Part 4

OEDIPUS.

Who was the man they killed? Doth Phoebus say?

CREON.

O King, there was of old King Laïus In Thebes, ere thou didst come to pilot us.

OEDIPUS.

I know: not that I ever saw his face.

CREON.

'Twas he. And Loxias now bids us trace And smite the unknown workers of his fall.

OEDIPUS.

Where in God's earth are they? Or how withal Find the blurred trail of such an ancient stain?

CREON.

In Thebes, he said.--That which men seek amain They find. 'Tis things forgotten that go by.

OEDIPUS.

And where did Laïus meet them? Did he die In Thebes, or in the hills, or some far land?

CREON.

To ask God's will in Delphi he had planned His journey. Started and returned no more.

OEDIPUS.

And came there nothing back? No message, nor None of his company, that ye might hear?

CREON.

They all were slain, save one man; blind with fear He came, remembering naught--or almost naught.

OEDIPUS.

And what was that? One thing has often brought Others, could we but catch one little clue.

CREON.

'Twas not one man, 'twas robbers--that he knew-- Who barred the road and slew him: a great band.

OEDIPUS.

Robbers?... What robber, save the work was planned By treason here, would dare a risk so plain?

CREON.

So some men thought. But Laïus lay slain, And none to avenge him in his evil day.