Oed. What oracle hath been declared, my child?
Ism. That they shall seek thee forth, alive or dead,
To bring salvation to the Theban race.
Oed. Who can win safety through such help as mine?
Ism. ’Tis said their victory depends on thee.
Oed. When shrunk to nothing, am I indeed a man?
Ism. Yea, for the Gods uphold thee, who then destroyed.
Oed. Poor work, to uphold in age who falls when young!
Ism. Know howsoe’er that Creon will be here
For this same end, ere many an hour be spent.
Oed. For what end, daughter? Tell me in plain speech.
Ism. To set thee near their land, that thou may’st be
Beyond their borders, but within their power.
Oed. What good am I, thus lying at their gate?
Ism. Thine inauspicious burial brings them woe.
Oed. There needs no oracle to tell one that.
Ism. And therefore they would place thee near their land,
Where thou mays’t have no power upon thyself.
Oed. Say then, shall Theban dust o’ershadow me?
Ism. The blood of kindred cleaving to thy hand,
Father, forbids thee.
Oed. Never, then, henceforth,
Shall they lay hold on me!
Ism. If that be true,
The brood of Cadmus shall have bale.
Oed. What cause
Having appeared, will bring this doom to pass?
Ism. Thy wrath, when they are marshalled at thy tomb.
Oed. From whom hast thou heard this?
Ism. Sworn messengers
Brought such report from Delphi’s holy shrine.
Oed. Hath Phoebus so pronounced my destiny?
Ism. So they declare who brought the answer back.
Oed. Did my sons hear?
Ism. They know it, both of them.
