Oedipus.

Indeed, yes. I was warped by mine own fear.

Jocasta.

Now thou wilt cast it from thee, and forget.

Oedipus.

Forget my mother? … It is not over yet.

Jocasta.

What should man do with fear, who hath but Chance

Above him, and no sight nor governance

Of things to be? To live as life may run,

No fear, no fret, were wisest ’neath the sun.

And thou, fear not thy mother. Prophets deem

A deed wrought that is wrought but in a dream.

And he to whom these things are nothing, best

Will bear his burden.

Oedipus.

All thou counsellest

Were good, save that my mother liveth still.

And, though thy words be wise, for good or ill

Her I still fear.

Jocasta.

Think of thy father’s tomb!14

Like light across our darkness it hath come.

Oedipus.

Great light; but while she lives I fly from her.

Stranger.

What woman, Prince, doth fill thee so with fear?

Oedipus.

Meropê, friend, who dwelt with Polybus.

Stranger.

What in Queen Meropê should fright thee thus?

Oedipus.

A voice of God, stranger, of dire import.

Stranger.

Meet for mine ears? Or of some secret sort?

Oedipus.

Nay, thou must hear, and Corinth. Long ago15

Apollo spake a doom, that I should know

My mother’s flesh, and with mine own hand spill

My father’s blood.—’Tis that, and no my will,

Hath kept me always far from Corinth. So;

Life hath dealt kindly with me, yet men know

On earth no comfort like a mother’s face.

Stranger.

’Tis that, hath kept thee exiled in this place?

Oedipus.

That, and the fear too of my father’s blood.

Stranger.

Then, surely, Lord … I came but for thy good …

’Twere well if from that fear I set thee free.

Oedipus.

Ah, couldst thou! There were rich reward for thee.

Stranger.

To say truth, I had hoped to lead thee home

Now, and myself to get some good therefrom.

Oedipus.

Nay; where my parents are I will not go.

Stranger.

My son, ’tis very clear thou dost not know

What road thou goest.

Oedipus.

How? In God’s name, say!

How clear?

Stranger.

’Tis this, keeps thee so long away

From Corinth?

Oedipus.

’Tis the fear lest that word break16

One day upon me true.

Stranger.

Fear lest thou take

Defilement from the two that gave thee birth?

Oedipus.

’Tis that, old man, ’tis that doth fill the earth

With terror.