Page:Works of Voltaire Volume 16.djvu/216

JOCASTE.

Of being mine. Alas!

ŒDIPUS.

Of being mine.Alas! Take, take this sword,
The instrument of my unhappy rage;
Receive, and use it for a noble purpose,
And plunge it in my breast.

JOCASTE.

And plunge it in my breast. What wouldst thou do!
O stop thy furious grief, be calm, and live.

ŒDIPUS.

Canst thou have pity on a wretch like me?
No, I must die.

JOCASTE.

No, I must die. Thou must not: hear Jocaste,
O hear her prayers!

ŒDIPUS.

O hear her prayers! I will not, must not hear thee.
I slew thy husband.

JOCASTE.

I slew thy husband. And thou gavest me one.

ŒDIPUS.

I did, but 'twas by guilt.

JOCASTE.

I did, but 'twas by guilt. Involuntary.

ŒDIPUS.

No matter, still 'twas guilt.

JOCASTE.

No matter, still 'twas guilt. O height of woe!