Voice of the People 2 - PDF document

Voice of the People 2 nd Episode: Strophe I Show me the man the speaking stone from Delphi damned Whose hands incarnadine Achieved the master stroke of master murdering. Faster than horses that beat on the wind he must fly. The son of Zeus caparisoned in light and fire Is on his heels. The pack of sure - foot Fates will track him down. Antistrophe I A Voice that coruscates from high Parnassian snows Leaps down like light. Apollo to the hunt will run the man to earth Through savage woods and stony caverns. A lone wounded bull he limps, lost and alone, Dodging living echoes From the mantic earth that sting and gad around him. Strophe II Terrible auguries tear me and trouble me: The seer’s divining. I cannot assent. I cannot deny. Deserted by words, I live on hopes – all blind for today and blind for tomorrow. A division between the House of Laius and Oedipus Yesterday or today I knew not, nor know of a quarrel Or a reason or challenge to challenge The fame of Oedipus Though I seek to avenge the curious death Of the Labdacid king. Antistrophe II Zeus and Apollo are wise and discern The conditions of man. But oh among men where is there proof That a prophet can know More than me, a man? Yet wisdom can surpass Wisdom in a man. But nevertheless I’ll not Be qui ck to judge Before the proof. For once The winged and female Sphinx Challenged him and found him sound And a friend of the city. So never in my mind at least Shall he be guilty of a crime.