Page:The poetical works of Matthew Arnold, 1897.djvu/397

Rh Past expectation, hath thy murderer built;

For this is the true strength of guilty kings,

When they corrupt the souls of those they rule.

THE CHORUS.

Zeal makes him most unjust; but, in good time,

Here, as I guess, the noble Laias comes.

LAIAS.

Break off, break off your talking, and depart

Each to his post, where the occasion calls;

Lest from the council-chamber presently

The King return, and find you prating here.

A time will come for greetings; but to-day

The hour for words is gone, is come for deeds.

ÆPYTUS.

O princely Laias! to what purpose calls

The occasion, if our chief confederate fails?

My mother stands aloof, and blames our deed.

LAIAS.

My royal sister?...but, without some cause,

I know, she honors not the dead so ill.

MEROPE.

Brother, it seems thy sister must present,

At this first meeting after absence long,

Not welcome, exculpation to her kin;

Yet exculpation needs it, if I seek,

A woman and a mother, to avert

Risk from my new-restored, my only son?—