Page:Oedipus, King of Thebes (Murray 1911).djvu/46

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How now, assassin? Walking at my gate

With eye undimmed, thou plotter demonstrate

Against this life, and robber of my crown?

God help thee! Me! What was it set me down

Thy butt? So dull a brain hast found in me

Aforetime, such a faint heart, not to see

Thy work betimes, or seeing not to smite?

Art thou not rash, this once! It needeth might

Of friends, it needeth gold, to make a throne

Thy quarry; and I fear me thou hast none.

One thing alone I ask thee. Let me speak

As thou hast spoken; then, with knowledge, wreak

Thy judgment. I accept it without fear.

More skill hast thou to speak than I to hear

Thee. There is peril found in thee and hate.

That one thing let me answer ere too late.

One thing be sure of, that thy plots are known.

The man who thinks that bitter pride alone

Can guide him, without thought—his mind is sick.