OEDIPUS AT COLONUS
A moment later, and we saw him bend
In prayer to Earth and prayer to Heaven at once.
But by what doom the stranger met his end
No man save Theseus knoweth. For there fell
No fiery bolt that reft him in that hour,
Nor whirlwind from the sea, but he was taken.
It was a messenger from heaven, or else
Some gentle, painless cleaving of earth’s base;
For without wailing or disease or pain
He passed away—an end most marvellous.
And if to some my tale seems foolishness
I am content that such could count me fool.
Chorus
Where are the maids and their attendant friends?
Messenger
They cannot be far off; the approaching sound
Of lamentation tells they come this way.
Enter Antigone and Ismene.
Antigone
Woe, woe! on this sad day (Str. 1)
We sisters of one blasted stock
Must bow beneath the shock,
Must weep and weep the curse that lay
On hirn our sire, for whom
In life, a life-long world of care
’Twas ours to bear,
In death must face the gloom
That wraps his tomb.
What tongue can tell
That sight ineffable?
Chorus
What mean ye, maidens?
