Chorus. Certain wayfarers were said to have killed the king.
Oedipus. I know. I know. But who was there that saw it?
Chorus. If there is such a man, and terror can move him, he will not keep silence when they have told him of your curses.
Oedipus. He that such a deed did not terrify will not be terrified because of a word.
Chorus. But there is one who shall convict him. For the blind prophet comes at last—in whom alone of all men the truth lives.
(Enter Tiresias, led by a boy.)
Oedipus. Tiresias, master of all knowledge, whatever may be spoken, whatever is unspeakable, whatever omens of earth and sky reveal, the plague is among us, and from that plague, Great Prophet, protect us and save us. Phoebus in answer to our question says that it will not leave us till we have found the murderers of Laius, and driven them into exile or put them to death. Do you therefore neglect neither the voice of birds, nor any other sort of wisdom, but rescue yourself, rescue the State, rescue me, rescue all that are defiled by the deed. For we are in your hands, and what greater task falls to a man than to help other men with all he knows and has.
