Flattered my toils of war.

_1 Pr._ Twice our deliverer!

_OEdip._ Nor are now your vows
Addrest to one who sleeps.
When this unwelcome news first reached my ears,
Dymas was sent to Delphos, to enquire
The cause and cure of this contagious ill,
And is this day returned; but, since his message
Concerns the public, I refused to hear it
But in this general presence: Let him speak.

_Dym._ A dreadful answer from the hallowed urn,
And sacred tripos, did the priestess give,
In these mysterious words.

_The Oracle._ _Shed in a cursed hour, by cursed hand,
Blood-royal unrevenged has cursed the land.
When Laius' death is expiated well,
Your plague shall cease. The rest let Laius tell._

_OEdip._ Dreadful indeed! Blood, and a king's blood too!
And such a king's, and by his subjects shed!
(Else why this curse on Thebes?) No wonder then
If monsters, wars, and plagues, revenge such crimes!
If heaven be just, its whole artillery,
All must be emptied on us: Not one bolt
Shall err from Thebes; but more be called for, more;
New-moulded thunder of a larger size,
Driven by whole Jove. What, touch anointed power!
Then, Gods, beware; Jove would himself be next,
Could you but reach him too.

_2 Pr._ We mourn the sad remembrance.

_OEdip._ Well you may;
Worse than a plague infects you: You're devoted
To mother earth, and to the infernal powers;
Hell has a right in you. I thank you, gods,
That I'm no Theban born: How my blood curdles!
As if this curse touched me, and touched me nearer
Than all this presence!--Yes, 'tis a king's blood,
And I, a king, am tied in deeper bonds
To expiate this blood. But where, from whom,
Or how must I atone it? Tell me, Thebans,
How Laius fell; for a confused report
Passed through my ears, when first I took the crown;
But full of hurry, like a morning dream,
It vanished in the business of the day.[4]

_1 Pr._ He went in private forth, but thinly followed,
And ne'er returned to Thebes.

_OEdip._ Nor any from him? came there no attendant?
None to bring news?

_2 Pr._ But one; and he so wounded,
He scarce drew breath to speak some few faint words.

_OEdip._ What were they? something may be learnt from thence.

_1 Pr._ He said, a band of robbers watched their passage,
Who took advantage of a narrow way,
To murder Laius and the rest; himself
Left too for dead.

_OEdip._ Made you no more enquiry,
But took this bare relation?

_2 Pr._ 'Twas neglected;
For then the monster Sphinx began to