OEDIPUS

Thou hast not spoken loyally, nor friendly

Toward the State that bred thee, cheating her

Of this response!

TIRESIAS

Because I do not see

Thy words, not even thine, going to the mark;

So, not to be in the same plight—

1 SENATOR

For Heaven’s sake,

If thou hast knowledge, do not turn away,

When all of us implore thee suppliant!

TIRESIAS

Ye

Are all unknowing; my say, in any sort,

I will not say, lest I display thy sorrow.

OEDIPUS

What, you do know, and will not speak? Your mind

Is to betray us, and destroy the city?

TIRESIAS

I will not bring remorse upon myself

And upon you. Why do you search these matters?

Vain, vain! I will not tell you.

OEDIPUS

Worst of traitors!

For you would rouse a very stone to wrath—

Will you not speak out ever, but stand thus

Relentless and persistent?

TIRESIAS

My offence

You censure; but your own, at home, you see not,

And yet blame me!

OEDIPUS

Who would not take offence,

Hearing the words in which you flout the city?

TIRESIAS

Well, it will come, keep silence as I may.

OEDIPUS

And what will come should I not hear from you?

TIRESIAS

I will declare no further. Storm at this,

If’t please you, to the wildest height of anger!

OEDIPUS

At least I will not, being so far in anger,

Spare anything of what is clear to me:

Know, I suspect you joined to hatch the deed;

Yea, did it—all but slaying with your own hands;

And if you were not blind, I should aver

The act was your work only!

TIRESIAS

Was it so?

I charge you to abide by your decree

As you proclaimed it; nor from this day forth

Speak word to these, or me; being of this land

Yourself the abominable contaminator!

OEDIPUS

So shamelessly set you this story on foot,

And think, perhaps, you shall go free?

TIRESIAS

I am

Free! for I have in me the strength of truth.

OEDIPUS

Who prompted you? for from your art it was not!

TIRESIAS

Yourself! You made me speak, against my will.

OEDIPUS

Speak! What? Repeat, that I may learn it better!

TIRESIAS

Did you not understand me at first hearing,

Or are you tempting me, when you say “Speak!”

OEDIPUS

Not so to say for certain; speak again.

TIRESIAS

I say that you are Laius’ murderer—

He whom you seek.

OEDIPUS

Not without chastisement

Shall you, twice over, utter wounds!

TIRESIAS

Then shall I

Say something more, that may incense you further?

OEDIPUS

Say what you please; it will be said in vain.

TIRESIAS

I say you know not in what worst of shame

You live together with those nearest you,

And see not in what evil plight you stand.

OEDIPUS

Do you expect to go on reveling

In utterances like this?

TIRESIAS

Yes, if the truth

Has any force at all.

OEDIPUS

Why so it has,

Except for you; it is not so with you;