Manent Œdipus, Jocasta, Creon, Pyracmon, Hæmon, and Alcander.
Œdip. To bed, my fair, my dear, my best Jocasta.
After the toils of war, 'tis wondrous strange
160 Our loves should thus be dashed. One moment's thought,
And I'll approach the arms of my beloved.
Joc. Consume whole years in care, so now and then
I may have leave to feed my famished eyes
With one short passing glance, and sigh my vows:
This, and no more, my lord, is all the passion
Of languishing Jocasta.[Exit.
Œdip. Thou softest, sweetest of the world! good night.—
Nay, she is beauteous too; yet, mighty love!
I never offered to obey thy laws,
But an unusual chillness came upon me;
An unknown hand still checked my forward joy,
Dashed me with blushes, though no light was near;
That even the act became a violation.
Pyr. He's strangely thoughtful.
Œdip. Hark! who was that? Ha! Creon, didst thou call me?
Cre. Not I, my gracious lord, nor any here.
Œdip. That's strange! methought I heard a doleful voice
Cry, Œdipus.—The prophet bade me sleep.
He talked of dreams, and visions, and to-morrow!
I'll muse no more; come what will, or can,
My thoughts are clearer than unclouded stars;
And with those thoughts I'll rest. Creon, good-night. [Exit with Hæm.
Cre. Sleep seal your eyes up, sir,—eternal sleep!
But if he sleep and wake again, O all
Tormenting dreams, wild horrors of the night,
And hags of fancy, wing him through the air:
From precipices hurl him headlong down,
Charybdis roar, and death be set before him!
Alc. Your curses have already taken effect,
For he looks very sad.