University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

OEDIPUS
alone.
Thus is the baneful oracle fulfill'd,
Whose unavoidable effect my fear
Hath hurried into birth. And I am stamp'd,
By accidents most frightfully combined,
With incest, and with parricide, though virtuous.
Unhappy virtue! sad and barren name!
By whose ideal dictates I have ruled
A life which I detest? The gloomy fate
Which reign'd at my nativity, thy force
Could not resist; I fell into the snare,
While struggling to avoid it. Dragg'd to crimes
By some all-potent deity, who sunk
Beneath my flying steps a gulph profound.
And in my blindness, spite of all my care,
All my endeavours, of an unknown power
I was the slave, and passive instrument.
These are my evil deeds! I know, alas!
Of none beside; remorseless, cruel gods!
These evil deeds are yours, yet on my head
Descends your punishment severe. Where am I!
What darkness covers with its horrid veil
The radiant beams of day! What blood defiles
Yon crimson'd walls! I see the furies stand!
Each shakes her blazing torch! Avengers stern
Of parricide! The lightnings flash around!
They burst upon me! Hell discloses wide
Its dreary realms! Oh, Laius! Oh, my father!
Is it thy form which I behold! I see,
I own the mortal wound which in thy side
Bears witness 'gainst this guilty hand. Strike home—
Revenge thyself on an abhorred monster;
A monster who hath not withheld pollution
And sacrilege from those who gave him birth!
Come onward! Drag me to the dark abodes!
I hasten to my punishment—to fill
The shades below with wonder and dismay—
Approach—I follow thee.