OEDIPUS AT COLONUS
Oedipus
Must ye hear more?
Chorus
A father’s?
Oedipus
Flood on flood
Whelms me; that word’s a second mortal blow.
Chorus
Murderer!
Oedipus
Yes, a murderer, but know—
Chorus
What canst thou plead?
Oedipus
A plea of justice.
Chorus
How?
Oedipus
I slew who else would me have slain;
I slew without intent,
A wretch, but innocent
In the law’s eye, I stand, without a stain.
Chorus
Behold our sovereign, Theseus, Aegeus’ son,
Comes at thy summons to perform his part.
Enter Theseus.
Theseus
Oft had I heard of thee in times gone by—
The bloody mutilation of thine eyes—
And therefore know thee, son of Laïus.
All that I lately gathered on the way
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