_Creon_: In quest of cool Castalia's sacred fount And leafy woods, along the way he fared, On either side with tangled thickets hedged. 'Twas where the road, three-forked, spreads to the plain. One leads through Phocian land, to Bacchus dear, Where high Parnassus, by a gentle slope 280 The lowlands leaving, lifts his double peak Into the heavens; and one leads off to where Two oceans bathe the land of Sisyphus; A third path, passing through Olenian fields, Along a hollow valley's winding way, Attains the vagrant waters and divides The chilling current of the Elean stream. 285 'Twas here he journeyed, safe 'mid general peace, When on a sudden, lo, a robber band Fell on him with the sword and slew him there. [Tiresias _is seen approaching_.] But in the nick of time, by Phoebus roused, Tiresias, agéd and with trembling limbs, Hastes to our presence with what speed he may; And, as his faithful comrade, Manto comes, 290 Her sightless father leading by the hand. [_Enter_ Tiresias, _led by his daughter_ Manto.] _Oedipus_: O priest of heaven, thou next to Phoebus' self, Explain the oracle which he hath sent, And tell on whom the penalty is laid. _Tiresias_: Because my tongue is slow and seeks delay, Thou shouldst not wonder, great-souled Oedipus; Much truth is hidden when the eye is dimmed. 295 But when my country, when Apollo calls, I will obey. Then let me search the fates. If in my veins still flowed the blood of youth, I would myself sustain the god and speak. Now to the altar drive a pure-white bull, A heifer, too, upon whose tender neck 300 The curvéd yoke of toil hath never pressed. And thou, my child, who guid'st my darkened steps, Describe the omens which Apollo sends. [_The victims are stationed before the altar as directed._] _Manto_: A perfect victim at the altar stands. _Tiresias_: With prayer invoke the presence of the gods, And heap the altar high with frankincense. 305 _Manto_: Lo, on the sacred fire the spice is heaped. _Tiresias_: What of the flame? Did it with vigor seize The generous feast? _Manto_: With sudden gleam it leaped Into the air, and quickly fell again. _Tiresias_: And did the sacred fire burn bright and clear, And point its gleaming summit straight to heaven, 310 And, spreading outward, to the breeze unfold; Or crawl, with course uncertain, near the ground, And, flickering, die away in gloomy smoke?