Part 34

POLYNEICES. I shall not tell it; a good general Reports successes and conceals mishaps.

ANTIGONE. Misguided youth, thy purpose then stands fast!

POLYNEICES. ’Tis so, and stay me not. The road I choose, Dogged by my sire and his avenging spirit, Leads me to ruin; but for you may Zeus Make your path bright if ye fulfill my hest When dead; in life ye cannot serve me more. Now let me go, farewell, a long farewell! Ye ne’er shall see my living face again.

ANTIGONE. Ah me!

POLYNEICES. Bewail me not.

ANTIGONE. Who would not mourn Thee, brother, hurrying to an open pit!

POLYNEICES. If I must die, I must.

ANTIGONE. Nay, hear me plead.

POLYNEICES. It may not be; forbear.

ANTIGONE. Then woe is me, If I must lose thee.

POLYNEICES. Nay, that rests with fate, Whether I live or die; but for you both I pray to heaven ye may escape all ill; For ye are blameless in the eyes of all. [Exit POLYNEICES]

CHORUS. (Str. 1) Ills on ills! no pause or rest! Come they from our sightless guest? Or haply now we see fulfilled What fate long time hath willed? For ne’er have I proved vain Aught that the heavenly powers ordain. Time with never sleeping eye Watches what is writ on high, Overthrowing now the great, Raising now from low estate. Hark! How the thunder rumbles! Zeus defend us!

OEDIPUS. Children, my children! will no messenger Go summon hither Theseus my best friend?

ANTIGONE. And wherefore, father, dost thou summon him?

OEDIPUS. This winged thunder of the god must bear me Anon to Hades. Send and tarry not.

CHORUS. (Ant. 1) Hark! with louder, nearer roar The bolt of Zeus descends once more. My spirit quails and cowers: my hair Bristles for fear. Again that flare! What doth the lightning-flash portend? Ever it points to issues grave. Dread powers of air! Save, Zeus, O save!

OEDIPUS. Daughters, upon me the predestined end Has come; no turning from it any more.

ANTIGONE. How knowest thou? What sign convinces thee?

OEDIPUS. I know full well. Let some one with all speed Go summon hither the Athenian prince.

CHORUS. (Str. 2) Ha! once more the deafening sound Peals yet louder all around If thou darkenest our land, Lightly, lightly lay thy hand; Grace, not anger, let me win, If upon a man of sin I have looked with pitying eye, Zeus, our king, to thee I cry!

OEDIPUS. Is the prince coming? Will he when he comes Find me yet living and my senses clear!

ANTIGONE. What solemn charge would’st thou impress on him?

OEDIPUS. For all his benefits I would perform The promise made when I received them first.

CHORUS. (Ant. 2) Hither haste, my son, arise, Altar leave and sacrifice, If haply to Poseidon now In the far glade thou pay’st thy vow. For our guest to thee would bring And thy folk and offering, Thy due guerdon. Haste, O King! [Enter THESEUS]

THESEUS. Wherefore again this general din? at once My people call me and the stranger calls. Is it a thunderbolt of Zeus or sleet Of arrowy hail? a storm so fierce as this Would warrant all surmises of mischance.

OEDIPUS. Thou com’st much wished for, Prince, and sure some god Hath bid good luck attend thee on thy way.

THESEUS. What, son of Laius, hath chanced of new?

OEDIPUS. My life hath turned the scale. I would do all I promised thee and thine before I die.