For I, on Creon's hint, two couriers sent
To summon him, and wonder that he comes not.
Chorus. Old rumours are there also, dark and dumb. 290
Œdip. And what are they? I weigh the slightest word.
Chorus. 'Twas said he died by some chance traveller's hand.
Œdip. I, too, heard that. But none the eye-witness sees.
Chorus. If yet his soul be capable of awe,
Hearing thy curses, he will shrink from them.
Œdip. Words fright not him, who doing, knows no fear.
Chorus. Well, here is one who'll put him to the proof.
For lo! they bring the seer inspired of God,
With whom alone of all men, truth abides.
Enter Teiresias, blind, and guided by a boy.
Œdip. Teiresias! thou whose mind embraceth all, 300
Told or untold, of heaven or paths of earth;
Thou knowest, although thou see'st not, what a pest
Dwells on us, and we find in thee, Ο prince,
Our one deliverer, yea, our only help.
For Phœbos (if the couriers told thee not)
Sent back this word to us, who sent to ask,
That this one way was open to escape
From this fell plague,—if those who Laios slew,
We in our turn discovering should slay,
Or drive them forth as exiles from the land.
Thou, therefore, grudge not either sign from birds, 310
Or any other path of prophecy;
But save the city, save thyself, save me;
Save from the curse the dead has left behind;
On thee we hang. To use our means, our power,
In doing good, is noblest service owned.
Teir. Ah me! ah me! how dread is wisdom's gift,
When no good issue waiteth on the wise!
