First Stasimon
First στάσιμον. Teiresias has just denounced Oedipus. Why do not the Chorus at once express their horror? This ode is the first since verse 215, and therefore, in accordance with the conception of the Chorus as personified reflection, it must comment on all that has been most stirring in the interval. Hence it has two leading themes: (1) ‘Who can be the murderer?’: 1st strophe and antistrophe, referring to verses 216—315. (2) ‘I will not believe that it is Oedipus’: 2nd strophe and antistrophe, referring to verses 316—462.
1st strophe (463—472). Who is the murderer at whom the Delphic oracle hints? He should fly: Apollo and the Fates are upon him.
1st antistrophe (473—482). The word has gone forth to search for him. Doubtless he is hiding in waste places, but he cannot flee his doom.
2nd strophe (483—497). Teiresias troubles me with his charge against Oedipus: but I know nothing that confirms it.
2nd antistrophe (498—512). Only gods are infallible; a mortal, though a seer, may be wrong. Oedipus has given proof of worth. Without proof, I will not believe him guilty.
Chorus.Who is he of whom the divine voice from the Delphian rock hath spoken, as having wrought with red hands horrors that no tongue can tell? It is time that he ply in flight a foot stronger than the feet of storm-swift steeds: for the son of Zeus is springing on him, all armed with fiery lightnings, and with him come the dread, unerring Fates. ant.i. Yea, newly given from snowy Parnassus, the message hath flashed forth to make all search for the unknown man. Into the wild wood’s covert, among caves and rocks he is roaming, fierce as a bull, wretched and forlorn on his joyless path, still seeking to put from him the doom spoken at Earth’s central shrine: but that doom ever lives, ever flits around him. Dreadly, in sooth, dreadly doth the wise augur move me, who approve not, nor am able to deny. How to speak, I know not; I am fluttered with forebodings; neither in the present have I clear vision, nor of the future. Never in past days, nor in these, have I heard how the house of Labdacus or the son of Polybus had, either against other, any grief that I could bring as proof in assailing the public fame of Oedipus, and seeking to avenge the line of Labdacus for the undiscovered murder. Nay, Zeus indeed and Apollo are keen of thought, and know the things of earth; but that mortal seer wins knowledge above mine, of this there can be no sure test; though man may surpass man in lore. Yet, until I see the word made good, never will I assent when men blame Oedipus. Before all eyes, the winged maiden came against him of old, and he was seen to be wise; he bore the test, in welcome service to our State; never, therefore, by the verdict of my heart shall he be adjudged guilty of crime.