[epode.
Knowing he did it, unknowing pays for it.
Unknowing, unknowing,
Thinking atoned-for
Deeds unatonable,
Thinking appeased
Gods unappeasable,
Lo, the ill-fated one,
Standing for harbour
Right at the harbour-mouth
Strikes with all sail set
Full on the sharp-pointed
Needle of ruin!
[A Messenger comes in.
Messenger
O honour'd Queen, O faithful followers
Of your dead master's line, I bring you news
To make the gates of this long-mournful house
Leap, and fly open of themselves for joy!
[noise and shouting heard.
Hark how the shouting crowds tramp hitherward
With glad acclaim! Ere they forestall my news,
Accept it:—Polyphontes is no more.
Merope
Is my son safe? that question bounds my care.
Messenger
He is, and by the people hail'd for king.
Merope
The rest to me is little; yet, since that
Must from some mouth be heard, relate it thou.