Tiresias. Aye, and what worse task than to be wise and suffer for it. I know this well; it slipped out of mind, or I would never have come.
Oedipus. What now?
Tiresias. Let me go home. You will bear your burden to the end more easily, and I bear mine—if you but give me leave for that.
Oedipus. Your words are strange and unkind to the State that bred you.
Tiresias. I see that you, on your part, keep your lips tight shut, and therefore I have shut mine that I may come to no misfortune.
Oedipus. For god’s love do not turn away—if you have knowledge. We suppliants implore you on our knees.
Tiresias. You are fools—I will bring misfortune neither upon you nor upon myself.
Oedipus. What is this? You know all and will say nothing? You are minded to betray me and Thebes?
Tiresias. Why do you ask these things? You will not learn them from me.
Oedipus. What! Basest of the base! You would enrage the very stones. Will you never speak out? Cannot anything touch you?
Tiresias. The future will come of itself though I keep silent.
