Racine: Phaedra

CEDIPUS REX 45
Than o'er a realm dispeopled. Nought avails,
Or tower or ship, when men are not within.
CEdipus.—O children, wailing loud, ye come with wish
Well-known, not unknown ; well I know that ye
Are smitten, one and all, with taint of plague.
And yet though smitten, none that taint of plague
Feels, as I feel it. Each his burden bears,
His own and not another's ; but my heart
Mourns for the state, for you, and for myself
And, lo, ye wake me not as plunged in sleep.
But find me weeping, weeping many tears,
And treading many paths in wandering thought
And that one way of health I, seeking, found,
This have I acted on. Menoekeus' son,
Creon, my kinsman, have I sent to seek
The Pythian home of Phoebos, there to learn
The words or deeds wherewith to save the state
And even now I measure o'er the time.
And ask, " How fares he ? " grieving, for he stays,
Most strangely, far beyond the appointed day
But when he comes, I should be base indeed.
Failing to do whate'er the God declares.
these bring me word,
Priest.—Well hast thou spoken ! And
That Creon comes advancing on his way.
CEdipus.—O king Apollo, may he come with chance
That brings deliverance, as his looks are bright.
Priest.—If one may guess, he's glad. He had not come
Crowned with rich wreaths ^ of fruitful laurel else.
CEdipus.—Soon we shall know. Our voice can reach him now.
Say, prince, our well-beloved, Menoekeus' son.
What sacred answer bring'st thou from the God ?
Enter Creon.
Creon.—A right good answer ! E'en our evil plight.
If all goes well, may end in highest good.
CEdipus.—What were the words ? Nor full of eager hope.
Nor trembling panic, list I to thy speech.
Creon, coming from Delphi, wears a berries mingling with the dark, glossy
wreath of the Parnassian laurel, its red leaves.