Page:Oedipus, King of Thebes (Murray 1911).djvu/65

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vv. 850–870
OEDIPUS, KING OF THEBES

Not only I. He cannot change again
Now. And if change he should, O Lord of men,
No change of his can make the prophecy
Of Laïus’ death fall true. He was to die
Slain by my son. So Loxias spake. . . . My son!
He slew no man, that poor deserted one
That died. . . . And I will no more turn mine eyes
This way nor that for all their prophecies.


Oedipus.

Woman, thou counsellest well. Yet let it not
Escape thee. Send and have the herdsman brought.


Jocasta.

That will I.—Come. Thou knowest I ne’er would do
Nor think of aught, save thou wouldst have it so.

[Jocasta and Oedipus go together into the Palace.


Chorus.

[They pray to be free from such great sins as they have just heard spoken of.

[Strophe.
Toward God’s great mysteries, oh, let me move
Unstainèd till I die
In speech or doing; for the Laws thereof
Are holy, walkers upon ways above,
Born in the far blue sky;

Their father is Olympus uncreate;
No man hath made nor told
Their being; neither shall Oblivion set

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