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104 Thes. But if his rights as suppliant should constrain us,

Take heed that thou shew reverence for our God.

Antig. My father, be persuaded, though I speak

But a girl's counsel. Suffer thou this friend,

E'en as he wills, to do as conscience prompts,

And as his God demands. And grant to us

That this our brother come; for, take good heart,

He shall not draw thee on against thy judgment

With words which are not fitting. What the harm

To list to words? Yea, evil deeds and plots

By words disclose themselves. He is thy child;

And therefore, Ο my father, 'tis not right,

Although his deeds to thee be basest, vilest,

To render ill for ill. But let him come;

Others ere now have thankless offspring reared,

And bitter wrath have felt; but they, with spells

Of friends' good counsel, charmed their souls to peace.

Look not upon the present but the past,

Thy father's and thy mother's woes, and thou,

I know full well, wilt see that evil mood

An evil issue finds for evermore;

For strong the proofs thou hast within thyself,

In those poor sightless eyeballs. Nay, but yield—

Yield thou to us. It is not good to meet

With stiff denials those who ask for right;

Nor, having met with good at others' hands,

To fail in rendering good for good received.

Œdip. Your words prevail, my child, and yet your joy

To me is grievous. Be it as you will:

Only, my friend, if he should hither come,

Let no one get the mastery of my life.

Thes. I wish to hear those words but once, old friend,

Not twice renewed. I am not wont to boast;

But know thou [sic]'rt safe, if any God saves me. [Exit.