03.04.2013 Views

THE BOOK WAS DRENCHED - OUDL Home

THE BOOK WAS DRENCHED - OUDL Home

THE BOOK WAS DRENCHED - OUDL Home

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

[974-999] Oedipus the King 399<br />

OEDIPUS<br />

Thou didst: but I was misled by my fear.<br />

JOCASTA<br />

Now no more lay aught of those things to heart.<br />

OEDIPUS<br />

But surely I must needs fear my mother's bed?<br />

JOCASTA<br />

Nay, what should mortal fear, for whom the decrees of Fortune are<br />

supreme, and who hath clear foresight of nothing? Tis best to live at random,<br />

as one may. But fear not thou touching wedlock with thy mother.<br />

Many men ere now have so fared in dreams also: but he to whom these<br />

things are as nought bears his life most easily.<br />

OEDIPUS<br />

All these bold words of thine would have been well, were not my mother<br />

living; but as it is, since she lives, I must needs fear—though thou sayest<br />

well.<br />

JOCASTA<br />

Howbeit thy father's death is a great sign to cheer us.<br />

OEDIPUS<br />

Great, I know; but my fear is of her who lives.<br />

MESSENGER<br />

And who is the woman about whom ye fear?<br />

OEDIPUS<br />

Merope, old man, the consort of Polybus.<br />

MESSENGER<br />

And what is it in her that moves your fear?<br />

OEDIPUS<br />

A heaven-sent oracle of dread import, stranger.<br />

MESSENGER<br />

Lawful, or unlawful, for another to know?<br />

OEDIPUS<br />

Lawful, surely. Loxias once said that I was doomed to espouse mine<br />

own mother, and to shed with mine own hands my father's blood. Wherefore<br />

my home in Corinth was long kept by me afar; with happy event, indeed,—yet<br />

still 'tis sweet to see the face of parents.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!