Page:Works of Voltaire Volume 16.djvu/218

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196
Œdipus

Hath heavier crimes in store for Œdipus?
O Corinth! ne'er on thy detested borders——


SCENE IV.


ŒDIPUS, JOCASTE, DIMAS.

DIMAS.

My lord, this moment is arrived a stranger,
He says, from Corinth, and desires admittance.

ŒDIPUS.

I'll go and meet him——fare thee well, Jocaste:
But stop thy tears; no more shalt thou behold
The wretched Œdipus; it is determined:
My reign is past; thou hast no husband now,
I am no more a sovereign, nor Jocaste's.
Oppressed with ills I go, in search of climes,
Where far removed from thee and from my country,
I still may act as shall become a king,
Worthy of thee, and justify the tears
Thou sheddest for Œdipus: farewell! forever.

The End of the Fourth Act.

ACT V.SCENE I.


ŒDIPUS, ARASPES, DIMAS, Attendants.

ŒDIPUS.

Weep not for me, my friends, nor thus regret
Your sovereign's fate: I wish for banishment;
To me 'tis pleasure; for I know 'twill make
My people happy: you must lose your king,