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Ismene
(Edi. Thy brothers, say.
They are — what they are ;
For, oh ! between them deadliest discord reigns.
Where the men sit inglorious at the loom,
And to their wives leave each domestic care !
E'en thus my sons, who should have laboured for me.
Like women idly sit at home, whilst you
Perform their office, and with fihal care
Attend a wretched father. This kind maid,
E'en from her infant days, hath wandered long
An exile with me, and supported still
My feeble age ; oft through the savage woods,
Naked and hungry, by the wintry storms
Or scorching heats afflicted, led me on.
And gave me food, unmindful of her own.
Thou too, Ismene, wert my faithful guard
When I was driven forth ; and now art come
To tell thy father what the gods declare ;
A stranger now to Thebes, I know not what
Hath passed between them ; thou hast some sad news,
I know thou hast, to tell thy wretched father.
They are — what they are ;
For, oh ! between them deadliest discord reigns.
Where the men sit inglorious at the loom,
And to their wives leave each domestic care !
E'en thus my sons, who should have laboured for me.
Like women idly sit at home, whilst you
Perform their office, and with fihal care
Attend a wretched father. This kind maid,
E'en from her infant days, hath wandered long
An exile with me, and supported still
My feeble age ; oft through the savage woods,
Naked and hungry, by the wintry storms
Or scorching heats afflicted, led me on.
And gave me food, unmindful of her own.
Thou too, Ismene, wert my faithful guard
When I was driven forth ; and now art come
To tell thy father what the gods declare ;
A stranger now to Thebes, I know not what
Hath passed between them ; thou hast some sad news,
I know thou hast, to tell thy wretched father.
Oedipus at Colonus. Sophocles. Thomas Francklin (Translator). London. 1758–1759.