Page:Oedipus, King of Thebes (Murray 1911).djvu/97

vv. 1409–1431 But what is shame

To do should not be spoken. In God’s name,

Take me somewhere far off and cover me

From sight, or slay, or cast me to the sea

Where never eye may see me any more.

What? Do ye fear to touch a man so sore

Stricken? Nay, tremble not. My misery

Is mine, and shall be borne by none but me.

Lo, yonder comes for answer to thy prayer

Creon, to do and to decree. The care

Of all our land is his, now thou art weak.

Alas, what word to Creon can I speak,

How make him trust me more? He hath seen of late

So vile a heart in me, so full of hate.

Not to make laughter, Oedipus, nor cast

Against thee any evil of the past

I seek thee, but Ah God! ye ministers,

Have ye no hearts? Or if for man there stirs

No pity in you, fear at least to call

Stain on our Lord the Sun, who feedeth all;

Nor show in nakedness a horror such

As this, which never mother Earth may touch,

Nor God’s clean rain nor sunlight. Quick within!

Guide him.—The ills that in a house have been

They of the house alone should know or hear.