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STRANGER.
Say then: thou gavest me once, there in the wild,
A babe to rear far off as mine own child?
SHEPHERD.
[_His terror returning._
What does this mean? To what end askest thou?
STRANGER.
[_Pointing to_ OEDIPUS.
That babe has grown, friend. 'Tis our master now.
SHEPHERD.
[_He slowly understands, then stands for a moment horror-struck._
No, in the name of death!... Fool, hold thy peace.
[_He lifts his staff at the_ STRANGER.
[Sidenote: vv. 1147-1157]
OEDIPUS.
Ha, greybeard! Wouldst thou strike him?--'Tis not his
Offences, 'tis thine own we need to mend.
SHEPHERD.
Most gentle master, how do I offend?
OEDIPUS.
Whence came that babe whereof he questioneth?
SHEPHERD.
He doth not know ... 'tis folly ... what he saith.
OEDIPUS.
Thou wilt not speak for love; but pain maybe ...
SHEPHERD.
I am very old. Ye would not torture me.
OEDIPUS.
Back with his arms, ye bondmen! Hold him so.
[_The thralls drag back the_ SHEPHERD'S
_arms, ready for torture._
SHEPHERD.
Woe's me! What have I done?... What wouldst thou know?
OEDIPUS.
Didst give this man the child, as he doth say?
SHEPHERD.
I did.... Would God that I had died this day!
[Sidenote: vv. 1158-1167]
OEDIPUS.
'Fore heaven, thou shalt yet, if thou speak not true.
SHEPHERD.
'Tis more than death and darker, if I do.
OEDIPUS.
This dog, it seems, will keep us waiting.
SHEPHERD.
Nay,
I said at first I gave it.
OEDIPUS.
In what way
Came it to thee? Was it thine own child, or
Another's?
SHEPHERD.
Nay, it never crossed my door:
Another's.
OEDIPUS.
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 Laius, then,
It came.
[Sidenote: vv. 1168-1176]
OEDIPUS.
A slave, or born of Laius' 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 Laius' child. But she
Within, thy wife, best knows its fathering.
OEDIPUS.
'Twas she that gave it?
SHEPHERD.
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