Jocasta.
Husband, in God’s name, say what hath ensued
Of ill, that thou shouldst seek so dire a feud.
Oedipus.
I will, wife. I have more regard for thee
Than these.—Thy brother plots to murder me.
Jocasta.
Speak on. Make all thy charge. Only be clear.
Oedipus.
He says that I am Laïus’ murderer.
Jocasta.
Says it himself? Says he hath witnesses?
Oedipus.
Nay, of himself he ventures nothing. ’Tis
This priest, this hellish seer, makes all the tale.
Jocasta.
The seer?—Then tear thy terrors like a veil
And take free breath. A seer? No human thing
Born on the earth hath power for conjuring
Truth from the dark of God.
Come, I will tell
An old tale. There came once an oracle
To Laïus: I say not from the God
Himself, but from the priests and seers who trod
His sanctuary: if ever son were bred
From him and me, by that son’s hand, it said,
41
