And keep thee, but the borders of the land400
Thou must not enter.
Œdip. And what help will come
From this my presence lying at their door?
Ism. Thy grave dishonoured brings disgrace on them.
Œdip. This one might know, without the voice of God.
Ism. On this account they wish to have thee near
Their country, not where thou may'st roam at will.
Œdip. And will they cover me with Theban dust?
Ism. Thy father's blood makes that impossible.
Œdip. Then never shall they have me in their power!
Ism. Great sorrow to the Thebans will this bring.
Œdip. What chance or change shall bring that end to pass?410
Ism. Thy wrath, when they shall gather round thy tomb.
Œdip. From whom heard'st thou, my child, the things thou tell'st?
Ism. From men who went to seek the Delphic shrine.
Œdip. Has Phœbos then declared these things of us?
Ism. So said the men who thence returned to Thebes.
Œdip. Did either of my sons hear this report?
Ism. Both heard alike, and knew its gist right well.
Œdip. And did those vile ones, knowing this, prefer
The pride of power to all their love for me?
Ism. 'Tis pain to hear such words, . . . and yet I bear them.420
Œdip. Ο that the Gods might never lull to rest
The destined strife between them, and would grant
To me the end of all the deadly war
For which they lift the spear! Then neither he
Who holds the sceptre and the throne should stay,
Nor he who now has left the city's gates
Return in peace. Lo! they would none of me,
Their father that begat them, helped me not,
