Epeisodion 4
Chorus
Wandering stranger, you will not say your watcher was a false prophet, for I see your daughters once again drawing near.
Oedipus
Where? Where? What is that? What do you mean?
I wish some god would grant that your eyes might see this excellent man, who has brought us here to you!
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Oedipus
My child, are you really here?
Antigone
Yes, for these strong arms have saved us—Theseus and his dearest followers.
Oedipus
Come here, my children, to your father!
Grant me your embrace—restored beyond all hope!
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Antigone
We shall grant your wish, for we crave the favor we bestow.
Oedipus
Where, then, where are you?
Antigone
Here we are, approaching you together.
Oedipus
Dearest offspring!
Antigone
Everything is dear to its parent.
Oedipus
Supports of a man—
Antigone
Ill-fated as he is ill-fated.
Oedipus
I hold my dearest. Now, if I should die, I would not be wholly wretched, since you have come to me. Press close to me on either side, children, cling to your father, and rest from your wandering, so desolate, so grievous!
1110
And tell me what has happened as briefly as you can, since brief speech suffices for young maidens.
1115
Antigone
Here is our savior: you should hear the story from him, father, since the deed was his. So short will by part be.
Oedipus
Stranger, do not be amazed at my persistence, if I prolong my words to my children,
found again beyond my hope. I well know that my present joy in them has come to me from you, and you alone, for you—and not any other mortal—have rescued them. May the gods grant to you my wish,
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both to you yourself and to this land; for among you, above all mankind, I have found piety, the spirit of decency, and lips that tell no lie. I know these things, and I repay them with these words; for what I have, I have through you, and no one else.
1125
Stretch out to me your right hand, lord, that I may touch it; and if it is right, let me kiss your cheek. But what am I saying? Wretched as I have become, how could I wish you to touch a man in whom every stain of evils has made its dwelling?
1130
I will not touch you—nor will I allow it, if you do consent. They alone, who know them, can share these burdens. Receive my greeting where you stand, and in the future too give me your righteous care, as you have given it up to this hour.
1135
Theseus
I feel no amazement, if you have had a lengthy conversation
from joy in these children, or if your first concern has been for their words rather than for me. Indeed, there is nothing to vex me in that. Not with words so much as with deeds would I add luster to my life. You have this proof:
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I have cheated you in none of my sworn promises, old man. Here am I, with the maidens living, uninjured by those threats. As to how the struggle was won, what need have I vainly to boast of what you will learn from these two when you are together?
1145
But there is a matter that has just presented itself to me, as I came here. Give me your counsel regarding it; for, though it is small, it is food for wonder. And mortal man must consider nothing beneath his concern.
1150
Oedipus
What is it, son of Aegeus? Tell me; I myself know nothing of what you inquire.
1155
Theseus
They say a man—not from your city, yet of your race—has somehow thrown himself down, as a suppliant, at our altar of Poseidon, where I was sacrificing when I first set out here.
Oedipus
What land does he come form? What does he desire by his supplication?
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