lways far from Corinth. So;
Life hath dealt kindly with me, yet men know
On earth no comfort like a mother's face.

STRANGER.

'Tis that, hath kept thee exiled in this place?

OEDIPUS.

That, and the fear too of my father's blood.

STRANGER.

Then, surely, Lord ... I came but for thy good ...
'Twere well if from that fear I set thee free.

OEDIPUS.

Ah, couldst thou! There were rich reward for thee.

STRANGER.

To say truth, I had hoped to lead thee home
Now, and myself to get some good therefrom.

OEDIPUS.

Nay; where my parents are I will not go.

STRANGER.

My son, 'tis very clear thou dost not know
What road thou goest.

OEDIPUS.

How? In God's name, say!
How clear?

[Sidenote: vv. 1010-1019]

STRANGER.

'Tis this, keeps thee so long away
From Corinth?

OEDIPUS.

'Tis the fear lest that word break
One day upon me true.

STRANGER.

Fear lest thou take
Defilement from the two that gave thee birth?

OEDIPUS.

'Tis that, old man, 'tis that doth fill the earth
With terror.

STRANGER.

Then thy terror all hath been
For nothing.

OEDIPUS.

How? Were not your King and Queen
My parents?

STRANGER.

Polybus was naught to thee
In blood.

OEDIPUS.

How? He, my father!

STRANGER.

That was he
As much as I, but no more.

OEDIPUS.

Thou art naught;
'Twas he begot me.

[Sidenote: vv. 1020-1028]

STRANGER.

'Twas not I begot
Oedipus, neither was it he.

OEDIPUS.

What wild
Fancy, then, made him name me for his child?

STRANGER.

Thou wast his child--by gift. Long years ago
Mine own hand brought thee to him.

OEDIPUS.

Coming so,
From a strange hand, he gave me that great love?

STRANGER.

He had no child, and the desire thereof
Held him.

OEDIPUS.

And thou didst find somewhere--or buy--
A child for him?

STRANGER.

I found it in a high
Glen of Kithairon.

[_Movement of_ JOCASTA, _who stands riveted
with dread, unnoticed by the others._

OEDIPUS.

Yonder? To what end
Wast travelling in these parts?

STRANGER.