Oedipus at Colonus (844-878)

I am being dragged away in misery. Strangers, strangers!

My child, where are you?

I am led off by force.

Give me your hand, my child!

I am helpless.

Away with you!

I am wretched, wretched! The guards exit with Antigone.

So those two staffs will never again support your path.

But since you wish to overcome your country and your friends, whose will I, though tyrant as well, am here discharging, then I wish you victory. For in time, I am sure, you will come to recognize all this, that now too as in time past, it is you who have done yourself no good, by indulging your anger despite your friends.

This has always been your ruin.

Stop there, stranger!

Hands off, I say!

I will not let go, unless you give back the maidens.

Then you will soon give the city a more valuable prize, for I will lay hands on more than those two girls.

What! What do you intend?

This man here will be my captive.

A valiant threat!

Straightaway it will be done.

Indeed, unless the ruler of this realm prevents you.

Voice of shamelessness! Will you really lay hands on me?

Shut up, I say!

No! May the powers of this place grant me to utter this further curse! Most evil of men, when these eyes were dark, you wrenched from me the helpless one who was my eyesight and made off with her by force. Therefore to you and to your race may the Sun, the god who sees all things,

grant in time an old age such as mine!

Do you see this, people of the land?

They see both you and me. They know that I have suffered in deeds, and my defense is mere words.

I will not check my anger. Though I am alone

and slow with age, I will take this man by force.

Ah, my wretchedness!

What arrogance you have come with, stranger, if you think you will achieve this!

I will.