he your king, had perished; and all have sinned that could have searched it out and did not: and now since it is I who hold the power which he held once, and have his wife for wife—she who would have borne him heirs had he but lived—I take up this cause even as I would were it that of my own father. And if there be any who do not obey me in it, I pray that the gods send them neither harvest of the earth nor fruit of the womb; but let them be wasted by this plague, or by one more dreadful still. But may all be blessed for ever who hear my words and do my will.
Chorus. We do not know the murderer, and it were indeed more fitting that Phoebus, who laid the task upon us, should name the man.
Oedipus. No man can make the gods speak against their will.
Chorus. Then I will say what seems the next best thing.
Oedipus. If there is a third course, show it.
Chorus. I know that our lord, Tiresias, is the seer most like to our lord Phoebus, and through him we may unravel all.
Oedipus. So I was advised by Creon, and twice already have I sent to bring him.
Chorus. If we lack his help we have nothing but vague and ancient rumours.
Oedipus. What rumours are they? I would examine every story.
