OED. Leave her to raise what storm she will. But I Will persevere to know mine origin, Though from an humble seed. Her woman's pride Is shamed, it may be, by my lowliness. But I, whilst I account myself the son Of prospering Fortune, ne'er will be disgraced. For she is my true mother: and the months, Coheirs with me of the same father, Time, Have marked my lowness and mine exaltation. So born, so nurtured, I can fear no change, That I need shrink to probe this to the root. [OEDIPUS _remains, and gazes towards the country, while the_ CHORUS _sing_ CHORUS. If I wield a prophet's might, 1 Or have sense to search aright, Cithaeron, when all night the moon rides high, Loud thy praise shall be confessed, How upon thy rugged breast, Thou, mighty mother, nursed'st tenderly Great Oedipus, and gav'st his being room Within thy spacious home. Yea, we will dance and sing Thy glory for thy kindness to our king. Phoebus, unto thee we cry, Be this pleasing in thine eye! Who, dear sovereign, gave thee birth, 2 Of the long lived nymphs of earth? Say, was she clasped by mountain roving Pan? Or beguiled she one sweet hour With Apollo in her bower, Who loves to trace the field untrod by man? Or was the ruler of Cyllene's height The author of thy light? Or did the Bacchic god, Who makes the top of Helicon to nod, Take thee for a foundling care From his playmates that are there? _The_ THEBAN SHEPHERD _is seen approaching, guarded._ OED. If haply I, who never saw his face, Thebans, may guess, methinks I see the hind Whose coming we have longed for. Both his age, Agreeing with this other's wintry locks, Accords with my conjecture, and the garb Of his conductors is well known to me As that of mine own people. But methinks [_to_ LEADER of CHORUS] Thou hast more perfect knowledge in this case, Having beheld the herdman in the past. CH. I know him well, believe me. Laius Had no more faithful shepherd than this man. OED. Corinthian friend, I first appeal to you: Was't he you spake of? COR. SH. 'Twas the man you see. OED. Turn thine eyes hither, aged friend, and tell What I shall ask thee. Wast thou Laius' slave? THEB. SH. I was, not bought, but bred within the house. OED. What charge or occupation was thy care? THEB. SH. Most of my time was spent in shepherding. OED. And where didst thou inhabit with thy flock? THEB. SH. 'Twas now Cithaeron, now the neighbouring tract. OED. And hadst thou there acquaintance of this man? THEB. SH. Following what service? What is he you mean? OED. The man you see. Hast thou had dealings with him? THEB. SH. I cannot bring him all at once to mind.