Page:Oedipus, King of Thebes (Murray 1911).djvu/68

Rh Which he doth never, but gives eye and ear

To all who speak, will they but speak of fear.

And seeing no word of mine hath power to heal

His torment, therefore forth to thee I steal,

O Slayer of the Wolf, O Lord of Light,

Apollo: thou art near us, and of right

Dost hold us thine: to thee in prayer I fall.

Oh, show us still some path that is not all

Unclean; for now our captain’s eyes are dim

With dread, and the whole ship must follow him.

[While she prays a has entered and begins to accost the Chorus.

Good masters, is there one of you could bring

My steps to the house of Oedipus, your King?

Or, better, to himself if that may be?

This is the house and he within; and she

Thou seest, the mother of his royal seed.

rises, anxious, from her prayer.

Being wife to such a man, happy indeed

And ringed with happy faces may she live!

To one so fair of speech may the Gods give

Like blessing, courteous stranger; ’tis thy due.

But say what leads thee hither. Can we do

Thy wish in aught, or hast thou news to bring?