Part 31

Whose? What man, what house, of these About thee?

SHEPHERD.

In the name of God who sees, Ask me no more!

OEDIPUS.

If once I ask again, Thou diest.

SHEPHERD.

From the folk of Laïus, then, It came.

OEDIPUS.

A slave, or born of Laïus' blood?

SHEPHERD.

There comes the word I dread to speak, O God!

OEDIPUS.

And I to hear: yet heard it needs must be.

SHEPHERD.

Know then, they said 'twas Laïus' child. But she Within, thy wife, best knows its fathering.

OEDIPUS.

'Twas she that gave it?

SHEPHERD.

It was she, O King.

OEDIPUS.

And bade you ... what?

SHEPHERD.

Destroy it.

OEDIPUS. Her own child?... Cruel!

SHEPHERD.

Dark words of God had made her wild.

OEDIPUS.

What words?