Before, with ankles pinned, he cast him out,

By hands of others, on a pathless moor.

And so Apollo did not bring about

That he should be his father’s murderer;

Nor yet that Laius should endure the stroke

At his son’s hands, of which he was afraid.

This is what came of soothsayers’ oracles;

Whereof take thou no heed. That which we lack,

If a God seek, himself will soon reveal.

OEDIPUS

What perturbation and perplexity

Take hold upon me, woman, hearing you!

JOCASTA

What stress of trouble is on you, that you say so?

OEDIPUS

I thought I heard you say Laius was slain Where three roads meet!

JOCASTA

Yes, so the rumour ran,

And so runs still.

OEDIPUS

And where might be the spot

Where this befell?

JOCASTA

Phocis the land is named;

There are two separate roads converge in one

From Daulia and Delphi.

OEDIPUS

And what time

Has passed since then?

JOCASTA

It was but just before

You were installed as ruler of the land,

The tidings reached the city.

OEDIPUS

God of Heaven!

What wouldst thou do unto me!

JOCASTA

Oedipus,

What is it on your mind?

OEDIPUS

Ask me not yet.

But Laius—say, what was he like? what prime

Of youth had he attained to?

JOCASTA

He was tall;

The first white flowers had blossomed in his hair;

His figure was not much unlike your own.

OEDIPUS

Me miserable! It seems I have but now

Proffered myself to a tremendous curse

Not knowing!

JOCASTA

How say you? I tremble, O my lord,

To gaze upon you!

OEDIPUS

I am sore afraid

The prophet was not blind; but you will make

More certain, if you answer one thing more.

JOCASTA

Indeed I tremble; but the thing you ask

I’ll answer, when I know it.

OEDIPUS

Was he going

Poorly attended, or with many spears

About him, like a prince?

JOCASTA

But five in all;

One was a herald; and one carriage held

Laius himself,

OEDIPUS

O, it is plain already!

Woman, who was it told this tale to you?

JOCASTA

A servant, who alone came safe away.

OEDIPUS

Is he perchance now present, in the house?

JOCASTA

Why no; for after he was come from thence,

And saw you governing, and Laius dead,

He came and touched my hand, and begged of me

To send him to the fields and sheep-meadows,

So he might be as far as possible

From eyesight of the townsmen; and I sent him;

For he was worthy, for a slave, to obtain

Even greater favours.

OEDIPUS

Could we have him back

Quickly?

JOCASTA

We could. But why this order?

OEDIPUS

Wife,

I fear me I have spoken far too much; Wherefore

I wish to see him.

JOCASTA

He shall come!

But I am worthy, in my turn, to know

What weighs so heavily upon you, Sir?

OEDIPUS

And you shall know; since I have passed so far

The bounds of apprehension. For to whom

Could I impart, passing through such a need,