Priest
You have spoken opportunely, since at this time these people here indicate that Creon is drawing near.
Oedipus
[80]
Lord Apollo, may he come to us in the brightness of saving fortune, even as his face is bright!
Priest
He seems to bring comfort, since otherwise he would not be coming crowned so thickly with berry-laden bay.
Oedipus
We will soon know: he is within hearing-range.
To Creon.
[85]
Prince, my kinsman, child of Menoeceus, what news have you brought us from the god?
Creon
Good news. I tell you that even troubles hard to bear will end in perfect peace if they find the right issue.
Oedipus
But what is the oracle ? So far, your words
[90]
neither encourage nor frighten me.
Creon
If you want to hear in the presence of these people, I am ready to speak: otherwise we can go inside.
Oedipus
Speak to all. The sorrow that I bear for these is more than for my own life.
Creon
I will tell you what I heard from the god.
[95]
Phoebus our lord clearly commands us to drive out the defilement which he said was harbored in this land, and not to nourish it so that it cannot be healed.
Oedipus
With what sort of purification? What is the manner of the misfortune?
Creon
[100]
By banishing the man, or by paying back bloodshed with bloodshed, since it is this blood which brings the tempest on our city.
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Sophocles. The Oedipus Tyrannus of Sophocles. Edited with introduction and notes by Sir Richard Jebb. Sir Richard Jebb. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press. 1887.
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