In such misgiving came I, in such dread
Lest treachery slay me, of my brother framed,
That through the city sword in hand I passed,
Aye keenly glancing round. One stay I had;—
The truce and thy fair faith drew me within365
These walls ancestral. Full of tears I came,
So late to see home, altars of the Gods,
The athlete-stead that trained me, Dirkê's spring,
Whence banished wrongfully, in a strange town
I dwell, mine eyes a fountain ever of tears.370
Thee too, for sorrow's crown of sorrow, I see
With shaven head, and in dark mourning robes
Clad—woe is me for my calamities!
Mother, how dire is strife betwixt near kin,
How hopeless reconciliation is!375
What doth mine ancient father in his halls,
Whose light is dark? What of my sisters twain?
Do these bemoan mine exile's misery?
Jocasta.
Foully doth some God ruin Oedipus' line.
Thus it began—I bare forefended issue;380
Wed under curse thy sire,—and thou wast born!
Yet wherefore this? The Gods' will must we bear.
But how to ask the thing I would I fear,
Lest I should gall thy soul, yet long for this.
Polyneikes.
Nay, ask; leave no desire unsatisfied;385
For, mother, that thou wouldst is dear to me.
Jocasta.
First, then, I ask thee that I fain would learn.
What meaneth exile? Is it a sore ill?
