Seeing that the tale is wide-spread and in no way weakens, I wish, friend, to hear it straight.OedipusAh me!ChorusGrant the favor, I beg!OedipusAlas, alas!ChorusGrant my wish, as I have granted yours to the full.

OedipusI have suffered the greatest misery, strangers—suffered it through unintended deeds—may the god know it! No part was of my own choice.ChorusBut in what way?OedipusIn an evil marriage, the city bound me, unknowing, to ruin.ChorusIs it true, as I hear, that you made your mother the partner of your bed, to its infamy?OedipusAh, me! These words, strangers, are like death to my ears. And those two maidens of mine—ChorusWhat will you say?Oedipus—Two daughters—two curses—ChorusO Zeus!Oedipus—of mine, sprung from the travail of the womb that bore me too.

ChorusThese, then, are at once your daughters, and—Oedipus—Sisters, indeed, of their father.ChorusOh!OedipusIndeed, woes untold sweep back upon my soul!ChorusYou have suffered—OedipusI have suffered woes grievous to bear.ChorusYou have performed—OedipusI have not performed!ChorusHow?OedipusA gift was given to me—O, wretched that I am, if only I had never won from the city that gift for my services!

ChorusCursed man! What of this? Did you commit the murder—OedipusWhat now? What would you learn?Chorus—Of your father?OedipusOh! oh! a second stab—wound on wound!ChorusYou killed—OedipusI killed—yet I have a plea—