Jo. Not till I learn what mischief is befallen.
Ch. 2. A dim, unproved debate.
Reproach, though unfounded, stings.
Jo. From both?
Ch. 3. From both alike.
Jo. How caused?
Ch. 4. Enough for me,
Amply enough it seems, when our poor land
Is vexed already, not to wake what sleeps.
Oed. (to Leader of Ch.). See where thine honest zeal hath landed thee,
Bating my wrath, and blunting my desire!
Ch. 5. My prince, I say it again: II 2
Assure thee, I were lost to sense,
Infatuate, void of wholesome thought,
Could I be tempted now
To loose my faith from thee,
Who, when the land I love
Laboured beneath a wildering load,
Didst speed her forth anew with favouring gale.
Now, too, if but thou may’st, be her good guide.
Jo. Let not thy queen be left in ignorance
What cause thou hadst to lift thy wrath so high.
Oed. I’ll tell thee, lady, for I honour thee
More than these citizens. ’Twas Creon there,
And his inveterate treason against me.
Jo. Accuse him, so you make the quarrel plain.
Oed. He saith I am the murderer of the King.
Jo. Speaks he from hearsay, or as one who knows?
Oed. He keeps his own lips free: but hath suborned
A rascal soothsayer to this villany.
Jo. Hearken to me, and set your heart at rest
On that you speak of, while I make you learn
No mortal thing is touched by soothsaying.
Of that I’ll give thee warrant brief and plain.
Word came to Laius once, I will not say
From Phoebus’ self, but from his ministers,
The King should be destroyed by his own son,
