_Adr._ Off, madam, or we perish both; behold I'm not unarmed, my poniard's in my hand; Therefore, away. _Eur._ I'll guard your life with mine. _Cre._ Die both, then; there is now no time for dallying. [_Kills_ EURYDICE. _Eur._ Ah, prince, farewell! farewell, my dear Adrastus! [_Dies._ _Adr._ Unheard-of monster! eldest-born of hell! Down, to thy primitive flame. [_Stabs_ CREON. _Cre._ Help, soldiers, help; Revenge me. _Adr._ More; yet more; a thousand wounds! I'll stamp thee still, thus, to the gaping furies. [ADRASTUS _falls, killed by the soldiers._ _Enter_ HAEMON, _Guards, with_ ALCANDER _and_ PYRACMON _bound; the Assassins are driven off._ O Haemon, I am slain; nor need I name The inhuman author of all villainies; There he lies gasping. _Cre._ If I must plunge in flames, Burn first my arm; base instrument, unfit To act the dictates of my daring mind; Burn, burn for ever, O weak substitute Of that, the god, ambition. [_Dies._ _Adr._ She's gone;--O deadly marksman, in the heart! Yet in the pangs of death she grasps my hand; Her lips too tremble, as if she would speak Her last farewell.--O, OEdipus, thy fall Is great; and nobly now thou goest attended! They talk of heroes, and celestial beauties, And wondrous pleasures in the other world; Let me but find her there, I ask no more. [_Dies._ _Enter a Captain to_ HAEMON; _with_ TERESIAS _and_ MANTO. _Cap._ O, sir, the queen Jocasta, swift and wild, As a robbed tygress bounding o'er the woods, Has acted murders that amaze mankind; In twisted gold I saw her daughters hang On the bed-royal, and her little sons Stabbed through the breasts upon the bloody pillows. _Haem._ Relentless heavens! is then the fate of Laius Never to be atoned? How sacred ought Kings' lives be held, when but the death of one Demands an empire's blood for expiation! But see! the furious mad Jocasta's here. _Scene draws, and discovers_ JOCASTA _held by her women and stabbed in many places of her Bosom, her Hair dishevelled, her Children slain upon the Bed._ Was ever yet a sight of so much horror And pity brought to view! _Joc._ Ah, cruel women! Will you not let me take my last farewell Of those dear babes? O let me run, and seal My melting soul upon their bubbling wounds! I'll print upon their coral mouths such kisses, As shall recal their wandering spirits home. Let me go, let me go, or I will tear you piece-meal. Help, Haemon, help; Help, OEdipus; help, Gods; Jocasta dies. _Enter_ OEDIPUS _above._ _OEdip._ I've found a window, and I thank the gods 'Tis quite unbarred; sure, by the distant noise, The height will fit my fatal purpose well.