Oedipus King of Thebes Part 11

From both the twain.

JOCASTA.

Aye, and what was the word?

LEADER.

Surely there is enough of evil stirred, And Thebes heaves on the swell Of storm.--Oh, leave this lying where it fell.

OEDIPUS.

So be it, thou wise counsellor! Make slight My wrong, and blunt my purpose ere it smite.

LEADER.

O King, not once I have answered. Visibly Mad were I, lost to all wise usages, To seek to cast thee from us. 'Twas from thee We saw of old blue sky and summer seas, When Thebes in the storm and rain Reeled, like to die.

Oh, if thou canst, again Blue sky, blue sky...!

[Sidenote: vv. 697-713]

JOCASTA.

Husband, in G.o.d's name, say what hath ensued Of ill, that thou shouldst seek so dire a feud.

OEDIPUS.

I will, wife. I have more regard for thee Than these.--Thy brother plots to murder me.

JOCASTA.

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

OEDIPUS.

He says that I am Laus' murderer.

JOCASTA.

Says it himself? Says he hath witnesses?

OEDIPUS.

Nay, of himself he ventures nothing. 'Tis This priest, this h.e.l.lish seer, makes all the tale.

JOCASTA.

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 G.o.d.

Come, I will tell An old tale. There came once an oracle To Laus: I say not from the G.o.d 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,

[Sidenote: vv. 714-732]

Laus must die. And he, the tale yet stays Among us, at the crossing of three ways Was slain by robbers, strangers. And my son-- G.o.d's mercy!--scarcely the third day was gone When Laus took, and by another's hand Out on the desert mountain, where the land Is rock, cast him to die. Through both his feet A blade of iron they drove. Thus did we cheat Apollo of his will. My child could slay No father, and the King could cast away The fear that dogged him, by his child to die Murdered.--Behold the fruits of prophecy!

Which heed not thou! G.o.d needs not that a seer Help him, when he would make his dark things clear.

OEDIPUS.

Woman, what turmoil hath thy story wrought Within me! What up-stirring of old thought!

JOCASTA.

What thought? It turns thee like a frightened thing.

OEDIPUS.

'Twas at the crossing of three ways this King Was murdered? So I heard or so I thought.

JOCASTA.

That was the tale. It is not yet forgot.

OEDIPUS.

The crossing of three ways! And in what land?

[Sidenote: vv. 733-746]

JOCASTA.

Phokis 'tis called. A road on either hand From Delphi comes and Daulia, in a glen.

OEDIPUS.

How many years and months have pa.s.sed since then?

JOCASTA.

'Twas but a little time before proclaim Was made of thee for king, the tidings came.

OEDIPUS.

My G.o.d, what hast thou willed to do with me?

JOCASTA.

Oedipus, speak! What is it troubles thee?

OEDIPUS.

Ask me not yet. But say, what build, what height Had Laus? Rode he full of youth and might?