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Fear not the clamors of an idle crowd, That rage tumultuous, and demand thy death: Know, Philoctetes, I have calmed their rage And will myself, if needful, be thy guard. I judge not with the hasty multitude, But wish to see thy innocence appear: My doubtful mind, uncertain where to fix, Nor dares or to condemn, or to acquit thee: Heaven can alone determine all, which hears My ardent prayer; at length it seems appeased, And by its priest shall soon point out the victim. The gods shall soon decide 'twixt Thebes and thee.

Great is thy love of truth, O king, but know Justice extreme is height of injury; We must not always hearken to the voice Of rigor: honor is the first of laws, Let us observe it. But thou seest me sunk Beneath myself, answering the slandrous tongues Of base defamers, whom I should despise. O let not Œdipus unite with such To ruin my fair fame! it is enough That I deny it; 'tis enough to call My life before thee. Let Alcides come, And bring with him the monsters I destroyed, The tyrants I subdued; let these stand forth My witnesses, and let my enemies confute them.