Page:Tragedies of Seneca (1907) Miller.djvu/41

Rh Oedipus: What I at heaven's command now meditate, Long since should have been rendered to the king, That none by craft might violate the throne. And most doth it become a sceptered king To guard the life of kings; for none lament The death of him whose safety breedeth fear. Creon: Our care for him a greater fear removed. Oedipus: What fear so great that duty to prevent? Creon: The Sphinx and her accursed riddle's threats. Oedipus: Then now at heaven's command shall be atoned That impious deed. Whoever of the gods Dost look with kindly eye upon our realm; And thou, whose hand doth guide the rolling sphere; And thou, O glory of the smiling sky, Who in thy wandering course dost rule the stars, And with thy flying wheels dost measure out The slow procession of the centuries; Thou sister of the sun, night-wanderer, Who ever dost reflect thy brother's fires; And thou, great ruler of the boisterous winds, Who o'er the level deep dost drive thy car; And thou, who dost allot the sunless homes: May he, by whose right hand king Laius fell, No peaceful home, no trusty lares find; And may no land in hospitality Receive his cheerless, exiled wanderings. O'er shameful marriage may he live to grieve, And monstrous progeny. May he his sire By his own hand destroy; and may he do (What doom more dreadful can I imprecate?) The deed which by my flight I did not do. No room for pardon shall be given him; By this my regal scepter do I swear, Both by the sway which I as stranger hold, And that I left behind; by my household gods, And thee, O Neptune, who with shorter waves And twofold current dost disport thyself Upon my native Corinth's double shores.