who bring him. But you, if you have seen the man

before, will know the man better than I.

CHORUS. Yes, I know the man who is coming; he was

indeed in Laius’ service, and is still the most trusted

of the herdsmen.

OEDIPUS. I ask you first, Corinthian stranger, is this the

man you mean?

MESSENGER. He is the very man.

OEDIPUS. Look at me, old man! Answer my questions.

Were you once in Laius’ service?

HERDSMAN. I was; not a bought slave, but reared up in

the house.

OEDIPUS. What was your work—your manner of life?

HERDSMAN. For the best part of my life I have tended

flocks.

OEDIPUS. Where, mainly?

HERDSMAN. Cithaeron or its neighborhood.

OEDIPUS. Do you remember meeting with this man

there?

HERDSMAN. What man do you mean?

OEDIPUS. This man. Did you ever meet him?

HERDSMAN. I cannot recall him to mind.

MESSENGER. No wonder in that, master; but I will bring

back his memory. He and I lived side by side upon

Cithaeron. I had but one flock and he had two.

Three full half-years we lived there, from spring to

autumn, and every winter I drove my flock to my

own fold, while he drove his to the fold of Laius.

Is that right? Was it not so?

HERDSMAN. True enough; though it was long ago.

MESSENGER. Come, tell me now—do you remember giving

me a boy to rear as my own foster-son?

HERDSMAN. What are you saying? Why do you ask me

that?

MESSENGER. Look at that man, my friend, he is the child

you gave me.

HERDSMAN. A plague upon you! Cannot you hold your

tongue?

OEDIPUS. Do not blame him, old man; your own words

are more blameable.

HERDSMAN. And how have I offended, master?

OEDIPUS. In not telling of that boy he asks of.

HERDSMAN. He speaks from ignorance, and does not

know what he is saying.

OEDIPUS. If you will not speak with a good grace you

shall be made to speak.

HERDSMAN. Do not hurt me for the love of God, I am

an old man.

OEDIPUS. Some one there, tie his hands behind his back.

HERDSMAN. Alas! Wherefore! What more would you

learn?

OEDIPUS. Did you give this man the child he speaks of?

HERDSMAN. I did: would I had died that day!

OEDIPUS. Well, you may come to that unless you speak

the truth.

HERDSMAN. Much more am I lost if I speak it.

OEDIPUS. What! Would the fellow make more delay?

HERDSMAN. No, no. I said before that I gave it to him.

OEDIPUS. Where did you come by it? Your own child,

or another?

HERDSMAN. It was not my own child—I had it from

another.

OEDIPUS. From any of those here? From what house?

HERDSMAN. Do not ask any more, master, for the love

of God do not ask.

OEDIPUS. You are lost if I have to question you again.