Oedipus
421
Oh ! may the gods doom them to endless strife ;
Ne'er may the battle cease till CEdipus
Himself shall end it ; then, nor he who bears
The sceptre now, should long maintain the throne,
Nor Polynices e'er to Thebes return ;
425
They should not live who drove a parent forth
To misery and exile, left by those
Who should have loved, supported, and revered him ;
I know they say the city but complied
With my request — I asked for banishment ;
Not then I asked it. In my desperate mind,
When first I raged, I wished indeed for death ;
It had been grateful then, but no kind friend
Would minister the boon. At length my grief
435
Gave way, and when they saw my troubled soul
Had taken ample vengeance on itself.
After long stay, the city drove me forth ;
And those who could have saved me, my base sons,
Deaf to a father's prayers, permit me still
To roam abroad in poverty and exile.
From these alone, far as their tender sex
Can help me, I receive the means of life.
All the sweet comfort, food, or needful rest
445
Earth can afford me now, whilst to my sons
A throne was dearer than a father's love ;
But they shall never gain me for their friend,
Ne'er reign in Thebes — these oracles declare
They never shall. I do remember too
Another prophecy which Phcebus erst
Delivered to me : let 'em send their Creon,
Or any other powerful citizen.
To drag me hence ; my hospitable friends,
455
If to those all-protecting deities
Who here preside you too will lend your aid,
Athens shall find in me its best defence,
And vengeance strike the foes of CEilipus.
