I came to tend
The flocks here on the mountain.

[Sidenote: vv. 1029-1037]

OEDIPUS.

Thou wast one
That wandered, tending sheep for hire?

STRANGER.

My son,
That day I was the saviour of a King.

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!

[Sidenote: vv. 1038-1046]

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 Laius' men.

OEDIPUS.

That Laius who was king in Thebes of old?

STRANGER.

The same. My man did herding in his fold.

OEDIPUS.

Is he yet living? Can I see his face?

STRANGER.

[_Turning to the Chorus._

Ye will know that, being natives to the place.

[Sidenote: vv. 1047-1062]

OEDIPUS.

How?--Is there one of you within my pale
Standing, that knows the shepherd of his tale?
Ye have seen him on the hills? Or in this town?
Speak! For the hour is come that all be known.

LEADER.

I think 'twill be the Peasant Man, the same,
Thou hast sought long time to see.--His place and name
Our mistress, if she will, can tell most clear.

[JOCASTA _remains as if she heard nothing._

OEDIPUS.

Thou hear'st him, wife. The herd whose presence here
We craved for, is it he this man would say?

JOCASTA.

He saith ... What of it? Ask not; only pray
Not to remember.... Tales are vainly told.

OEDIPUS.

'Tis mine own birth. How can I, when I hold
Such clues as these, refrain from knowing all?

JOCASTA.

For God's l