Oedipus.
Prophet, this is not lawful; nay, nor kind
To Thebes, who feeds thee, thus to veil thy mind.
Tiresias.
’Tis that I like not thy mind, nor the way
It goeth. Therefore, lest I also stray . . .
[He moves to go off. Oedipus bars his road.
Oedipus.
Thou shalt not, knowing, turn and leave us! See,
We all implore thee, all, on bended knee.
Tiresias.
Ye have no knowledge. What is mine I hold
For ever dumb, lest what is thine be told.
Oedipus.
What wilt thou? Know and speak not? In my need
Be false to me, and let thy city bleed?
Tiresias.
I will not wound myself nor thee. Why seek
To trap and question me? I will not speak.
Oedipus.
Thou devil!
[Movement of Leader to check him.
Nay; the wrath of any stone
Would rise at him. It lies with thee to have done
And speak. Is there no melting in thine eyes!
19
