HIGH PRIEST.
If thou givest credit to me, ask me not.
ŒDIPUS.
Whatever be the fate which heaven decrees,
The safety of my country is concerned,
And I will know it.
PHILOCTETES.
Speak.
ŒDIPUS.
Have pity on us,
Pity the afflicted, pity
HIGH PRIEST.
Œdipus
Deserves more, much more, pity than his people.
LEADER OF THE CHORUS.
Œdipus loves them with paternal fondness;
To his we join our prayers. O! hear us thou
Interpreter of heaven; now hear, and save!
SECOND PERSON OF THE CHORUS.
We die, O save us! turn aside the wrath
Of the angry gods; name the perfidious monster!
LEADER OF THE CHORUS.
Name him, and soon the parricide shall die,,
HIGH PRIEST.
Unhappy men! why will ye press me thus?
LEADER OF THE CHORUS.
Speak but the word, he dies, and we are saved.
