Page:Works of Voltaire Volume 16.djvu/221

Rh Who shall banish me From my own kingdom?

To the throne of Corinth Another heir succeeds.

Ye gods! is this The last sad stroke which I am born to suffer, Or will ye still pursue me? Fate, go on And persecute, thou shalt not conquer me: Let us away to my rebellious subjects, I'll go to be their scourge, if not their king, And find at least an honorable death. But say, what stranger has usurped my throne?

He is the son-in-law of Polybus, Who on his head did place the diadem In his last moments; the obedient people Hail their new sovereign.

Has my father too Betrayed me, sided with my faithless subjects, And drove me from my throne?

He did but justice, For thou wert not his son.

Ha! Icarus!