ARGUMENT.. OEDIPUS King of Thebes having by mistake flain his father Laius, and marry'd his mother Jocafta; put out his own eyes, and refign'd the realm to his fons, Eteocles and Polynices. Being neglected by them, he makes his prayer to the fury Tifiphone, to fow debate betwixt the brothers. They agree at last to reign fingly, each a year by turns, and the firf lot is obtained by Eteocles. Jupiter, in a council of the Gods, declares his refolution of punishing the Thebans, and Argives alfo, by means of a marriage betwixt Polynices and one of the daughters of Adraftus King of Argos. Juno oppofes, but to no effect; and Mercury is fent on a meffage to the fhades, to the ghost of Laius, who is to appear to Eteocles, and provoke him to break the agreement. Polynices in the mean time departs from Thebes by night, is overtaken by a storm, and arrives at Argos; where he meets with Tydeus, who had fled from Calydon, having kill'd his brother. Adrastus entertains them, having receiv'd an oracle from Apollo that his daughters fhould be marry'd to a Boar and a Lion, which he understands to be meant of thefe ftrangers by whom the hides of those beafts were worn, and who arriv'd at the time when he kept an annual feaft in honour of that God. The rife of this folemnity he relates to his guefts, the loves of Phocbus and Pfamathe, and the ftory of Chorobus. He enquires, and is made acquainted with their defcent and quality: The facrifice is renew'd, and the book concludes with a Hymn to Apollo. The Tranflator hopes he needs not apologize for his choice of this piece, which was made almoft in his Childhood. But finding the Verfrom better than he expected, he gave it fome Correction a few years afterwards. H P. STATII THE BAIDOS LIBER PRIMV S. Frate raternas acies, alternaque regna profanis 10 Legis Agenoreae? fcrutantemque aequora Cadmum? |