Why does the priest come to see Oedipus at opening of

At the opening of Sophocles' *Oedipus Rex*, the priest does not come to see Oedipus, but rather is already a member of Oedipus' retinue. In fact, it is the people of Thebes who have sent the priest and a group of supplicants on behalf of the city because their city is suffering a blight brought on by Oedipus' unknowingly fathering children with his mother Jocasta, as was foretold by an oracle and predicted by Teiresias in the play's prologue. Inquiring as to where he can find Oedipus, the priest says (lines 1-6 in Fagles' translation),

> O land and Thebes my city!—What men, what manner of men

> Do I see before me here at our altars seated,

> Wreaths in hand, bound like suppliants in prayer?

> The city smokes with incense, with prayers, with wails of anguish.

> And I myself dare not approach the gods

> Without your presence—not knowing what must be done.—