I know him well. A shepherd of the fold Of Laius, one he trusted more than all. [_The_ SHEPHERD _comes in, led by two thralls. He is an old man and seems terrified._ OEDIPUS. Thou first, our guest from Corinth: say withal Is this the man? [Sidenote: vv. 1120-1130] STRANGER. This is the man, O King. OEDIPUS. [_Addressing the_ SHEPHERD. Old man! Look up, and answer everything I ask thee.--Thou wast Laius' man of old? SHEPHERD. Born in his house I was, not bought with gold. OEDIPUS. What kind of work, what way of life, was thine? SHEPHERD. Most of my days I tended sheep or kine. OEDIPUS. What was thy camping ground at midsummer? SHEPHERD. Sometimes Kithairon, sometimes mountains near. OEDIPUS. Saw'st ever there this man thou seest now? SHEPHERD. There, Lord? What doing?--What man meanest thou? OEDIPUS. [_Pointing to the_ STRANGER. Look! Hath he ever crossed thy path before? [Sidenote: vv. 1131-1146] SHEPHERD. I call him not to mind, I must think more. STRANGER. Small wonder that, O King! But I will throw Light on his memories.--Right well I know He knows the time when, all Kithairon through, I with one wandering herd and he with two, Three times we neighboured one another, clear From spring to autumn stars, a good half-year. At winter's fall we parted; he drove down To his master's fold, and I back to mine own.... Dost call it back, friend? Was it as I say? SHEPHERD. It was. It was.... 'Tis all so far away. 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.