Oedipus.

Woman, what turmoil hath thy story wrought

Within me! What up-stirring of old thought!

Jocasta.

What thought? It turns thee like a frightened thing.

Oedipus.

’Twas at the crossing of three ways this King9

Was murdered? So I heard or so I thought.

Jocasta.

That was the tale. It is not yet forgot.

Oedipus.

The crossing of three ways! And in what land?

Jocasta.

Phokis ’tis called. A road on either hand

From Delphi comes and Daulia, in a glen.

Oedipus.

How many years and months have passed since then?

Jocasta.

’Twas but a little time before proclaim

Was made of thee for king, the tidings came.

Oedipus.

My God, what hast thou willed to do with me?

Jocasta.

Oedipus, speak! What is it troubles thee?

Oedipus.

Ask me not yet. But say, what build, what height

Had Laïus? Rode he full of youth and might?

Jocasta.

Tall, with the white new gleaming on his brow

He walked. In shape just such a man as thou.

Oedipus.

God help me! I much fear that I have wrought

A curse on mine own head, and knew it not.

Jocasta.

How sayst thou? O my King, I look on thee

And tremble.

Oedipus (to himself).

Horror, if the blind can see!

Answer but one thing and ’twill all be clear.

Jocasta.

Speak. I will answer though I shake with fear.

Oedipus.

Went he with scant array, or a great band

Of armèd followers, like a lord of land?

Jocasta.

Four men were with him, one a herald; one

Chariot there was, where Laïus rode alone.

Oedipus.

Aye me! Tis clear now.

Woman, who could bring10

To Thebes the story of that manslaying?

Jocasta.

A house-thrall, the one man they failed to slay.

Oedipus.

The one man …? Is he in the house to-day?

Jocasta.

Indeed no. When he came that day, and found

Thee on the throne where once sat Laïus crowned,

He took my hand and prayed me earnestly

To send him to the mountain heights, to be

A herdsman, far from any sight or call

Of Thebes. And there I sent him. ’Twas a thrall

Good-hearted, worthy a far greater boon.

Oedipus.

Canst find him? I would see this herd, and soon.

Jocasta.

’Tis easy. But what wouldst thou with the herd?

Oedipus.

I fear mine own voice, lest it spoke a word

Too much; whereof this man must tell me true.

Jocasta.

The man shall come.—My lord, methinks I too

Should know what fear doth work thee this despite.

Oedipus.

Thou shalt. When I am tossed to such an height

Of dark foreboding, woman, when my mind

Faceth such straits as these, where should I find

A mightier love than thine?

My father—thus

I tell thee