OEDIPUS.
Ask me not yet; tell me the build and height
Of Laius? Was he still in manhood’s prime?
JOCASTA.
Tall was he, and his hair was lightly strewn
With silver; and not unlike thee in form.
OEDIPUS.
O woe is me! Mehtinks unwittingly
I laid but now a dread curse on myself.
JOCASTA.
What say’st thou? When I look upon thee, my king,
I tremble.
OEDIPUS.
’Tis a dread presentiment
That in the end the seer will prove not blind.
One further question to resolve my doubt.
JOCASTA.
I quail; but ask, and I will answer all.
OEDIPUS.
Had he but few attendants or a train
Of armed retainers with him, like a prince?
JOCASTA.
They were but five in all, and one of them
A herald; Laius in a mule-car rode.
OEDIPUS.
Alas! ’tis clear as noonday now. But say,
Lady, who carried this report to Thebes?
JOCASTA.
A serf, the sole survivor who returned.