Œdipus indignantly protests against such churlish denial of hospitality. What will become, he says, of the "fame and fair report" which Athens has earned as the chivalrous protector of the helpless and oppressed, if they refuse shelter to a poor outcast like himself, who, after all, has been "more sinned against than sinning"? Let them not bring shame upon a city which boasts itself to be especially favoured by the gods, by dishonouring a suppliant whom these very gods protect, and who brings with him blessing and profit to the land. And then Œdipus wisely "appeals to Cæsar." Theseus, their king, shall hear his story, and his subjects must bow to his decision.
At this point a fresh channel is given to the current of the action by the sudden advent of a woman, who is seen riding towards Colonus mounted on a horse of Sicilian breed; and almost before Antigone has recognised her for certain, she is in the arms of her "own dear sister Ismene." She brings news from Thebes. The curse of the father is already being fulfilled to the destruction of his sons. An "evil spirit from the gods," working upon their own vile passions, has driven them into open war for the crown of Thebes. Polynices, exiled by his younger brother, has
"Fled to the vales of Argos, and contracts
A new alliance, arms his martial friends,
And vaunts that Argos shall requite his wrongs
On guilty Thebes, and raise his name to heaven."—(D.)
Moreover, continues Ismene, an oracle has declared that the issue of the struggle depends on Œdipus.
