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1 Sophocles' Oedipus Tyrannus Introduced and Translated by ...

1 Sophocles' Oedipus Tyrannus Introduced and Translated by ...

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yes, you engendered<br />

the most shameful acts that man can do.<br />

But it is not right to speak of what was not right to do;<br />

so for the sake of the gods, hide me away, 1410<br />

as soon as possible, out of sight,<br />

or kill me: throw me into the ocean,<br />

where you will never see me again.<br />

Show yourselves to be good men, <strong>and</strong><br />

be kind enough to touch this suffering man.<br />

Do it, <strong>and</strong> don’t be afraid.<br />

I alone am polluted:<br />

I am the only man able to bear this suffering.<br />

CHORUS<br />

Here is Creon; he will advise you about what you should do.<br />

He rules the country now <strong>and</strong> is our sole protector.<br />

OEDIPUS<br />

What can I say to him<br />

How can he trust anything I say 1420<br />

Everything I said or did before was wrong.<br />

Enter CREON.<br />

CREON<br />

I am not here to taunt you,<br />

or to criticize you for past wrongs.<br />

But if you have no shame before me,<br />

at least respect the light of the sun<br />

that fosters all things.<br />

Do not show your crime, one that neither the earth,<br />

nor the holy rain, nor the light can tolerate.<br />

To a slave.<br />

Now take him into the house.<br />

It is right that only his family 1430<br />

should see <strong>and</strong> hear about his sufferings.<br />

OEDIPUS<br />

Since, beyond my wildest hopes,<br />

you have acted as the best of men towards me, the worst of men,<br />

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