_Creon_: It is the custom of the Delphic god In dark enigmas to conceal the fates. 215 _Oedipus_: Yet speak; however dark the riddle be 'Tis given to Oedipus alone to solve. _Creon_: Apollo doth ordain that banishment Be meted out to him who slew our king, And so our murdered Laius be avenged; For only thus shall we again behold The day's clear light, and drink safe draughts of air. 220 _Oedipus_: Who was the slayer of the noble king? Tell who is designated by the god, That he th' allotted punishment may pay. _Creon_: May it be granted me to tell the things To sight and hearing dreadful. At the thought, Numb horror holds my limbs, my blood runs cold. When to Apollo's hallowed shrine I came 225 With reverent feet, and pious hands upraised, Parnassus' double-crested, snowy peak Gave forth a fearful crash, the laurels shook, And fair Castalia's waters ceased to flow. The priestess of the son of Lato then 230 Began to spread her bristling locks abroad, And felt the inspiration of the god. Scarce had she reached the sacred inner shrine, When with a roar, beyond the voice of man, There sounded forth this doubtful oracle: "Kind shall the stars return to the Theban city of Cadmus, If, O fugitive guest, Ismenian Dirce thou leavest, Stained with the blood of a king, from infancy known to Apollo. 235 Brief shall be thy joys, the impious joys of slaughter. With thee war thou bringest, and war to thy children thou leavest, Foul returned once more to the impious arms of thy mother." _Oedipus_: What I at heaven's command now meditate, Long since should have been rendered to the king, 240 That none by craft might violate the throne. And most doth it become a sceptered king To guard the life of kings; for none lament The death of him whose safety breedeth fear. _Creon_: Our care for him a greater fear removed. _Oedipus_: What fear so great that duty to prevent? 245 _Creon_: The Sphinx and her accurséd riddle's threats.