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OEDIPUS AT COLONUS
(SCENE:—At Colonus in Attica, a little more than a mile north-west of
the Acropolis at Athens. The back-scene shows the grove sacred to the
Erinyes or Furies, there worshipped under the propitiatory name of the
Eumenides, or Kindly Powers. The grove is luxuriant with laurel, olive,
and vine. Near the middle of the stage is seen a rock, affording a seat
which is supposed to be just within the bounds of the grove. The hero
Colonus is perhaps represented by a statue on the stage.
The blind OEDIPUS, who is conceived as coming into Attica from the
west or north-west, enters on the spectators 9 left, led by ANTIGONE. He is
old and way-worn, his haggard face bearing the traces of the self-inflicted
wounds. The garb of both the wanderers betokens indigence and
hardship. After replying to his first questions, his daughter leads him to
the rocky seat.)
OEDIPUS
DAUGHTER of the blind old man, to what region have we come, Antigone,
or what city of men? Who will entertain the wandering Oedipus to-day
with scanty gifts? Little crave I, and win yet less than that little, and
therewith am content; for patience is the lesson of suffering, and of the
years in our long fellowship, and lastly of a noble mind.—My child, if
thou seest any resting-place, whether on profane ground or by groves of
the gods, stay me and set me down, that we may inquire where we are:
for we stand in need to learn as strangers of denizens, and to perform their
bidding.
ANTIGONE
Father, toil-worn Oedipus, the towers that guard the city, to judge by
sight, are far off; and this place is sacred, to all seeming,—thick-set with
laurel, olive, vine; and in its heart a feathered choir of nightingales makes
music. So sit thee here on this unhewn stone; thou hast travelled a long
way for an old man.
OEDIPUS
Seat me, then, and watch over the blind.