Among the trees; but most he shuns The snares which he himself has set; Until at last in the still, smooth pool 760 He sees his horns and his features wild, The pool where the goddess, too sternly chaste, Had bathed her virgin limbs. FOOTNOTES: [3] Reading, _retro_. [4] Reading, _sonantem_. [5] Reading, _ne_. ACT IV _Oedipus:_ My soul is filled with dark, foreboding fear; For the gods in heaven and hades join the charge 765 That by my guilty hand King Laius fell. And yet my soul, in conscious innocence, And knowing better than the gods themselves Its secret deeds, denies the charge. But now, Along the shadowy vistas of the past, My memory beholds an agéd man who fell Beneath the heavy stroke of my stout staff. But first the elder strove with haughty words 770 To drive the younger traveler from the path. But that was far from Thebes, in Phocis' realm, Where the forkéd road in three directions leads. But thou, my faithful wife, dispel my care: What span of life had Laius at his death? Fell he in manhood's bloom, or spent with age? 775 _Jocasta:_ Midway 'twixt youth and age, but nearer age. _Oedipus:_ Did courtiers, thronging round, protect his course? _Jocasta:_ The many lost him on the winding way; A few by faithful toil kept near his side. _Oedipus:_ Did any fall as comrade of his fate? 780 _Jocasta:_ One comrade in his death did valor give. _Oedipus:_ Alas, I stand convicted, for the place And number tally. Tell me now the time. _Jocasta:_ Since Laius fell, ten harvests have been reaped. [_Enter an old Corinthian man, a messenger from_ Merope.] _Old Man_ [_to_ Oedipus]: The state of Corinth calls thee to the throne, For Polybus has gained his lasting rest. 785 _Oedipus:_ See how a heartless fate doth compass me! But tell me how my father met his end. _Old Man:_ In gentle sleep he breathed his life away. _Oedipus:_ My sire is dead, and not by violence! I call the gods to witness that to heaven I now in piety may lift my hands, 790 And fear no stain of impious slaughter more. And yet a still more fearful fate remains. _Old Man:_ Thy father's kingdom will dispel thy fears. _Oedipus:_ My father's kingdom would I seek, but still I fear my mother. _Old Man:_ Fear'st thou her who waits. 795 With anxious heart, imploring thy return? _Oedipus:_ 'Tis piety itself that bids me flee. _Old Man:_ And wouldst thou leave her in her widowhood? _Oedipus:_ Thou speak'st the very essence of my fears. _Old Man:_ Speak out the fear that doth oppress thy soul; For 'tis my wont in trusty confidence To counsel kings.