Page:Oedipus, King of Thebes (Murray 1911).djvu/72

Rh Of things to be? To live as life may run,

No fear, no fret, were wisest ’neath the sun.

And thou, fear not thy mother. Prophets deem

A deed wrought that is wrought but in a dream.

And he to whom these things are nothing, best

Will bear his burden.

All thou counsellest

Were good, save that my mother liveth still.

And, though thy words be wise, for good or ill

Her I still fear.

Think of thy father’s tomb!

Like light across our darkness it hath come.

Great light; but while she lives I fly from her.

What woman, Prince, doth fill thee so with fear?

Meropê, friend, who dwelt with Polybus.

What in Queen Meropê should fright thee thus?

A voice of God, stranger, of dire import.

Meet for mine ears? Or of some secret sort?