Chor. Stop here; nor farther bend thy foot
Beyond this platform hewn from out the rock.
Œdip. Shall it be thus?
Chor. Enough, as now thou hearest.
Œdip. And may I sit?
Chor. Just leaning sideways here,
On the rock's edge sit low and bend thy knees.
Antig. This, father, be my task. With gentle tread,
Step after step advance; [Œdipus groans.
Thy agèd frame to my fond hand confide.200
Œdip. Ah me! my weary fate!
Chor. Ο suffering one, since now thou givest way,
Speak. Who of mortals art thou?
Who art thou that art led thus miserable?
Thy country we would learn.
Œdip. I am an exile, friends; but no! not that
Chor. And why, old man, why shrinkest thou from that?
Œdip. No! no! let no one ask me who I am:210
Search not, with over-curious, idle quest.
Chor. What means all this?
Œdip. My birth was terrible.
Chor. Yet tell it out!
Œdip. [To Antigone.] What must I say, my child?
Chor. Tell us, Ο stranger, of what race thou com'st?
Œdip. Woe! woe! What sorrow comes on me, my child!
Antig. Tell them, for thou art in a sore strait now.
Œdip. Yea, I will speak. No hiding-place is left.
Chor. Ye linger long; make haste to tell thy tale.
Œdip. Know ye of Laios' son?220
Chor. Ah woe! ah woe!
Œdip. The race of the Labdakidæ?
Chor. Ο Zeus!
