Part 26

OEDIPUS.

How saviour? Was I in some suffering Or peril?

STRANGER.

Thine own feet a tale could speak.

OEDIPUS.

Ah me! What ancient pain stirs half awake Within me!

STRANGER.

'Twas a spike through both thy feet. I set thee free.

OEDIPUS.

A strange scorn that, to greet A babe new on the earth!

STRANGER.

From that they fain Must call thee Oedipus, "Who-walks-in-pain."

OEDIPUS.

Who called me so--father or mother? Oh, In God's name, speak!

STRANGER.

I know not. He should know Who brought thee.

OEDIPUS.

So: I was not found by thee. Thou hadst me from another?

STRANGER.

Aye; to me One of the shepherds gave the babe, to bear Far off.

OEDIPUS.

What shepherd? Know'st thou not? Declare All that thou knowest.

STRANGER.

By my memory, then, I think they called him one of Laïus' men.

OEDIPUS.

That Laïus who was king in Thebes of old?

STRANGER.

The same. My man did herding in his fold.