This is the house and he within; and she Thou seest, the mother of his royal seed.

[JOCASTA _rises, anxious, from her prayer._

STRANGER.

Being wife to such a man, happy indeed And ringed with happy faces may she live!

JOCASTA.

To one so fair of speech may the G.o.ds give Like blessing, courteous stranger; 'tis thy due.

But say what leads thee hither. Can we do Thy wish in aught, or hast thou news to bring?

[Sidenote: vv. 934-947]

STRANGER.

Good news, O Queen, for thee and for the King.

JOCASTA.

What is it? And from what prince comest thou?

STRANGER.

I come from Corinth.--And my tale, I trow, Will give thee joy, yet haply also pain.

JOCASTA.

What news can have that twofold power? Be plain.

STRANGER.

'Tis spoke in Corinth that the gathering Of folk will make thy lord our chosen King.

JOCASTA.

How? Is old Polybus in power no more?

STRANGER.

Death has a greater power. His reign is o'er.

JOCASTA.

What say'st thou? Dead?... Oedipus' father dead?

STRANGER.

If I speak false, let me die in his stead.

JOCASTA.

Ho, maiden! To our master! Hie thee fast And tell this tale.

[_The maiden goes._

Where stand ye at the last

[Sidenote: vv. 948-961]

Ye oracles of G.o.d? For many a year Oedipus fled before that man, in fear To slay him. And behold we find him thus Slain by a chance death, not by Oedipus.

[OEDIPUS _comes out from the Palace._

OEDIPUS.

O wife, O face I love to look upon, Why call'st thou me from where I sat alone?

JOCASTA.

Give ear, and ponder from what this man tells How end these proud priests and their oracles.

OEDIPUS.

Whence comes he? And what word hath he for us?

JOCASTA.

From Corinth; bearing news that Polybus Thy father is no more. He has found his death.

OEDIPUS.

How?--Stranger, speak thyself. This that she saith ...

STRANGER.

Is sure. If that is the first news ye crave, I tell thee, Polybus lieth in his grave.

OEDIPUS.

Not murdered?... How? Some pa.s.sing of disease?

STRANGER.

A slight thing turns an old life to its peace.

[Sidenote: vv. 962-978]