Oedipus persuades the elders to take no action until Theseus, king of Athens, arrives.
Suddenly Ismene, Oedipus’ daughter, enters, having come on horseback from Thebes. She tells Oedipus about his sons, Eteocles and Polynices, who are fighting over Thebes. Ismene also tells her father that the oracle at Delphi has made another prophecy—a curse will fall on the Thebans the day that they stand on Oedipus’ tomb.
Ismene warns Oedipus that his sons and Creon know of the prophecy and will try to bring him back to Thebes. They plan to keep Oedipus just outside the city—where he will stay under their control without polluting Thebes—and then leave his body unburied at death.
Oedipus curses his sons and praises his faithful daughters for their sacrifice. He tells the elders that he does not want to return to Thebes, and if they help him, he will give his blessing to Athens. The elders accept his proposal and advise him to make an offering to the Eumenides for trespassing on their ground. Ismene leaves to perform the ritual for her father.
