Racine: Phaedra

70
SOIfflOCLES
Chorus.—This is the house, and he, good sir, within,
And here stands she, the mother of his children.
Messenger.—Good fortune be with her and all her kin.
Being, as she is, his true and honored wife.
JocASTA.—Like fortune be with thee, my friend. Thy speech,
So kind, deserves no less. But tell me why
Thou comest, what thou hast to ask or tell.
Messenger.—Good news to thee, and to thy husband, lady.
JocASTA.—What is it, then ? and who has sent thee here ?
Messenger.—I come from Corinth, and the news I'll tell
May give thee joy. How else? Yet thou may'st grieve.
JocASTA.—What is the news that has this twofold power?
Messenger.—The citizens that on the Isthmus dwell
Will make him sovereign. So the rumor ran.
JocASTA.—What ! Does old Polybos hold his own no more?
Messenger.—Nay, nay. Death holds him in his sepulchre.
JocASTA.—What say'st thou? Polybos, thy king, is dead?
Messenger.—If I speak false, I bid you take my life.
JocASTA.—Go, maiden, at thy topmost speed, and tell
Thy master this. Now, oracles of Gods,
Where are ye now ? Long since my CEdipus
Fled, fearing lest his hand should slay the man;
And now he dies by fate, and not by him.
Enter CEdipus.
(Edipus.—Mine own Jocasta, why, O dearest one,
Why hast thou sent to fetch me from the house ?
Jocasta.—List this man's tale, and, when thou hearest, see
The plight of those the God's dread oracles.
CEdipus.—Who then is this, and what has he to tell ?
Jocasta.—He comes from Corinth, and he brings thee word
That Polybos thy father lives no more.
OEdibus.—What say'st thou, friend ? Tell me thy tale thyself.
Messenger.—If I must needs report the story clear.
Know well that he has gone the way of death.
CEdipus.—Was it by plot, or chance of some disease ?
Messenger.—An old man's frame a little stroke lays low.
CEdipus.—By some disease, 'twould seem, he met his death?
Messenger.—Yes, that, and partly worn by lingering age.
CEdipus.—Ha ! ha ! Why now, my queen, should we regard