to him, in the name of that divine mercy which "is the attribute of God Himself," to forego his just resentment:—
"But since there,
Sharing the throne of Zeus, compassion dwells,
Regarding all our deeds; so let it come
And dwell with thee, my father; more we cannot add.
Why art thou silent? Speak, my father, speak!
Turn not away."—(P.)
But Œdipus answers him not a word. Then Polynices tells the story of the wrong done him by his brother, of his flight to Argos, of his fresh alliance, and, trembling with martial ardour, he describes
"The seven great armies, by seven captains led,
That gird the plain of Thebes;"
and he implores his father, in the name of these chieftains, to forget his ancient wrongs, and to join his strength with theirs, that so they may break the might of "the despot lord at home."
Œdipus has listened with brows bent and lips close set to this passionate appeal, and at last he breaks his silence. The repentance of Polynices has come too late. He has sown the wind, and must reap the whirlwind. Then the sightless king, with all the passion of Lear, reiterates those awful curses which he had before pronounced. Ruin and disaster await the host that is marshalled against Thebes. Polynices shall never return again to "Argos in the vale," but shall slay his brother, and be slain by his brother's sword, and no man shall bury him:—
