Page:Works of Voltaire Volume 16.djvu/200

178 If thou givest credit to me, ask me not.

Whatever be the fate which heaven decrees, The safety of my country is concerned, And I will know it.

Speak.

Have pity on us, Pity the afflicted, pity

Œdipus Deserves more, much more, pity than his people.

Œdipus loves them with paternal fondness; To his we join our prayers. O! hear us thou Interpreter of heaven; now hear, and save!

We die, O save us! turn aside the wrath Of the angry gods; name the perfidious monster!

Name him, and soon the parricide shall die,,

Unhappy men! why will ye press me thus?

Speak but the word, he dies, and we are saved.