Page:Works of Voltaire Volume 16.djvu/224

Spreads its benignant shade: too well already
I see my fate; more knowledge would but show
New horrors; and yet, spite of all my woes,
Urged on by fatal curiosity,
I thirst for more: I cannot bear to rest
In sad suspense: to doubt is to be wretched:
I dread the torch that lights me to my ruin:
I fear to know myself, yet cannot long
Remain unknown.

SCENE III.

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ŒDIPUS, ICARUS, PHORBAS.

ŒDIPUS.

Remain unknown. Ha! Phorbas! come this way.

ICARUS.

Surprising! sure the more I look, the more——
'Tis he, my lord, it must be he.

PHORBAS.

'Tis he, my lord, it must be he. Forgive me [To Icarus
If still that face unknown——

ICARUS.

If still that face unknown—— Dost thou remember?
On mount Citheron——

PHORBAS.

On mount Citheron—— How!

ICARUS.

On mount Citheron—— How! The child you gave me,
The child to death——