Part 12

OEDIPUS. My sire no more to me than one who is naught?

MESSENGER. Since I begat thee not, no more did he.

OEDIPUS. What reason had he then to call me son?

MESSENGER. Know that he took thee from my hands, a gift.

OEDIPUS. Yet, if no child of his, he loved me well.

MESSENGER. A childless man till then, he warmed to thee.

OEDIPUS. A foundling or a purchased slave, this child?

MESSENGER. I found thee in Cithaeron’s wooded glens.

OEDIPUS. What led thee to explore those upland glades?

MESSENGER. My business was to tend the mountain flocks.

OEDIPUS. A vagrant shepherd journeying for hire?

MESSENGER. True, but thy savior in that hour, my son.

OEDIPUS. My savior? from what harm? what ailed me then?

MESSENGER. Those ankle joints are evidence enow.

OEDIPUS. Ah, why remind me of that ancient sore?

MESSENGER. I loosed the pin that riveted thy feet.

OEDIPUS. Yes, from my cradle that dread brand I bore.

MESSENGER. Whence thou deriv’st the name that still is thine.

OEDIPUS. Who did it? I adjure thee, tell me who Say, was it father, mother?

MESSENGER. I know not. The man from whom I had thee may know more.

OEDIPUS. What, did another find me, not thyself?

MESSENGER. Not I; another shepherd gave thee me.

OEDIPUS. Who was he? Would’st thou know again the man?

MESSENGER. He passed indeed for one of Laius’ house.

OEDIPUS. The king who ruled the country long ago?

MESSENGER. The same: he was a herdsman of the king.

OEDIPUS. And is he living still for me to see him?

MESSENGER. His fellow-countrymen should best know that.