C. The KINDLY ONES (41) our people here acclaim ALL-SEEING place for place likes name for name. Ed. In grace may they their suppliant receive!

This local seat I never more will leave.

C. What is this thing?

Ed.

The tally of my Fate!
C. Well, I myself am loth, unauthorised,
To move you, till I tell and be advised.
Ed. Disappoint not a vagabond like me,

In God's name, sir, of answer to my plea!
C. Make it but known-I'll disappoint you not.
Ed. Tell me, the ground whereon we are is—what?
C. What I've to impart, you shall not be denied.
This place throughout is holy in it abide
Awful Poseidon, and the Titan God

Fire-charged Prometheus; where you press the sod,
Is called the country's THRESHOLD Brazenshod,(42)
The stay of Athens; neighbouring acres boast
Yon knight Colonos (43) patron of their host,
And bearing every one Colonos' name
Make general addition of the same.

There, sir, you have the matter in the telling
Less valued than with intimate indwelling.
Ed. So there are inmates of these purlieus, then?
C. Why, surely; the God's namesakes are these men.
Ed. Subjects? Or with the people lies the word?
C. By the King in town are we administer'd.
Ed. And who's this King whose writ and rod's all one?
C. Theseus he's called: the old King Aegeus' son.
Ed. Could one of you to him go emissary?

C. What to arrange for, and what word to carry Ed. "That little help may gain a mighty prize." C. What help is in a man with sightless eyes?

E

?

Ed. The words I speak shall all be words of seeing.
C. Hark you, sir, how to make no blunder! Being
Gentle, as (save this act of God) you seem,

Bide here where first I found you-I'll to the dême
And tell our folks the matter, then and there,

-Not in the city.

If you may bide or

They shall now declare back again retire.

[Exit COUNTRYMAN.

Ed. Child, is the Stranger gone, as we desire?
Ant. He's gone; so, father, you may now speak out
In peace, for none but I alone's about.

Ed. (in attitude of prayer). Dread-visaged Ladies, whenas your retreat

Proves in this land my first unbending seat,
O cross me not, and cross not Phoebus' will!
Who, while he prophesied me all that ill,
This resting-place in length of days bespake,
A final country reached, where I should take
Guest's lodging in the seat of Awful Powers;
There I must homeward turn my weary hours,
Settled a prize for them that domiciled me,
And curse upon my senders, who exiled me:
Signs there must come, in warrant of the same,
Earthquake or thunder, or the Almighty's flame.
Now I perceive that in this journeying
Doubtless 'tis your sure auspices that bring
Safe home to this your grove my roaming feet:
How else should you be first with whom I meet-
Abstemious with the wineless, (44) taking place
On this unaddiced awful floor? A grace,
O Goddesses! Apollo's voice confirm !
Give me a consummation and a term,
Unless you find me still too little worth,

t;

Lackeying the highest torment known on earth!
Consent, sweet Daughters of th' old Dark!
Consent,

City that bear'st the name pre-eminent
Of Pallas, Athens prized above them all!
Pity this wretched phantom that they call
dipus, how unlike the original!

[The CHORUS of old men of Colonos are seen
approaching.

Ant. Hush! here, I tell you, are men of ancient years Coming towards your seat as overseers.

Ed. I'll hold my peace, and you my feet shall turn
Aside within the precinct while I learn

The purport of their words. In learning is
The circumspection of activities.

[She helps him up the rock edge, and he disappears
in the Sanctuary.

Enter the OLD MEN of Colonos: they scatter and search, singing

Cho. Look out! Was it-who? Where hideth he? Where has he flitted apart to? Where abideth he?

The arch-arch-unappeasable? (45)

Gaze right hard, peer for him!
Search, keep sharp ear for him!

A wayfaring old man, 'tis a wayfarer,

None born here! to approach the glades

Never trodden of man, the haunt,

Holy haunt, of the mighty Maids!
Speak not the name, avaunt!

Never a sound-a glance were sin here!

Devout souls full of reverence

Find speechlessly deliverance

While they pass it: (46)—and now be tidings
Sacrilege's within here.

Yet have I ne'er found tho' I spy all around
In the sanctu'ry ground;

I know not the place of his hiding.

[DIPUS discovers himself, slightly above them, within the precinct.

DUET IN MARCH-MEASUre.

Ed. I am here, I am he:

By voice do I see, i' the phrase of the saw. Cho. Oh! oh!

He's ghastly to see, he's ghastly to hear! Ed. Judge me not, I plead, as a breaker of law. Cho. Mercy on us, Zeus! What may the man be? Ed. Mine is not all that a destiny can be, Meet for a blessing, Lords of the regions. Proof of it-how by these alien eyes Had I walked, otherwise— Sheer-hulk on a tiny allegiance?

CHORUS.

Cho. Ay me! For the eyes blind to see!

Wast thou connately a creature of disaster?—

Full old too, to the best of guess.―

Ne'er tho', while help I can,

Shalt thou bring down the ban !

A trespass! a trespass! Very warily
Guard thy feet fro' the lawns o' grass,-
Silent places wherein the cup,

From sweet sources of honey drawn,
Runs with a welling-up

Fountain o' water. O be heedful!
Away, stranger, aloof! the path
Fends thee amply, O man of wrath!
Poor waif, in the woes that haunt thee!

If a word be needful,

If with me you have aught, yon sanctu❜ry change

For the free common range,

Then speak ere that tho' avaunt thee!

Ed. Child, which quarter of mind shall I make for? Ant. Best to agree, sir, with the rule of the land,

Both hearken and yield where due is.

Ed. Handle me now then.

Ant.

There! I touch thee.

Ed. (hesitating). O Sir! I pray no harm may be

done me

When I come loyally yonder.

TRIO sung by D. ANT. and CHOR. during his descent.

Cho. Nay, fear not at all, hence never shall hand
Force thee again, rudely to wander.

Ed. (beginning to clamber down). Advance?

Ant.

Step it here, proceeding.

Ed. Again?

Cho.

Set him onward, leading:

Thine, Maiden, it is to see.

[She helps him down the broken edge, going herself before him and guiding his steps.

Ant. Hither away, hither a sightless footing

Lift, father, and follow me.