Who thinks to slay his brother with a trick And suffer not himself, his eyes are blind. CREON. Thy words are more than just. But say what kind Of wrong thou fanciest I have done thee. Speak. OEDIPUS. Didst urge me, or didst urge me not, to seek A counsel from that man of prophecies? CREON. So judged I then, nor now judge otherwise. OEDIPUS. [_Suddenly seeing a mode of attack._ How many years have passed since Laius ... [_The words seem to choke him._ CREON. Speak on. I cannot understand thee thus. OEDIPUS. [_With an effort._ Passed in that bloody tempest from men's sight? CREON. Long years and old. I scarce can tell them right. OEDIPUS. At that time was this seer in Thebes, or how? [Sidenote: vv. 563-573] CREON. He was; most wise and honoured, even as now. OEDIPUS. At that time did he ever speak my name? CREON. No. To mine ear at least it never came. OEDIPUS. Held you no search for those who slew your King? CREON. For sure we did, but found not anything. OEDIPUS. How came the all-knowing seer to leave it so? CREON. Ask him! I speak not where I cannot know. OEDIPUS. One thing thou canst, with knowledge full, I wot. CREON. Speak it. If true, I will conceal it not. OEDIPUS. This: that until he talked with thee, the seer Ne'er spoke of me as Laius' murderer. [Sidenote: vv. 574-589] CREON. I know not if he hath so spoken now. I heard him not.--But let me ask and thou Answer me true, as I have answered thee. OEDIPUS. Ask, ask! Thou shalt no murder find in me. CREON. My sister is thy wife this many a day? OEDIPUS. That charge it is not in me to gainsay. CREON. Thou reignest, giving equal reign to her? OEDIPUS. Always to her desire I minister. CREON. Were we not all as one, she thou and I? OEDIPUS. Yes, thou false friend! There lies thy treachery. CREON. Not so! Nay, do but follow me and scan Thine own charge close. Think'st thou that any man Would rather rule and be afraid than rule And sleep untroubled? Nay, where lives the fool-- [Sidenote: vv. 590-613]