noon
`` Many centuries ago , there reigned over Thebes , Laius and Iocasta . Laius was one day killed on the road as he was airing himself in his chariot . Shortly after , a terrible plague broke out in Thebes , and the Sphinx ravaged all the neighborhood . The Sphinx gave out that the plague would cease and his ravages be ended , when this riddle was solved : -- ` What animal walks on four feet in the morning , two at noon day , and three in the evening . ' None of the wise men could solve it , and so their misfortune continued . At length , Iocasta the Queen , said that whoever could solve the riddle , should be king and have her hand in marriage . One Oedipsus hearing of the offer , and having been insulted in Corinth , went to Thebes , and thus rendered the solution of the riddle .