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[1104-1131] Oedipus at Colonus 651
OEDIPUS
Come ye hither, my child,—let me embrace you—restored beyond all
hope!
ANTIGONE
Thy wish shall be granted—we crave what we bestow.
Where, then, where are ye?
OEDIPUS
ANTIGONE
Here approaching thee together.
My darlings!
A father loves his own.
Props of mine age!
And sharers of thy sorrow.
OEDIPUS
ANTIGONE
OEDIPUS
ANTIGONE
OEDIPUS
I hold my dear ones; and now, should I die, I were not wholly wretched,
since ye have come to me. Press close to me on either side, children, cleave
to your sire, and repose from this late roaming, so forlorn, so grievous!
And tell me what hath passed as shortly as ye may; brief speech sufficeth
for young maidens.
ANTIGONE
Here is our deliverer: from him thou shouldst hear the story, father,
since his is the deed; so shall my part be brief.
OEDIPUS
Sir, marvel not, if with such yearning I prolong my words unto my
children, found again beyond my hope. For well I wot that this joy in
respect of them hath come to me from thee, and thee alone: thou hast
rescued them, and no man beside. And may the gods deal with thee after
my wish,—with thee, and with this land; for among you, above all human
kind, have I found the fear of heaven, and the spirit of fairness, and the
lips that lie not. I know these things, which with these words I requite;
for what I have, I have through thee, and no man else.
Stretch forth thy right hand, O king, I pray thee, that I may touch it,