And when thy death-hour comes, to one alone,
Thine eldest born, disclose them: and, in turn,
Let each reveal to those that follow him.
And so thou shalt establish this thy land,
By dragon's brood unhurt.[1] A thousand states,
Though governed well, have lightly waxed o'er-proud;
For, though the Gods see clearly, they are slow
In marking when a man, despising them,
Turns from their worship to the scorn of fools.
Far be such fate from thee, Ο Ægeus' son;
These things we teach thee, though thou knowest them.
And now, for still the promptings of the God1540
Press on me strongly, let us seek the spot,
Nor linger on in fear. My children, follow;
A new guide I for you, as ye have been
To me your father. Come ye. Touch me not;
But let me find the hallowed grave myself,
Where fate has fixed that he who speaks shall lay
His bones to rest in this fair land we tread.
Come hither,—hither,—this way. So He leads,
Hermes the guide, and She who reigns below.[2]
Ο Light! to me all dark, thou once wast mine,
And now this body feels thy ray's last touch,1550
Now, and no more; for now I grope my way,
To hide the dwindling remnant of my life
In Hades dark. And thou, of all friends dearest,
Live happy, thou, thy country, and thy servants;
And in your great good fortune, think of me
When I am gone, and ye are prosperous still.
by Theseus, Antigone, and Ismene.
