Oedipus. Then seeing that come it must, you had best speak out.
Tiresias. I will speak no further. Rage if you have a mind to; bring out all the fierceness that is in your heart.
Oedipus. That will I. I will not spare to speak my thoughts. Listen to what I have to say. It seems to me that you have helped to plot the deed; and, short of doing it with your own hands, have done the deed yourself. Had you eyesight I would declare that you alone had done it.
Tiresias. So that is what you say? I charge you to obey the decree that you your self have made, and from this day out to speak neither to these nor to me. You are the defiler of this land.
Oedipus. So brazen in your impudence? How do you hope to escape punishment?
Tiresias. I have escaped; my strength is in my truth.
Oedipus. Who taught you this? You never got it by your art.
Tiresias. You, because you have spurred me to speech against my will.
Oedipus. What speech? Speak it again that I may learn it better.
Tiresias. You are but tempting me—you understood me well enough.
Oedipus. No; not so that I can say I know it; speak it again.
