Epeisodion 1
Oedipus
So do not begrudge us the voice of the birds or any other path of prophecy, but save
yourself and your state, save me, save all that is defiled by the dead. We are
in your hands, and man’s noblest task is to help others
310
to the best of his means and powers.
315
Teiresias
Alas, how terrible it is to have wisdom when it does not benefit those who have it. I knew this well, but let it slip from my mind: otherwise I would not have come here.
Oedipus
What now? How disheartened you have come!
Teiresias
Let me go home. For you will bear your own burden to the end, and I will bear mine, if you consent.
320
Oedipus
Your words are strange and unkind to the state which nurtured you, since you withhold this response.
Teiresias
I see that you, for your part, speak inappropriately.
Therefore do not speak, so I will not suffer the same.
325
Oedipus
For the love of the gods, do not turn away, if you have knowledge: all we suppliants implore you on our knees.
Teiresias
For all of you are without knowledge. But never will I reveal my troubles—not to call them yours.
Oedipus
What are you saying? Do you know the secret and refuse to tell it? Will you betray and destroy the state?
330
Teiresias
I will grieve neither myself nor you. Why do you ask these things in vain? You will not learn the answers from me.
Oedipus
Will you not, basest of the base—
you would anger a stone—speak out? can nothing touch you? Will you never make an end?
335
Teiresias
You blame my anger, but do not perceive your own: no, you blame me.
Oedipus
Who would not be angry hearing such words,
with which you now are slighting the city?
340
Teiresias
The future will come of itself, though I shroud it in silence.
Oedipus
Since it must come anyway, it is right that you tell it to me.
Teiresias
I will speak no further: rage, if you wish, with the fiercest wrath your heart knows.
Oedipus
In my anger I will not spare to speak all my thoughts. Know that you seem to me to have helped in plotting the deed, and to have done it, short of performing the actual murder with your own hands: if you had eyesight, I would have said that you had done even this by yourself.
345
Teiresias
In truth? I order you to abide by you own decree, and from this day forth not to speak to these men or to me: you are the accursed defiler of this land.
350
Oedipus
So brazen with your blustering taunt?
Where do you think to escape to?
355
Teiresias
I have escaped. There is strength in my truth.
Oedipus
Who taught you this? Not your skill, at any rate.
Teiresias
You yourself. For you spurred me on to speak against my will.
Oedipus
What did you say? Speak again, so I may learn it better.
Teiresias
Did you not understand before, or are you talking to test me?
360
Oedipus
I cannot say I understood fully. Tell me again.
