Page:Oedipus, King of Thebes (Murray 1911).djvu/60

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
SOPHOCLES
vv. 747–760

Oedipus (to himself).

Horror, if the blind can see!
Answer but one thing and ’twill all be clear.


Jocasta.

Speak. I will answer though I shake with fear.


Oedipus.

Went he with scant array, or a great band
Of armed followers, like a lord of land?


Jocasta.

Four men were with him, one a herald; one
Chariot there was, where Laïus rode alone.


Oedipus.

Aye me! ’Tis clear now.
Woman, who could bring
To Thebes the story of that manslaying?


Jocasta.

A house-thrall, the one man they failed to slay.


Oedipus.

The one man . . . . ? Is he in the house to-day?


Jocasta.

Indeed no. When he came that day, and found
Thee on the throne where once sat Laïus crowned,
He took my hand and prayed me earnestly

44