The Seven Plays in English Verse Part 27
OED. How, stranger? Let me learn it from thy mouth.
COR. SH. If my first duty be to make this clear, Know beyond doubt that he is dead and gone.
OED. By illness coming o'er him, or by guile?
COR. SH. Light pressure lays to rest the timeworn frame.
OED. He was subdued by sickness then, poor soul!
COR. SH. By sickness and the burden of his years.
OED. Ah! my Jocasta, who again will heed The Pythian hearth oracular, and birds Screaming in air, blind guides! that would have made My father's death my deed; but he is gone, Hidden underneath the ground, while I stand hero Harmless and weaponless:--unless, perchance, My absence killed him,--so he may have died Through me. But be that as it may, the grave That covers Polybus, hath silenced, too, One voice of prophecy, worth nothing now.
JO. Did I not tell thee so, long since?
OED. Thou didst.
But I was drawn to error by my fear.
JO. Now cast it altogether out of mind.
OED. Must I not fear my mother's marriage-bed?
JO. Why should man fear, seeing his course is ruled By fortune, and he nothing can foreknow?
'Tis best to live at ease as best one may.
Then fear not thou thy mother's nuptial hour.
Many a man ere now in dreams hath lain With her who bare him. He hath least annoy Who with such omens troubleth not his mind.
OED. That word would be well spoken, were not she Alive that gave me birth. But since she lives, Though you speak well, yet have I cause for fear.
JO. Your father's burial might enlighten you.
OED. It doth. But I am darkened by a life.
COR. SH. Whose being overshadows thee with fear?
OED. Queen Merope, the consort of your king.
COR. SH. What in her life should make your heart afraid?
OED. A heaven-sent oracle of dreadful sound.
COR. SH. May it be told, or must no stranger know?
OED. Indeed it may. Word came from Phoebus once That I must know my mother's shame, and shed With these my hands my own true father's blood.
Wherefore long since my home hath been removed Far from Corinthos:--not unhappily; But still 'tis sweet to see a parent's face.
COR. SH. Did fear of this make thee so long an exile?
OED. Of this and parricide, my aged friend.
COR. SH. I came with kind intent--and, dear my lord, I fain would rid thee from this haunting dread.
OED. Our grat.i.tude should well reward thy love.
COR. SH. Hope of reward from thee in thy return Was one chief motive of my journey hither.
OED. Return? Not to my parents' dwelling-place!
COR. SH. Son, 'tis too clear, you know not what you do.
OED. Wherefore, kind sir? For Heaven's sake teach me this.
COR. SH. If for these reasons you avoid your home.
OED. The fear torments me, Phoebus may prove true.
COR. SH. Lest from your parents you receive a stain?
OED. That is the life-long torment of my soul.
COR. SH. Will you be certified your fears are groundless?
OED. How groundless, if I am my parents' child?
COR. SH. Because with Polybus thou hast no kin.
OED. Why? Was not he the author of my life?
COR. SH. As much as I am, and no more than I.
OED. How can my father be no more to me Than who is nothing?
COR. SH. In begetting thee Nor I nor he had any part at all.
OED. Why then did he declare me for his son?
COR. SH. Because he took thee once a gift from me.
OED. Was all that love unto a foundling shown?
COR. SH. Heirless affection so inclined his heart.
OED. A gift from you! Your purchase, or your child?[5]
COR. SH. Found in Cithaeron's hollowy wilderness.
OED. What led your travelling footstep to that ground?