Page:Oedipus, King of Thebes (Murray 1911).djvu/44

Rh Rage in his heart, and rage across his way,

He toileth ever to beat from his ears away

The word that floateth about him, living, where’er he goes.

Yet strange, passing strange, the wise augur and his lore;

And my heart it cannot speak; I deny not nor assent,

But float, float in wonder at things after and before;

Did there lie between their houses some old wrath unspent,

That Corinth against Cadmus should do murder by the way?

No tale thereof they tell, nor no sign thereof they show;

Who dares to rise for vengeance and cast Oedipus away

For a dark, dark death long ago!

Ah, Zeus knows, and Apollo, what is dark to mortal eyes;

They are Gods. But a prophet, hath he vision more than mine?

Who hath seen? Who can answer? There be wise men and unwise.

I will wait, I will wait, for the proving of the sign.

But I list not nor hearken when they speak Oedipus ill.

We saw his face of yore, when the riddling singer passed;

And we knew him that he loved us, and we saw him great in skill.

Oh, my heart shall uphold him to the last!