Oedipus.
How now, assassin? Walking at my gate
| With eye undimmed, thou plotter demonstrate
| Against
this life, and robber of my crown?
| God help thee! Me! What was it set me down
| Thy butt? So dull a
brain hast found in me
| Aforetime, such a faint heart, not to see
| Thy work betimes, or seeing not to smite?
| Art thou not rash, this once! It needeth might
| Of friends, it needeth gold, to make a throne
| Thy quarry; and
I fear me thou hast none. |
Creon.
One thing alone I ask thee. Let me speak
| As thou hast spoken; then, with knowledge, wreak
| Thy judgement. I accept it without fear. |
Oedipus.
More skill hast thou to speak than I to hear
| Thee. There is peril found in thee and hate. |
Creon.
That one thing let me answer ere too late. |
Oedipus.
One thing be sure of, that thy plots are known. |
Creon.
The man who thinks that bitter pride alone
| Can guide him, without thoughthis mind is sick. |
Oedipus.
Who thinks to slay his brother with a trick
| And suffer not himself, his eyes are blind. |
Creon.
Thy words are more than just. But say what kind
| Of wrong thou fanciest I have done thee. Speak. |
Oedipus.
Didst urge me, or didst urge me not, to seek
| A counsel from that man of prophecies? |
Creon.
So judged I then, nor now judge otherwise. |
Oedipus.
[Suddenly seeing a mode of attack.
How many years have passed since Laïus
|
[The words seem to choke him.
Creon.
Speak on. I cannot understand thee thus. |
Oedipus.
[With an effort.
Passed in that bloody tempest from mens sight? |
Creon.
Long years and old. I scarce can tell them right. |
Oedipus.
At that time was this seer in Thebes, or how? |
Creon.
He was; most wise and honoured, even as now. |
Oedipus.
At that time did he ever speak my name? |
Creon.
No. To mine ear at least it never came. |
Oedipus.
Held you no search for those who slew your King? |
Creon.
For sure we did, but found not anything. |
Oedipus.
How came the all-knowing seer to leave it so? |
Creon.
Ask him! I speak not where I cannot know. |
Oedipus.
One thing thou canst, with knowledge full, I wot. |
Creon.
Speak it. If true, I will conceal it not. |
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By PanEris
using Melati.
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