Page:Tragedies of Sophocles (Plumptre 1878).djvu/135

Rh Œdip. And yet that "incest;" must I not fear that?

Joc. Why should we fear, when chance rules everything,

And foresight of the future there is none;

'Tis best to live at random, as one can.

But thou, fear not that marriage with thy mother:

Many ere now have dreamt of things like this,

But who cares least about them bears life best.

Œdip. Right well thou speakest all things, save that she

Still lives that bore me, and I can but fear,

Seeing that she lives, although thou speakest well.

Joc. And yet great light comes from thy father's grave.

Œdip. Great light I own; yet while she lives I fear.

Mess. Who is this woman about whom ye fear?

Œdip. 'Tis Merope, old sir, who lived with Polybos.

Mess. And what leads you to think of her with fear?

Œdip. A fearful oracle, my friend, from God.

Mess. Can'st tell it? or must others ask in vain?

Œdip. Most readily: for Loxias said of old

That I should with my mother wed, and then

With mine own hands should spill my father's blood.

And therefore Corinth long ago I left,

And journeyed far, right prosperously I own;—

And yet 'tis sweet to see one's parents' face.

Mess. And did this fear thy steps to exile lead?

Œdip. I did not wish to take my father's life.

Mess. Why, then, Ο king, did I, with good-will come,

Not free thee from this fear that haunts thy soul?

Œdip. Yes, and for this thou shalt have worthy thanks.

Mess. For this, indeed, I chiefly came to thee;

That I on thy return might prosper well.

Œdip. And yet I will not with a parent meet.