Part 14

OEDIPUS. Then there Thou must have known yon man, at least by fame?

HERDSMAN. Yon man? in what way? what man dost thou mean?

OEDIPUS. The man here, having met him in past times...

HERDSMAN. Off-hand I cannot call him well to mind.

MESSENGER. No wonder, master. But I will revive His blunted memories. Sure he can recall What time together both we drove our flocks, He two, I one, on the Cithaeron range, For three long summers; I his mate from spring Till rose Arcturus; then in winter time I led mine home, he his to Laius’ folds. Did these things happen as I say, or no?

HERDSMAN. ’Tis long ago, but all thou say’st is true.

MESSENGER. Well, thou mast then remember giving me A child to rear as my own foster-son?

HERDSMAN. Why dost thou ask this question? What of that?

MESSENGER. Friend, he that stands before thee was that child.

HERDSMAN. A plague upon thee! Hold thy wanton tongue!

OEDIPUS. Softly, old man, rebuke him not; thy words Are more deserving chastisement than his.

HERDSMAN. O best of masters, what is my offense?

OEDIPUS. Not answering what he asks about the child.

HERDSMAN. He speaks at random, babbles like a fool.

OEDIPUS. If thou lack’st grace to speak, I’ll loose thy tongue.

HERDSMAN. For mercy’s sake abuse not an old man.

OEDIPUS. Arrest the villain, seize and pinion him!

HERDSMAN. Alack, alack! What have I done? what wouldst thou further learn?

OEDIPUS. Didst give this man the child of whom he asks?

HERDSMAN. I did; and would that I had died that day!

OEDIPUS. And die thou shalt unless thou tell the truth.

HERDSMAN. But, if I tell it, I am doubly lost.

OEDIPUS. The knave methinks will still prevaricate.

HERDSMAN. Nay, I confessed I gave it long ago.

OEDIPUS. Whence came it? was it thine, or given to thee?

HERDSMAN. I had it from another, ’twas not mine.

OEDIPUS. From whom of these our townsmen, and what house?

HERDSMAN. Forbear for God’s sake, master, ask no more.