THE LAMENTABLE Tragedy of OEDIPUS the Son of LAIUS' King of THEBES out of Seneca. By ALEXANDER nevil.  
¶ Imprinted at London in saint bride's Churchyard: over against the North door of the Church: by Thomas ColWell. 1563. 28. Aprilis.   

To the right Honourable Master Doctor Wotton: One of the queens Majesty's p●iuye Counsel. Alexander nevil wisheth Health: with increase of honour.  
WHen first right honourable Sir, I travailed in the translation of this present Tragedy, Written by the most grave, vertutuous & Christian Ethenicke (For so doubteth not Erasmus to term him) Lucius A●neus Seneca: I minded nothing less, than that at any time thus rudely transformed he should come into the printers hands. For I to no other end removed him from his natural and lofty Style to our corrupt & base, or as all men affirm it: most barbarous Language: but only to satisfy the instant requests of a few my familiar friends, who thought to have put it to the very same use, that Seneca himself in his Invention pretended: Which was by the tragical and pompous show upon Stage, to admonish all men of their fickle Estates, To declare the unconstant Head of wavering Fortune, her sudden interchanged and soon altered face, And ly●ely to express the just revenge, & fearful punishments of horrible Crimes, wherewith the wretched world in these our miserable days piteously swarmeth. This caused me not to be to precise in following the Author word ●or word: but sometimes by Addition, sometimes by Subtraction, to use the aptest Phrases in giving the Sense that I could invent. Whereat a great number I know will be more offended than Reason or Wisdom would they shoul● be. Thus as I framed it to one purpose: so have my friends (to whom I can not well deny any thing the Friendships' right may seem justly to require) wrested it to another effect: and by this m●anes blown it abroad, by over rash & unadvised printing. By which fond deed I know undoubtedly I shall receive the poisoned Infamies, of a number of venomous tongues. Wherefore (right honourable Sir:) as I give these the first Fruits of my travail unto you: declaring therein the great good will & duty that I own unto your Honour, for the virtuous Liberality of your noble mind: so am I driven humbly to re●qyre your strong aid, & assured Defence against the slanderous assaults of such malicious mouths, which obtained: I shallbe the better encouraged against an other time, to bestow my travail in matters of far greater weight and importance. In the mean season (desiring your Honour to take these simple Attempts of mine in good part:) I leave you to the tuition of the right high & mighty GOD: Who keep you long in health, & grant you NESTOR'S years: With increase of honour.  
Your Honours to command. Alexander N●uyle.   

¶ The Preface to the Reader.  
Behold here before thy face (good Reader) the right lamentable Tragedy of that most Infortunate Prince OEDIPUS, for thy profit rudely translated. Wondre not at the grossness of the Style: neither yet accownt the inventors diligence disgraced by the Translators negligence: Who though that he hath sometimes boldly presumed to err from his Author, roving at random where he list: adding and subtracting at pleasure: Yet let not that engender disdainful suspicion with in thy learned breast. Mark thou rather what is meant by the whole course of the History: and frame thy life free from such mischiefs, wherewith the world at this present is universally overwhelmed, The wrathful vengeance of God provoked, The Body plagued, the mind and Conscience in midst of deep devouring dangers most terribly assaulted, In such sort that I abhor to write: And even at the thought thereof I tremble and quake for very inward grief and fear of mind, assure●●y persuading myself that t●e right high and immortal God, will never leave such horrible and detestable Crimes unpunished. As in this present Tragedy, and so forth universally in the general Process of the whole History, thou mayst right well perceive. Wherein thou shalt see, a very express and lively Image of the inconstant change of fickle Fortune in the person of a Prince of passing fame and Renown, midst whole studs of earthly bliss: by mere misfortune, nay rather by the deep hidden secret judgements of God piteously plunged in most extreme miseries. The whole Realm for his sake in strangest guise grievously plagued: besides the apparent destruction of the Nobility, The general death and spoil of the Commonalty, The miserable transformed face of the City, with an infinite Legion of mischiefs more, which I pass over unrehearsed. Only wish I all men by this Tragical History (for to that intent was it written) to beware of Sin: the end whereof is shameful and miserable. As in the most Infortunate fall of this unhappy Prince right plainly appeareth. Who by inward Gripe of fearful consuming Conscience wretchedly tormented: beholding the lamentable state of his vile infected Realms, wasted by the burning rage of privy spoiling Pestilence, finds himself in tract of Time, to be the only Plague and misery of the almost quite destroyed City. Whereupon calling together his Priests and Prophets, and asking counsel of the Gods by them, for present Remedy in those Evils, wherewith the Realm was than universally overflown, Answer was made that the Plague should never cease, till King LAIUS' Death were thoroughly revenged: and the bloody Murderer driven into perpetual exile. Which Answer received OEDIPUS far more curious in bolting out the truth, than careful of his own Estate: suddenly slides into an innumerable company of right dreadful miseries For as soon as he had once the perfect view of his own detestable deeds and wicked misdemeanour cast before his eyes, together which the unnatural killing of his Father LAIUS, the incestuous Marriage of his Mother JOCASTA. The preposterous order of his ill misguided life, with a hundred more ●ike mischiefs, which chaste & undefiled ears abhor to hear, fretting Fury common enemy & tormentor to corrupted conscience pricking him forward, all inflamed with Frenzy and boiling in inward heat of vile infected mind, he rooteth out his wretched eyes unnaturally, spoileth his Mother of her life (though earnestly requested thereto) beastly, and in the end in most basest kind of slavery, banished: dieth miserably. Leaving behind him unto all posterities A dreadful Example of God's horrible vengeance for Sin. Such like Terrors as these requireth this our present Age, wherein Vice hath c●yefest place, and Virtue put to ●yght: lies as an abject languishing in great extremity. For the which cause, so much the rather have I suffered this my base translated Tragedy to be published: from his Author in word and Verse far transformed, though in Sense little altered: and yet oftentimes rudely increased with mine own simple Invention more rashly I confess than wisely, wishing to please all: to offend none: But whereas no man ly●es so uprightly, whom slandering tongues leave undyffamed: I refer myself to the judgement o● the wisest, little esteaming the prejudicial mouths of such carping Merchants, which suffer no men's doings almost to scape undefiled. In fine I beseech all together (if so it might be) to bear with my rudeness, and consider the grossness of our own Country language, which can by no means aspire to the high lofty Latinist's Style. Mine only intent was to exhort men to embrace Virtue and shun Vice, According to that of the right famous and excellent Poet Virgyl. 
Discite justiciam moniti & non temnere divos.  This obtained: I hold myself throughly contented: In the mean season I end: wishing all men to fly Sin: the present Path way to perfect Infelycitie.  
Farewell.   

¶ The names of the Speakers of this Tragedy.  

Oedipus.  
Chorus.  
Tiresias.  
Senex.  
jocasta.  
Creon.  
Manto  
P●orbas.  
Nuntius.    

¶ The first Act.  Oedipus. jocasta. Oedipus. 
THe night is gone. & dreadful day  
gins at length to appear  
And Lucifer beset with Clouds,  
himself aloft doth rear.  
And gliding forth with heavy hew,  
A doleful blaze doth bear (in Skies.)  
Now shall the houses void be seen,  
with Plagues devoured quite:  
And slaughter that the night hath made,  
shall day bring forth to light.  
Doth any man in Princely thro●e  
rejoice? O brittle joy  
How many ills? how fair a face?  
and yet how much annoy  
In the doth lurk, and hidden lies?  
what heaps of endless strife?  
They judge amiss, that deem the Prince  
to have the happy life.  
For as the mountains huge and high,  
the blustering winds withstand,  
And craggy Rocks, the belching floods  
do dash and beat fro land.  
Though that the seas in qui●t are  
and nought at all do foam:  
So kingdoms great submitted lie,  
to Fortune's doleful Dome.  
How well shunned I my father dear  
P●lybus sceptres late?  
Exilde● bereft of careful fear,  
in Pilgrims happy state.  
I call the Gods to witness hear  
and ●●ars that glide in skies.  
A kingdom is befallen to me,  
I fear lest hereof rise  
A mischief, (mighty jove,) to great  
I fear alas I fear  
Lest these my hands have spoiled the life,  
of the my father dear.  
Apollo bids me this beware,  
and yet a mischief more,  
foretells. Can any greater be  
then this I told before?  
Of father slain by sons own hand?  
My shivering limbs do shake  
And all amazed quaking stand  
at this unhappy Fate.  
I am ashamed my destinies fowl,  
at large to thunder out,  
And openly to blaze my fear.  
my dreadful mind doth doubt.  
Yet out it goes. Phebu● me bids  
my mother's beds to fly.  
As though that I her son which her,  
incestuously should lie,  
This fear and only this my drives  
from father's kingdoms great.  
Not like a wandering Uacabounde  
the ways unknown I beat,  
But all mystrust●ull of myself  
thy laws (O Nature) for to keep  
I sought the means. Yet fear I still  
and fear into my mind doth creape  
Though cause of Dread not one I s●  
yet fear and dread I all.  
And scant in credit with myself,  
I seek my fatal fall  
(By Dome of doulful Destinies.)  
For what should I suppose the cause?  
A Plague that is so general  
And Cadmus' country wholly spoils  
and spreads itself through all?  
Should us amongst so huge a heap  
of plagued Bodies spare?  
And we alone amongst the rest  
reserved to mischiefs are?  
O heavy hap. And bide we still  
alone the spoil to see?  
Of Cites great, of men, of beasts,  
by plague that wasted be?  
And thou amongst so many ills,  
a happy life to lead,  
Couldste once persuade thyself (O wretch  
without all fear or dread.  
Of Phoebus' secret judgements to,  
and that in kings estate,  
Thou, thou, infected haste the air,  
in such a filthy rate.  
Thou art the only cause of woe:  
by the these evils rise,  
By the to grave on such a sort,  
this wretched people plies.  
The fiery flaming frying heat,  
afflicted hearts that wastes,  
Is not relieved as wont it was  
by cold and pleasant blasts.  
The gentle western winds have left  
with healthful puffs to blow,  
And now the fiery Dog with blaze  
of boiling heat doth glow.  
The Son in Leo burns so hot,  
and so the earth doth broil,  
That floods and herbs are dried up,  
and nought remains but soil,  
So thoroughly scorched and stewed with heat,  
that moisture all is gone,  
And now amongst so may floods,  
remains alas not one.  
The places dry are only seen  
the streams are drunken up.  
And water that doth yet abide,  
the soaking Earth doth sup.  
The Moon with clouds quite over cast,  
all sadly forth she glides,  
And doleful darksome shades of night,  
the whole world overhides.  
No Star on high at all doth shine  
but all the Skies are covered,  
With black and hellyke hew & misty  
stench, quite overshadowed.  
The corn that wont was to grow  
and fruitfully to spring:  
Now to the voided Barns nought else  
but empty stalks doth bring.  
No part of all our kingdom is,  
free from Destruction:  
But all together run and rush,  
to utter confusion.  
The old men with the young (alas:)  
the father with the child  
The plague consumes. both man & wife  
all beasts both ●ame and wild  
Are spoiled by the Pestilence.  
No pomp at all remains,  
That wont was in Funerals,  
to ease the mourners pains.  
Alas this spoil of people made,  
by Plague hath dried mine eyes.  
And secretly within my breast,  
the gri●fit boiling fries.  
And that that wont is to hap,  
in most ex●rem●st ills.  
My tears are dry and glutting grief  
my wretched breast it fills.  
The crazed father bears the sons,  
unto their dampish graves.  
And after him with burden like,  
the mother comes and raves.  
And even lamenting as they stand  
stark dead down both they fall,  
And mourners new in like estate,  
for them and theirs they call.  
Who likewise in the midst of all,  
their toil and painful pain  
Do drop into the grave they digged,  
and so the place do gain  
(That was prepared for others erst.)  
A tomb is made for Noble men  
fast on the people hies  
And in their burdens ●ling. Nobility  
all unregarded lies.  
For lack of graves their bodies all  
to ashes they do waste.  
And so half burned they leave them ther.  
and home away for hast  
They run● & more they fetche● & then  
fire, wood, grave, and all  
Doth want. And down for very grief  
the wretched miser's fall.  
No prayers avails No Art can help  
this raging Plague t'appease:  
For none almost is left alive  
each others grief to ease.  
Before thine altars here O God  
my feeble hands I hold,  
Requiring all my destinies,  
at once with courage bold.  
And that by death I may prevent,  
my Country priest to fall.  
For this: and only this (O God)  
Upon thy name I call.  
Let me not be the last that dies.  
The last that goes to Grave.  
Grant this. & then (O mighty love)  
My full request I ●aue.  
O cruel God's unkind. O more  
than thrice unhappy ●ates.  
That only me denied is,  
that lights on all estates.  
I mean a speedy death alas,  
these evils to prevent:  
Leave of thy blubbering tears  
& fly these kingdoms foiled O fool  
With rotten plagues and botches vile  
and graves each where dyspoilde.  
All which diseases thou unhappy  
ge●te didst bring with the.  
Dispatch. away. Go hence. at least,  
unto thy parent's sty.  jocasta. 
What boots it Sir these mischiefs (great)  
with piteous plaints to aggravate.  
stoutly to bear adversity,  
is fitst for kings estate.  
The more thy Reign is doubted of,  
and when that cares do crush  
Thy princely breast. then aught the most  
to bear and bide the push.  
It is no point of courage stout,  
to fortune for to yield.  Oedipus 
Nay from this breast reproachful fear  
hath ever been exiled.  
Our manhood is not subject now,  
to vain and peevish fears,  
But evermore in each assault,  
it princely courage bears.  
No not a thousand glistering sword  
nor all the force of war,  
Can once appall my countenance  
nor yet my mind deter,  
The very giant's fyer●● and huge  
in fight withstand I dare.  
Not Sphinx his crafty compassed words  
could make me once to yield.  
I saw him belching gobs of blood  
I viewed full well the field  
That all to spattered lay. With blood  
and bones quite overhelde,  
And when that he on mountains top  
with mouth full huge to se.  
Stood gaping all with greedy ●awes  
to feed and pray on me,  
Oft fluttering with his fearful wings  
and shaking oft his tail,  
Began full like a Lion fierce  
with threats me to assail.  
Of whom strait way the Riddle I.  
it rushed into mine ears  
With roaring sound. his wings he claps  
the Rock for hast he tears.  
Desiring with my bowels still  
to glut his greedy jaws.  
But this mine old practised head  
his subtle question draws,  
In pieces at the length dissolved.  
And it asunder saws.  jocasta. 
What makes you wish for death to late?  
you might have died than.  
As for reward of Sphinx destroyed  
this kingdom to you came.  
(●ou need no more thereof to talk)  
The ashes of that Monster vile,  Oedipus. 
against us doth rebel.  
That vile misshapen loathsome Beast,  
that raging Fiend of Hell.  
Is cause of all the plague that now,  
on Theban City lights.  
N●w only this remains alone,  
if Phebùs heavenly might,  
Can any means invent for us,  
or way of mercy make:  
Whereby these burning Plagues at length  
may haply chance to slake,  
(that thus our people wastes.)  

Chorus.  
O More than thrice renowned stock  
of ancient Cadmus' race.  
O mighty Thebes City great,  
(O heavy ruthful Case.)  
Lo now you lie all desolate,  
with Plagues devoured quite.  
Both you and all your Husbandmen.  
(Oh miserable sight.)  
O fowl and fearful fates (alas)  
what causeth all this woe?  
O God whence springs this Pestilence?  
that us tormenteth so?  
No age, no shape, no form is sparde●  
but all confounded lie.  
Thus happiest now that man I cownte,  
whose chance was first to dye●  
For he hath shunned a thousand ills,  
which wretched eyes have seen:  
And mischiefs great that us do press  
from him are taken clean.  
O God withhold thy fury great,  
thy Plagues from us remove.  
Cease of afflicted Souls to scourge,  
who the both serve and love.  
power down on them diseases fowl,  
that them deserved have.  
A Guerdon just for sin (Oh god)  
this this of the we crave,  
And only this. we ask no more  
the cause and all is thine,  
A thing not used of gods it is  
from pity to decline.  
My heart doth pant and trembling cold  
through all my limbs doth run  
As oft as I remembering cownt  
the noble stocks undun,  
By death and doleful destinies  
that overwhelmed lie,  
And yet alas the people still  
to grave do faster high.  
In long Array all in a rank  
by thousands on a Row,  
On every side in every street  
to burial fast they go.  
An hundred broad wide open gates,  
are not enough for way,  
But thronged the people pestered stand  
still in a fearful stay,  
And in the midst of all their toil  
with corpses on their backs,  
The number that before doth po●st  
the hinder number slacks.  
The corpses in the streets do lie  
and grave on grave is made,  
But all in vain. for nought it boots  
the plague cannot be stayed.  
The sacrifices done to Gods  
have to to ill success,  
And such straying sights & signs do rise  
that nought else I can ges●  
But that at hand which ghastly paws,  
is utter destruction,  
With thousand ills accompanied  
and extreme confusion.  
The sheep of rot by heaps as thick  
as dogs do fall and die,  
And belching out their wasted lungs  
on ground do sprawling lie.  
And I myself of late did see:  
(a sight unseen before,)  
As our high pressed stood sacrificing  
at the Temple door,  
And struck which grievous bloody wound  
the golden horned Bull  
When down with lifeless lump he drops  
and members made full dull.  
And all the wound wide bleeding gapes  
and black gourd blood out spurs.  
And yet the blade unsprinckled was.  
The blood it boiling stews  
And bubbles on the ground. Alas  
Wha● do these things portend?  
Oh mghty Io●e at length I pray,  
some good and happy end.  
At length withhold thy hand (O God)  
and health unto us send.  
Nothing alas remains at all,  
in wont old estate,  
But all are turned topsy down,  
quite void and desolate.  
The tired Horse with labour long●  
from back his burden tats,  
And after on his masters breast,  
his liveless limbs he squats.  
And all his parts in pieces crush.  
The Beasts in field that bide  
Unkept. Unknowen ways & paths  
do range and overstride.  
The Bull for lack of food and meat  
in field all fainting lies,  
And all his flock dispersed quite,  
the silly Shepherd dies.  
And there amongst the Heifers fierce  
his fatal breath expyers,  
The Hearts without all fear of Wolves  
do live in wretched peace,  
The very wrathful roaring sounds,  
of ramping Lions cease.  
The vengeance wild outrageous Bears  
are now as tame as sheep  
The ugly Serpent that was wont,  
the Rocky Dens to keep.  
Oft quassing poisoned Venom soups  
in inward heat she boils.  
And all inflamed and scorched: in vain  
for longer life she toils.  
The woods are not adorned now,  
with fresh and lively hue,  
The wont shades are gone. All things  
are quite out of their Que.  
No grass on ground doth grow.  
The earth no moisture soups,  
The vine withouten any sap,  
his drowsy head down droops.  
Wha● shall I say? all things (alas)  
are writhe out of course,  
And as they seem to me, are like,  
to far still worse and worse.  
O mighty God above? when end  
these everduring ills?  
When ceasthes● Plagues? that guiltless blood  
thus fierce and raging spyls?  
I think but we almost alive,  
there do no men remain:  
Whom doleful Darts of Destinies,  
on earth have l●ft unslain.  
I think the darcksom shades of hell  
where filthy floods do flow,  
Where plagues and vile diseases to  
where dreadful horrors grow,  
And all the furies brasten lose  
do mischiefs on us throw,  
With botch & blane of sundry kinds  
which southern blasts do blow,  
And wreckful vexed hags of hell  
do breath and on us bring  
The angry fiends of hell I think  
their vengeance on us sling  
And out their mortal poison spew  
which they against us bear.  
Lo see how greedy death on us  
with scowling eyes doth leer.  
See see. Oh jove how fast he throws  
his Darts. Not one he spares  
But all confownds. His threatening force,  
with stand no Creature dares.  
No doubt the lothesom Ferryman  
the sinful souls that trains  
Through stinking floods. his labour loathes  
that he for us sustains.  
Such press by plumps to him is made  
which still renews his pains.  
But hark yet monsters more than these  
the fame abroad doth fly  
That hellish dogs which Bawling sound  
were herd to howl & cry,  
And that the ground with trembling shook,  
and under feet did move.  
And dreadful blazing Comets bright  
were seen in Skies above.  
And ghastly shapes of men besides,  
to wander on the ground.  
And wood and trees on every side,  
Did fearfully resound.  
Besides all this strange ghosts were seen  
in places where they stood.  
And rivers more than one or two,  
that ran all black gourd blood.  
O cruel plague. O vile disease,  
far worse than speedy death.  
O we unhappy thrice and more,  
who do prolong our breath.  
In these accursed days and times.  
But hark to me a while.  
When first this loathsome plague gins  
these misers to defile,  
It takes them thus. A fearful Cold  
through all their bones doth run,  
And Cold and Heat together mixed,  
their senses all benumb.  
Than little lothesom marks appear,  
and all their body's spot.  
And all the members flaming glows,  
and burning fast do rot.  
The Lights, the Lungs, the heart, the Guts,  
and all that in ward li●s.  
And all the secret parts Yscorched,  
with deadly fire fries.  
The blood all clottered in their checks,  
in cluster lies by lumps.  
And it and heat together makes,  
great strange and ruddy bumps.  
And blood and flesh congealed stands,  
in face as stiff as stake.  
And ●yes in head fast fixed set,  
and often trickling make.  
And down apace whole floods they steam,  
and clots & drops do tril  
And all the skin from of their face,  
by flakes and scales doth pill.  
A thousand fearful sounds at once,  
into their ears do rush.  
And loathsome blood out of their nose,  
by stilling streams doth gush.  
The very anguish of their heart,  
doth cause them for to shake.  
And what with Payn & Heat & Fear,  
their wearied limbs do quake.  
Then some the running Rivers haunt,  
and some on ground do wallow.  
And some again their thirst to slake,  
cold water gulping swallow.  
Thus all our country tossed with Plague  
in Grief it weltering lies.  
And still desiring for to die,  
A thousand deaths i● dies.  
But God them then to hear is priest,  
And death to none denies.  
Besides all this, the church some do  
frequent: but not to pray.  
But only for to glut the Gods,  
with that that they do say.  
But who is this that comes from Court  
in haste with posting pace?  
What is it Creon that Noble blood?  
commended for his grace  
(Of all that live.)  
Or doth, my crazed mind oppressed.  
things false for true conceive,  
Tis Creon long desired for.  
His sight doth me releyve.    

¶ The second Act.  

The first Scene.  Oedipus. Creon. Oedipus 
FOr fear my body chills alas  
and trembling all I stand  
Inquaking dread. I seek & toil  
these mischiefs to with stand.  
But all in vain I labour I  
it will not be I see.  
As long as mere repugnaunts thus  
together mixed be.  
My mind desirous still (Oh god,)  
the truth for so unfold.  
With doubtful Dred is daunted so,  
that it can scant up hold.  
(It self.)  
O brother dear if any means.  
or way of health thou know.  
Declare it out and stick not now.  
the truth to me to show,  Creon. 
Sir if it pleas your noble grace,  
the answers hidden lies.  Oedipus 
Who doubtful health to sick men brings  
all health to them denies.  Creon. 
Apollo's use it is the truth  
with darksome shades to dusk.  Oedipus. 
And Oedipus of gods it hath,  
things doubtful to discus.  Creon. 
Speke out and spare not man.  
The mighty God comaundes.  
To purge the Prince's seat forthwith  
and that straight out of hand  
That villain vile requited be,  
with plagues and vengeance due.  
Who fierce with bloody hands of late,  
my brother Laíus slew.  
Before that this performed be,  
no hope of milder air.  
Wherefore do this O king. or else,  
of hope and health despair.  Oedipus. 
Durst any man on earth attempt,  
that noble prince to slay?  
Show me the slave that I may him,  
dispatch out of the way.  Creon. 
God grant the sight be good (Alast)  
the hearing is to terrible.  
My senses all amazed stand,  
it is a thing so horrible.  
That I abhor to speak my mind,  
Oh god for fear I quake.  
And even at the very thought  
my limbs begin to shake.  
Assoon as I Apollo's Church,  
had entered in afraid.  
Upon my face flat down I faul.  
And thus to him I prayed.  
Oh God if ever thou diddest rue,  
on wretched miser's state.  
If ever men oppressed thou eased,  
or didst their cares abate.  
If ever thou in present Need:  
didst present Help declare.  
If ever thou afflicted Hearts,  
with Cares consumed didst spare.  
Now show thy dreadful force (O God)  
show now thy mighty poor.  
Scant had I said: Resownding all  
the mountains thundering roar.  
And filthy Fiends spout out their flames  
out of their darksome caves.  
And woods do quake. & Hills do move  
and up the surging waves  
Do mount unto the skies aloft.  
And I amazed stand.  
Still looking for an answer at  
Apollo's sacred hand.  
When out with ruffled hear disguised  
the Prophet comes at last.  
And when that she had felt the heat,  
of mighty Phoebus' blast.  
All puffing out she swells in rage,  
and pattering still she raves,  
And scant she entered had into,  
Apollo's shining caves,  
When out a thundering voice doth burst  
That's far above man's reach.  
So dreadful seemed then to me,  
the mighty Ph●bu● speech.  
Than thus he spoke & thus at length,  
into mine ears he rushed.  
While sprawling still the Prophet lay  
before the doors in dust.  
The Theban Citi● never shall, 
The Oracle.   
be free from Plagues, (quoth he,)  
Except from thence the King queller  
forthwith expulsed be.  
Unto Apollo known he was,  
or ever he was borne,  
Do this: or else no hope of health,  
to this, the G●ds have sworn.  
And as for him, he shall not long,  
in qui●t ●●at● endure:  
But with himself, wage War he shall.  
and War he shall procure  
Unto his Children dear. And creep  
again he shall,  
into his Mother's womb●.  O●d●pus. 
Look what the gods commanded hau●  
accomplished shallbe.  
Nor never shall these eyes of mine  
abide the day to see.  
A king of kingdom spoiled by force:  
by guile and craft suppressed.  
A king to kings the prop ought be,  
and chiefest cause of rest.  
No man regards his death at all  
whom living he doth fear,  Creon 
Great cause makes me my prince's death  
conceal and closely bear.  O●pipus 
(In mind.)  Creon 
Ought enye cause of fear or grief,  
thy duty for to let.  
The threatening of the Prophecies,  
do still my breast beset.  Oed●pus 
As gods have wild us for this mischief  
mends now let us make.  
If any way or means there be,  
their suries for to slake.  
Thou God that sits in Seat on high,  
and all the world dost guide  
And thou by whose commandment,  
the stars in skies do glide.  
Thou thou that only ruler art,  
of seas and floods and all.  
On the and on thy Godhead great,  
for these requests we call.  
Who so hath slain king Laius  
Oh I●ue I do the pray.  
Let thousand ills upon him fall,  
before his dying day.  
Let him no health, no comfort have,  
bu● all to crushed with cares,  
Consume his wretched years in grief  
and though that Death him spares  
A while. Yet mischiefs all at once,  
at length upon him light.  
With all the evils under son,  
that ugly Monster smite.  
In exile let him live a slave,  
the rated course of life.  
In Shame, in Care, in penury,  
in Danger and in strife.  
Let no man on him pity take,  
let all men him revile.  
Let him his mother's sacred Beds  
incestuously defile.  
Let him his father kill. And yet  
let him do mischiefs more.  
(what thing more heinous can I wish  
then that I wished before.)  
Let him do all those ills I say,  
that I have shunned and passed.  
All those and more (if more may be,)  
oh God upon him cast.  
Let him no hope of pardon have:  
but sue and all in vain.  
All hellish Furies on him light,  
for to increase his pain.  
Oh love power down thy fury great.  
thy thundering thumps out throw.  
Let Boreas boisterous blasts & stormy  
Plagues upon him blow.  
Consume him quite. Fret out his guts  
with Pocks & botches vile.  
Let all Diseases on him light,  
that wretched bodies file.  
Let these and more (if more may be,)  
upon that Monster fall.  
Let Harpies Paws & greedy paunch:  
devour his members all.  
Let no man him regard: or seek  
his limbs in grave to lay.  
But let him die ten thousand deaths  
before his dying day.  
By this my kingdom I do swear,  
and kingdom that I left,  
By all my Country Gods that been  
in Temples close I kept●  
I swear, I vow, I do protest,  
and thereto witness take:  
The Stars, the Seas, the Earth, & all  
that ere thy hand did make.  
Except that I myself forthwith  
this bloody Monster find  
To wreak the wrath of God some way  
with solemn Oath I bind.  
And so my Father Polibu●,  
his happy days outlive.  
And so my Mother M●●●p●,  
no Marriage new contrive:  
As he shall die that did this deed.  
And none shall him excuse.  
What soever that he be I swear:  
for that he shortly rues.  
But where this wicked deed was done  
Creon now tell me plain?  
Bo●h by what means? & where? and how?  
King Laius was slain.  
Passing through Castalia woods,  
and Mowntayns heapd with Snow  Creon. 
Where G●oues of scrubs & Bushes thick  
& Brambels sharp do grow.  
A three pathde crooked way there is,  
that diversly doth go.  
O●e unto Bac●hus City bends,  
that Phocia doth height:  
The other to the Land of Sis●phus  
forth stretcheth out a right.  
The third at th'end whereof,  
a loathsome Serpent lies,  
Tends down unto the Bank whereby  
Eleia water plies.  
The are minding nought but peace,  
a sudden band o● thiefs.  
By open force of Arms owtright,  
this mischief great contrives.  
But lo aswell as can be comes,  
Tiresi●● with trembling pace.  
I think Apollo's heavenly might,  
hath brought him to this place.  
See where he comes and Man●o t●.  
his ways directing goes.   

¶ The second Act.  
The second Scene.  Oedypus. Tiresias, Manto, Oedipus 
COme holy priest to Phoebus next  
these doubtful answers lose.  
And whom the destinies will to die.  
Strait ways to me disclose,  Tiresias 
Renowned Prince though still I stand  
in silence dom dismayed.  
And though by inward fear of mind  
my lingering tongue is stayed.  
●et pardon me (O ●oble Prince,)  
and give me leave a while.  
From ●a●k of sight springs Ignorance  
which power hath to exile,  
Unspotted Tru●h from doubtful breasts.  
This thing full well you know,  
But whither god & Country calls,  
with willing mind I go.  
Let deadly fatal destinies,  
be bolted out at length.  
O king if I of greener years,  
had now my wont strength  
This matter soon discussed should be,  
and I would take in hand.  
Myself in presence of the Gods,  
in temple for to stand.  
A mighty Ox all coloured white,  
up on the Altars rear.  
Which never yet on wearied neck,  
the Crooked yoke did bear.  
And Manto thou O daughter mine,  
mine only prop and stay.  
The secret hidden mysteries,  
and sacred signs out say.  Manto. 
The best before the Aultare stands.  Tiresias 
To Gods a solemn prayer make.  
And on the holy Altars to,  
some pleasant odours shake.  Manto. 
Tis done. And all the fires fierce,  
with incense bright do flame.  Tiresias 
O Manto now what signs seest thou?  
how do thy matters frame?  
What doth the fire, the Sacrifice,  
encompass round about?  Manto. 
Not so. But first it mownts aloft,  
and straight it flasheth out.  Tire. 
Well. Yet, how doth the sacred flame  
all shining bright and clear  
hit self on high unto the skies,  
with sparkling flakes uproar?  
Or doth it oft rebounding back,  
hit self, from skies unfold?  
Or all with rumbling roaring noise,  
about the place ist rolled?  
Or mi●t with smoke ist tossed from place.  
to place now here now there?  Manto. 
Not all one but mingled colours,  
the flame doth with it bear.  
Much like unto the rainbow,  
which having sundry hues,  
Doth show unto the husbandmen,  
the wether that ensues.  
What colour it wants: or what it hath  
to me is like uncertain.  
Now is it black, now blue, now red,  
and even now again  
Quite out it is. Yet once again,  
all fierce it flashing flames.  
But lo yet mischiefs more than this,  
unluckily it frames.  
The fire quite asunder parts,  
and flame with flame doth fight.  
O father I abhor to see,  
this ugly lothes●m sight.  
The wine to blood is turned quite,  
and all the princes head.  
With thick black clouds encompassed is,  
with smoke all over spread.  
O father tell what this portends?  Tiresias 
What should I tell alas?  
My mind for fear astonished stands,  
and trembling cold doth pass  
Through all my limbs. What shall I say?  
or where shall I begin?  
O cruel Plagues O wreckful Gods,  
O vengeance due for sin.  
Some horrible mischief great, alas,  
these fearful signs declare.  
(O jupiter)  
what's that the God's would have reveld  
and yet do bid beware.  
(To utter it,)  
They are ashamed: I know not what.  
Come hither quickly bring.  
Some salt with the. Go it upon  
the wounded he●fer fling.  
How now? Dost once resistance make,  
or doth it gently bide  
The touching of thy sacred hands.  Manto 
His head on high he lifts.  
And torning t● the East, by course  
from thence he often shifts  
Still lothinge as he seems to me,  
Of heaven to see the light,  
Oft scowling with his blearing eyes  
with ghastly ruthful sight.  Tire. 
What? Doth one blow them drive to ground  
or more than one they have.  Manto. 
The heifer as it seemed inflamed,  
with cou●age stout and brave  
Upon the mortal Blade did rush,  
and there himself destroys.  
When out the blood it foaming spouts,  
and mounts unto the Skies.  
The bull twice stroke or thrice,  
with groveling groaning tires.  
And toiling up and down he moils.  
and still to live desires.  
And yet at length with much ado,  
his brutish breath expires.  tire. 
What? doth the wound wide open gape,  
or is it closed up?  
Or doth the deepness of the hole.  
the blood in soaking sup.  Manto. 
Out of the wounded Heifers breast,  
black bluish waters rush.  
And from his nose and eyes, & mouth,  
whole streams, of ●lud do gush.  Tiresias 
By this unhappy sacrifice,  
great fears within me rise.  
But tell me now: In the inner parts.  
what secrets hidden lies?  Manto. 
O father what means this? the inwards,  
more than w●ntyd guise.  
Do move & stir, and shake my hands,  
and heaving oft do rise.  
The blood by streams out of the vains,  
full strayngely skyppes aloft.  
The heart all scorched & hidden lies,  
and strikes are seen full oft,  
Of Colour very wan and pale.  
The chiefest parts do want.  
The liver blackish gall out spurts,  
and somewhat rising pants.  
And that that myscheyfs great,  
to kingdoms doth forshow:  
A little loathsome piece of Skin,  
the heart doth overgrow.  
And overwhelms it quite. wherethrough,  
a man may easily see,  
How both the heart the lights, & lungs,  
And all disturbed be,  
No part his proper place observes,  
or keeps his order due:  
But altogether quite disguised,  
with an unwonted hue.  
Misshapen out of frame, transformed,  
displaced quite. Alas.  
I fear, I fear, some ill success  
in this unhappy case.  Oedipus 
Declare from whence and why,  
these fearful Signs do rise,  
With courage stout I will it hear,  
it shall not once aggrise  
My valiant mind. Extremest ills  
have power to banish fear:  Tiresias 
You will wish that unheard which you  
so much desire to hear.  Oedipus 
Tell me I say, since that the Gods  
will have it to be known.  
Tell me, what is his name that hath  
king Laius overthrown?  Tire. 
No sacrifice will serve (O king)  
new means must we invent:  
From dreadful dark infernal damps:  
some Fury must be sent  
These mischiefs great for to unfold.  
Or else king Ditis he,  
That Empire keeps on Ghosts,  
entreated needs must be  
These things forthwith for to disclose.  
Tell who shall have the charge,  
A king thou art, than mayst not thou  
go through those kingdoms large●  Oedipus 
Than noble Creon thou shalt go,  
this pain is fittest for thee:  
Who must this ancient kingdom great  
enjoy after me.    

¶ The third Act.  

The first Scene.  Oedipus. Creon. Oedipus 
THough that thy face with sadness clad,  
in heavy mourning guise:  
Nought else portend: but dedli griefs  
and mischiefs still to rise.  
Yet tell some means whereby at length  
the Gods we may appease,  
And purchase to our kingdoms waste,  
some hope of health and ease.  Creon 
Alas you bid me that disclose,  
which ●eare doth bid me hide.  Oedipus 
If that the theban City's great,  
by doleful Plags destroyed.  
Do the not move. Yet oughtest thou,  
these kingdoms for to ru●,  
Which were unto thy brother's house,  
of ancient title due.  Creon 
You wish that thing to know: which you,  
will wish unknown at length.  Oed. 
To banish ills: in Ignorance,  
there rests no power nor strength.  
Wilt thou in all thes mischeyfs seek,  
the truth for to suppress?  Creon 
Where Cure of Care is to be loathed,  
I seek not to redress.  Oedipus 
Speak out which speed, or else I swear,  
thou shalt by practise prove,  
How great a thing of weight it is,  
a Prince's mind to move.  Creon 
kings often use to wish untold.  
Which they bade tell before.  Oedypus. 
Go to dispatch. Cease of I say,  
to vere me any moor,  
Except that thou forthwith thou wretch,  
this matter do discloes,  
The Gods I do protest for all,  
to death thou only goes.  Creon 
Pardon me O noble king.  
give leave to hold my peace,  
Of all the pardons Princes grant.  
what pardon may be leas?  Oedipus 
As though the Silence hurts not more,  
oft-times than words ill spent.  
Dispatch at once: Stir me no more.  
thou know'st my wont Guise,  
When Silence is denied: what than  
remains that lawful is?  
A traitor he is, that silence keeps  
when he is bid to speak.  Creon. 
Constrained I am. Receive my words  
with gentle mind I pray.  Oedipus 
Was ever man rebuked for that.  
that he was bid to say?  Creon 
Well than since neds I must: I am,  
contented to obey.  
A wood there is from City far,  
encompassed thick with trees,  
Where Rivers roar: & winds do whirl  
that stir the Stormy sees,  
Where grows an ancient Cipres tree  
with crookyd bended limbs,  
With Stretching down his branches old,  
unto the water bryms.  
His everduring bushes green,  
which time did never breed,  
With ●auours sweet and comely mos,  
doth largely overspreed.  
amidst them all, a tree there is,  
with long outstretched Arms:  
Whose roaring sound, & craking nois●  
the lesser woods Icharmes,  
And overshades them all. A tree  
of monstrous huge estate,  
Beset with fearful woods: here is  
that dire, and dreadful gate,  
That leads to loathsome Limbo Lake beneath,  
And pits that ever flow.  
Where choked miry mud doth stream  
with slimy course full slow.  
Here when the Priest was entered in,  
with comely aged pace,  
He stayed not: No need there was,  
for night was still in place.  
Than all the ground wide open gape●  
and smothering vapours r●se,  
And fire and smoke, & stifling stink,  
mownts up into the Skies.  
The Priest with wailing weed, I clad  
his fa●all rod out took:  
And entering in, in black Array,  
full often times it shook.  
With heavy cheer and doleful pace.  
His hoary hear was twinned  
With Bows of mortal Ewe. A tree  
wherewith the mourner's wind,  
Their mourning heads. & Garlands make.  
In this guise all arrayed,  
The sacred Priest doth entre in,  
with quaking limbs afraid.  
Than in the sheep and Oxen black,  
by backward course are drawn.  
And odours sweet, & Frankincense,  
on flaming fires are thrown.  
The Beasts on burning Altars cast,  
do quake with scorched limis:  
And bloody streams with fire mixed,  
about the Altars swims.  
Than on the dark infernal Gods,  
and him that rules them all:  
With deadly shrieking voice aloud,  
the Prophet begins to call.  
And rolls the Magic verse in mouth  
and hidden Arts doth prove:  
Which either power have to appease  
or else the Gods to move.  
Than bloody streaming liquors black  
with broiling heat do boil:  
And all the Beasts consumes & burns.  
The Prophet than to toil  
Gins. And mingled wine and milk  
upon the Altars throws.  
And all the Dungeon dark, and wide  
with streaming blood it flows.  
Than out with thundering voice again  
the Prophet calls and cries.  
And strait as much which mumbling mouth  
he champs in secret wise.  
The trees do turn. The Rivers stand  
The ground with roaring shakes.  
And all the world as seems to me,  
with fearful trembling quakes.  
I am heard, I am heard, than out aloud,  
the Priest began to cry:  
When all the dampened souls by heaps  
abroad outrushing fly.  
Then woods with rumbling noise,  
do oft resounding make.  
And Heaven, & Earth together goes.  
And bows & trees do crack.  
And Thunders roar. And Lightnings flash.  
And waves aloft do fly.  
And ground retires: And Dogs do bawl  
And Ghosts are herd to cry.  
And whither long of Acheron,  
that loathsome Flood that flows.  
All stinking streams: or of the earth,  
that out her Bowels throws,  
Dead Corpses to receive. Or of  
that fierce infernal Hound  
That at such times doth bustling make  
with chains, & rattling sound.  
The Earth all wide it open gapes.  
And I did see on ground,  
The Gods with colour pale and wan,  
that those dark kingdoms keep.  
And very night I saw in deed.  
And thousand shapes to creep,  
From out those filthy stinking lakes  
and loathsome pits of Hell.  
Where all the evils under Son,  
in darksome shades do dwell.  
So quaking all for fear I stood,  
with mind right sore appalled,  
Whilst on those Gods which trembling mouth  
the Priest full often called.  
Who all at once, out of their dens  
did skip with grisly face.  
And Monsters grim, & stinging snakes  
seemed wander in that place.  
And all the foulest Fiends of Hell,  
and Furies all were there.  
And all transformed Ghosts & sprights,  
that ever Hell did bear.  
With Cares, and all Diseases vile,  
that mortal minds do crush,  
All those, and more I saw out of  
those Dungeons deep to rush.  
And Age I saw, with rifled face,  
and need, and Fear, and Death,  
And Fire, and flames, & thousand ills  
out fro those Pits to breath.  
Then I was gone: and quite amazed.  
The wench in worse case.  
And yet of old, acquainted with  
her Father's Arts she was.  
The Priest himself unmoved stood,  
and boldly cited out:  
Whole Armies of king Ditis' men,  
who clustering in a Rout:  
All flittering thin like Clouds, dispersed  
abroad in Air do fly.  
And breathing oft which divers forms,  
do scud above in Sky.  
A thousand woods I think have not,  
so many leaves on trees.  
Ten thousand meadows fresh have not  
so many swarming Bees.  
Ten hundred thousand Hills have not  
so many flakes of Snow.  
Nor all the drops & streams, & gulffs  
that in the Seas do flow.  
If that they might be weighed, can once  
so great a number make,  
As could those shapes & forms that flew  
from out of Limbo lake.  
Both Tan●alus and Zetus to,  
and pale Amphion's Ghost:  
And A●●u●, and after her,  
ten thousand Sprights do post.  
Than Penti●eus and more and more,  
in like estate ensue:  
Till out at length comes La●us:  
with fowl and grisly hue.  
All pierced with wounds, I loath to speak  
with blood quite overgrown:  
Uncomely dressed, in wretched plight,  
with head still hanging down.  
A Miser right as seemed to me,  
and most of Misers all:  
Thus in this case, at length he spoke,  
and thus began to call.  
O Cadmus cruel City vile,  
that still deligh●st in blood,  
O Cadmus thou, which kinsman's death,  
acowntst as chiefest good.  
Tear out the bloody Bowels of  
your Children. Learn of me,  
Do that, & rath●r more: than you  
would bide the day to se.  
Like ills as late on me are light.  
Lo Mother's love, (Alas)  
Is now, the rifest fault outright  
that ere in Thebes was.  
The Country with the wrath of gods  
at this time is not tossed.  
Nor Earth nor Air infect is not  
the cause that all been lost.  
No. No. A bloody king is cause  
of all these mischiefs great.  
A bloody wretch. A wretched Child  
that sits in Father's Seat.  
And Mother's bed defiles (O wretch)  
and entereth in again,  
In places whence he came from once  
and doubleth so her pain.  
And that, that very Beasts almost,  
do all abhor to do:  
Even of his Mother's body he,  
hath brothers gotten too.  
(O mischief great,) (O dreadful deed)  
than Sphinx, O Monster more.  
Example unto Ages all,  
of Gods foretold before.  
But I thee, thee the Sceptre hold'st,  
thy Father will pursue:  
And wreak myself on the and thine,  
with fearful vengeance due.  
All raging Plagues, all Botches vile  
I will upon the blow.  
And all the foulest Fiends of Hell,  
upon the I will throw.  
I will subvert thy Houses clean,  
for this thy loathsome lust.  
I will do this, thou wretch. And the  
and thine, consume to dust.  
Wherefore dispatch at once (I say)  
into exile drive your King.  
That ground that first of all he leaves  
with fresh green grass shall spring  
And swe●e and pleasant Air,  
and healthful blasts shall blow.  
And all the evils under the Son,  
that beastly slave shall follow.  
The Poks, the Piles, the Botch, the blane  
and Death with him shall fly.  
And with him mischiefs all shall pass,  
and Monsters under Sky.  
And as for him I know he would  
departed with willing mind:  
But I will clog his feet and hands,  
his way he shall not find.  
But groping with his aged staff,  
shall pass from place to place.  
This shall he do. And none shall rue  
upon his wretched case.  
Rid you him from the earth in tim●  
for Heaven let me alone:  
No sooner said, bu● straight away,  
his dreadful Ghost was gone.  
And fast by thousands after him,  
tother Sprights in hide:  
Than Cold & trembling fear began  
through all my bones to glide.  Oedipus 
That, that I always feared, alas  
upon me now is laid:  
But slender props they are (God wots)  
whereby your Treason is stayed.  
Mer●pa my Mother dear,  
shall me from this defend.  
And Polybus shall purge me quite,  
from Actions all that tend  
To murder, or to incest vile,  
they both shall me excuse.  
In such a case no means at all  
of trial I refuse.  
Say what you can unto my charge.  
No fault in me remains.  
The Thebans long or I came here,  
of La●us death complains.  
My mother yet alive, my Father  
still in like estate.  
No, no, this is some do●●ysh drift,  
of you false Prophet's pate.  
Or else some mighty God above,  
doth bear us no good will,  
And seeks by Plagues on us to wreak,  
his wrathful vengeance still.  
A sir I am glad, at length I smell  
your dryfts and fetches fine:  
I know the whole confedrats well  
your sleights I can untwine.  
That beastly Priest. That blearcyed wretch  
be lies the Gods and me:  
And thee thou Traitor in my place  
hath promyst king to be.  Cr●on 
Alas would I my sister of,  
her lawful kingdom spoil?  
Think you such Treason may have place  
in brother's breast to boil?  
If that mine Oath could me not keep  
content with my degree:  
But that contemning mean estate,  
I would climb aloft to be.  
Yet should ill Fortune me deter,  
from such attempts I trow:  
Whose guise it is on Prince's heads,  
huge heaps of Cares to throw.  
I would advise you sir betymes●  
this charge from you to thrust:  
Lest lyngring long which it at length,  
unwares ye be oppressed.  
Assure yourself, in base state,  
more safer you may live:  
And shun a thousand Cares & Griefs:  
which Princes Hearts do ry●e.  O●d. 
And dost thou me exhort thou slave  
my kingdoms for to leave?  
darest tho● attempt thou villain vile  
this thing to me to break?  
And fearest thou not in such a case  
so boldly for to speak.  Creon 
think you I would them so persuade  
which freely might possess  
Their Realms? Or those that need not fear  
least cares should then oppress.  
But as for you, of force you must,  
your Fortune's change abide:  Oedipus 
The surest way for them that gape,  
for kingdoms large and wide:  
Is first things mean, and rest  
and base estate to praise:  
And yet with tooth & Nail to toil,  
to mownt aloft always.  
So oftentimes most restless Beasts,  
do chiefly rest commend.  Creon. 
Shall not my service long suffice,  
my truth for to defend?  Oedipus 
Time is the only means for such,  
as thou to work, their wil  Creon 
It is so sir. But as for me,  
of goods, I have my fill.  
A great resort. A pleasant life:  
from Princely Cares, exempt.  
All these might m● dissuade (O king)  
from such a fowl attempt.  
Not one day there is almost,  
the whole year throughout:  
Wherein some Royal Gifts are not,  
unto my Houses brought.  
Both precious Pearls, and princely Roobs  
and things of greater cost:  
Which I let p●sse, lest I should seem  
but vainly for to boast.  
In such a blessed hap●y state,  
what thing need I require?  Oed. 
The more thou haste, I know right well,  
the more thou dost desire:  
Good fortune can no mean observe,  
but still she presseth higher.  Creon 
Shall I than guiltless die Alas,  
my cause and all vntryd●?  Oed. 
Were unto you at any time  
my life, my deeds descried?  
Did any man defend me y●t?  
or else my causes plead?  
And yet I am condemned. To this  
you do me lead.  
And me express example give  
which I intend to follow:  Creon 
What if that Innocent I be:  Oedip 
The guise of kings you know  
Is doubtful things for true to fear  
if thence may mischief grow.  Creon 
The often fearful trembling mind,  
true cause of fear doth show.  Oedip 
He that in midst of perils deep,  
and dangers hath been cast,  
Doth seek all means to shun like ills  
as he hath overpast.  Creon 
So hatreds rise.  O●. 
He that to much  
doth use ill will to fear,  
Unskylfull is: and knows not how,  
he ought himself to bear  
In kings estate. For fear alone  
doth Kingdoms chief keep.  
Than he that thus doth arm himself  
from fear all free may sleep.  Creon 
Who so the Tyrant plays and guiltless  
men with force doth smite:  
He dreadeth them that him do dread  
thus fear doth chief light.  
On Causers chief A just revenge,  
for murdering minds outright.  Oedipus 
Away with this Traitor. Away.  
In Dungeon deep him cast:  
There let his vile deceitful mind  
due pains and vengeance taste  
For his deserved ills. Let there  
dire bondage him constrain:  
Bondage the chiefest scourge of mind  
that Traitors can sustain.   

Chorus.  
SEE, see, the miserable estate,  
of princes careful life.  
What raging storms? what bloody broils  
what toil? what endless strife  
Do they endure? (O God) what plags?  
what grief do they sustain?  
A Princely life: No. No. (No doubt)  
An ever during pain.  
A state even fit for men on whom  
Fortune would wreeke her will.  
A place for Cares to couch them in.  
A door wide open still  
For gryefs and dangers all that been  
to entre when they list.  
A king these Mates must ever have,  
it boots not to resist.  
Whole floods of privy pinching fear.  
great a●guysh of the mind:  
Apparent Plagues, & deyly gryfs.  
These playsayres Princes find.  
And other none, which whom they spend  
and pass their wretched days.  
Thus he that Prince's li●es, and base  
estate together ways:  
(Shall find the one,)  
A Dungeon deep. A very Hell.  
A perfect infelycitie.  
(The other,)  
A Heaven right: A blessed life,  
exempted quite from misery.  
Let O●dipus Example be  
of this unto you all,  
A Mirror meet. A Pattern plain,  
of Prince's careful thrall.  
Who late in perfect joy as seemed,  
and everlasting bliss,  
Triumphantly his life out led,  
a Miser now outright he is,  
And most of wretched Misers all,  
even at this present time,  
With doubtful waves of fear I to●●,  
Subject to such a Crime.  
Whereat my tongue amazed stays,  
God grant that at the last,  
It fall not out as 〈◊〉 told.  
Not yet the worst is past,  
(I fear.)    

¶ The fourth Act.  

The second Scene.  Oedipus. jocasta. Oedipus 
MY mind with doubtful waves of fear,  
is tossed to and fro  
I wots not what to say. Alas  
I am tormented so.  
For all the Gods on me do cry,  
for pains and vengeance dew,  
They say that these my guiltless hands,  
king Laius overthrew.  
But this my valiant Courage stout,  
and mind from mischief free,  
To Gods untried, to me well known  
denies it so to be.  
Full well I do remember once,  
by chance I did dispatch,  
A man: who sought by force with me,  
presumptuously to match.  
And sought by force me to displace,  
as much as in him lay.  
This I remember well enough,  
the strife was for the way.  
And he a man of aged years,  
and I a lusty blood.  
And yet of me are disdain and pride,  
in vain he me withstood.  
But this from Thebes far was done.  
A crooked three pathed way:  
That was the place for which we strove  
this I remember well,  
Dear wife resolve my doubt at once  
and me expressly tell●  
How old was La●us when he died,  
of fresh and lusty years?  
(Or was he stricken well in age?)  jocasta 
Betwixt an old man and a young:  
but nearer to an old.  Oedipus 
Were there great Bands of men which him  
his Person to uphold?  jocasta 
Some by the way deceived were.  
And some deterred by pain.  
A few by toil and labour long,  
did with their Prince remain.  Oe●ipus 
Were ●ny slain in his defence?  jocasta 
But one of whom I here:  
Who valiant in his princes cause,  
full stoutly did expier.  Oed. 
It is enough I know him now,  
that hath this mischief done.  
The number and the place agrees.  
The time untried alone  
Remainss. Than tell what time he died  
and when that he was slain.  jocasta 
Tis ten year since: You now renew  
the cause of all my pain.   

¶ The fourth Act.  
The secone Scene.  Senex. Oedipus. Sen. 
THe Corinth people all (O king)  
do call for you to reign,  Polybus 
In your own kingdoms.  
eternal rest obtain.  Oe. 
O God what Fortune vile doth me doth  
oppress on every side?  
How do my sorrows still encreas?  
Tell how my father died.  Seen 
No one disease but only Age,  
did of his life him reave.  Oedipus. 
And is he dead in deed? Not slain?  
What joy may I conceive?  
How may I now triumph? The Gods  
to wy●nes I do call,  
To whom are known my hidden thoughts  
& secret workings all.  
Now may I life to Skies my hands,  
my hands from mischief free.  
But yet the chiefest cause of fear,  
remaineth still to me.  Sen. 
Your Father's Kingdoms ought all dread  
out of your mind to wear.  Oedipus 
Tha● I confess. But wretched beast,  
my Mother I do fear.  Sen. 
Do you your Mother fear? on your  
return that only stays.  Oedipus 
I fear not her: but from her sight  
my godly Zeal me frays.  Sen. 
What will you her a Widow leave?  Oedipus 
Now, now, thou woundst my heart.  
This, this, and only this alas,  
is cause of all my smart.  Senex. 
Tell me (O king) what loudful fear!  
doth pre●●e thy Princely breast:  
Kings Cowncels I can well conceal  
that been with Cares oppressed.  Oedipus. 
Lest as Apollo hath foretold,  
I should a Marriage make  
With mine own Mother: ●nly this  
fowl fear doth mak● me quake.  Sen. 
Such vain & pe●ysh fears, at length  
from out your breast exile.  
Me●opa your Mother is not in deed,  
you do yourself beguile.  Oed. 
What vantage should it be to her  
adopted Sons to have?  Sen. 
A kingdom she shall gain thereby.  
Her Husband laid in grave.  
The chiefest prop to stay her Realms  
from present Confusion,  
Is Children for to have: and hope  
of lawful succession.  Oed. 
Tell me the means whereby thou dost,  
these Secrets understand?  Sen. 
It was I that you an Infant gave  
into your father's hand.  Oed. 
Didst thou me to my Father give?  
Who than gave me to thee?  Se●. 
A shepherd sir, that wont on  
C●thero● Hyls to be.  Oedip. 
What made thee in those woods to range  
what hadst thou there to do?  Sen. 
Upon those Hills my Beasts I kept,  
sometime a shepherd to.  Oedip. 
What notes, what privy marks hast ●hou  
whereby thou dost me know?  Oe●. 
The holes that through your feet are bored  
from whence your name did grow.  Oedip. 
Declare what was his name that gave  
my body unto thee?  Senex 
The King's chief Shepherd than that was  
delivered you to me.  Oed. 
What was his name?  Se. 
Old men's  
remembrance soon doth fail:  
oblivion for the chiefest part,  
doth hoary heads assail  
And drowns their former memory  
of things long out of mind.  Oed 
What? canst thou know the man by sight?  Sen. 
Perhaps I should him find,  
and know by face. Things overwhelmed  
by time, and quite oppressed.  
A small mark oft to mind revokes,  
and fresh renews in breast.  Oedipus. 
Sirs bid the Herdsmen forthwith drive  
their Beasts to Altars all.  
Away with speed, make hast the Master  
Shepherds to me call.  Sen. 
Whither thy Destinies this do hide  
or Fortune it detain,  
And closely keep: Let it be s●,  
from opening that refrain.  
That long concealed hath hidden lain  
that seek not to disclose:  
Such things outsearched & found oft-times  
against the searcher goes.  Oed. 
Can any mischief greater be?  
than this that now I fear.  Sen. 
Advise you well remember first  
what weight this thing doth bear:  
That thus you go about to search,  
and sift with tooth and nail,  
Observe the golden mean: Beware  
bear still an equal sail.  
Your countries wealth, O king your life,  
and all upon this lies.  
Though you stir not, be sure at length  
your Fortune you escries.  
A happy state for to disturb  
doth nought at all behove.  Oed. 
When things be at the worst of them  
a man may safely move.  Sen. 
Can you have aught more excellent?  
than is a princes state?  
Beware lest of your Parents found  
i● you repent to late.  Oedip. 
No, no, I warrant that? Repent?  
not I, I trow:  
I seek it not to that intent.  
I have decreed to know,  
The matter at the full. Wherefore  
I will it now pursue.  
Lo Phorhas where he trembling comes,  
with comely aged hue.  
To whom of all the kings flock than,  
the ●are and charge was due.  
Dost y● his name, his speech, his face,  
or y●t his person know?  Se●ex 
Thinks I should have seen his face  
and yet I can not show  
(The places where:)  
This look is neither throughly known  
nor yet unknown to me  
I can not tell. I doubt it much.  
And yet it may be he.  
In L●●u● time long since when he,  
these Kyngdom● great did keep:  
Wast thou not on Cithaeron Hills?  
chief Shepharde to his sheep.   

¶ The fourth Act.  
The third Scene.  Phorba●. Se●ex. O●dipus● Phorb●● 
SOmtim a charge of shep I had  
unworthy though I wear  
And on those Hills long since chief rule  
on ●ther shepherds bare.  S●. 
Know'st thou not me.  ●h. 
I can not tell.  Oe 
Didst thou once give this man  
A Child● Speak out, why dost thou stay?  
if so, declare it then.  
Why dost thou blush & doubting stand  
Truth seeketh no delay?  Pho●. 
Things out of mind you bid revoke  
almost quite worn away.  Oedipus 
Confess thou slave, or else I ●weare,  
thou shalt constrained be.  Phor. 
In deed I do remember once,  
an Infant young by me,  
delivered was unto this Man:  
But well I wots in vain,  
I know he could not long endure,  
nor yet alive remain.  
Long since he is dead, & raked in dust,  
he lives not at this day.  Senex 
No? God forbid, he lives no doubt,  
and long may live I pray.  Oedip. 
Why dost thou say the Child thou gavest  
is dead and raked in dust?  Phor. 
Because that through his tender feet.  
an Iron sharp was thrust:  
Whereof a grievous swelling rose,  
I saw the blood to gush  
From out of both the wounds: & down  
by pouring streams to rush.  ●e●. 
Now stay (O king) no farther now,  
you know almost the troth.  Oedipus 
Whose child was it? tell me fothwith.  Phor. 
I dare not for mine Oath.  Oedip. 
Thine Oath y● slave. Some fire here.  
I'll charm thine Oath & thee,  
With fire and flames: except forthwith  
thou tell this thing to me.  Phor. 
O pardon me, though rude I seem,  
I seek not to withstand  
Your Grace's mind: and will not I.  
My life is in your hand.  Oedipus 
Tell me the troth, what child, & whose  
what was his Mother's name?  Phor. 
Born of your wife and borough.  Oedipus 
O Earth burst out and gape for me,  
devour my body quite,  
Or else thou God, that Ruler art  
of Houses void of light.  
To Hell my Soul with Thunder bolts  
to Hell my soul down drive.  
Where furious Ghosts in darkness deep  
and endless pain do live.  
For the alone, these Plagues do rage●  
For the these mischiefs rise.  
For thee, the Earth lies desolate.  
For the thou wretch the Skies  
Infected are. For thee, for thee,  
and for thy filthy lust,  
A hundred thousand guiltless men,  
consumed are to dust.  
O people throw: cast heaps of stones  
upon this hateful Head:  
bath all your Blades within my Guts  
Show pity none. proceed.  
Against me vile transformed Beast  
with pains and vengeance due.  
Let Father, Son, and wife, and all,  
with Weapons me pursue.  
Let those that for my sake alone,  
with Plagues tormented be  
Throw Darts. Cast Spears: Fling stones  
& flaming Brands on me.  
O Slave. O filthy vacabound.  
O hateful head of thine.  
Confownder O of Nature thou,  
to godly Laws divine.  
Even from thy birth an open foe.  
Go to, dispatch, and die.  
Thou hast deserved Death. Go, go,  
unto the Court the high.  
Therewith thy mother slave triumph  
Rejoice as thou mayst do:  
Which hast thy House increased with unhappy Children so.  
Make haste with speed, away, some thing  
thy mischiefs worthy find.  
And on thyself wreak all the spite  
of thy revenging mind.   

Chorus.  
FOrtune the Dame of present life  
doth all things change at will  
& stirring still, procureth grief  
such miser's minds to fill.  
Which careful are their states to keep  
when boisterous storms do rise,  
And blustering winds & dangers deep  
sets Death before their ●yes.  
Who saith he doth her fawning feel!  
and changeth not his mind,  
When fickle flight of Fortune's wheel  
doth turn by course of kind.  
Thes grievous Plags from private house  
to Princely Thrones do flow.  
And oft their minds tears ●ares they fous  
and thick upon them strew.  
Whole heaps of grief & dire debate.  
A woeful thing to see:  
A Princely life to miser's state,  
converted for to be.  
O Oedipus thy fatal fall,  
thy dreadful mischiefs right.  
Thy doleful state, thy misery,  
thy thrice unhappy plight:  
These things shall blaze through all the world:  
what heart may then rejoice  
At thy distress? I can no more:  
my tears do stop my voice.  
But what is he that yonder stamps?  
and raging puffs and blows,  
And often shakes his vexed head,  
some mischief great he knows.  
(What news good sir with you?)    

¶ The fift Act.  

The first Scene.  Nuntius. 
WHen Oedipus accursed wretch,  
his fatal falls had spied,  
(And mischiefs great.)  
To Hell he damned his wretched soul  
and on the Gods he cried  
For vengeance due. And posting fast  
with frantic mood & grisly hue,  
Unto his doleful Court he went,  
his thoughts for to pursue.  
Much like a Lion ramping wild,  
his furious head that shakes.  
And roors which thundering mouth aloud  
And often gnashing makes,  
None otherwise this miser fared.  
A loathsome sight to see.  
Besides himself for very rage,  
he still desires to die.  
And rolling round his wretched eyes  
with visage pale and wan:  
Ten thousand Curses out he powers.  
Himself the unhappiest man  
Of all that live, he doth accownt:  
As justly he may do.  
A wretch. A slave. A caitiff vile.  
The cause of all his woe.  
And in this case inflamed with spite  
he cries, he stamps, he raves.  
And boiling in his secret thoughts  
he still desires to have.  
All torments under Son that may  
his Cares conceived encreas.  
O wretched wight, what should he do?  
What man may him release?  
Thus foaming all for rage at mouth,  
with sighs, and sobs, and groans,  
His damned head ten thousand times.  
as oft his wearied bones  
He beats. And often puffing makes,  
and roors, and swells, and sweats.  
And on the Gods for death he calls,  
for Death he still entreats.  
Three times he did begin to speak:  
and thrice his tongue did stay.  
At length he cried out aloud:  
O wretch Away, away.  
Away thou monstrous Beast he said:  
Wilt thou prolong thy life?  
Nay rather some man strike this breast  
with stroke of bloody knife.  
Or all you Gods above on me  
your flaming fierce outcast:  
And dints of Thunderbolts down ●hrow  
This is my Prayer last.  
What greedy vile devouring G●●pe,  
upon my guts will gnaw?  
What Tiger fierce my hateful lim●  
will quite asunder draw?  
Lo, here I am you Gods: Lo, here,  
wreak now on me your wyll●  
Now, now you fiery fiends of Hell,  
of vengeance take your fill.  
Send out some wild outrageous beast  
send Dogs me to devour.  
Or else all ills you can devise,  
at once upon me power.  
O woeful soul. O sinful wretch.  
Why dost thou fear to die?  
Death only rids from woes thou know'st.  
Than stoutly Death defy.  
With that his bloody fatal Blade,  
from out his sheath he draws,  
And loud he cries. What now?  
thou beast? Why dost thou paws?  
Thy father thou hast slain. Thou, thou.  
Thou Cayteyf vile.  
Thou wretch, thou Slave, thou Beast, thou dost  
thy Mother's Bed defile.  
And Brothers thou hast got. Nay Sons  
Sons: Thou liest: thy brothers all  
They ar. Thus for thy monstrous lust  
thy Country down doth fall.  
And think'st thou than for all these ills  
enough so short a pain?  
Think'st thou the Gods will be appeased,  
if thou forthwith be slain?  
So many mischiefs done: And ist  
enough one struck to bide?  
Accownst ●hou it sufficient pain,  
that once thy Blade should glide  
Quite through thy guilty guts for all?  
Why then dispatch and die.  
So mayst thou recompense thy Father's  
death sufficiently.  
Let it be so. What mends unto  
thy Mother wilt thou mak●?  
Unto thy children what? These plags  
how wilt thou slake?  
That all for the● thy Cou●trey wastes?  
One push shall end them all.  
A proper fetch. A fine devise.  
For thee a worthy fall  
Invent thou Monstrous Beast.  
A fall even worthy for  
The self invent: whom all m●n hate  
and loath, and do abhor.  
And as Dame Nature's lawful course  
is brook thou wretch by thee,  
So let to such a mischief great,  
thy Death agr●yng be.  
O that I might a thousand times,  
my wretched life renew.  
O that I might revive and die  
by Course in order dew.  
Ten hundred thousand times & more  
Than should I vengeance take  
Upon this wretched pate. Than I  
perhaps in part should make  
A meet amends outright, for this  
my fowl and loathsome Syn.  
Than should the proof of pain reprove  
the life that I live in.  
The choice is in thy hand thou wretch,  
than use thine own discretion.  
And find a means, whereby thou mayst  
come to extreme confusion.  
And that, that oft thou mayst not do  
let it prolonged be.  
Thus, thus, mayst thou procure at length  
an endless Death to thee.  
search out a death whereby thou mayst  
perpetual shame obtain:  
And yet not die. But still to live  
in everlasting pain.  
Why stay'st thou man? Go to I say:  
What mean these blubbering tears  
Why weepst thou thus? Alas to late.  
Leave of thy foolish fears.  
And ist enough to weep thinkest thou?  
shall tears and wailing serve?  
No wretch it shall not be. Thou dost  
ten thousand deaths deserve.  
Mine eyes do dally with me I see,  
and tears do still out power.  
Shall gushing tears suffice? Not so,  
I shall them better scour.  
Out with thine eyes, he said: And than  
with Fury fierce inflamed:  
Like to a bloody raging Fiend,  
and Monstrous Beast untamd.  
With fiery flaming spotted cheeks  
his breast he often beats.  
And scratch, and tear his face he doth  
and Skin asunder frets.  
That scarce his eyes in head could stand  
so sore he them besets.  
With furious fierce outrageous mind  
he stamps & cries aloud:  
And roors & rails, which ramping rage.  
Thus in this case he stood,  
Perplexed, and vexed sore in mind,  
with deadly sighs and tears.  
When suddenly all franticklyke  
himself from ground he rears.  
And rooteth out his wretched eyes.  
And sight asunder tears.  
Than gnasheth he his bloody teeth,  
and bites, and gnaws, & champs,  
His eyes all bathed and brewed in blood,  
for fury fierce he stamps.  
And raging more than needs alas,  
his eyes quite rooted out:  
The very holes in vain he scrapes  
so sore the wretch doth d●ut:  
Lest sight should chance for to remain  
he rends & mangls quite  
His face, his eyes, his nose, his mouth  
And all whereon his hands do light  
He rigs & ryves. Thus foully raid  
alas in piteous plight:  
At length his head aloft he lifts,  
and therewith gives a shright.  
And when he sees that all is gone,  
both light, and sight, and all.  
Than shrieking out: he thus begins  
upon the Gods to call.  
Now spare you Gods, spare now,  
my Country priest to fall.  
I have done that you did command:  
Your wraths revenged be.  
This wretched look, this mangled face,  
is fittest now for thee.  
Thus speaking down the blakish blood  
by streams doth gushing flow  
Into his mouth. And clottered lumps  
of flesh the place doth strew  
(Wherein he stands.)  
Beware betimes, by him beware,  
I speak unto you all.  
Learn justice, truth, & fear of Gods  
By this unhappy fall.   

Chorus.  
OUr life with tomblyng fatal course  
of Fortunes wheel is rolled.  
To it give place, for it doth run  
all swiftly uncontrolled  
And Cares & tears are spent in vain  
for it can not be stayed:  
But needs must run the rated race,  
of Destinies all decreed.  
What mankind hides or does on earth  
it cometh from above.  
Then wailing groans powered out in griefs  
do nought at all behove.  
Our life must have her pointed course  
Alas what shall I say.  
As fates, decrees, so things do run.  
no man can make them stay.  
For at our birth to gods is known  
our latter dying day.  
No Prayer, no Art, not God himself  
may fatal fates resist.  
But fastened all in fixed course,  
unchanged they persist.  
Such end them still ensues as they  
appointed were to have,  
Than fly all fear of Fortune's change  
seek not to live a slave  
Enthralled in bondage vile to fear.  
For fear doth often bring  
Destinies that dreaded been and mischeyfs  
feared upon us sling.  
Yea many a man hath come unto  
his fatal end by fear.  
Wherefore set peevish fear aside,  
and worthy courage bear.  
And thou that Subject art to Death.  
Regard thy latter day.  
Think no man blessed before his end  
Advise the well and stay.  
Be sure his life, and death, and all,  
be quite exempt from misery:  
Ere thou do once presume to say:  
this man is blessed and happy.  
But out alas, see where he comes:  
A wretch withouten Guide,  
Bereft of sight. Half spoiled of life:  
Without all pomp and Pride  
(That unto kings Estate belongs.)   

¶ The fifth Act.  
The second Scene.  Oedipus. Chorus. jocasta. Oedipus 
VUell, well: It's done. More yet?  
No no no more remains  
My Father's rites performed ar.  
What God? on Miser's pains  
That rues. Within this Cloud hath rolled  
& wrapped my wretched pate.  
Ah syr: this is a life alone.  
This is a happy state.  
This is a case even fit for thee,  
for thee thou wretch, for thee.  
From whose accursed sight the Son,  
the Stars and all do flee.  
Yet mischiefs more who gives to do?  
The dreadful day I have  
Escapte. Thou filthy Parricide:  
Thou vile mischievous Sla●●.  
Unto thy right hand nought thou ow'st  
all things performed be.  
Unhappy man that ever I lived  
this wretched day to see.  
Where am I now alas:  
The light and all doth us  
Abhor. This look is first for thee,  
th●u miserable Oedipus.  Chorus. 
Se se, where jocasta comes,  
with fierce and furious mood,  
Quite past herself. For very rage  
she frets and waxeth wood.  
Like to sir Cadmus' Mother mad,  
who late her Son did kill:  
Fain would she speak her mind: For fear  
alas she dares not: Still  
She stays. And yet all shamefastness  
these ills have quite exiled  
(From out her wretched breast.)  jocasta 
Fain would I speak, I am afraid  
for what should I the call  
My Son? doubt not. Thou art my Son  
My Son thou art for all  
These mischiefs great. Alas, alas,  
my Son is ashamed of me.  
O cruel Son. Where dost thou turn  
thy face? Why dost thou flee  
From me? From me thy Mother dear  
Why dost thou shun my sight?  
And leave me thus in misery  
with Cares consumed quite.  Oedipus. 
Who troubles me? Let me alone.  
I thought not to be found:  
Who now restores mine eyes to me  
my Mother, or my Mother's sound?  
Our labour all is spent in vain,  
now may we meet no more.  
The Seas divide those meetings vile  
that we have had before.  
The gaping earth divide us both,  
th'one from tother quite.  
Still let our feet repugnant be.  
So shall I shun the light  
(That most of all me grieves.)  jocasta 
The Destinies are in fault. Blame them.  
Alas, alas, not we.  Oedipus 
Spare now. Leave of to speak in vain  
Spare now O Mother me,  
By these relics of my dismembered  
body I thee pray.  
By mine unhappy Children pledges  
left. What shall I say?  
By all the Gods I thee beseech,  
By all that in my name,  
(Is either good or bad)  
Let me alone. To trouble me,  
Alas you are to blame.  jocasta 
O woeful Soul O wretched heart  
Why dost thou faint alas?  
Why dost thou seek and toil in vain  
these ills to overpass.  
What mean these sighs and boiling tears?  
Why dost thou pains refuse?  
Thou mate of all his mischiefs thou,  
by whose means only rues  
The law of nature all: by whom  
Ah, Ah, counfonnded lies,  
Both god and man and be'st and all  
that either lives or dies.  
Die thou. dispatch at once. thrust through  
thy vile incestruous breast.  
Not thou if god himself, if he  
his flaming fires should throw  
On thee, or mischiefs all by heaps  
upon thy body strew  
Couldst once repay due pains  
for thy deserved ills.  
(Thou filthy wretch: Thou wicked Mother thou.)  
Death death now best contenteth me  
than seek a way to die.  
So mayst thou yet at length find end  
for this thy misery.  
O Son lend me thy hand, if that  
thou art a Parricide?  
This labour last of all remains:  
this labour thee doth bide.  
Dispatch rid me thy Mother dear  
from all my wretched woe.  
It will not be. No prayers move.  
Thyself this deed must do.  
Take up this sword. Go to. With this  
thy husband once was slain.  
Thy Husband? Thou termst him false.  
Thy father he was. O deadly pain.  
Shall I quite through my breast  
or through my throat it thrust?  
Canst thou not choose thy wound? Away  
die die, alas thou must.  
This breast. This womb. Than wound  
this, this, with thine own hand.  
Strike, pierce, and spare it not:  
which both a Husband: and  
(The same a Son did bear.  Chorus. 
Alas alas, she is slain, she is slain,  
dispatched with a push:  
Who ever saw the like to this:  
See how the blood doth gush  
From out her wounded breast.  
(O heavy doleful Case.)  Oedipus 
Thou God. Thou teller out of fates.  
On thee, on thee, I call,  
My Father only I did owe,  
unto the Destinies all.  
Now twice a Parricide and more  
than I did fear mischievous  
My Mother I have slain. Alas  
I am the cause. It's thus.  
O Oedipus accursed wretch,  
lament thine own Calamity,  
Lament thy state, thy grief lament,  
thou caitiff borne to misery.  
Where wilt thou become alas?  
Thy face where wilt thou hide:  
O miserable Slave, canst thou  
such shameful torments bide?  
Canst thou which hast thy Parents slain  
Canst thou prolong thy life?  
Wilt thou not die? deserving Death  
Thou cause of all the grief  
And Plagues, & dreadful mischiefs all  
that Th●bane City preas.  
Why dost thou seek by longer life.  
thy sorrows to encreas?  
Why dost thou toil and labour thus  
in vain? It will not be.  
Both God a●d man: and beast, and all  
abhor thy face to see.  
O Earth why gap'st thou not for me?  
Why do you not unfold  
yourselves you gates of Hell me to re●eyue?  
Why do you hence withhold  
The fierce infernal Fiends from me,  
from me so wretched wight?  
Why break not all the Furies lose?  
this hateful head to smite  
With Plagues: which them deserved hath  
Alas I am left alone  
Both light, and sight, and comfort all  
from me (O wretch) is gone.  
O cursed head: O wicked wight,  
whom al● men deadly hate.  
O Beast what meanest thou still to live  
in this unhappy state.  
The Skies do blush and are ashamed,  
at these thy mischiefs great:  
The earth laments, the heavens weep  
the Seas for rage do fret.  
And blustering rise, & storms do stir,  
and all thou wretch for thee:  
By whose incestuous loathsome lust  
all things dysturbed be.  
Quite out of course displaced quite  
O cursed fatal day.  
O mischiefs great. O dreadful times  
O wretch, away away.  
Exile thyself from all men's sight  
thy life half spent in misery.  
Go end: consume it now outright:  
in thri●e as great Calamity.  
O lying Phebe I have done more  
than my Destiny was to do.  
With trembling fearful pa●e go forth●  
thou wretche● Monster go.  
Grope out thy ways on knees in dark  
thou miserable slave.  
So mayst thou yet in tract of time,  
due pains and vengeance have  
For thy mischievous life: Thus thus,  
the Gods themselves decree:  
Thus thus thy fates: thus thus the skies  
appoint it for to be.  
Than headlong hence: with a mischief hence  
O Caitiff vile away:  
Away, away, thou monstrous Beast  
Go. Ron. Stand. Stay.  
Lest on thy Mother thou do fall.)  
All you that wearied bodies have,  
with sickness overpressed:  
Lo now I fly: I fly away.  
The cause of your unrest,  
(I fly.)  
life up your heads: A better state  
of Air shall strait ensue,  
When I am gone for whom alone  
these dreadful mischiefs grew.  
And you that now, half dead yet live  
in wretched miser's case,  
Help those whom present torments pres  
forth, high you on apace.  
For lo, with me I carry hence  
all mischiefs under Skies.  
All cruel fates, Diseases all  
that for my sake did rise,  
With me they go: with me, both grief  
Plague, Pocks, Botch, and all  
The ills that either now you pres  
or ever after shall.  
With me they go. With me, with me.  
These Mates been meetest of all  
(For me.)   
FINIS.   

¶ Perused and allowed according to the queens majesties Injunctions.   

¶ Faults escaped in the Pryntinge.  
In C. the .5. Page the .5. line read in the margin Creon. the same page the 6. line read in the margin Oedipus. E. the .8. Pag● the last verse for this read his E. the last Page the .7. vers for where wilt thou become alas read where wilt thou now become alas.   

¶ Imprinted at London in Saint bride's Churchyard: overagaynste the North Door of the CHURCH, by Thomas Colwell. ☞