What time he sinned against the gods’ decree,
When Phœbus from Earth’s central shrine[f17]
Thrice sent the word divine—
Live childless, Laius, for thy seed
Shall work thy country’s woe.
STROPHE III.
But he to foolish words gave ear,
And ruin to himself begot,
The parricidal Oedipus, who joined
A frenzied bond in most unholy kind,