24CHORUS (Ant. 2)
King, I say it once again, Witless were I proved, insane, If I lightly put away
Thee my country's prop and stay, Pilot who, in danger sought,
To a quiet haven brought
Our distracted State; and now
Who can guide us right but thou?
JOCASTA
Let me too, I adjure thee, know, O king,
What cause has stirred this unrelenting wrath.
OEDIPUS
I will, for thou art more to me than these. Lady, the cause is Creon and his plots.
JOCASTA
But what provoked the quarrel? make this clear.
OEDIPUS
He points me out as Laius' murderer.
JOCASTA
Of his own knowledge or upon report?
OEDIPUS
He is too cunning to commit himself,
And makes a mouthpiece of a knavish seer.
JOCASTA
Then thou mayest ease thy conscience on that score. Listen and I'll convince thee that no man
Hath scot or lot in the prophetic art. Here is the proof in brief. An oracle Once came to Laius (I will not say
'Twas from the Delphic god himself, but from
His ministers) declaring he was doomed
To perish by the hand of his own son,
A child that should be born to him by me. Now Laius--so at least report affirmed-- Was murdered on a day by highwaymen,
No natives, at a spot where three roads meet. As for the child, it was but three days old, When Laius, its ankles pierced and pinned Together, gave it to be cast away
By others on the trackless mountain side. So then Apollo brought it not to pass
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The child should be his father's murderer, Or the dread terror find accomplishment, And Laius be slain by his own son.
Such was the prophet's horoscope. O king, Regard it not. Whate'er the god deems fit To search, himself unaided will reveal.
OEDIPUS
What memories, what wild tumult of the soul
Came o'er me, lady, as I heard thee speak!
JOCASTA
What mean'st thou? What has shocked and startled thee?
OEDIPUS
Methought I heard thee say that Laius
Was murdered at the meeting of three roads.
JOCASTA
So ran the story that is current still.
OEDIPUS
Where did this happen? Dost thou know the place?
JOCASTA
Phocis the land is called; the spot is where
Branch roads from Delphi and from Daulis meet.
OEDIPUS
And how long is it since these things befell?
JOCASTA
'Twas but a brief while were thou wast proclaimed
Our country's ruler that the news was brought.
OEDIPUS
O Zeus, what hast thou willed to do with me!
JOCASTA
What is it, Oedipus, that moves thee so?
OEDIPUS
Ask me not yet; tell me the build and height
Of Laius? Was he still in manhood's prime?
JOCASTA
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Tall was he, and his hair was lightly strewn
With silver; and not unlike thee in form.
OEDIPUS
O woe is me! Mehtinks unwittingly
I laid but now a dread curse on myself.
JOCASTA
What say'st thou? When I look upon thee, my king,
I tremble.
OEDIPUS
'Tis a dread presentiment
That in the end the seer will prove not blind. One further question to resolve my doubt.
JOCASTA
I quail; but ask, and I will answer all.
OEDIPUS
Had he but few attendants or a train
Of armed retainers with him, like a prince?
JOCASTA
They were but five in all, and one of them
A herald; Laius in a mule-car rode.
OEDIPUS
Alas! 'tis clear as noonday now. But say,
Lady, who carried this report to Thebes?
JOCASTA
A serf, the sole survivor who returned.
OEDIPUS
Haply he is at hand or in the house?
JOCASTA
No, for as soon as he returned and found Thee reigning in the stead of Laius slain, He clasped my hand and supplicated me
To send him to the alps and pastures, where
He might be farthest from the sight of Thebes. And so I sent him. 'Twas an honest slave
And well deserved some better recompense.
OEDIPUS
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Fetch him at once. I fain would see the man.
