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Show 76 OEDIPUS. But then you fmil'd , and then he drew it back; Then lifted it again , you fmil'd again: Till he at laft in fury threw it from him , And cry'd aloud , the Gods forbid thy Death. Then I rufh'd in , and after fome difcourfe, T o m e he did bequeath your innocent Life; And I , the welcome care ro Polybus. Oed. T o w h o m belongs the Maflet of the Shepherds -, ^JEye. His N a m e I knew not, or have I forgot, That he was of the Family of Lajus \ I will remember. Oed. And is your Friend alive ? For if he be I'll buy his Prefence, tho' it coil m y Crown. zJE&e. Your menial Attendants belt can tell Whether he lives, or not -t and w h o has now His Place. Joe. Winds bear m e to fome barren Ifland, Where print of humane feet was never feen, O'er grown w ith Weeds of fuch a monftrous height, Their baleful tops are wafh'd with bellying Clouds, Beneath whole venomous Shade I may have vent, For horror that would blaft the barbarous World. Oed. If there be any here that knows the Perfon W h o m he defcrib'd, I charge him on his Life T o fpeak -, concealment fhall be fudden Death : But he w h o brings him forth , fhall have reward Beyond Ambitions luft. Tir. His N a m e is Phorbas : Jocafta knows him well; but if I may Advife , reft where you are, and feek no farther. Oed. Then all goes well, fince Phorbas is fecur'd By m y Jocafta. Hafte , and bring him forth: M y Love, m y Queen, give Orders. H a ! What mean Thefe Tears and Groans , and Struglings ? Speak , m y Fair , W h a t arc thy Troubles ? he. w •"••i - -.-- ^ OEDIPUS. 17 Joe. Yours j and yours arc mine : Let m e conjure you , take the Prophets Counfel, And let this Phorbas go. Oed. Not for ,the World. By all the Gods , I'll know m y Birth, tho' Death Attends the fcarch : I have already patt The middle of the Stream; and to return Seems greater labour than to venture o'er. Therefore produce him. Ioc. Ouce more, by the Gods, I beg, m y Oedipus, m y Lord, m y Life, M y Love , m y all, m y only utmoft hope, 1 beg you banifh Phorbas : O, the Gods, I kneel, that you may grant this firft reciucft. Deny m e all things elfe -, but for m y fake, And as you prize your o w n crcrnal quiet, Never let Phorbas come into your Prefence. Oed. Y o u muft be rais'd , and Phorbas fhall appear, Tho' his dread Eyes were Bafiiisks. Guards, hafte , Search the Queens Lodgings •, find and force him hither. [Exeunt Guards. Ioc. O, Oedipus, yet fend, And flop their entrance, e're it be too late : Unlefs you wifh to fee Iocafia rent With Furies, flain out-right with meer diftraction, Keep from your Eyes and mine the dreadful Phorbas. Forbear rhis learch, I'll rhink you more than mortal: Will you yet hear m c ? Oed. Tern pelts will be heard , And Waves willdafh, tho' Rocks their Bails keep-• But fee they enter. If thou truly lov'ft m e , Either forbear this Subject, or retire. Enter Harmon, Guards, with Phorbas. he. Prepare then, wretched Prince , prepare to hear A \i -m |