Page:Oedipus, King of Thebes (Murray 1911).djvu/57

vv. 697–713

Husband, in God’s name, say what hath ensued

Of ill, that thou shouldst seek so dire a feud.

I will, wife. I have more regard for thee

Than these.—Thy brother plots to murder me.

Speak on. Make all thy charge. Only be clear.

He says that I am Laïus’ murderer.

Says it himself? Says he hath witnesses?

Nay, of himself he ventures nothing. ’Tis

This priest, this hellish seer, makes all the tale.

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,