A CHORUS OF OEDIPUS
0 human generations, I consider
Life but a shadow. Where is the man
Ever attained more than the semblance
Of happiness, but it quickly vanished?
Oedipus . I count your life the example
Proving we can call no human blessed.
With skill incomparable he threw the spear;
He gained the prize of an unchallenged fame:
He killed the crooked-taloned maiden
Whose singing made the midday darken :
He was our tower that rose up against death
And from that day we called him king of Thebes.
But now whose history is more grievous
Plagued with the loss of all that greatness his?
Whose fortunes ever met with such reverse?
I pity Oedipus for whom that soft flesh couch
That bore him, also proved his nuptial couch .
Oh how can soil in which your father sowed
Have secretly endured your seed so long?
Time, all-revealing, finally tracked you down,
Condemned the monstrous marriage which begot
Children upon her, your own begetter.
0 son of Laius, would my eyes had never seen you .
I weep like one with lips formed for lament.
Until today it was you who gave me light.
Today your darkness covers up my eyes.
