O for the wings, the wings of a dove, To be borne with the speed of the gale, Up and still upwards to sail And gaze on the fray from the clouds above.
Antistrophe 2
All-seeing Zeus, O lord of heaven, To our guardian host be given Might triumphant to surprise Flying foes and win their prize. Hear us, Zeus, and hear us, child Of Zeus, Athenè undefiled, Hear, Apollo, hunter, hear, Huntress, sister of Apollo, Who the dappled swift-foot deer O’er the wooded glade dost follow; Help with your two-fold power Athens in danger’s hour!
O wayfarer, thou wilt not have to tax The friends who watch for thee with false presage, For lo, an escort with the maids draws near.
Enter Antigone and Ismene with Theseus.
Oedipus: Where, where? what sayest thou?
Antigone: O father, father, Would that some god might grant thee eyes to see This best of men who brings us back again.
Oedipus: My child! and are ye back indeed!
Antigone: Yes, saved By Theseus and his gallant followers.
Oedipus: Come to your father’s arms, O let me feel A child’s embrace I never hoped for more.
Antigone: Thou askest what is doubly sweet to give.
Oedipus: Where are ye then?
Antigone: We come together both.
Oedipus: My precious nurslings!
Antigone: Fathers aye were fond.
Oedipus: Props of my age!
Antigone: So sorrow sorrow props.
Oedipus: I have my darlings, and if death should come, Death were not wholly bitter with you near. Cling to me, press me close on either side, There rest ye from your dreary wayfaring. Now tell me of your ventures, but in brief; Brief speech suffices for young maids like you.
Antigone: Here is our saviour; thou should’st hear the tale From his own lips; so shall my part be brief.
Oedipus: I pray thee do not wonder if the sight Of children, given o’er for lost, has made My converse somewhat long and tedious. Full well I know the joy I have of them Is due to thee, to thee and no man else; Thou wast their sole deliverer, none else. The gods deal with thee after my desire, With thee and with this land! for fear of heaven I found above all peoples most with you,
And righteousness and lips that cannot lie. I speak in gratitude of what I know, For all I have I owe to thee alone. Give me thy hand, O Prince, that I may touch it, And if thou wilt permit me, kiss thy cheek. What say I? Can I wish that thou should’st touch One fallen like me to utter wretchedness, Corrupt and tainted with a thousand ills? Oh no, I would not let thee if thou would’st.
They only who have known calamity Can share it. Let me greet thee where thou art, And still befriend me as thou hast till now.
Theseus: I marvel not if thou hast dallied long In converse with thy children and preferred Their speech to mine; I feel no jealousy, I would be famous more by deeds than words. Of this, old friend, thou hast had proof; my oath I have fulfilled and brought thee back the maids Alive and nothing harmed for all those threats. And how the fight was won, ’twere waste of words To boast—thy daughters here will tell thee all. But of a matter that has lately chanced On my way hitherward, I fain would have Thy counsel—slight ’twould seem, yet worthy thought. A wise man heeds all matters great or small.
Oedipus: What is it, son of Aegeus? Let me hear. Of what thou askest I myself know naught.
Theseus: ’Tis said a man, no countryman of thine, But of thy kin, hath taken sanctuary Beside the altar of Poseidon, where I was at sacrifice when called away.