p._ O, you immortal gods!--But say, who was't?
Which of the family of Laius gave it?
A servant, or one of the royal blood?

_Phor._ O wretched state! I die, unless I speak;
And if I speak, most certain death attends me!

_OEdip._ Thou shalt not die. Speak, then, who was it? speak,
While I have sense to understand the horror;
For I grow cold.

_Phor._ The queen Jocasta told me,
It was her son by Laius.

_OEdip._ O you gods!--But did she give it thee?

_Phor._ My lord, she did.

_OEdip._ Wherefore? for what?--O break not yet, my heart;
Though my eyes burst, no matter:--wilt thou tell me,
Or must I ask for ever? for what end,
Why gave she thee her child?

_Phor._ To murder it.

_OEdip._ O more than savage! murder her own bowels,
Without a cause!

_Phor._ There was a dreadful one,
Which had foretold, that most unhappy son
Should kill his father, and enjoy his mother.

_OEdip._ But one thing more.
Jocasta told me, thou wert by the chariot
When the old king was slain: Speak, I conjure thee,
For I shall never ask thee aught again,--
What was the number of the assassinates?

_Phor._ The dreadful deed was acted but by one;
And sure that one had much of your resemblance.

_OEdip._ 'Tis well! I thank you, gods! 'tis wondrous well!
Daggers, and poison! O there is no need
For my dispatch: And you, you merciless powers,
Hoard up your thunder-stones; keep, keep your bolts,
For crimes of little note. [_Falls._

_Adr._ Help, Haemon, help, and bow him gently forward;
Chafe, chafe his temples: How the mighty spirits,
Half-strangled with the damp his sorrows raised,
Struggle for vent! But see, he breathes again,
And vigorous nature breaks through opposition.--
How fares my royal friend?

_OEdip._ The worse for you.
O barbarous men, and oh the hated light,
Why did you force me back, to curse the day;
To curse my friends; to blast with this dark breath
The yet untainted earth and circling air?
To raise new plagues, and call new vengeance down,
Why did you tempt the gods, and dare to touch me?
Methinks there's not a hand that grasps this hell,
But should run up like flax all blazing fire.
Stand from this spot, I wish you as my friends,
And come not near me, lest the gaping earth
Swallow you too.--Lo, I am gone already.
[_Draws, and claps his Sword to his
Breast, which_ ADRASTUS _strikes