OEDIPUS

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Chorus
In a strange land strange thou art;
To her will incline thy heart;
Honor whatso’er the State
Honors, all she frowns on hate.

Oedipus
Guide me child, where we may range
Safe within the paths of right;
Counsel freely may exchange
Nor with fate and fortune fight.

Chorus
(Ant. 2)
Halt!  Go no further than that rocky floor.

Oedipus
Stay where I now am?

Chorus
                    Yes, advance no more.

Oedipus
May I sit down?

Chorus
               Move sideways towards the ledge,
And sit thee crouching on the scarped edge.

Antigone
This is my office, father, O incline—­

Oedipus
Ah me! ah me!

Antigone
Thy steps to my steps, lean thine aged frame on mine.

Oedipus
Woe on my fate unblest!

Chorus
Wanderer, now thou art at rest,
Tell me of thy birth and home,
From what far country art thou come,
Led on thy weary way, declare!

Oedipus
Strangers, I have no country.  O forbear—­

Chorus
What is it, old man, that thou wouldst conceal?

Oedipus
Forbear, nor urge me further to reveal—­

Chorus
Why this reluctance?

Oedipus
                    Dread my lineage.

Chorus
                                        Say!

Oedipus
What must I answer, child, ah welladay!

Chorus
Say of what stock thou comest, what man’s son—­

Oedipus
Ah me, my daughter, now we are undone!

Antigone
Speak, for thou standest on the slippery verge.

Oedipus
I will; no plea for silence can I urge.

Chorus
Will neither speak?  Come, Sir, why dally thus!

Oedipus
Know’st one of Laius’—­

Chorus
                         Ha?  Who!

Oedipus
Seed of Labdacus—­

Chorus
                    Oh Zeus!

Oedipus
The hapless Oedipus.

Chorus
                    Art he?

Oedipus
Whate’er I utter, have no fear of me.

Chorus
Begone!

Oedipus
          O wretched me!

Chorus
                         Begone!

Oedipus
O daughter, what will hap anon?

Chorus
Forth from our borders speed ye both!

Oedipus
How keep you then your troth?

Chorus
Heaven’s justice never smites
Him who ill with ill requites. 
But if guile with guile contend,
Bane, not blessing, is the end. 
Arise, begone and take thee hence straightway,
Lest on our land a heavier curse thou lay.