Page:Oedipus, King of Thebes (Murray 1911).djvu/73

vv. 994–1009

Nay, thou must hear, and Corinth. Long ago

Apollo spake a doom, that I should know

My mother’s flesh, and with mine own hand spill

My father’s blood.—’Tis that, and not my will,

Hath kept me always far from Corinth. So;

Life hath dealt kindly with me, yet men know

On earth no comfort like a mother’s face.

’Tis that, hath kept thee exiled in this place?

That, and the fear too of my father’s blood.

Then, surely, Lord I came but for thy good

’Twere well if from that fear I set thee free.

Ah, couldst thou! There were rich reward for thee.

To say truth, I had hoped to lead thee home

Now, and myself to get some good therefrom.

Nay; where my parents are I will not go.

My son, ’tis clear enough thou dost not know

Thine own road.

How? Old man, in God’s name, say.