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[399~4i5] Oedipus at Colonus 627
ISMENE
To plant thee near the Cadmean land, so that they may have thee in
their grasp, but thou mayest not set foot on their borders.
OEDIPUS
And how can I advantage them while I rest beyond their gates?
ISMENE
Thy tomb hath a curse for them, if all be not well with it.
OEDIPUS
It needs no god to help our wit so far.
ISMENE
Well, therefore they would fain acquire thee as a neighbour, in a place
where thou shalt not be thine own master.
OEDIPUS
Will they also shroud me in Theban dust?
ISMENE
Nay, the guilt of a kinsman's blood debars thee, father.
OEDIPUS
Then never shall they become my masters.
ISMENE
Some day, then, this shall be a grief for the Cadmeans.
OEDIPUS
In what conjuncture of events, my child?
ISMENE
By force of thy wrath, when they take their stand at thy tomb.
OEDIPUS
And who hath told thee what thou tellest, my child?
ISMENE
Sacred envoys, from the Delphian hearth.
OEDIPUS
And Phoebus hath indeed spoken thus concerning me?
ISMENE
So say the men who have come back to Thebes.