Pages 74-77
JOCASTA: Don't listen to him, listen to me. I'll tell you the true story. The oracle told Laius that one day our son would kill him. In actuality, he was murdered by robbers at a three-road intersection. When our child was three days old Laius pierced his ankles and left him to die on a hill. Since our son could not have been the murderer, the prophecy was proven false. It couldn’t have been you so forget about it.
OEDIPUS: What you just said reminds me of something.
JOCASTA: What's wrong?
OEDIPUS: You said he was murdered at a three-road intersection.
JOCASTA: Yea, so what?
OEDIPUS: Where did this happen?
JOCASTA: In Phocis, where the roads connect from Delphi and Daulia.
OEDIPUS: How long ago was this?
JOCASTA: Right before you became king.
OEDIPUS: Zeus, what will happen to me?
JOCASTA: Why is this bothering you?
OEDIPUS: Never mind, tell me more about Laius. What did he look like, how old was he?
JOCASTA: He was tall and built like you with graying hair.
OEDIPUS: Oh no, I cursed myself!
JOCASTA: Tell me, you're scaring me.
OEDIPUS: Just tell me one more thing.
JOCASTA: I'm scared, but if I know the answer I'll tell you.
OEDIPUS: Was Laius with anyone when he traveled?
JOCASTA: There were five of them, a herald and one chariot for the King.
OEDIPUS: It's all coming clear to me now. Tell me where you got this report.
JOCASTA: There was one servant who escaped alive.
OEDIPUS: Where is he? Is he in my house?
JOCASTA: No, he is not here. When he came home and saw you on the throne and Laius dead, he asked me to send him far away from Thebes and I did. Even though he was a slave, he deserved to have his wish granted.
OEDIPUS: We must get him back here. Quick!
JOCASTA: That's easy to do, but what's the point?
OEDIPUS: I do not want to say anything else. I must see him first.
JOCASTA: Then he will come, but can't I know what is bothering you?
OEDIPUS: I will tell you since you are so close to me. My father was Polybus of Corinth and my mother Dorian of Merope. I lived in Corinth as a prince. One day at a banquet a drunk man called me my father's bastard. I was angry, but held myself back for that day. Later, I questioned my mother and father about it, and they got angry at hearing the taunt. I was glad to see them angry, but it still bothered me. I set out for Pytho without telling my parents. Phoebus delivered me a most strange and horrible prophecy: "You will make your mother unclean and do intolerable things, as well as murder your father." When I heard this I ran. I did not know what direction was Corinth so I went by the stars. I just wanted to escape the oracle's prediction. As I went, I came to the same land in which you told me the King was killed. Wife, I will tell you the whole truth. I passed near the three-road intersection, and met two men on the road. One was a messenger, the other a man that rode a horse and carriage like you described. They would not get out of my way. The man leading the horses pushed me, and in anger I struck him. The old man saw this and hit me on the head as I passed. Instantly, I hit and killed them all. I am no longer worthy of heaven. No citizen or stranger will accept me into their home nor speak to me, instead driving me out. I did this myself, it was no other's doing. These hands, by which he died, pollute his bed and wife. I must leave Thebes and never enter my own country for I will marry my mother and kill my father. If anyone judges me as evil, he knows the truth. Oh Gods, take me from this world before I am further doomed.
CHORUS: Oh King, we are afraid of what you are saying, but have hope for you until there is proof.
OEDIPUS: There is only one hope left. We must wait for the herdsman.
JOCASTA: If he comes, what are you going to ask him?
OEDIPUS: I will tell you. If he says what you have said then I am saved.
JOCASTA: What did I say?
OEDIPUS: You said that the King was killed by robbers. If he confirms this, it wasn’t me, for I traveled alone. If he says it was only one person, then it must be me.
JOCASTA: He told not only I, but the city as well, that it was a group. He can not take his word back now, and even if he tries to change his story, there is no proof. It was declared that our son would murder Laius and our son did not live. He was dead and therefore could not have killed him.
OEDIPUS: That’s very well, but still send for the slave. Do not neglect to do this.
JOCASTA: I will send for him right away. Now, let's go inside, I will do anything to please you.
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