Cast me from Thebes ... now, quick ... where none may see My visage more, nor mingle words with me. CREON. That had I done, for sure, save that I still Tremble, and fain would ask Apollo's will. OEDIPUS. His will was clear enough, to stamp the unclean Thing out, the bloody hand, the heart of sin. CREON. 'Twas thus he seemed to speak; but in this sore Strait we must needs learn surer than before. OEDIPUS. Thou needs must trouble God for one so low? CREON. Surely; thyself will trust his answer now. OEDIPUS. I charge thee more ... and, if thou fail, my sin Shall cleave to thee.... For her who lies within, [Sidenote: vv. 1448-1472] Make as thou wilt her burial. 'Tis thy task To tend thine own. But me: let no man ask This ancient city of my sires to give Harbour in life to me. Set me to live On the wild hills and leave my name to those Deeps of Kithairon which my father chose, And mother, for my vast and living tomb. As they, my murderers, willed it, let my doom Find me. For this my very heart doth know, No sickness now, nor any mortal blow, Shall slay this body. Never had my breath Been thus kept burning in the midst of death, Save for some frightful end. So, let my way Go where it listeth. But my children--Nay, Creon, my sons will ask thee for no care. Men are they, and can find them everywhere What life needs. But my two poor desolate Maidens.... There was no table ever set Apart for them, but whatso royal fare I tasted, they were with me and had share In all.... Creon, I pray, forget them not. And if it may be, go, bid them be brought, [CREON _goes and presently returns with the two princesses._ OEDIPUS _thinks he is there all the time._ That I may touch their faces, and so weep.... Go, Prince. Go, noble heart!... If I might touch them, I should seem to keep And not to have lost them, now mine eyes are gone.... What say I? In God's name, can it be I hear mine own [Sidenote: vv. 1473-1505] Beloved ones sobbing? Creon of his grace Hath brought my two, my dearest, to this place. Is it true? CREON. 'Tis true. I brought them, for in them I know Thy joy is, the same now as long ago. OEDIPUS.