OEDIPUS AT COLONUS
Polyneices
Aye, so he wishes:—but I must not yield.
Antigone
O woe is me! but say, will any dare,
Hearing his prophecy, to follow thee?
Polyneices
I shall not tell it; a good general
Reports successes and conceals mishaps.
Antigone
Misguided youth, thy purpose then stands fast!
Polyneices
’Tis so, and stay me not. The road I choose,
Dogged by my sire and his avenging spirit,
Leads me to ruin; but for you may Zeus
Make your path bright if ye fulfil my hest
When dead; in life ye cannot serve me more.
Now let me go, farewell, a long farewell!
Ye ne’er shall see my living face again.
Antigone
Ah me!
Polyneices
Bewail me not.
Antigone
Who would not mourn
Thee, brother, hurrying to an open pit!
Polyneices
If I must die, I must.
Antigone
Nay, hear me plead.
Polyneices
It may not be; forbear.
