Page:Oedipus, King of Thebes (Murray 1911).djvu/49

vv. 574–589

I know not if he hath so spoken now.

I heard him not.—But let me ask and thou

Answer me true, as I have answered thee.

Ask, ask! Thou shalt no murder find in me.

My sister is thy wife this many a day?

That charge it is not in me to gainsay.

Thou reignest, giving equal reign to her?

Always to her desire I minister.

Were we not all as one, she thou and I?

Yes, thou false friend! There lies thy treachery.

Not so! Nay, do but follow me and scan

Thine own charge close. Think’st thou that any man

Would rather rule and be afraid than rule

And sleep untroubled? Nay, where lives the fool—