< Page:Works of Voltaire Volume 16.djvu
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194
Œdipus
JOCASTE.
Alas!
ŒDIPUS.
Take, take this sword,
The instrument of my unhappy rage;
Receive, and use it for a noble purpose,
And plunge it in my breast.
JOCASTE.
What wouldst thou do!
O stop thy furious grief, be calm, and live.
ŒDIPUS.
Canst thou have pity on a wretch like me?
No, I must die.
JOCASTE.
Thou must not: hear Jocaste,
O hear her prayers!
ŒDIPUS.
I will not, must not hear thee.
I slew thy husband.
JOCASTE.
And thou gavest me one.
ŒDIPUS.
I did, but 'twas by guilt.
JOCASTE.
Involuntary.
ŒDIPUS.
No matter, still 'twas guilt.
JOCASTE.
O height of woe!
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