Page:Euripides and his age.djvu/221

Rh The King. (I do not at all suggest that preparation is needed; very likely the situation itself is enough.) Oedipus has rushed into the house in a fury of despair, and the Messenger simply walks out of the house crying

O ye above this land in honour old Exalted, what a tale shall ye be told, What sights shall see and tears of horror shed. . ..

Contrast with this the preparation in the Hippolytus (1153 ff.). Hippolytus, cursed, and of course wrongfully cursed, by his father, Theseus, has gone forth to exile. His friends and the women of the Chorus have been grieving for him: Theseus has refused to listen to any plea. Then

Look yonder! . . . Surely from the Prince 'tis one That cometh, full of haste and woe-begone.

We are all watching; a man in great haste enters. Observe what he says.

Ye women, whither shall I go to seek King Theseus? Is he in this dwelling? Speak!

Our suspense deepens. The Leader evidently has hesitated in her answer; she wants to ask a question. . . . But at this moment the door opens and she falls back: