This day shall victory bring. 
O for the wings, the wings of a dove,
To be borne with the speed of the gale,
Up and still upwards to sail
     And gaze on the fray from the clouds above. 
(Ant. 2)
All-seeing Zeus, O lord of heaven,
To our guardian host be given
Might triumphant to surprise
Flying foes and win their prize. 
Hear us, Zeus, and hear us, child
Of Zeus, Athene undefiled,
Hear, Apollo, hunter, hear,
Huntress, sister of Apollo,
Who the dappled swift-foot deer
O’er the wooded glade dost follow;
Help with your two-fold power
Athens in danger’s hour! 
O wayfarer, thou wilt not have to tax
The friends who watch for thee with false presage,
For lo, an escort with the maids draws near.
[Enter antigone and Ismene with Theseus]

Oedipus
Where, where? what sayest thou?

Antigone
                              O father, father,
Would that some god might grant thee eyes to see
This best of men who brings us back again.

Oedipus
My child! and are ye back indeed!

Antigone
                                   Yes, saved
By Theseus and his gallant followers.

Oedipus
Come to your father’s arms, O let me feel
A child’s embrace I never hoped for more.

Antigone
Thou askest what is doubly sweet to give.

Oedipus
Where are ye then?

Antigone
                    We come together both.

Oedipus
My precious nurslings!

Antigone
                         Fathers aye were fond.

Oedipus
Props of my age!

Antigone
               So sorrow sorrow props.

Oedipus
I have my darlings, and if death should come,
Death were not wholly bitter with you near. 
Cling to me, press me close on either side,
There rest ye from your dreary wayfaring. 
Now tell me of your ventures, but in brief;
Brief speech suffices for young maids like you.

Antigone
Here is our savior; thou should’st hear the tale
From his own lips; so shall my part be brief.

Oedipus
I pray thee do not wonder if the sight
Of children, given o’er for lost, has made
My converse somewhat long and tedious. 
Full well I know the joy I have of them
Is due to thee, to thee and no man else;
Thou wast their sole deliverer, none else. 
The gods deal with thee after my desire,
With thee and with this land! for fear of heaven
I found above all peoples most with you,
And righteousness and lips that cannot lie. 
I speak in gratitude of what I know,
For all I have I owe to thee alone. 
Give me thy hand, O Prince, that I may touch it,
And if thou wilt permit me, kiss thy cheek. 
What say I?  Can I wish that thou should’st touch
One fallen like me to utter wretchedness,
Corrupt and tainted with a thousand ills? 
Oh no, I would not let thee if thou would’st. 
They only who have known calamity
Can share it.  Let me greet thee where thou art,
And still befriend me as thou hast till now.