The Blood-Rite Secret

12“He spoke, and thus I answered him: ‘The gods,
Tiresias, have decreed as you have said.
But tell, and tell me truly —I behold
The soul of my dead mother; there she sits
In silence by the blood, and will not deign
To look upon her son nor speak to him.
Instruct me, mighty prophet, by what means
To make my mother know me for her son.’

13“I spoke, and instantly the seer replied: —
‘Easily that is told; I give it you
To bear in mind. Whoever of the dead
You suffer to approach and drink the blood
Will speak the truth; those whom you do forbid
To taste the blood will silently withdraw.’

14“The soul of King Tiresias, saying this,
Passed to the abode of Hades; he had given
The oracle I asked. I waited still
Until my mother, drawing near again,
Drank the dark blood; she knew me suddenly,
And said in piteous tones these winged words: —