Page:History of the Literature of Ancient Greece (Müller) 2ed.djvu/376

354 3b4 HISTORY OP THE Sophocles, that CEdipus, at the very commencement of his unhappy career, before his rencontre with Laius, received an oracle from the Delphic Apollo, stating that he would reach the end of his sorrowful journey through life in that place, where he should obtain an hospitable reception from the Erinnyes. He does not, however, perceive that he is approaching the fulfilment of the oracle till the beginning of the drama, when, wandering about as an exile, he unexpectedly learns that he is in the sanctuary of these goddesses. It is, however, long before the people of Colonus, who hasten to the spot, are willing to receive him : they are shocked in the first place by the audacity of the stranger, who has so boldly profaned the grove of the fearful goddesses, and in the next place by the terrible curse which attaches to his destiny : and it is the noble and humane disposition of Theseus, the prince of the country, which first assures him of reception and protection in Attica. Mean- while, a second oracle comes to light. It has been obtained by the parties who are contending for the sovereignty of Thebes, and promises conquest and prosperity to those who possess CEdipus or his grave. This gives occasion for a number of scenes in which Creon and Polyneices, both of whom have grievously offended CEdipus, strive with all their might to gain his aid for their own purposes ; but they are at once haughtily rejected by him, assured as he is by the protection of Athens from all outward violence. The real object of these scenes, which fill up the middle portion of the tragedy, obviously is to represent the blind and aged CEdipus a miserable being, bowed down by a curse, disgraced, and banished, yet raised to a state of honour and majesty by the inter- position of the divinity in his favour; and in this state he is elevated far above his enemies, who before ill-treated him in the insolence of power. There is a sort of majesty even in the anger with which he sends from him, loaded with a curse, his wicked son Polyneices, now so deeply humbled ; although, according to our notions, the Greek Charis may appear somewhat harsh and rude in this instance. After this ex- altation upon earth, the thunder of Zeus is heard, calling CEdipus to the other world ; and we learn, partly from what CEdipus said before, and partly from the messenger who comes back to us, how CEdipus, adorned for death in festal attire, and summoned by subterraneous thunders and voices, has vanished in a mysterious manner from the surface of the earth. Theseus puts a stop to the laments of the daughters with the words, " One must not complain of the manner in which the Chthonian powers display their favours : it were an offence to the gods to do so."* traditions. See v. 976. 1004. It is true that Euripides has the same tradition in his Phaenissae, v. 1707; but this tragedy belongs to a period (about 01} rap. ( J3) when Sophocles' CEdipus at Colonus, though not yet brought out, might have been known to the lovers of literature at Athens. V. I7ii. <7:u.{)ni 0gr,vuv, Taiiis' iv ol; yu,r> Xdi>i; h X0ovlx ^iv y aToxurai, -rivhiv ou %t>-1' vifiitri; yti.Q,