Page:Sophocles' King Oedipus.pdf/18

8 he your king, had perished; and all have sinned that could have searched it out and did not: and now since it is I who hold the power which he held once, and have his wife for wife—she who would have borne him heirs had he but lived—I take up this cause even as I would were it that of my own father. And if there be any who do not obey me in it, I pray that the gods send them neither harvest of the earth nor fruit of the womb; but let them be wasted by this plague, or by one more dreadful still. But may all be blessed for ever who hear my words and do my will.

. We do not know the murderer, and it were indeed more fitting that Phoebus, who laid the task upon us, should name the man.

. No man can make the gods speak against their will.

. Then I will say what seems the next best thing.

. If there is a third course, show it.

. I know that our lord, Tiresias, is the seer most like to our lord Phoebus, and through him we may unravel all.

. So I was advised by Creon, and twice already have I sent to bring him.

. If we lack his help we have nothing but vague and ancient rumours.

. What rumours are they? I would examine every story.