Epeisodion 2
Chorus
Look, there comes our lord, Theseus son of Aegeus,
at the sound of your voice, to do that for which he was summoned.
550
Theseus
Through hearing from many in the past about the bloody marring of your sight, I recognized it was you, son of Laius; and now on coming here, through sight I am more fully certain.
For your clothing and that heart-rending face alike assure me that it is you. And in all compassion I ask you, ill-fated Oedipus, with what petition to the city and to me have you taken your place here, you and the poor maiden at your side. Declare it. Dire indeed must be the fortune which you tell,
555
for me to stand aloof from it; since I know that I myself also was reared in exile, just as you, and that in foreign lands I wrestled with perils to my life, like no other man.
560
Never, then, would I turn aside from a stranger, such as you are now, or refuse to help in his deliverance. For I know well that I am a man, and that my portion of tomorrow is no greater than yours.
565
Oedipus
Theseus, in a few words your nobleness has come to such a point
that I need make only a brief reply. You have said who I am, from what father I am sprung, and from what land I have come; and so nothing else remains for me but to speak my wish, and the tale is told.
570
Theseus
Then inform me of this very thing, so that I may learn it.
575
Oedipus
I come to offer you my care-worn body as a gift—not one fine to look on, but the gains from it are better than beauty.
Theseus
And what gain do you claim to have brought?
Oedipus
Later you may learn it—but not yet.
580
Theseus
At what time, then, will the benefit become clear?
Oedipus
When I am dead, and you have given me burial.
Theseus
You crave life’s last service; but for all between you have no memory, or no care.
Oedipus
Indeed, for by that service I gather in all the rest.
585
Theseus
Well then, this favor you crave from me is brief indeed.
Oedipus
Yet take care; the struggle here is no light one. No, indeed.
Theseus
Do you mean in respect to your sons, or to me?
Oedipus
They will compel you to convey me there to Thebes.
Theseus
But if you are willing, then exile is not becoming.
590
Oedipus
No, when I was willing, they refused.
Theseus
Foolish man, anger amidst woes is not suitable.
Oedipus
When you have heard my story, admonish; till then, forbear.
Theseus
Speak. I must not pronounce without knowledge.
Oedipus
I have suffered, Theseus, terrible woes upon woes.
595
Theseus
Will you speak of the ancient trouble of your race?
Oedipus
No, indeed; all Greeks speak of that.
Theseus
How, then, do you suffer beyond what is mortal?
Oedipus
The circumstance is this: from my country I have been driven by my own sons;
