They lead me and I go;
And my voice drifts on the air
Far away.
Where, Thing of Evil, where
Endeth thy leaping hither?
Leader.
In fearful ends, which none may hear nor say.
Oedipus.
Cloud of the dark, mine own [Strophe.
For ever, horrible,
Stealing, stealing, silent, unconquerable,
Cloud that no wind, no summer can dispel!
Again, again I groan,
As through my heart together crawl the strong
Stabs of this pain and memories of old wrong.
Leader.
Yea, twofold hosts of torment hast thou there,
The stain to think on and the pain to bear.
Oedipus.
O Friend, thou mine own [Antistrophe.
Still faithful, minister
Steadfast abiding alone of them that were,
Dost bear with me and give the blind man care?
Ah me! Not all unknown
Nor hid thou art. Deep in this dark a call
Comes and I know thy voice in spite of all.
Leader.
O fearful sufferer, and could’st thou kill
Thy living orbs? What God made blind thy will?
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