Oedipus Tyrannus (1485-1530)

became your father by her from whom he was born! For you also do I weep, though I cannot see you, when I think of the bitter life that men will make you live in days to come. To what company of the citizens will you go, to what festival,

from which you will not return home in tears, not sharing in the holiday? But when you reach a ripe age for marriage, who shall he be, who shall be the man, my daughters, to risk taking upon himself the reproaches

that will certainly be baneful to my offspring and yours? What misery is lacking? Your father killed his own father, and bore you from the source of his own being!

Such are the taunts that will be cast at you. And who then will wed you? The man does not live, no, it cannot be, my children, but you will wither in barren maidenhood. Son of Menoeceus, hear me: since you are the only father left to them—we, their parents, are both gone—

do not allow them to wander poor and unwed, for they are your own kin, nor abase them to the level of my woes. Pity them, seeing them deprived of everything but you at such an age.

Promise, noble man, and touch them with your hand. To you, children, I would have given much counsel, if your minds were mature. But now pray that you may live where occasion allows, and that the life which is your lot may be happier than your father’s.

Your grief has had a sufficient scope: move on into the house.

I must obey, though I do it in no way gladly.

Yes, for it is in season that all things are good.

Do you know on what terms I will go?

You will tell me, and then I will know when I have heard them.

See that you send me to dwell outside this land.

You ask for what the god must give.

But to the gods I have become most hateful.

Then you will quickly get your wish.

So you consent?

It is not my way to say idly what I do not mean.

Then it is time to lead me away.

Come, then, but let your children go.

No, do not take them from me!

Do not wish to be master in all things: the mastery which you did attain has not followed you through life.

Residents of our native Thebes, behold, this is Oedipus,

who knew the renowned riddle, and was a most mighty man. What citizen did not gaze on his fortune with envy? See into what a stormy sea of troubles he has come! Therefore, while our eyes wait to see the final destined day, we must call no mortal happy until

he has crossed life’s border free from pain.