Page:Oedipus, King of Thebes (Murray 1911).djvu/25

vv. 114–127

To ask God’s will in Delphi he had planned

His journey. Started and returned no more.

And came there nothing back? No message, nor

None of his company, that ye might hear?

They all were slain, save one man; blind with fear

He came, remembering naught—or almost naught.

And what was that? One thing has often brought

Others, could we but catch one little clue.

’Twas not one man, ’twas robbers—that he knew—

Who barred the road and slew him: a great band.

Robbers? What robber, save the work was planned

By treason here, would dare a risk so plain?

So some men thought. But Laïus lay slain,

And none to avenge him in his evil day.