All thou counsellest Were good, save that my mother liveth still. And, though thy words be wise, for good or ill Her I still fear. JOCASTA. Think of thy father's tomb! Like light across our darkness it hath come. OEDIPUS. Great light; but while she lives I fly from her. STRANGER. What woman, Prince, doth fill thee so with fear? OEDIPUS. Merope, friend, who dwelt with Polybus. STRANGER. What in Queen Merope should fright thee thus? OEDIPUS. A voice of God, stranger, of dire import. STRANGER. Meet for mine ears? Or of some secret sort? [Sidenote: vv. 994-1009] OEDIPUS. Nay, thou must hear, and Corinth. Long ago Apollo spake a doom, that I should know My mother's flesh, and with mine own hand spill My father's blood.--'Tis that, and not my will, Hath kept me always 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.