The Seven Plays in English Verse Part 23

With speed of storm-swift car 'Tis time he fled afar With mighty footstep hurrying from the land.

For, armed with lightning brand, The son of Zeus a.s.sails him with fierce bounds, Hunting with Death's inevitable hounds.

Late from divine Parna.s.sus' snow-capped height I 2 This utterance sprang to light, To track by every path the man unknown.

Through woodland caverns deep And o'er the rocky steep Harbouring in caves he roams the wild alone, With none to share his moan.

Shunning that prophet-voice's central sound, Which ever lives, and haunts him, hovering round.

The reverend Seer hath stirred me with strange awe. II 1 Gainsay I cannot, nor yet think him true.

I know not how to speak. My fluttering heart In wild expectancy sees nothing clear.

Things past and future with the present doubt Are shrouded in one mist. What quarrel lay 'Twixt Cadmus' issue and Corinthus' heir Was never shown me, from old times till now, By one on whose sure word I might rely In running counter to the King's fair fame, To wreak for Laius that mysterious death.

Zeus and Apollo scan the ways of men II 2 With perfect vision. But of mortals here That soothsayers are more inspired than I What certain proof is given? A man through wit May pa.s.s another's wisdom in the race.

But never, till I see the word fulfilled, Will I confirm their clamour 'gainst the King.

In open day the female monster came: Then perfect witness made his wisdom clear.

Thebe hath tried him and delights in him.

Wherefore my heart shall still believe him good.

_Enter_ CREON.

CR. Citizens, hearing of dire calumny Denounced on me by Oedipus the King, I am here to make loud protest. If he think, In this embroilment of events, one word Or deed of mine hath wrought him injury, I am not careful to prolong my life Beneath such imputation. For it means No trifling danger, but disastrous harm, Making my life dishonoured in the state, And meanly thought of by my friends and you.

CH. Perchance 'twas but the sudden flash of wrath, Not the deliberate judgement of the soul.

CR. Who durst declare it[3], that Tiresias spake False prophecies, set on to this by me?

CH. Such things were said, I know not how advised.

CR. And were the eyes and spirit not distraught, When the tongue uttered this to ruin me?

CH. I cannot say. To what my betters do I am blind. But see, the King comes forth again.

_Enter_ OEDIPUS.

OED. Insolent, art thou here? Hadst thou the face To bring thy boldness near my palace-roof, Proved as thou art to have contrived my death And laid thy robber hands upon my state?

Tell me, by heaven, had you seen in me A coward or a fool, when you planned this?-- Deemed you I should be blind to your attempt Craftily creeping on, or, when perceived, Not ward it off? Is't not a silly scheme, To think to compa.s.s without troops of friends Power, that is only won by wealth and men?

CR. Wilt them be counselled? Hear as much in turn As thou hast spoken, and then thyself be judge.

OED. I know thy tongue, but I am slow to learn From thee, whom I have found my grievous foe.

CR. First on this very point, hear me declare--

OED. I will not hear that thou art not a villain.

CR. Thine is a shallow judgement, if thou thinkest Self-will without true thought can bring thee gain.

OED. Thine is a shallow judgement, if thou thinkest Thou canst abuse thy kinsman and be free.

CR. A rightful sentence. But I fain would learn What wrong is that you speak of?

OED. Tell me this; Didst thou, or not, urge me to send and bring The reverend-seeming prophet?

CR. Yea, and still I hold that counsel firm.

OED. How long is 't now Since Laius--

CR. What? I do not catch your drift.

OED. Vanished in ruin by a dire defeat?

CR. 'Twere long to count the years that come between.

OED. And did this prophet then profess his art?

CR. Wise then as now, nor less in reverence.

OED. Then at that season did he mention me?

CR. Not in my hearing.

OED. But, I may presume, Ye held an inquisition for the dead?

CR. Yes, we inquired, of course: and could not hear.

OED. Why was he dumb, your prophet, in that day?

CR. I cannot answer, for I do not know.

OED. This you can answer, for you know it well.

CR. Say what? I will not gainsay, if I know.

OED. That, but for your advice, he had not dared To talk of Laius' death as done by me.

CR. You know, that heard him, what he spake. But I Would ask thee too a question in my turn.

OED. No questioning will fasten blood on me.

CR. Hast thou my sister for thine honoured queen?

OED. The fact is patent, and denial vain.

CR. And shar'st with her dominion of this realm?

OED. All she desires is given her by my will.

CR. Then, am not I third-partner with you twain?

OED. There is your villany in breaking fealty.