CHORUS
Our pity, Oedipus, thou needs must move,
Thou and these maidens; and the stronger plea
Thou urgest, as the savior of our land,
Disposes me to counsel for thy weal.
OEDIPUS
Aid me, kind sirs; I will do all you bid.
CHORUS
First make atonement to the deities,
Whose grove by trespass thou didst first profane.
OEDIPUS
After what manner, stranger? Teach me, pray.
CHORUS
Make a libation first of water fetched
With undefiled hands from living spring.
OEDIPUS
And after I have gotten this pure draught?
CHORUS
Bowls thou wilt find, the carver’s handiwork;
Crown thou the rims and both the handles crown–
OEDIPUS
With olive shoots or blocks of wool, or how?
CHORUS
With wool from fleece of yearling freshly shorn.
OEDIPUS
What next? how must I end the ritual?
CHORUS
Pour thy libation, turning to the dawn.
OEDIPUS
Pouring it from the urns whereof ye spake?
CHORUS
Yea, in three streams; and be the last bowl drained
To the last drop.
OEDIPUS
And wherewith shall I fill it,
Ere in its place I set it? This too tell.
CHORUS
With water and with honey; add no wine.
OEDIPUS
And when the embowered earth hath drunk thereof?
CHORUS
Then lay upon it thrice nine olive sprays
With both thy hands, and offer up this prayer.
OEDIPUS
I fain would hear it; that imports the most.
CHORUS
That, as we call them Gracious, they would deign
To grant the suppliant their saving grace.
So pray thyself or whoso pray for thee,
In whispered accents, not with lifted voice;
Then go and look back. Do as I bid,
And I shall then be bold to stand thy friend;
Else, stranger, I should have my fears for thee.
OEDIPUS
Hear ye, my daughters, what these strangers say?
ANTIGONE
We listened, and attend thy bidding, father.
OEDIPUS
I cannot go, disabled as I am
Doubly, by lack of strength and lack of sight;
But one of you may do it in my stead;
For one, I trow, may pay the sacrifice
Of thousands, if his heart be leal and true.
So to your work with speed, but leave me not
Untended; for this frame is all too week
To move without the help of guiding hand.
ISMENE
Then I will go perform these rites, but where
To find the spot, this have I yet to learn.
CHORUS
Beyond this grove; if thou hast need of aught,
The guardian of the close will lend his aid.
ISMENE
I go, and thou, Antigone, meanwhile
Must guard our father. In a parent’s cause
Toil, if there be toil, is of no account.
[Exit ISMENE]
