O vilest of mankind, for thou would'st move A stone to righteous wrath, wilt thou not speak But still stand there unmoved and obdurate? TIRESIAS. Thou dost reprove my heart, yet near thine own Is something that the censor wots not of. OEDIPUS. Whose wrath would not be kindled when he heard Language so hateful to a patriot's ear? TIRESIAS. Even if I keep silence, it must come. OEDIPUS. That which must come why not disclose to me? TIRESIAS. I will speak no word more; then, if thou wilt, Freely give vent to thy most savage wrath. OEDIPUS. Freely my anger shall give utterance To what I think: I think that in thy mind This murder was engendered, was thy act Save the mere blow, and hadst thou not been blind, I should have deemed thee the sole murderer. TIRESIAS. Ha! Then I call upon thee to be true To thy own proclamation, and henceforth Abstain from intercourse with these or me, As he that brings on us the curse of blood. OEDIPUS. Hast thou the impudence such calumny To vent, and dream'st thou of impunity? TIRESIAS. I fear thee not; truth's power is on my side. OEDIPUS. Whence did it come to thee? not from thy art. TIRESIAS. From thee that made me speak against my will. OEDIPUS. Speak how? Repeat thy words that I may know. TIRESIAS. Didst thou not understand or tempt'st thou me? OEDIPUS. Fully I did not. Say it once again. TIRESIAS. I say the murderer whom thou seek'st is thou. OEDIPUS. Unpunished twice thy slanders shall not go. TIRESIAS. Shall I say more, further to fire thy wrath? OEDIPUS. All that thou wilt; 'twill be of none effect. TIRESIAS. I say that thou dost with thy next of kin Foully consort, not knowing where thou art. OEDIPUS. And think'st thou still unscathed to say these things? TIRESIAS. I do, if there is any strength in truth. OEDIPUS. In truth is strength, but that strength is not thine; Thou in eyes, ears, and mind alike art blind. TIRESIAS. And thou art wretched, casting in my teeth What all men presently will cast in thine. OEDIPUS. Thy lot is utter darkness; neither I Nor any one who sees, can fear thy wrath. TIRESIAS. Not mine is chastisement; Apollo's might Sufficient is, and will bring all to pass. OEDIPUS. Is this contrivance Creon's or thine own? TIRESIAS. Thyself, not Creon, is thy enemy. OEDIPUS.