THE BOOK WAS DRENCHED - OUDL Home

now, moved by some god and by a sinful mind, an evil rivalry hath seized
them, thrice infatuate!—to grasp at rule and kingly power.
And the hot-brained youth, the younger born, hath deprived the elder,
Polyneices, of the throne, and hath driven him from his fatherland. 2
But he, as the general rumour saith among us, hath gone, an exile, to the
hill-girt Argos, and is taking unto him a new kinship, and warriors for
his friends,—as deeming that Argos shall soon possess the Cadmean land
in honour, or lift that land's praise to the stars.
These are no vain words, my father, but deeds terrible; and where the
gods will have pity on thy griefs, I cannot tell.
OEDIPUS
What, hadst thou come to hope that the gods would ever look on me
for my deliverance?
ISMENE
Yea, mine is that hope, father, from the present oracles.
OEDIPUS
What are they? What hath been prophesied, my child?
ISMENE
That thou shalt yet be desired, alive and dead, by the men of that
land, for their welfare's sake.
OEDIPUS
And who could have good of such an one as I?
ISMENE
Their power, 'tis said, comes to be in thy hand.
OEDIPUS
When I am nought, in that hour, then, I am a man?
ISMENE
Yea, for the gods lift thee now, but before they were working thy ruin.
OEDIPUS
'Tis little to lift age, when youth was ruined.
ISMENE
Well, know, at least, that Creon will come to thee in this cause—and
rather soon than late.
OEDIPUS
With what purpose, daughter? Expound to me.