Page:Works of Voltaire Volume 16.djvu/190

168 And Philoctetes, pointed out to thee The paths of glory; do not then disgrace Their names, and taint thy own, by calumny, But keep their bright examples still before thee.

All that I wish is but to save my country, And if I can be useful to mankind, This is the ambition I would satisfy, And this the lesson which those heroes taught, Whom thou hast followed, and whom I admire. I meant not to accuse thee: had I chose The people's victim, it had been myself. I think it but the duty of a king To perish for his country: 'tis an honor Too great for common men. Then had I saved Once more my Thebans, yielded up my life, And sheltered thine: but 'twas not in my power. The blood of guilt must flow, thou standest accused. Defend thyself: if thou art innocent, None shall rejoice so much as Œdipus; Nor as a criminal shall then receive thee, But as my noble friend, as Philoctetes.

I thought myself, indeed, above suspicion: From many a base assassin has this arm, While Jove's dread thunder slept, relieved mankind. Whom we chastise, we seldom imitate.

I do not think thou wouldst disgrace thy name, And thy fair martial deeds, by such a crime. If Laius fell by thee, he fell with honor, I doubt it not, for I must do thee justice.