Page:Sophocles (Storr 1912) v1.djvu/267



Show us the trail, and I’ll attend thee too,

That, if thou hast the maidens hereabouts,

Thou mayst thyself discover them to me;

But if thy guards outstrip us with their spoil,

We may draw rein; for others speed, from whom

They will not ’scape to thank the gods at home.

Lead on, I say, the captor’s caught, and fate

Hath ta’en the fowler in the toils he spread;

So soon are lost gains gotten by deceit.

And look not for allies; I know indeed

Such height of insolence was never reached

Without abettors or accomplices;

Thou hast some backer in thy bold essay,

But I will search this matter home and see

One man doth not prevail against the State.

Dost take my drift, or seem these words as vain

As seemed our warnings when the plot was hatched?

Nothing thou sayest can I here dispute,

But once at home I too shall act my part.

Threaten us and—begone! Thou, Oedipus,

Stay here assured that nothing save my death

Will stay my purpose to restore the maids.

Heaven bless thee, Theseus, for thy nobleness

And all thy loving care in my behalf.

[Exeunt and. 245