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I have more regard for thee Than these.--Thy brother plots to murder me. JOCASTA. Speak on. Make all thy charge. Only be clear. OEDIPUS. He says that I am Laius' murderer. JOCASTA. Says it himself? Says he hath witnesses? OEDIPUS. Nay, of himself he ventures nothing. 'Tis This priest, this hellish seer, makes all the tale. JOCASTA. The seer?--Then tear thy terrors like a veil And take free breath. A seer? No human thing Born on the earth hath power for conjuring Truth from the dark of God. Come, I will tell An old tale. There came once an oracle To Laius: I say not from the God Himself, but from the priests and seers who trod His sanctuary: if ever son were bred From him and me, by that son's hand, it said, [Sidenote: vv. 714-732] Laius must die. And he, the tale yet stays Among us, at the crossing of three ways Was slain by robbers, strangers. And my son-- God's mercy!--scarcely the third day was gone When Laius took, and by another's hand Out on the desert mountain, where the land Is rock, cast him to die. Through both his feet A blade of iron they drove. Thus did we cheat Apollo of his will. My child could slay No father, and the King could cast away The fear that dogged him, by his child to die Murdered.--Behold the fruits of prophecy! Which heed not thou! God needs not that a seer Help him, when he would make his dark things clear. 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 King 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? [Sidenote: vv. 733-746] 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 Laius? Rode he full of youth and might? JOCASTA. Tall, with the white new gleaming on
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