Œdipus
199
ŒDIPUS.
Who shall banish me
From my own kingdom?
ICARUS.
To the throne of Corinth
Another heir succeeds.
ŒDIPUS.
Ye gods! is this
The last sad stroke which I am born to suffer,
Or will ye still pursue me? Fate, go on
And persecute, thou shalt not conquer me:
Let us away to my rebellious subjects,
I'll go to be their scourge, if not their king,
And find at least an honorable death.
But say, what stranger has usurped my throne?
ICARUS.
He is the son-in-law of Polybus,
Who on his head did place the diadem
In his last moments; the obedient people
Hail their new sovereign.
ŒDIPUS.
Has my father too
Betrayed me, sided with my faithless subjects,
And drove me from my throne?
ICARUS.
He did but justice,
For thou wert not his son.
ŒDIPUS.
Ha! Icarus!