Page:Tragedies of Sophocles (Jebb 1917).djvu/70

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58
SOPHOCLES.
[1518—1530

go? Cr. Thou shalt name them; so shall I know them when I hear.

Oe. See that thou send me to dwell beyond this land. Cr. Thou askest me for what the god must give.

Oe. Nay, to the gods I have become most hateful, Cr. Then shalt thou have thy wish anon.

Oe. So thou consentest? Cr. 'Tis not my wont to 1520 speak idly what I do not mean.

Oe. Then 'tis time to lead me hence. Cr. Come, then,—but let thy children go.

Oe. Nay, take not these from me! Cr. Crave not to be master in all things: for the mastery which thou didst win hath not followed thee through life.

Ch. Dwellers in our native Thebes, behold, this is Oedipus, who knew the famed riddle, and was a man most mighty; on whose fortunes what citizen did not gaze with envy? Behold into what a stormy sea of dread trouble he hath come!

Therefore, while our eyes wait to see the destined final day, we must call no one happy who is of mortal race,1530 until he hath crossed life's border, free from pain.