Page:Tragedies of Sophocles (Plumptre 1878).djvu/201

Rh Œdip. What is this, son of Ægeus? Speak, I pray;

For I know nothing of the things thou ask'st.

Thes. They say that some one, near of kin to thee,

Yet not from Thebes, thy city, suppliant sits

Close by Poseidon's altar, where it chanced,

When summoned here, I offered sacrifice.

Œdip. What kind of man was he? and seeking what

By this his suppliant posture?

Thes. Nought I know

But this; he asks, they tell me, short discourse

With thee, no heavy burden.

Œdip. What is this?

Of no light import is this suppliant's prayer.

Thes. They say he asks to come and speak with thee,

And then return in safety as he came.

Œdip. Who can it be that asks a boon like this?

Thes. Think if at Argos any kinsman dwells

Who might desire to gain this boon from thee.

Œdip. Stop, dearest friend, I pray.

Thes. What aileth thee?

Œdip. Ask it not of me!

Thes. Ask not what? Say on.

Œdip. I know too well, from what these girls have told me,

Who this strange suppliant is.

Thes. And who is he,

That I should charge the man with any fault?

Œdip. My son, Ο prince, from whom of all that live,

I could least bear to hear the sound of speech.

Thes. Why so? Hast thou not power to hear, nor do

The things thou would'st not? Why should hearing pain thee?

Œdip. That voice is hateful to a father's ear;

I pray thee, prince, constrain me not to yield.