Neither did I beget thee nor did he. OEDIPUS. Then for what reason did he call me son? MESSENGER. Thou wast a gift to him, and from this hand. OEDIPUS. And could he take a foundling to his heart? MESSENGER. It was the yearning of a childless man. OEDIPUS. Was I thine own, or was I bought by thee? MESSENGER. I found thee in Cithaeron's bosky glade. OEDIPUS. What was it brought thee to this neighbourhood? MESSENGER. I kept the flocks that fed upon these hills. OEDIPUS. Wast thou a shepherd wandering for hire? MESSENGER. Poor as I was, O King, I saved thy life. OEDIPUS. In what so evil plight then was I found? MESSENGER. Thy insteps to that question can reply. OEDIPUS. Alack! what evil memory is this? MESSENGER. Thy feet were pierced through when I rescued thee. OEDIPUS. A hapless babe, foul swaddling clothes had I. MESSENGER. Thy name is thy misfortune's monument. OEDIPUS. Was it my mother's or my father's act? MESSENGER. I know not; he who gave me thee may tell. OEDIPUS. Was I received, then, and not found by thee? MESSENGER. Another shepherd put thee in my hands. OEDIPUS. Who was he? Canst thou point him out to me? MESSENGER. A serving-man of Laius he was called. OEDIPUS. That Laius who was ruler of this land? MESSENGER. The same; the man I mean his herdsman was. OEDIPUS. Is he alive? can he be seen by me? MESSENGER. You that this land inhabit best can tell. OEDIPUS. Does any one of you who stand around The herdsman know of whom this stranger speaks? Either afield or here has he been seen? Speak out! 'tis time that all should be revealed. CHORUS. I ween it is no other than the hind Of whom thou wast in quest some time ago; But Queen Jocasta could most likely tell. OEDIPUS. Wife, dost thou know the man for whom erewhile We sent? Is it of him that this man speaks? JOCASTA. Why ask? what matters it of whom he spoke? Let not such follies dwell upon thy mind. OEDIPUS. Think not to hinder me, with such a clue, From searching out the secret of my birth. JOCASTA. For Heaven's sake, for the sake of thy own life, Desist! That I am stricken is enough. OEDIPUS. Fear not; though I be proved through three descents Three times a slave, thy birth will take no stain. JOCASTA. Hear me, I do implore thee! Search no more. OEDIPUS. I will not stop till all has been revealed! JOCASTA. She that entreats thee has thy good at heart. OEDIPUS. Good it may be, yet does it please me ill. JOCASTA. Unhappy man! what thou art, never know. OEDIPUS. Go, some one; fetch the herdsman with all speed, And let this lady vaunt her pedigree. JOCASTA. Alack! alack! Wretch, by no other name Can I now call thee or shall call thee more! (JOCASTA _rushes off the scene_.) CHORUS. O King, why has the lady rushed away In this wild burst of grief? I sorely fear Her silence prefaces a storm of woe. OEDIPUS.