Enter OEDIPUS.
OED. Insolent, art thou here? Hadst thou the face
To bring thy boldness near my palace-roof,
Proved as thou art to have contrived my death
And laid thy robber hands upon my state?
Tell me, by heaven, had you seen in me
A coward or a fool, when you planned this?—
Deemed you I should be blind to your attempt
Craftily creeping on, or, when perceived,
Not ward it off? Is’t not a silly scheme,
To think to compass without troops of friends
Power, that is only won by wealth and men?
[page 100][543-578] CR. Wilt them be counselled? Hear as much in turn
As thou hast spoken, and then thyself be judge.
OED. I know thy tongue, but I am slow to learn
From thee, whom I have found my grievous foe.
CR. First on this very point, hear me declare—
OED. I will not hear that thou art not a villain.
CR. Thine is a shallow judgement, if thou thinkest
Self-will without true thought can bring thee gain.
OED. Thine is a shallow judgement, if thou thinkest
Thou canst abuse thy kinsman and be free.
CR. A rightful sentence. But I fain would learn
What wrong is that you speak of?
OED. Tell me this;
Didst thou, or not, urge me to send and bring
The reverend-seeming prophet?