The Seven Plays in English Verse Part 67

ISM. Father, I will not say what I endured In searching out the place that sheltered thee.

To tell it o'er would but renew the pain.

But of the danger now encompa.s.sing Thine ill starred sons,--of that I came to speak.

At first they strove with Creon and declared The throne should be left vacant and the town Freed from pollution,--paying deep regard In their debate to the dark heritage Of ruin that o'ershadowed all thy race.

Far different is the strife which holds them now, Since some great Power, joined to their sinful mind, Incites them both to seize on sovereign sway.

Eteocles, in pride of younger years, Robbed elder Polynices of his right, Dethroned and banished him. To Argos then Goes exiled Polynices, and obtains Through intermarriage a strong favouring league, Whose word is, 'Either Argos vanquishes The seed of Cadmus or exalts their fame'

This, father, is no tissue of empty talk, But dreadful truth, nor can I tell where Heaven Is to reveal his mercy to thy woe.

OED. And hadst thou ever hoped the G.o.ds would care For mine affliction, and restore my life?

ISM. I hope it now since this last oracle.

OED. What oracle hath been declared, my child?

ISM. That they shall seek thee forth, alive or dead, To bring salvation to the Theban race.

OED. Who can win safety through such help as mine?

ISM. 'Tis said their victory depends on thee.

OED. When shrunk to nothing, am I indeed a man?

ISM. Yea, for the G.o.ds uphold thee, who then destroyed.

OED. Poor work, to uphold in age who falls when young!

ISM. Know howsoe'er that Creon will be here For this same end, ere many an hour be spent.

OED. For what end, daughter? Tell me in plain speech.

ISM. To set thee near their land, that thou may'st be Beyond their borders, but within their power.

OED. What good am I, thus lying at their gate?

ISM. Thine inauspicious burial brings them woe.

OED. There needs no oracle to tell one that.

ISM. And therefore they would place thee near their land, Where thou may'st have no power upon thyself.

OED. Say then, shall Theban dust o'ershadow me?

ISM. The blood of kindred cleaving to thy hand, Father, forbids thee.

OED. Never, then, henceforth, Shall they lay hold on me!

ISM. If that be true, The brood of Cadmus shall have bale.

OED. What cause Having appeared, will bring this doom to pa.s.s?

ISM. Thy wrath, when they are marshalled at thy tomb.

OED. From whom hast thou heard this?

ISM. Sworn messengers Brought such report from Delphi's holy shrine.

OED. Hath Phoebus so p.r.o.nounced my destiny?

ISM. So they declare who brought the answer back.

OED. Did my sons hear?

ISM. They know it, both of them.

OED. Villains, who, being informed of such a word, Turned not their thoughts toward me, but rather chose Ambition and a throne!

ISM. It wounds mine ear To hear it spoken, but the news I bring Is to that stern effect.

OED. Then I pray Heaven The fury of their fate-appointed strife May ne'er be quenched, but that the end may come According to my wish upon them twain To this contention and arbitrament Of battle which they now a.s.say and lift The threatening spear! So neither he who wields The sceptred power should keep possession still, Nor should his brother out of banishment Ever return:--who, when their sire--when I Was shamefully thrust from my native land, Checked not my fall nor saved me, but, for them, I was driven homeless and proclaimed an exile.

Ye will tell me 'twas in reason that the State Granted this boon to my express desire.

Nay; for in those first hours of agony, When my heart raged, and it seemed sweetest to me To die the death, and to be stoned with stones, No help appeared to yield me that relief.

But after lapse of days, when all my pain Was softened, and I felt that my hot spirit Had run to fierce excess of bitterness In wreaking mine offence--then, then the State Drove me for ever from the land, and they, Their father's sons, who might have saved their father, Cared not to help him, but betrayed by them, For lack of one light word, I wandered forth To homeless banishment and beggary.

But these weak maidens to their nature's power Have striven to furnish me with means to live And dwell securely, girded round with love.

My sons have chosen before their father's life A lordly throne and sceptred sovereignty.

But never shall they win me to their aid, Nor shall the Theban throne for which they strive Bring them desired content. That well I know, Comparing with my daughter's prophecies Those ancient oracles which Phoebus once Spake in mine ear. Then let them send to seek me Creon, or who is strongest in their State.

For if ye, strangers, will but add your might To the protection of these awful Powers, The guardians of your soil, to shelter me, Ye shall acquire for this your State a saviour Mighty to save, and ye shall vex my foes.

CH. Thou art worthy of all compa.s.sion, Oedipus, Thyself and these thy daughters. Now, moreover Since thou proclaim'st thyself our country's saviour I would advise thee for the best.

OED. Kind sir, Be my good guide. I will do all thou biddest.

CH. Propitiate then these holy powers, whose grove Received thee when first treading this their ground.

OED. What are the appointed forms? Advise me, sirs.

CH. First see to it that from some perennial fount Clean hands provide a pure drink-offering.

OED. And when I have gotten this unpolluted draught?

CH. You will find bowls, formed by a skilful hand, Whose brims and handles you must duly wreathe.

OED. With leaves or flocks of wool, or in what way?

CH. With tender wool ta'en from a young ewe-lamb.

OED. Well, and what follows to complete the rite?

CH. Next, make libation toward the earliest dawn.