SOPHOCLES
vv. 681–696
Leader.
There fell some word, some blind imagining
Between them. Things known foolish yet can sting.
Jocasta.
From both the twain it rose?
Leader.
From both the twain.
Jocasta.
Aye, and what was the word?
Leader.
Surely there is enough of evil stirred,
And Thebes heaves on the swell
Of storm.—Oh, leave this lying where it fell.
Oedipus.
So be it, thou wise counsellor! Make slight
My wrong, and blunt my purpose ere it smite.
Leader.
O King, not once I have answered. Visibly
Mad were I, lost to all wise usages,
To seek to cast thee from us. ’Twas from thee
We saw of old blue sky and summer seas,
When Thebes in the storm and rain
Reeled, like to die.
Oh, if thou canst, again
Blue sky, blue sky . . . . !
40
