to be recognized in the word koç derived from it-it is never used in any other sense by Eschylus or Sophocles. Euripides Phon. 794. Bacc. 219, has given it the sense of motion as if it were derived from Ooóc. 2. κλάδοι ἱκτήριοι were branches of olive wrapped in wool, which suppliants bore to the altars and took away if what they asked was granted to them, but left behind if they failed in their petitions. Cf. Eur. Sup. 258. the Scholiast explains écoтεμμévol by κεκοσμημένοι. 3. παιάνων. "The Paan was a hymn or song which was originally sung in honour of Apollo, and seems to be as old as the worship of this deity, the etymology of the word is doubtful. It was always of a joyous nature, and its time and sounds expressed hope and confidence, (see Iliad, xxii. 391. i. 473.) from which passages it is clear that the pæan was a song of thanksgiving when danger was passed, and also a hymn to propitiate the god. It was also sung as a battle song. But there are strong reasons for believing that the pæan as a battle song, was in later times not particularly connected with the worship of Apollo. (Xen. Hell. iv. 7. §. 4., Anab. iii. 2. §. 9.), in still later times pæans were sung in honour of mortals."-Smith's Dict. of Antiquities, 9. v. See also line 154. 4. σTÉρžavтes. Hermann translates this, acquiescing in, i. e. having suffered. I have given the sense adopted by Wunder and Ellendt, which last says "the transition from loving" (the first sense of σrépyw) "to wishing is easy," and thence to asking. as I am willing to aid you in every thing, for I should be hard-hearted if I did not pity such a supplication. PRIEST. But, O Edipus, you who rule my country; you see us, of what ages we sit at the altars before your doors, some not yet able to fly far, and some, priests heavy with old age, I indeed the priest of Jupiter; and some the chosen flower of the young men ; and the rest of the people sits in the market-place arrayed with branches, both at the double altar of Minerva1 and at the prophetic fire of Ismenus. For the city, as you yourself also see, is now too much agitated, and is no longer able to raise its head from the depths of the bloody surge; perishing in the fruitful blossoms of the earth; and perishing in the herds of cattle, and in the barren travail of women, and the fever-bearing god, a hateful plague, darting down harasses the city, by whom the house of Cadmus is made desolate, and black hell is enriched with wailing and lamentation. We therefore and these children sit now at your hearth, not as though you were considered equal to the gods, but judging you the first of men both in the accidents of life, and under the inflictions of the deities: you, who coming, released the city of Cadmus from the tribute to the hated minstrel which we were paying; and this too, knowing and being taught nothing by us; but by the aid of God you are said and thought to have re-established life among us. Now also, O head of Edipus, by all considered most excellent, all of us here as suppliants beseech you to find some relief for us, whether you do so, hearing the voice of some one of the gods, or whether you know it at all by human means; as I see the results of their counsels flourish most to the wise. Go, O best of men, re-establish the city; go, be wise, as now this land calls you its saviour for your former wisdom; and let us not at all remember your government, as having stood up 1. We learn from the Scholiast that Minerva had two temples at Thebes, one under the name of Minerva Onca, one as Minerva Ismenia. 2. Ismenus. i. e. Apollo Ismenius. |