CHOR. But thy sister has indeed been gone some time; but I think, O Creon, that the contest, in which their lives are at stake, has already been concluded by the sons of Œdipus.
CRE. Ah me! I see indeed this signal, the downcast eye and countenance of the approaching messenger, who will relate every thing that has taken place.
MESSENGER, CREON, CHORUS.
MESS. O wretched me! what language or what words can I utter? we are undone—
CRE. Thou beginnest thy speech with no promising prelude.
MESS. Oh wretched me! doubly do I lament, for I hear great calamities.
CRE. In addition to the calamities that have happened dost thou still speak of others?
MESS. Thy sister's sons, O Creon, no longer behold the light.
CRE. Ah! alas! thou utterest great ills to me and to the state.
MESS. O mansions of Œdipus, do ye hear these things of thy children who have perished by similar fates?