OEDIPUS.
Yea, I am wroth, and will not stint my words,
But speak my whole mind. Thou methinks thou art he,
Who planned the crime, aye, and performed it too,
All save the assassination; and if thou
Hadst not been blind, I had been sworn to boot
That thou alone didst do the bloody deed.
TEIRESIAS.
Is it so? Then I charge thee to abide
By thine own proclamation; from this day
Speak not to these or me. Thou art the man,
Thou the accursed polluter of this land.
OEDIPUS.
Vile slanderer, thou blurtest forth these taunts,
And think’st forsooth as seer to go scot free.
TEIRESIAS.
Yea, I am free, strong in the strength of truth.
OEDIPUS.
Who was thy teacher? not methinks thy art.
TEIRESIAS.
Thou, goading me against my will to speak.
OEDIPUS.
What speech? repeat it and resolve my doubt.
TEIRESIAS.
Didst miss my sense wouldst thou goad me on?
OEDIPUS.
I but half caught thy meaning; say it again.
TEIRESIAS.
I say thou art the murderer of the man
Whose murderer thou pursuest.