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1162—1186]
OEDIPUS AT COLONUS.
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brief speech with thee, which shall not irk thee much.

Oe. On what theme? That suppliant posture is not trivial.

Th. He asks, they say, no more than that he may confer with thee, and return unharmed from his journey hither.

Oe. Who can he be who thus implores the god?

Th. Look if ye have any kinsman at Argos, who might crave this boon of thee.

Oe. O friend! Say no word more! Th. What ails thee?

Oe. Ask it not of me— Th. Ask what?—Speak!1170

Oe. By those words I know who is the suppliant.

Th. And who can he be, against whom I should have a grief?

Oe. My son, O king,—the hated son whose words would vex mine ear as the words of no man beside.

Th. What? Canst thou not listen, without doing what thou wouldst not? Why should it pain thee to hear him?

Oe. Most hateful, king, hath that voice become to his sire:—lay me not under constraint to yield in this.

Th. But think whether his suppliant state constrains thee: what if thou hast a duty of respect for the god?1180

An. Father, hearken to me, though I be young who counsel. Allow the king to gratify his own heart, and to gratify the god as he wishes; and, for thy daughter's sake, allow our brother to come. For he will not pluck thee perforce from thy resolve,—never fear,—by such