It was, the Sphinx explains, his answer to the   Man. 
( ( It was ) ( , ( ( the Sphinx ) ( ( ( explains , ) ( ( his answer ) ( to ( the Man ) ) ) ) . ) ) ) )
(ROOT (S (S (NP (PRP It)) (VP (VBD was))) (, ,) (NP (DT the) (NN Sphinx)) (VP (VP (VBZ explains)) (, ,) (NP (NP (PRP$ his) (NN answer)) (PP (TO to) (NP (DT the) (NN Man))))) (. .)))
According to the Sphinx, it was his answer to mankind.
( ( According ( to ( the Sphinx ) ) ) ( , ( it ( ( ( was ( his answer ) ) ( to mankind ) ) . ) ) ) )
(ROOT (S (PP (VBG According) (PP (TO to) (NP (DT the) (NN Sphinx)))) (, ,) (NP (PRP it)) (VP (VBD was) (NP (PRP$ his) (NN answer)) (PP (TO to) (NP (NN mankind)))) (. .)))