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.

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.

I came to tend

The flocks here on the mountain.

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!

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.