Seeing that the tale is wide-spread and in no way weakens, I wish, friend, to hear it straight. Oedipus Ah me! Chorus Grant the favor, I beg! Oedipus Alas, alas! Chorus Grant my wish, as I have granted yours to the full. Oedipus I have suffered the greatest misery, strangers—suffered it through unintended deeds—may the god know it! No part was of my own choice. Chorus But in what way? Oedipus In an evil marriage, the city bound me, unknowing, to ruin. Chorus Is it true, as I hear, that you made your mother the partner of your bed, to its infamy? Oedipus Ah, me! These words, strangers, are like death to my ears. And those two maidens of mine— Chorus What will you say? Oedipus —Two daughters—two curses— Chorus O Zeus! Oedipus —of mine, sprung from the travail of the womb that bore me too. Chorus These, then, are at once your daughters, and— Oedipus —Sisters, indeed, of their father. Chorus Oh! Oedipus Indeed, woes untold sweep back upon my soul! Chorus You have suffered— Oedipus I have suffered woes grievous to bear. Chorus You have performed— Oedipus I have not performed! Chorus How? Oedipus A gift was given to me—O, wretched that I am, if only I had never won from the city that gift for my services! Chorus Cursed man! What of this? Did you commit the murder— Oedipus What now? What would you learn? Chorus —Of your father? Oedipus Oh! oh! a second stab—wound on wound! Chorus You killed— Oedipus I killed—yet I have a plea—