Oedipus
421
The flames of this contention may the gods
Never extinguish; but to me be giv'n
The issue of this fated war, which now
They wage, with mutual fury lifting each
The hostile spear against the other's breast:V
So should not he, the sceptre and the crown
425
Who now possesses, hold them long; nor he,
425
Who flying left his country, e'er return;...
For they their father, with disgrace thrust forth,
Sustain'd not, nor protected; but by them
In this ill plight driv'n out I was proclaim'd
An exile. Thou wilt say, at my request
This, as a grace, the state then granted. No:
430
It was not so: for at the time when grief
Inflamed my soul to madness, when to die
Had been most welcome to me, and with stones
To have been crush'd, then not a man came forth
To gratify my wish: but when my grief
Was soften'd by the lenient hand of time,
435
And I discern'd that my now ebbing rage
Had punish'd more than my offence deserved,
Then, after this long interval, the state
Drove me by force an outcast from the land;
And these my sons, who then had pow'r to aid
Their father, will'd not to exert that pow'r;
440
But e'en a little word not deign'd, by them
Compell'd I wander thus, and beg my bread.
But from these virgins, far as nature gives
Their sex the pow'r to aid me, I receive
Food that sustains my life, upon the earth
Rest without fear, and all the dear supports
445
Children can yield a parent. But my sons,
Of filial piety regardless, grasp
At sceptres, thrones, and sovereign rule o'er Thebes.
But me they shall not win to league with them;
Nor shall th' imperial pow'r on them devolve
What may advantage them; this well I know,
450
Hearing the oracles she now relates,
And pondering the responses which the god
Of old announced to me. Let them then send
Creon to seek me here, or in their state
Who else is potent, me they shall not move.
If you, O strangers, with these awful pow'rs
455
Residing here, with your protection deign
To shield me, to your state you will procure
Much succour, and confusion to my foes.
Thee and thy daughters: but conversing thus
Since thou hast urged the safety of our state,
Things, which import thy good I would advise.
460
